Anki Desktop on Windows 11 Won't Open

Anki Help
1

This is the error message I found, when I clicked on anki-console in the folder.

Starting Anki 25.09.2…
2026-04-02 13:35:48,984:INFO:aqt.mediasrv: Serving on ``http://127.0.0.1:54945
Qt warning: Unknown Vendor ID: “0x4d4f4351”
FATAL ERROR: (QIC != QIC_TEX && QIC != QIC_LDST) && “TEX LDST instruction still needs rematerialization”
Qt debug: vkDebug: VK_ERROR_INITIALIZATION_FAILED
Error: Failed to run (-1073741819): C:\Users\james\AppData\Local\AnkiProgramFiles.venv\Scripts/python.exe -c import aqt, sys; sys.argv[0] = ‘Anki’; aqt.run()
Press enter to close…

I have uninstalled and reinstalled Anki 25.09 for Windows multiple times. My laptop updated to the new Windows 11 and now I can’t open it. I have tried downloading older versions but still can’t open it.

I am not able to open in safe mode, as holding down the Shift button and double-clicking on the icon does absolutely nothing. I have checked my GPDU drivers which says up-to-date and I don’t have any other updates on my laptop. Please help. I need to finish studying for my upcoming exam.

2

Your fastest way to get back up and running is to stop trying to use the launcher, and use the version you can get from the most recent installer –

Then you can try updating again when you’re not under the gun for an exam.

3

I did hit the enter button when I got to this screen but nothing happening. It just closed but no Anki open. Any other options if I can figure out how to get back to that screen?

4

I moved your other post here from that other thread, because it’s not clear whether you’re having that issue. When you’ve got more time to try things, you can post here again and explain from scratch what steps you are going through that aren’t working.

5

None of the steps are working.

I’ve already uninstalled and reinstalled the app (25.09.2). If can’t get it to open if I click on the desktop app or even if it gives me the option to launch the installer.

I cannot open the app in safe mode, by clicking on the icon while holding down the shift button.

I cannot get an older version to open.

I cannot get it to open if I try to from the administrator view.

What other options would you recommend I try?

6

It’s not clear to me that you’ve actually gotten the app installed yet. The launcher/install process is 2 steps.

So, by that, do you mean you’ve uninstalled and reinstalled the launcher – which when you run it, gives you a terminal window with a short list of numbered items to choose from?

Screenshot (16)
Screenshot (16)414×355 4.15 KB

Or that you’ve gotten to this Launcher screen and selected 8 to uninstall Anki, and then gotten back to this screen and selected 1 to reinstall Anki?

Or something else?

7

Sometimes the installer screen will come up and I click Enter for it to install. Nothing happens…

When I double click on the Anki icon on my Desktop it doesn’t open. k

8

Afte pressing the Enter key, how long did you wait? (It can take up to 10-20 minutes or so for the installation process to complete.)