Efficient Ways to Fix Downloads Folder Not Responding

How do I fix the download folder is not responding?

Windows OS always saves the downloaded files from the Internet in the default storage location: the downloads folder. However, if downloads not responding, which implies your Windows File Explorer might stop working.

Please get an overview of these possible reasons for the downloads folder not responding, which could help you fix this issue.

Windows File Explorer errors.

Corrupt system files.

Misconfigured application settings.

Accidentally deleted the downloads folder in Windows 10/11.

Virus or malware.

How to fix Windows 10/11 downloads folder not responding?

There’re four feasible solutions for your preference. Naturally, you can try them one by one. If you accidentally deleted downloads folder, follow the final method directly.  

Method 1. Run SFC scan to fix downloads not responding

Windows 10 downloads folder not responding? In the beginning, you can run SFC scan to repair corrupted file systems because this command utility can repair any corrupted file systems.

Step 1. Type “cmd” in the search bar and click “Run as administrator” to open the command prompt window.

Step 2. Type “sfc /scannow” in the window and hit “Enter” to begin the process.

Method 2. Run CHKDSK to fix downloads not responding

Similarly, CHKDSK also can help you fix the issue of the downloads folder not responding in Windows. After repair, you can salvage readable downloaded files from the folder.

Step 1. Enter “cmd” or “Command Prompt” in the search bar on your PC. Then select “Run as administrator” to start the utility.

Step 2. Enter “chkdsk F:/f” in the command prompt window. If you see “Windows has made corrections to the file systems,” the corrupted file systems have been fixed. If you need, remember to replace F with your actual drive letter that contains your desired files/folders.

If the CHKDSK has discouraged you from checking and repairing partition errors, there comes another choice, AOMEI Partition Assistant. Under the guidance of this highly-praised tool, you can fix corrupted files with ease.

Method 3. Change properties settings to fix downloads not responding

If the above methods cannot work for you to fix it, why not change the downloads folder’s properties settings? Let’s show how it works.

Step 1. Press “Win + E” to open Windows File Explorer, then right-click on the downloads folder and select the “Properties” option.

Step 2. Under the Customize tab, select Documents. After that, tick “Also apply this template to all subfolders” and “Apply” it.

Method 4. Recover the deleted/lost files from downloads folder

It’s easy to see that the downloads folder not responding after accidental deletion. If you’ve accidentally deleted the downloads folder in Windows, there’s no better way than utilizing a top-rated data recovery software for Windows to recover it.

You can use the following guidelines if you have no idea how to select a reliable tool.   

This highly acclaimed software, MyRecover has met all the above conditions. Let’s have a closer look at its functions.   

★Tips:  

Recover the deleted/lost Word, Excel, PPT, Photos, Video, Audio, and Compressed files from HDD, USB, SD cards, and other storage devices.

Judge the recovered files based on their original filenames, path, and format.  

During scanning, search your needed files by entering their filenames in the search bar or wait to find all the deleted and other lost files on your computers after running Quick Scan and Deep Scan automatically.

Support NTFS, exFAT, FAT32, and ReFS file systems.

Are you desperate to check its functions? So why not download it on your Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, or Windows Server computers?

Step 1. Launch it on your PC, and hover the mouse over the C drive. Then click Scan to start the scanning process.

Step 2. Search or wait to see all the deleted and other missing files saved on the C drive.

Step 3. Go to the Deleted files/Other missing files folder, and open the downloads folder. Click “Recover x files” to recover the downloaded files you’ve selected and save the recovered files in a new location.

Wrapping up

Windows 10/11 downloads folder not responding? Please don’t worry because this post has listed four feasible methods for you. To avoid unnecessary steps, you’d better check the possible reasons for downloads not responding.

For example, if you accidentally deleted the downloads folder, you can move on to the final solution.

Apart from that, there’s another point that deserves your attention. That is you’d better develop a good habit of creating backups because only regular backups are the best hedge against data loss. So why not follow these pertinent suggestions?

• Take advantage of Windows features like Backup and Restore to make files/folders backup.
• Utilize data loss prevention software, AOMEI Backupper to back up files, folders, partitions, disks, or the system without paying.