Windows 11 Settings Crashes on App Permissions: Fix It

By Game Osborne · September 29, 2026 · Windows · Windows 11, Settings app, app permissions

Use these safe workarounds and repairs to regain access to microphone, camera, location, and other Windows 11 privacy controls.

First, try opening the permission directly

Sometimes only the main App permissions screen is broken. The individual microphone, camera, or location page may still work. You can open that page directly with Run, a small Windows box that launches commands.

Use one of these commands: ms-settings:privacy-microphone for the microphone, ms-settings:privacy-webcam for the camera, or ms-settings:privacy-location for location access. This is also a handy temporary workaround if you need to approve an app right now.

1. Press the Windows key and R together to open Run.
2. Type the command for the permission page you need.
3. Select OK to open that privacy page.

Repair the Settings app

If the direct page also closes, repair the Settings app itself. Repair asks Windows to fix the app without deliberately clearing its data. Microsoft recommends trying Repair before Reset when both choices are available.

These directions assume a current version of Windows 11. The wording can vary slightly after an update, but searching for Settings and opening App settings is the most reliable route.

1. Select the Start button on the taskbar.
2. Type Settings into the Start search box.
3. Select App settings beside the Settings search result.
4. Scroll down to the Reset section.
5. Select Repair if that button is available.
6. Wait until a check mark appears beside Repair.
7. Select Start again.
8. Select Settings.
9. Select Privacy & security.
10. Select the permission you need, such as Microphone, Camera, or Location.

Reset Settings if Repair did not work

Reset is the next step if Repair is missing or the privacy page still crashes. This resets the Settings app, not the whole computer. It does not remove your documents or uninstall your programs.

You may need to restore a few preferences afterward. Do not choose any option labeled Reset this PC; that is a completely different Windows recovery tool.

1. Return to the Settings app's App settings page using Start search.
2. Scroll down to the Reset section.
3. Select Reset.
4. Select Reset again in the confirmation box.
5. Restart the computer when the reset finishes.

Reset Settings from Terminal if its page will not stay open

If even the App settings page crashes, you can reset Settings through Windows Terminal. Terminal is a text-based control window. It may look technical, but you only need to paste one command.

The command below targets the Windows Settings package. It does not reset Windows, delete personal files, or remove your installed programs.

1. Right-click the Start button.
2. Select Terminal (Admin).
3. Select Yes when User Account Control asks for permission.
4. Paste Get-AppxPackage *windows.immersivecontrolpanel* | Reset-AppxPackage into Terminal.
5. Press Enter to run the command.
6. Close Terminal after the command prompt returns.
7. Restart the computer.

Check Windows system files

A damaged Windows component can make Settings close when it tries to load permission information. Windows includes two repair tools for this: DISM repairs the Windows component store, and SFC checks protected system files.

These scans can pause at one percentage for several minutes. That usually does not mean they are frozen. Keep the computer connected to power and let each command finish.

1. Open Terminal (Admin) from the Start button's right-click menu.
2. Paste DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth into Terminal.
3. Press Enter to start the DISM repair.
4. Wait until DISM reports that the operation completed.
5. Paste sfc /scannow into Terminal.
6. Press Enter to start the system file scan.
7. Restart the computer after the scan reaches 100 percent.

Bottom line

Try the direct privacy-page command first, then Repair and Reset the Settings app if it still crashes. Once that permission screen stays open, you are back in control—and you fixed it without reinstalling Windows.