Solved: Windows Server 2019 Settings Not Working (8 Ways)

▍Quick navigations:

• Problem: Windows Server settings app crashes
• Why isn’t my Settings working?
• Recommend: backup system files before fixing the problem
• How do I open Settings in Windows Server 2019?
• Conclusion

Problem: Windows Server settings app crashes

Despite some individuals expressing dissatisfaction with Microsoft's gradual shift away from the traditional Control Panel, the Settings app has evolved into a vital component of the Windows operating system.

Serving as a gateway to system management, it enables users to perform a multitude of tasks, including device setup, user management, and gaming adjustments. Consequently, when the Settings app encounters issues, for example, Windows settings app crashes, Windows itself can become considerably impaired.

 When we talked about Windows Server 2019 settings not working, it generally refers to several occasions:

▸Settings won’t open.
▸Settings won’t work after opening.
▸Clicking the settings icon opens the store app instead of settings.

Why isn’t my Settings working?

The possible reasons for the Windows Server 2019 Settings app not working can be listed as follows:

1. Update issues: The system may not have installed the latest updates, leading to compatibility problems with the Settings app.
2. Software conflicts: Certain installed applications on the system may conflict with the Settings app, preventing it from functioning properly.
3. Corrupted system files: Key system files may have become damaged or missing, causing the Settings app to fail to load and run correctly.
4. User permission issues: The currently logged-in user may not have sufficient permissions to access and operate the Settings app.
5. Virus or malware infection: The system may have been affected by a virus or malware, impacting the normal functionality of the Settings app.

Please note that these are just some common reasons that can contribute to the Settings app not working properly in Windows Server 2019, and the specific cause may vary depending on the system configuration and circumstances.

Recommend: backup system files before fixing the problem

The best result of your operations is to recover everything to its original. However, since safeguarding data security is our primary and most important goal, backing up your system before you execute the below operations is needed. Frankly speaking, there is the possibility to cause irreversible outcomes even if you made one minor mistake on your PC.  AOMEI Backupper Server is a full-featured backup and restore software that is designed for Server users. It can be a supplement when Server 2019 shadow copies missing. For more detailed info is below:

✄Flexible backup options: you can choose to backup files and folders, or you can also backup system, partitions and disks as you like.
✄Automatic backup plan: once you set the scheduled backup method, you can backup your files in daily/weekly/ monthly/ event triggers and USB plug-in mode.
✄Powerful backup scheme: you are allowed to back up a full copy of your data, or you can only back up the changes via incremental and differential backup. To save more storage locations, you can enable backup cleanup method to clear out duplicates.

Now download AOMEI Backupper and launch it. Here is a full guide to backup system.

Step 1. Click System Backup under the Backup tab.

Step 2. Then it will automatically choose the source, including the partitions. Then you need to decide to choose a destination among local path/ NAS or Add share and external hard drive.

Step 3. Then confirm your settings by clicking Start Backup.

How do I open Settings in Windows Server 2019?

If you find yourself experiencing a stalled or unresponsive Settings app, fret not, as there are several remedies available to restore its functionality. Below, you'll find a compilation of fixes that should aid in resolving the Windows Settings won't open and bring the Settings app back to normal working order.

• Method 1. Restart your computer
• Method 2. Try an alternative way to open settings
• Method 3. Update / Roll-back an update Windows
• Method 4. Run SFC Scan
• Method 5. Uninstall conflict APPs
• Method 6. Create a user account
• Method 7. Reinstall Settings app
• Method 8. Re-enable settings in Registry editors

Method 1. Restart your computer

Generally speaking, restarting PC is proved to be efficient in troubleshooting a lot of PC problems. Try it to see if it can resolve setting problems like Windows Settings not openning, if not, then move to the next method.

Method 2. Try an alternative way to open settings

How about choosing another way to open your settings especially when you need to use it urgent? Here is the exact ways:

Way 1. Press Windows + I key simultaneously to open the Settings APP.

Way 2. Select start menu in the lower-left part of your screen and choose Settings.

