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This article will show you how to Fix ‘Disk Cleanup Not Working’ issue in windows 11/10. On your Windows 11/10 PC, Disc Cleanup may occasionally stop operating. What should you do to fix the annoying problem if this tool becomes stuck or refuses to open, answer, or delete files? This article contains a few easy remedies and a different way to tidy your computer.
To free up disc space for troubleshooting or system maintenance, you can use Disc Cleanup, a free built-in Windows cleanup tool, to easily delete some junk files, such as previous Windows installations, Recycle Bin files, temporary files, temporary internet files, thumbnails, downloaded programme files, and more. You may help yourself clean up unnecessary and duplicate files on your computer by using the Windows 11 Disc Clean-up programme. The market is filled with several file erasing tools.
Some of them are thorough enough to remove all files from your computer that cannot be restored. Compared to Disc Clean-up, several of these file erasure solutions work better. However, it is a built-in Windows 11 programme that may be used for free to perform simple cleanup tasks. We will go over several ways to use Disc Cleanup in this tutorial. If you would like to safely remove your essential data after use, you will also have access to an advanced erasure option. We mentioned below are the ways how to Fix ‘Disk Cleanup Not Working’ issue in windows 11/10.
Causes of the ‘Disk Cleanup Not Working’ issue in windows 11/10
- Insufficient Permissions: Lack of sufficient permissions to access certain files or directories can lead to Disk Cleanup failures.
- Registry Errors: Errors in the Windows Registry related to Disk Cleanup settings can impact its functionality.
- Disk Errors: Physical or logical errors on the disk itself may prevent Disk Cleanup from working correctly.
- Outdated Windows Updates: Running an outdated version of Windows 11/10 may cause compatibility issues with Disk Cleanup.
- Malware or Viruses: Malicious software can interfere with system processes, including Disk Cleanup.
- Temporary File Issues: Issues with temporary files or the temporary files folder can impede Disk Cleanup.
- Software Conflicts: Conflicts between different software applications may disrupt Disk Cleanup operations.
- Hardware Issues: Disk-related hardware problems, such as a failing hard drive, can impact Disk Cleanup functionality.
How to Fix ‘Disk Cleanup Not Working’ issue in windows 11/10
Run Disk Cleanup as Administrator

- Right-click on the Start menu and select “Command Prompt (Admin)” or “Windows PowerShell (Admin).”
- Type
cleanmgr
and press Enter to open Disk Cleanup with elevated privileges. - Check if the issue persists. If not, you may have resolved the problem.
Check Disk Cleanup Utility Status
- Press
Win + X
and select “Windows PowerShell (Admin)” or “Command Prompt (Admin).” - Type
sfc /scannow
and press Enter to perform a system file check. This will identify and repair corrupted system files. - Once the scan is complete, restart your computer and try Disk Cleanup again.
Use Disk Cleanup Alternatives
- Download and install CCleaner from the official website.
- Run CCleaner and perform a system cleanup, including temporary files and cache.
- Reboot your computer and check if the ‘Disk Cleanup Not Working’ issue persists.
Check Disk Cleanup Settings
- Press
Win + S
, type “Disk Cleanup,” and select the app. - Click on “Cleanup system files,” and make sure all the necessary categories are selected.
- Click “OK” and try running Disk Cleanup again.
Disable Hibernation and System Restore
- Press
Win + X
and select “Windows PowerShell (Admin)” or “Command Prompt (Admin).” - To disable hibernation, type
powercfg /hibernate off
and press Enter. - To disable System Restore, right-click on “This PC,” select “Properties,” click on “System Protection,” and disable System Restore for all drives.
- Try running Disk Cleanup again.
Perform Disk Cleanup in Safe Mode
- Restart your computer and enter Safe Mode.
- Run Disk Cleanup from the elevated Command Prompt or PowerShell.
- If it works in Safe Mode, consider troubleshooting third-party applications causing conflicts.
Conclusion
Disc Cleanup is a built-in Windows 11/10 utility programme that lets you remove rubbish and unnecessary files from your computer. It’s a useful tool that makes it easier to free up disc space and operate the computer in a stable and fluid manner. Nevertheless, a few Windows 11/10 customers have reported problems with their machines’ Disc Cleanup function not operating correctly. The Disc Cleanup programme has been known to have a number of problems, including freezing, becoming stuck, becoming unresponsive, and failing to erase files that it is meant to.
Questions and Answers
Enter cmd into the desktop search field to launch the Command Prompt, then choose Run as administrator. Enter the chkdsk C: /f command. Replace “C” with the appropriate drive’s letter if the drive you’re attempting to fix isn’t the C drive.
The hazards of using Disc Cleanup are negligible. The tool is safe to use overall and is made to target superfluous files. It’s crucial to proceed with caution and check the chosen files before deleting them, though.
Press the F8 key as soon as the computer boots up. Windows ought to show the Advance Startup Options menu as a result of this. Choose Advanced Options, then Troubleshoot. To launch DiskPart or CHKDSK, click Command Prompt to bring up a command-line window.
Although hard drives can be repaired, they shouldn’t be put back to use after a recovery! HDDs can, of course, be fixed! Reusing a repaired HDD is not advised; instead, its contents should be recovered right away, and it should be thrown away because it is not reliable for continued usage.