To run a troubleshooter in Windows 11, open Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters, then select Run next to the area you’re having trouble with, such as Audio, Network and Internet, Printer, or Windows Update. On current versions of Windows 11, the troubleshooter opens in the Get Help app and walks you through the checks.
How to Run a Troubleshooter in Windows 11
- Press Windows key + I to open Settings.
- Select System, then scroll down and select Troubleshoot.
- Select Other troubleshooters.
- Select Run next to the troubleshooter you need.
- If Get Help asks for consent to run diagnostics, select Yes.
- Answer its questions and let it finish its checks.
- Try the suggested fix, then check whether the problem is gone.
Start a Troubleshooter From the Get Help App
- Select Start, type Get Help, and open it.
- In the search bar, type the troubleshooter name, such as audio troubleshooter or printer troubleshooter.
- Follow the steps it shows.
For internet problems, search connect to network and internet and select Run network diagnostics. Microsoft keeps the full list on its Windows troubleshooters page.
Which Troubleshooter Should You Use?
- Audio: no sound, or sound coming from the wrong speakers.
- Network and Internet: Wi-Fi or Ethernet connects but won’t load pages, or won’t connect at all.
- Printer: print jobs stuck in the queue or a printer that shows as offline.
- Windows Update: updates that fail or won’t download.
- Bluetooth and Camera: problems connecting or using those devices.
- Video Playback and Windows Media Player: videos or media that won’t play correctly.
- Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS): a background download service that Windows Update relies on.
- Program Compatibility: an older program that won’t run correctly.
If the troubleshooter doesn’t solve it, these guides go further: clearing a stuck printer queue, reinstalling an audio driver, turning on Bluetooth in Windows 11, and resetting network settings in Windows 11.
Let Windows Run Troubleshooters Automatically
- Open Settings > System > Troubleshoot.
- Open the Recommended troubleshooter preferences menu.
- Choose Run automatically, don’t notify me, Run automatically, then notify me, Ask me before running, or Don’t run any.
Recommended troubleshooter history on the same page shows what has already run.
Where the Old Troubleshooters Went
Microsoft retired the older built-in troubleshooters and the Microsoft Support Diagnostic Tool (MSDT) that ran them. Some, such as Audio, Bluetooth, and Printer, moved to Get Help. Others, such as the Keyboard and Speech troubleshooters, were removed. That’s why older commands like msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic for the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter no longer work on current Windows 11. Microsoft explains the change in its MSDT deprecation notice.
If the Troubleshooter Won’t Open or Doesn’t Fix It
- If Run does nothing or you see an app error, open the Microsoft Store, search for Get Help, and install or update it.
- Restart the PC and try again.
- Install waiting updates in Settings > Windows Update.
- Update or reinstall the driver for the device in Device Manager.
- Search the exact error message in the Get Help app or on Microsoft Support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Windows 11 have a troubleshooter?
Yes. Windows 11 includes troubleshooters for audio, networking, printers, Windows Update, Bluetooth, cameras, and more, all reached from Settings or the Get Help app.
Does running a troubleshooter change my settings?
It can. A troubleshooter may restart services, reset an adapter, or change a setting to fix the problem. It tells you what it found and what it changed.
Do I need to download a troubleshooter for Windows 11?
No. The troubleshooters are built into Windows 11 through Settings and the Get Help app, so there’s nothing to download. Skip sites that offer a “Windows troubleshooter download” and use the built-in ones instead.
If your PC is slow rather than broken, a troubleshooter may not find anything. Check what apps are running in the background in Windows 11 to spot programs using memory or CPU.
If a troubleshooter can’t fix it, you can still reach a person. Here’s how to live chat with Microsoft Support.
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read hundreds of millions of times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.