Multiple of my apps aren’t opening after accidentally shutting my surge protector off

Troubleshooting: Apps Not Launching After Power Interruption via Surge Protector

Introduction

Unexpected power disruptions can sometimes lead to unforeseen issues with your computer applications. Recently, a common yet often overlooked scenario occurred where accidental power interruption caused multiple applications to stop functioning correctly. This article discusses potential reasons for this problem and offers practical troubleshooting steps to resolve it.

Scenario Overview

Consider a situation where a user’s PC and monitor were connected to a surge protector. An accidental switch-off of the surge protector resulted in an abrupt power loss. Following this incident, several applications—such as Steam, Battle.net, Riot Games launcher, and Discord—failed to open properly. These applications appear in the task manager, with some indicating an attempt to launch, yet they do not fully open or become responsive.

Possible Causes

Corrupted Application Data or Settings

Sudden power shutdowns can disrupt the application’s data during runtime, leading to corruption or incomplete updates.

Incomplete or Failed Application Updates

Many gaming and communication apps automatically update. An abrupt shutdown during an update can cause files to become inconsistent.

System File or Registry Corruption

Power interruptions can interrupt ongoing system processes, potentially leading to corrupt system files or registry entries affecting application startup.

Pending Background Processes

Sometimes, applications might be stuck in a ‘starting’ state due to incomplete background processes initiated before shutdown.

Troubleshooting Steps

Ensure Proper Shutdown and Restart Your PC
Power off the system completely.
Disconnect from power source briefly.
Reconnect and power on your PC.
Run Applications as Administrator
Right-click on the application shortcut.
Select “Run as administrator” to provide necessary permissions.
Clear Application Cache or Settings
Navigate to the application’s data folders, usually found in:
- Windows: C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Local or AppData\Roaming
Backup and then delete relevant folders for the affected apps.
Restart the applications.
Reinstall the Applications
Uninstall problematic apps completely via the Control Panel or Settings.
Download the latest version from official sources.
Install and verify if they open correctly.
Check for Windows Updates and System Integrity
Ensure your Windows OS is up to date.
Run System File Checker:
- Open Command Prompt