Can't get anki running at all

[minpig]

Hi all,

I can’t get any version of anki to run on my computer, first I tried the other threads about this error but nothing worked so I’ve been trying lots of stuff with claude as it has a pretty good track record for fixing my tech issues (opus 4.6). I don’t like just outsourcing my writing to AI but frankly I have no idea what is going on so I just asked claude to tell me what it suggested and what i did and how it went across our chat, my mobile anki works great so my ankiweb is all good. Any help is appreciated

Specs: Surface Laptop Studio (5-6 years old), Windows 11 Pro (build 26200.8457), 11th gen Intel i5-11300H @ 3.10GHz with Intel Iris Xe graphics, DirectX 12, latest Intel driver (31.0.101.7085), single monitor.

Everything I’ve tried, in order, and what I got:

1. Launcher (latest version), “Latest Anki”:

Checking for updates...
Unable to check for Anki versions. Please check your internet connection.
Error: Failed to run (-1073741795): C:\Users\Hubba\AppData\Local\Programs\Anki\uv.exe run --no-project --no-config --managed-python --with pip-system-certs,requests[socks] --python 3.13.5 C:\Users\Hubba\AppData\Local\Programs\Anki\versions.py:

(-1073741795 = 0xC000001D, illegal instruction. My internet is fine.)

2. Tried to launch anki.exe directly with GPU disabled:

set ANKI_WEBSCALE=1
set QTWEBENGINE_CHROMIUM_FLAGS=--disable-gpu
"C:\Users\Hubba\AppData\Local\Programs\Anki\anki.exe"

-> '"...anki.exe"' is not recognized as an internal or external command

3. Installed 2.1.55. It opens fine, but when I try to log into AnkiWeb, it crashes with a dialog that flashes and disappears before I can read it. Then on next launch:

Failed to create OpenGL context for format QSurfaceFormat(version 2.0, ...).
This is most likely caused by not having the necessary graphics drivers installed.
Install a driver providing OpenGL 2.0 or higher, or ... ANGLE OpenGL ES 2.0 emulation libraries (libEGL.dll, libGLESv2.dll and d3dcompiler_*.dll) ...

4. On 2.1.55, set video driver to ANGLE → didn’t work, same OpenGL error.

5. On 2.1.55, set video driver to software via:

echo software > "%APPDATA%\Anki2\gldriver6"

-> same OpenGL error, then: Error loading 'software' graphics driver. Please start Anki again to try next driver.

6. Updated Intel Iris driver to latest (31.0.101.7085), rebooted, retried 2.1.55 → same OpenGL error from the start.

7. Ran dxdiag → prompted about a problem accessing videocapture / Media Foundation last time (I skipped it); otherwise reports the specs above, DirectX 12.

8. Tried installing latest version again (25.09) via the official site → back to the exact same launcher error as step 1:

Error: Failed to run (-1073741795): ...uv.exe run ... --python 3.13.5 ...versions.py:

9. Cleared UV_ environment variables, enabled the launcher download mirror (option 7)* → same launcher error.

10. Installed 2.1.49-qt6. Installs and launches, but throws the same OpenGL context error on startup (screenshot attached).

11. On 2.1.49, cycled through all video drivers (OpenGL, ANGLE, Software) via Preferences and by editing the gldriver files → all give the same OpenGL error, including Software.

12. Checked the profile folder dir "%APPDATA%\Anki2" → confirms a normal profile (addons21, prefs21.db, gldriver = 4 bytes, gldriver5 = 11 bytes, gldriver6 = 11 bytes, User 1, README.txt). So the driver files are in the right place and being read.

13. Rewrote the gldriver files with no trailing newline (8 bytes instead of 11) in case the CRLF was breaking it:

<nul set /p="software" > "%APPDATA%\Anki2\gldriver6"

-> same OpenGL error.

14. Tried forcing software rendering at the Qt level:

set QT_OPENGL=software
set QT_QPA_PLATFORM=windows
"%LOCALAPPDATA%\Programs\Anki\anki.exe"

-> '"C:\Users\Hubba\AppData\Local\Programs\Anki\anki.exe"' is not recognized as an internal or external command

dir /s /b "%LOCALAPPDATA%\Programs\Anki\anki.exe"

-> File Not Found

So: every current launcher build crashes with the uv.exe 0xC000001D error before it can install, and the older versions that do install (2.1.55, 2.1.49) all fail to create an OpenGL context on every video driver, including software mode.

[Danika_Dakika]

Error on Starting Anki Launcher on Windows

You’re right that there haven’t been posts with that exact error code, but I wonder if the threads with similar error codes at the same point might help you? Search results - Failed to run -107* Since Windows isn’t running the launcher, anything related to Windows permissions, or VPN/proxy settings might be relevant. What version did you try? You’ll need to go back to 25.02.7 to avoid an issue with the new launcher.