Method 3. Update / Roll-back an update Windows

Please make sure you’re running on the latest version of Windows Server 2019. Conversely, sometimes your unworkable settings may be interrupted by the just updated Windows.

Case 1. Update Windows.

Simply click Start > type Update > Check for updates to check if there are any updates to install.

Case 2. Roll back windows

If you have noticed that your settings have stopped working since a Windows update was installed, then you can verify by uninstalling the updates. Here is the guide:

Step 1. Typing update history in the search bar and clicking View Update history.

Step 2. Navigate to Uninstall updates and see if the date of a recent update corresponds with when you remember the Settings app stopped working.

Step 3. Confirm if it does, locate the one you believe to be causing problems. Right-click it and click Uninstall.

Method 4. Run SFC Scan

Before trying the more elaborate method of fixing the Settings app, perform an easier one:

Step 1. Open Command prompt by typing command prompt in the search bar. And choose Run as administrator.

Step 2. In the command prompt window. Type sfc /scannow and hit Enter to troubleshoot your hard drive errors or corrupted system files.

Method 5. Uninstall conflict APPs

Surprisingly, certain applications have been found to interfere with the functionality of the Windows Settings app. Among them is the Lenovo Onekey Theater app, which is designed to streamline the audiovisual experience on Lenovo devices.

Unfortunately, some users have reported that this particular app can disrupt the proper functioning of the Settings app, rendering it unresponsive. It's worth noting that there may be other similar applications from various developers that could potentially cause similar issues.

Method 6. Create a new user account

If the files in your user account have become corrupt, there's a chance it will trouble you when you try to open the Settings app. If this is the case, there's an easy fix—just create a new user account.

Make sure you create the new user account with all the administrative privileges so in case it works you can move your personal files and data from the old account to the new account.

Step 1. Start by launching an elevated Command Prompt by pressing Win + R, and typing cmd. And select Run as administrator.

Step 2. At the command prompt window, execute the following command and hit Enter:

net user newusername newpassword /add

✍Note: Make sure that you replace the words newusername and newpassword with the actual username-password combination you want to use.

Step 3. Once the user account is created, give it administrative privileges with the following command:

net localgroup administrators Admin /add

Step 4. Again, replace the word username with the username for the user account you just created.

Step 5. When you're done, log out of the current user account and log into the new user account.

If you can open the Settings app now, just copy your personal files and data from the previous user account into the new one. Here is how you can do it:

Navigate to C:\Users\OldUsername and click on View from the top ribbon. Check the box for Hidden items and copy all folders. Navigate to C:\Users\NewUsername and paste the files there.

Method 7. Reinstall settings app

Step 1. Press Win + R, type powershell to open Windows PowerShell (Admin) and execute the following command:

Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.Windows.ShellExperienceHost | Remove-AppxPackage

✍Caution: when you use the method, you will actually re-register and reinstall all Windows Server apps.

Step 2. Once the uninstallation process is complete, type the following command in the PowerShell (Admin) and press Enter to reinstall the Settings app:

Get-AppxPackage -allusers Microsoft.Windows.ShellExperienceHost | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}

Step 3. Wait for the command to execute and reinstall the Settings app. This may take a few moments.

Step 4. After the process is finished, close PowerShell and restart your Windows Server 2019.

Upon rebooting, the Settings app should be reinstalled and accessible as usual. If you encounter any issues during the process, it is recommended to consult Microsoft's official documentation or seek further assistance.

Method 8. Re-enable settings in Registry editors

Step 1. In the Start menu, type regedit and open Registry Editor. Here, navigate to:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\

Step 2. Right-click Policies, then click New > Key and call it Explorer.

Step 3. Next, right-click an empty area in the right-hand pane then New > DWORD (32-bit) Value and call it NoControlPanel (without the quote).

Step 4. Double-click NoControlPanel, and set the Value data to 0.

Conclusion

Hoping this guide can help you solve Windows Server 2019 settings not working via the above 8 ways successfully. Additionally, before you perform any changes, please backup your system via the best backup and restore software----AOMEI Backupper, which can backup C drive Windows 11 and other Windows versions efficiently.