How to fix Character Map not working on Windows

Character Map is a Windows utility for inserting special characters, symbols, and glyphs (written or inscribed images) into documents. However, this application can sometimes have corrupt files or configuration issues that prevent it from working in Windows 11.

If you're having this problem, don't worry! This is a guide that will help you fix Character Map problems on Windows.

1. Check for Windows updates and restart the computer

If you are having trouble opening the Character Map on Windows, check that your computer is up to date. Windows often downloads and installs updates to fix bugs, so if your version of Windows is out of date, Character Map may not work properly.

To check for available Windows updates, refer to the article: How to keep your Windows computer up to date.

If you already have the latest version for your computer, try restarting your computer. It can often resolve minor issues and is a great way to fix any problems you may have with software or apps.

2. Run the SFC and DISM . scan tool

Another way to work around this problem is to run the System File Checker (SFC) tool. This is a built-in Windows utility that scans your files and repairs any corrupted or missing files. It also checks for incompatible software programs and hardware drivers that may be causing problems with your system. The scan will take a few minutes to complete, and your computer may reboot several times in the process.

After the SFC scan is complete, run Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM). This command will repair damaged system images and restore system files. This process may take a while to complete. After executing the DISM command, restart the computer to check if it has resolved the problem.

How to fix Character Map not working on Windows Picture 1How to fix Character Map not working on Windows Picture 1

3. Uninstall the latest Windows update

If you recently updated your Windows to the latest version of Windows and are having trouble accessing the Character Map, uninstall it. The Windows update uninstallation process is simple and straightforward.

4. Perform a clean boot

If you have the latest version of Windows but still find your Character Map doesn't work, try performing a clean boot. This is the process of starting Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs to identify conflicts between programs or services. After you complete the clean boot steps, restart the computer to see if it fixes the problem.

5. Create a new user profile

When none of the solutions above work, see how to set up a new user profile on Windows. This will create a separate account with its own settings, files, and apps that can help resolve conflicts with existing data.

It's normal to have problems with the Character Map on your computer, but fortunately, the above fixes should help. If none of the above solutions work, you can try further and the following:

  1. Check the font settings again . If you are using an invalid or corrupted font, this may be causing this problem. Please remove invalid font or reinstall new font to fix the problem.
  2. Clear the cache of the Character Map . You can clear the Character Map cache by opening the task manager, finding and selecting "Character Map", and then clicking the "Clear Cache" button.
  3. Fix Windows system errors with the system error repair tool. You can use the Windows system repair tool to fix the system errors that cause this problem. To do this, open the system repair tool by clicking the Start button > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System File Checker .
  4. Reinstall Character Map : You can try reinstalling Character Map to fix the problem. To do this, from the " Security and maintenance " menu in Windows settings open " Settings and storage in Windows ", then select " Install or remove add-ons " and find and select Character Map in the list. book. Click the "Install/Remove " button and follow the instructions to reinstall this add-on.
  5. System Restore . If the above measures don't help, you can try to restore the system to a day before this problem. This will help you restore the system to its original state and fix the errors that may have caused this problem.

If it still doesn't fix the problem, you can try contacting Microsoft or a technician for further assistance.

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