Error on Starting Anki Launcher on Windows

To avoid the launcher, you would need to do a fresh install of Anki, using the installer from that version (see the link), not using the launcher itself. I’d recommend uninstalling what you have via Windows settings, and then deleting the program folders – Managing Files - Anki Manual [please note that I did not suggest deleting your collection, which is stored in a separate location]. Then a clean install of an older version should work just like it always has.

[minpig]

Clean-wiped everything (program folders + %APPDATA%\Anki2 profile), fresh 25.02.7-qt6 install, zero add-ons. It opens then crashes after a few seconds. Holding Shift lets it open, but AnkiWeb login crashes it, I think i saw the syncing window open for a second and it said syncing 0 of 0 but my ankiweb account and my phone have cards.

Here are my logs trying to run it and verbose

(c) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\\Users\\Hubba><nul set /p="software" > "%APPDATA%\\Anki2\\gldriver6"

C:\\Users\\Hubba>C:\\Users\\Hubba\\AppData\\Local\\Programs\\Anki\\anki.exe

C:\\Users\\Hubba>Anki starting...
Initial setup...
Starting Anki 25.02.7...
2026-05-29 15:32:36,742:INFO:aqt.mediasrv: Serving on http://127.0.0.1:58915
Starting main loop...

(opened and froze and crashed here)

C:\\Users\\Hubba>set ANKIDEV=1

C:\\Users\\Hubba>set QTWEBENGINE_CHROMIUM_FLAGS=--enable-logging --v=1

C:\\Users\\Hubba>C:\\Users\\Hubba\\AppData\\Local\\Programs\\Anki\\anki.exe

C:\\Users\\Hubba>Anki starting...
Initial setup...
Starting Anki 25.02.7...
2026-05-29 15:32:57,520:INFO:aqt.mediasrv: Serving on http://127.0.0.1:53376
Starting main loop...
2026-05-29 15:32:59,071:DEBUG:aqt.mediasrv: GET /\_anki/legacyPageData
2026-05-29 15:32:59,076:DEBUG:aqt.mediasrv: GET /\_anki/legacyPageData
2026-05-29 15:32:59,077:DEBUG:aqt.mediasrv: GET /\_anki/legacyPageData
2026-05-29 15:32:59,084:DEBUG:aqt.mediasrv: GET /\_anki/css/webview.css
2026-05-29 15:32:59,088:DEBUG:aqt.mediasrv: GET /\_anki/css/toolbar.css
2026-05-29 15:32:59,090:DEBUG:aqt.mediasrv: GET /\_anki/js/webview.js
2026-05-29 15:32:59,092:DEBUG:aqt.mediasrv: GET /\_anki/js/vendor/jquery.min.js
2026-05-29 15:32:59,093:DEBUG:aqt.mediasrv: GET /\_anki/css/webview.css
2026-05-29 15:32:59,095:DEBUG:aqt.mediasrv: GET /\_anki/js/toolbar.js
2026-05-29 15:32:59,097:DEBUG:aqt.mediasrv: GET /\_anki/css/deckbrowser.css
2026-05-29 15:32:59,097:DEBUG:aqt.mediasrv: GET /\_anki/js/webview.js
2026-05-29 15:32:59,098:DEBUG:aqt.mediasrv: GET /\_anki/js/vendor/jquery.min.js
2026-05-29 15:32:59,100:DEBUG:aqt.mediasrv: GET /\_anki/js/deckbrowser.js
2026-05-29 15:32:59,100:DEBUG:aqt.mediasrv: GET /\_anki/js/vendor/jquery-ui.min.js
2026-05-29 15:32:59,102:DEBUG:aqt.mediasrv: GET /\_anki/imgs/refresh.svg
2026-05-29 15:32:59,105:DEBUG:aqt.mediasrv: GET /\_anki/imgs/gears.svg
2026-05-29 15:32:59,107:DEBUG:aqt.mediasrv: GET /\_anki/css/webview.css
2026-05-29 15:32:59,108:DEBUG:aqt.mediasrv: GET /\_anki/css/toolbar.css
2026-05-29 15:32:59,115:DEBUG:aqt.mediasrv: GET /\_anki/css/toolbar-bottom.css
2026-05-29 15:32:59,117:DEBUG:aqt.mediasrv: GET /\_anki/js/webview.js
2026-05-29 15:32:59,117:DEBUG:aqt.mediasrv: GET /\_anki/js/vendor/jquery.min.js

(same thing)

[pondfrog]

To make sure we troubleshoot the right problem, is the error below the ultimate problem you’re trying to solve?

@minpig

Checking for updates...
Unable to check for Anki versions. Please check your internet connection.
Error: Failed to run (-1073741795): C:

How did you get from that to trying to run with the GPU disabled? And were you still trying to disable GPU stuff or do anything else special when you got the error in #3 (the one with OpenGL)?

