# Anki Desktop on Windows 11 Won't Open **URL:** \ **Category:** Help\ **Created:** [April 2, 2026, 5:38pm UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/anki-desktop-on-windows-11-wont-open/69323 "2026-04-02T17:38:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![tlawrence](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@tlawrence](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/tlawrence)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2026, 5:38pm UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/anki-desktop-on-windows-11-wont-open/69323/1 "2026-04-02T17:38:58Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Danika\_Dakika](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/forums.ankiweb.net/danika_dakika/32/17815_2.png) [@Danika\_Dakika](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/Danika_Dakika)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2026, 9:03pm UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/anki-desktop-on-windows-11-wont-open/69323/2 "2026-04-02T21:03:59Z")
> [@tlawrence](#): > > I need to finish studying for my upcoming exam. 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 – > [@Anki 25.09 not installing on Windows 11/10 – only Launcher appears](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/anki-25-09-not-installing-on-windows-11-10-only-launcher-appears/69201/8): > > The most recent release prior to switching to the Launcher was [25.02.7](https://github.com/ankitects/anki/releases/tag/25.02.7), so that will get you the most updates. Then you can try updating again when you’re not under the gun for an exam. ---
**Author:** ![tlawrence](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@tlawrence](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/tlawrence)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2026, 6:40pm UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/anki-desktop-on-windows-11-wont-open/69323/3 "2026-04-02T18:40:18Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![Danika\_Dakika](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/forums.ankiweb.net/danika_dakika/32/17815_2.png) [@Danika\_Dakika](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/Danika_Dakika)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2026, 9:05pm UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/anki-desktop-on-windows-11-wont-open/69323/4 "2026-04-02T21:05:41Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![tlawrence](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@tlawrence](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/tlawrence)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2026, 9:38pm UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/anki-desktop-on-windows-11-wont-open/69323/5 "2026-04-02T21:38:45Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![Danika\_Dakika](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/forums.ankiweb.net/danika_dakika/32/17815_2.png) [@Danika\_Dakika](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/Danika_Dakika)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2026, 12:20am UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/anki-desktop-on-windows-11-wont-open/69323/6 "2026-04-03T00:20:22Z")
It’s not clear to me that you’ve actually gotten the app installed yet. The launcher/install process is 2 steps. > [@tlawrence](#): > > I’ve already uninstalled and reinstalled the app (25.09.2) 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)](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/anki2/original/3X/f/5/f5b9a7e57f0f087f5c6d42e410afb86b7c2290ae.png) 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? ---
**Author:** ![tlawrence](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@tlawrence](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/tlawrence)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2026, 1:52am UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/anki-desktop-on-windows-11-wont-open/69323/7 "2026-04-03T01:52:39Z")
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 ---
**Author:** ![BenJamesBen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/13edae/32.png) [@BenJamesBen](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/BenJamesBen)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2026, 2:32am UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/anki-desktop-on-windows-11-wont-open/69323/8 "2026-04-03T02:32:05Z")
> [@tlawrence](#): > > Sometimes the installer screen will come up and I click Enter for it to install. Nothing happens… 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.) ---
**Author:** ![Danika\_Dakika](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/forums.ankiweb.net/danika_dakika/32/17815_2.png) [@Danika\_Dakika](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/Danika_Dakika)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2026, 3:05pm UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/anki-desktop-on-windows-11-wont-open/69323/9 "2026-04-04T15:05:55Z")
Split this topic on April 4, 2026, 3:05pm UTC A post was merged into an existing topic: [Anki 25.09 not installing on Windows 11/10 – only Launcher appears](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/anki-25-09-not-installing-on-windows-11-10-only-launcher-appears/69201/11) ---
**Author:** ![system](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/anki2/original/1X/8f1279ababc5879d54e4838989f606cfe55af8c7.jpeg) [@system](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/system)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2026, 3:06pm UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/anki-desktop-on-windows-11-wont-open/69323/10 "2026-05-04T15:06:26Z")
Closed on May 4, 2026, 3:06pm UTC This topic was automatically closed 30 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.