When a software program fails to open in Windows, using “Run as administrator” can be a lifesaver, as it can open the program in seconds. Do you know how this is possible? The simple answer is application permissions. If a software program fails to open after clicking on it, it means that there is a permission restriction on your PC for that software. Running the program as an administrator gives it complete permission.
Nevertheless, what if “Run as an administrator” does not work on your Windows PC? Unfortunately, this happens to numerous Windows users. We have tried to investigate the situation and determine what causes the PC not to process the “Run as Administrator” functionality. Fortunately, we have found possible ways to fix it on your end. So, without further ado, let us start with the guide and learn how to fix it.
How to Fix “Run as Administrator” Not Working
Since “Run as Administrator” is a core part of Windows, users may face many problems if it does not work. Developers have yet to express their views on this concern, meaning the problem is on the user’s end. Noting that point, we started our research and came up with a few points. Since “Run as Administrator” is not responding or working, it means that somewhere, a corrupted file has caused it to malfunction. Likewise, there may be a problematic application that creates restrictions on how such tools work.
After reading about these causes, you might need help figuring out what to do, especially if you are a newbie. For such concerns, we tried to gather the best fixes so that you could fix the problem directly from your end without delay. More likely, the problem will be fixed with these solutions. If any user still experiences issues after these fixes, we recommend they take their system to an authorized service centre. We hope you will not need to do so. Let us take a look at the fixes below.
Note: Before proceeding, please note that we assume you have done the usual Windows troubleshooting to identify and fix the issue from the system’s end.
Restart your PC.
When the PC works hard on high-power tasks, it can often start malfunctioning and not prioritizing commands properly. If you are also experiencing the “Run as Administrator not working” problem, it could be due to this malfunction. Do not worry; restarting your PC is not a big issue and can be quickly resolved. Restarting your PC will return to its default working strength and take commands on time. After restarting, when you open any software as an administrator, it should open without issues. So, the first thing you should do is restart your PC.
Remove Third-Party Applications
Remember which apps you have loaded on your PC, especially if experiencing the “Run as Administrator is not working” issue. A third-party application can conflict with the operating system and ultimately force it to malfunction. Remove or uninstall the app from your PC if you identify the app causing problems. If you do not know how to do this, follow these steps: Open the Settings app, select the Apps section, and click on the app you want to remove. Click on Uninstall. That is it. After this, try using “Run as an Administrator” again. It should work properly now.
Clear Hidden Corrupt Files
This task seems supportive, as most users get results from it. Corrupt files are such that they never show any positive results. Even after attempting the above fixes, if the problem persists, you need to clear those corrupt files. To do that, you should use a prominent antivirus program and scan your PC entirely. If you need clarification about finding a deserving antivirus, we recommend you use Avast Antivirus. It is easy to use and clears hidden, corrupt files wisely.
Apart from that, you can try a few other things, such as creating a new user account and checking whether “run as an administrator” works. Additionally, you can boot your PC into safe mode to get a fresh start. We hope these fixes will help you solve the problem of “run as administrator” not working. However, if the problem persists, we recommend that you request help from Windows Support or take your system to an authorized service centre.