I’m having a hard time telling if you’re someone technologically knowledgeable with a legit reason to believe this is GPU-related, or if Claude decided (possibly incorrectly) that this was GPU-related early on, had you change something, and you’ve been chasing the side effects of what Claude had you do ever since.

Given your first paragraph, I’m going to guess that it’s the latter (if I have guessed wrong, I apologize.) In that case, the first step would be to undo everything Claude has done, and try to get back to your original problem. Then from there try an older version of Anki again, but make sure none of Claude’s earlier graphics-related troubleshooting measures are still in place.

1. Did Anki previously work on this system and then stop working, or have you never had it working on this system?
2. Did Claude have you make any changes to Windows settings?
3. Did Claude have you make any permanent changes involving Python or Qt? (Changes that work in some way other than passing Anki start-up options from the command line.)

I see in step 5, you are editing something in Anki’s %APPDATA% folder to change the driver. When is the very first time Claude had you do that? Is there any chance you might have done that for the first time before installing 2.1.55?

[pondfrog]

Also, if you still have your chat history with Claude, can you post everything up to the point where it had you run echo software > "%APPDATA%\Anki2\gldriver6"?

Not just Claude’s summary of what Claude had you do, but the full exact details up to that point, so we can figure out exactly what happened and whether there might actually be two problems (the original problem and one created by Claude).

[minpig]

Yes sorry I probably shouldn’t have shared so much unnecessary stuff as the core problem is pretty much: I have been using anki fine on my computer for years then a couple weeks ago I opened it up and it crashed, so i uninstalled it and reinstalled it from the anki site but got that error.

Pretty much nothing I’ve done with claude has fixed anything and I am still at square one in the way that I tried myself at the very beginning to uninstall and reinstall it but got that error, then went and got an earlier version until i could pull up anki, but trying to log into ankiweb still crashed it

I don’t think claude has changed any window settings or python settings

I cant include a link so u might need to paste it yourself - claude.ai/share/431d7344-8676-4032-ae95-eee34b456e2b

[BenJamesBen]

I’m not familiar with Windows, but some ideas:

• It seems that there is an updated Windows 11 version 26H1 available. You might want to see if updating the OS helps.
• You might want to consider trying the Anki 26.05 Beta 1 that is currently being tested, to see if its behavior is any different.

[kaiu]

I agree with BenJamesBen.

I had a problem with Anki.

Since last year, I thought it was just a problem with updating Anki and QT6 for the dark theme. I rarely use it, but I still have to test add-ons. I have Windows 10, but I use Windows 11 for testing in a virtual machine, and Anki works fine on it. So I thought I’d try creating a new administrator in the Windows 10 system and installing Anki. And it worked. Then I started checking the file differences and found the problem that was stopping me. So, you need to take it step by step, otherwise the AI ​​says something in the system or even the disk might be glitching and causing it to crash. Of course, it could be something else entirely, as it happens 99% of the time

[pondfrog]

OK, seeing the context of your original chat with Claude it makes a little more sense now why it had you try the things you tried.

I don’t think Claude has broken anything, at worst maybe something in %APPDATA%.

A few more questions:

• Do you have the current latest version of your collection safely stored somewhere other than on your computer?
• Do you remember approximately when (year and month) you first installed Anki on this computer? That will help with figuring out what version used to work for you.
• Did the information that your CPU is an Intel i5-11300H come from system information displayed by your laptop, or was that inferred based on online information about what CPU this laptop model usually has?

It sounds like there are two problems, it’s just not Claude that caused the second one. You can’t use the newest Anki due to the “illegal instruction” error, and you can’t use an older version due to the OpenGL issues. Solving either would get you back up and running.

Claude is correct that the first problem is usually caused by a program trying to use an instruction your CPU is too old to support. But most of the time this is related to a CPU not supporting Avx2 instructions, and your first post says your CPU is an Intel i5-11300H, which does support Avx2. So that makes it a little weirder that you’re getting that error, and possibly worth trying to figure out why instead of assuming that it means your computer just can’t handle the latest version of Anki.

It also may be possible to bypass that error entirely if it is coming from the launcher. There is a new beta version of Anki that doesn’t use the launcher. You can find it here. If you scroll all the way to the bottom you should see a link to anki-26.05b1-win-x64.msi

[Danika_Dakika]

@pondfrog

Do you remember approximately when (year and month) you first installed Anki on this computer? That will help with figuring out what version used to work for you.

Another trick that often works for this – since Windows is lazy about cleaning up downloaded installers, do you still have the install-exe that you used back then? Try searching anki*exe in Downloads (or wherever your downloads are stored) or anywhere else on your computer.

[minpig]

Hi all,

I realised when i was answering your question that i had installed some stuff after the last time it worked and so uninstalled a bunch of stuff lo and behold it worked! I think the perpetrator was a vpn but not too sure.

Thanks heaps for you help