I use the desktop app daily to supplement my usage of the AnkiDroid app. I’ve never had issues with either until a couple days ago. The error occurs when I try to launch the app and I get thrown into a blank white screen that crashes after about 5 seconds every time.
I’ve tried reinstalling, installing an older version, deleting my desktop anki profile as well as all the folders in %localappdata%, etc. This is the error code I’m given. I’m only posting because I can’t find another instance of a user getting this specific error code. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thank you.
Error: Failed to run (-1073740771): C:\Users\dka03\AppData\Local\AnkiProgramFiles.venv\Scripts/python.exe -c import aqt, sys; sys.argv[0] = ‘Anki’; aqt.run()
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.
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I tried version 25.07.5 since it seemed like the version of FSRS was still as up to date as possible. I guess I’ll go through the search you linked and troubleshoot that way. I don’t remember an update prompt, and if going back that far is necessary it does seem odd it decided to brick the launcher for me now of all times and not sooner.
This launcher process was introduced for the first time in 25.07 (the July 2025 release), to replace the old installer that was no longer supported. Going back to version 25.02.7 (the most recent patch of the February 2025 release) will get you up and running. You’re right, you won’t have the FSRS updates that came in later releases, but FSRS works great in 25.02 too.
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Trying version 25.02.7 still results in the same white screen so going to past versions seems to be not an option either. Troubleshooting or retiring the desktop version completely seems to be my only course of action sadly.
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.
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So it actually was the Windows Firewall that was blocking it from launching completely, something so simple, oops. Instead of turning it off every time I launch it, whereabouts in the settings of it do I go to give Anki access to whatever it needs so it launches successfully?
I’m sure there’s a way to add exceptions, but you’ll have to look to Windows for help with that.
I can tell you that I’ve been using Anki in Windows for years and never had Firewall issues, so you should consider if you have the sensitivity/settings turned up unusually high.