Most people who have been using Windows for many years are probably familiar with Solitaire. It is one of the built-in games that Microsoft introduced with the operating system. However, when Windows 8 was released to the market, it was removed as a default app. Moreover, users could only get it from the Metro apps store.

If you’re a Windows 10 user, you might have noticed that Solitaire is once again one of the built-in apps of the system. Playing it on the computer brings back old memories of boring afternoons when there’s nothing to do but play digital cards. Did you use to make a wish before playing a round of Solitaire? Legend says that it will come true if you solve the set!

While many are stoked that the game has been pre-installed on the latest Windows operating system, some have complained that it has stopped working on their PC. Most of them consulted forums to learn why their Microsoft Solitaire Collection won’t open. Here are some of the questions users asked regarding the issue.

  • What should I do when Solitaire freezes and closes down? – It is possible for the game to crash on your computer suddenly. Do not worry because this is a relatively common problem. Moreover, it can be fixed by installing the missing system updates or updating your drivers.
  • What solution should I try when Microsoft Solitaire Collection won’t open? – Some users complained that the game wouldn’t launch on their computer. If this happens to you, try running the built-in troubleshooter and check if that gets rid of the problem.
  • What if Microsoft Solitaire Collection does not work in Windows 8? This issue can also occur on older versions of the operating system, including Windows 8.1. Since Windows 10 and 8.1 have a lot of similarities, you should be able to use most of the solutions we provided in this article.

If you want to know how to open Microsoft Solitaire on Windows 10 successfully once again, make sure you try the methods listed below. As we’ve mentioned, they will work best on Windows 10, but they will also apply to older versions like Windows 8.1.

Method 1: Running the Built-in Troubleshooter

One of the great features of Windows 10 is its built-in troubleshooter. So, if you encounter problems with Solitaire, you can try running it to fix the issues. Take advantage of the troubleshooter by following these steps:

  1. On your keyboard, press Windows Key+I. This should launch the Settings app.
  2. Once the Settings window is open, click Update & Security.
  3. Go to the left-pane menu, then choose Troubleshoot.
  4. Go to the menu on the right, then select Windows Store Apps.
  5. Click Run the Troubleshooter.
  6. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the troubleshooting process.
  7. Once the process is complete, check if the issue persists.

Method 2: Resetting the Windows Store Cache

Some users reported that the Store cache could be behind the problems with Solitaire and other apps on their computer. To fix this issue, try clearing the Store cache, which you can do by following these instructions:

  • Open the Run dialog box by pressing Windows Key+R on your keyboard.
  • Type “WSReset.exe” (no quotes), then hit Enter.
  • The process will now begin. Usually, it just takes a couple of seconds.

Once you’ve cleared the Store cache, you can check if you’ve gotten rid of the problem.

Method 3: Checking if the Taskbar is Set to Auto-Hide

In some cases, Solitaire stops working because of certain taskbar settings. If your taskbar is set to auto-hide, it is likely the culprit behind the problem. You can try reinstalling the game. After that, change the taskbar properties by following these steps:

  1. Right-click your taskbar, then select Taskbar Settings from the menu.
  2. Make sure that the ‘Automatically hide the taskbar in desktop mode’ and ‘Automatically hide the taskbar in tablet mode’ options are disabled.

Once you’ve completed the steps above, check if you can now open and play Solitaire. This may seem like an odd solution. However, some users reported that they had been able to fix the issue with this method.

Method 4: Updating the Application

In some cases, updating Solitaire gets rid of the problem. You can check if the application on your PC needs an update by following these steps:

  1. On your keyboard, press Windows Key+S.
  2. Type “Store” (no quotes), then press OK.
  3. Once Store is up, look for the Solitaire app, then check if you need to update it. If an update is available, download and install it.

After updating the application to its latest version, check if Solitaire is functioning properly.

Method 5: Reinstalling Solitaire

Some users claimed that one of the best ways to resolve this problem is by reinstalling the application. It is possible that the installation was corrupted. So, the only way to fix it is by removing the game, downloading it again from Store, and reinstalling it to your computer.

Method 6: Installing the Latest Updates

Missing updates can also cause Solitaire to malfunction. After all, errors and other issues are possible results of glitches in the system. However, you can resolve this by installing the latest updates.

It is worth noting that Windows 10 installs the latest updates automatically in the background. However, because of bugs, the system can miss an update or two. So, it is best to check for updates manually. Just do the following:

  1. Click the Search icon on your taskbar.
  2. Type “settings” (no quotes), then hit Enter.
  3. Once the Settings app is open, click Updates & Security.
  4. Click the Check for Updates button.

Your system will now check if there are available updates. Make sure you restart your computer to install the missing updates.

Method 7: Creating a New User Account

It is also possible that your user account is corrupted. This is why you can’t run Solitaire on your computer. There are various reasons why this happens. However, our advice is to create a new user account by following these steps:

  1. Go back to Method 6 and follow the steps in opening the Settings app.
  2. Once the Settings window is open, click Accounts.
  3. Go to the left-pane menu, then select Family & Other People.
  4. Go to the right pane, then click the ‘Add someone else to this PC’ option.
  5. Choose ‘I don’t have this person’s sign-in information’.
  6. Select ‘Add a user without a Microsoft account’.
  7. Submit the necessary details, then click Next.

Once you’ve successfully created a new account, switch to it. Check if the issue also appears in this new account. If it doesn’t, then move your personal files to this account and start using it.

Method 8: Changing the Font Scaling

If your computer’s monitor has an ultra-high resolution, then it is likely that font scaling is enabled by default. This feature can be useful, but it can also cause issues with certain applications. Simply change your font scaling settings by following these steps:

  1. Launch the Settings app, then select System.
  2. Go to the Scale and Layout section, then choose the recommended value for the size of the apps, text, and other items.

Once you’ve done that, you can launch Solitaire and check if the issue has been resolved.

Do you enjoy playing built-in Microsoft games?

Comment below which your favorite is!