Why does Microsoft Photos freeze when importing?
If the Photos app freezes or crashes while importing photos, you might have permission issues with the Pictures folder. You can check the permissions of any folder by opening its properties. Apart from that, there could be corrupted cache files causing the app to crash or freeze. Such an issue can be fixed by re-registering or resetting the Photos app.
Fix Photos app keeps failing or freezing when importing photos
If the Photos app keeps failing or freezing when importing photos on your Windows 11/10 PC, here is what you need to do to fix the problem. Let’s see all these solutions in detail.
1] Run Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter
Microsoft has developed some automated troubleshooting tools that help users fix some common problems that occur on their systems. Because Photos is a Windows app, running the Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter can fix the problem. You can launch this troubleshooter from Windows 11/10 Settings.
2] Check the permissions of the Pictures folder
By default, the import location of the photos is the Pictures folder. Therefore, if you are unable to import pictures from your external device connected to your computer, check the permissions of the Pictures folder. The steps to check the permissions of the Pictures folder are listed below: Similarly, you can check the Full Control permission for your username and Administrators in the Group or user names box. If you do not have permission to the Pictures folder, you have to take ownership of that folder. After taking ownership, check if you can import photos.
3] Uninstall and reinstall your SD card driver
This solution is for the users who are experiencing the issue while importing photos from their SD cards. If the Photos app is crashing or freezing while importing Photos from an SD card or if Windows can’t recognize your SD card, the SD card driver may be corrupted. In such a case, uninstalling and reinstalling the SD card driver may help. The following steps will help you with that: On the restart, Windows will automatically detect the hardware changes and install the latest version of your SD card driver. Now, check if the issue is fixed or not. Read: Fix Photos app error code 0x887A0005.
4] Re-register the Photos app
If Windows Store apps crash or do not launch, re-registering them will fix the problem. If despite trying the above fixes, you are still experiencing the same issue with the Photos app, re-register it or reinstall it to get the issue solved.
5] Repir or Reset the Photos app
Resetting the Photos app has fixed the problem for many users. You should also try this. Maybe it will work for you too. You will find the option to reset the Photos app in Settings. After resetting the Photos app, check if it crashes or freezes while importing photos from an external device.
6] Import photos via File Explorer
If none of the above solutions solve your problem, import your photos and videos via File Explorer. The steps to do this are explained below: Wait till Windows imports all the selected photos and videos. Now, open the Pictures folder. There, you will find all your imported photos and videos in different folders. Now, you can add these folders to the Photos app easily.
Why does my iPhone photo import keep failing?
There could be many reasons why your iPhone photo import to Windows keeps failing, like:
You might have not enabled the file transfer in your iPhone,Corrupted drivers,Permission issues with the Pictures folder,Faulty USB cable, etc.
Hope this helps. Read next: Windows Photos app is slow to open or not working.
