7 Ways to Fix the Windows Local Group Policy Editor When It’s Unresponsive

If the Windows Local Group Policy Editor doesn't want to work, here's how to get it moving again.

The Windows Local Group Policy Editor (LGPE) is a critical tool that helps you configure various settings. However, this tool often runs into issues and suddenly won’t respond.

When the tool has a problem, it usually pops up an error message that reads, “gpedit.msc (gpedit) not found.” In some instances, the error message might read, “group policy editor is missing from your version of Windows” or “gpedit has stopped working.”

Now, let’s explore the various solutions for fixing an unresponsive LGPE.

1. Open the Local Group Policy Editor the Right Way

There are various ways to access the LGPE (Local Group Policy Editor.) However, the tool might be unresponsive if you’re not opening it the right way.

So, here’s how you can properly access the LGPE:

1. Press Win + R to open the Run command dialog box.
2. Type gpedit.msc and press Enter to open the Local Group Policy Editor.

Alternatively, type Edit Group Policy in the Start Menu search bar and select the Best match.

2. Ensure You’re Using the Right Windows Edition

If the LGPE still gives you issues, then maybe you’re using the Windows Home edition on your device.

The LGPE tool only works on the Windows Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions. Now, if you’re unsure of the Windows Edition installed on your device, here's how you can check it:

1. Type Control Panel in the Start Menu search bar and select the Best match.
2. Click the View by drop-down menu and select Small icons.
3. Click System from the menu items. Next, locate the Windows specifications section and then check the Windows edition installed.

If the Windows Edition section reads “Windows Home”, then that’s where the issue lies. But luckily, there are methods you can apply to open the LGPE on your device.

3. Access the LGPE on Windows Home With a Few Tricks

It's currently not possible to run the LGPE on Windows Home. However, you'd be glad to know that there are tricks you can use to access the LGPE on Windows Home.

But if you still can’t access the LGPE with these tricks, you could try using other similar third-party tools. For example, you could download the Policy Plus tool and use it to access all the features of the LGPE.

4. Troubleshoot Windows System Issues

Is the LGPE unresponsive on the Windows Pro, Enterprise, or Education edition? If so, then there might be some system issues that are interfering with this tool. So, you could use a few Windows troubleshooters to resolve the problem.

For example, this error might be caused by system maintenance issues. In this case, let’s see how the System Maintenance troubleshooter can help:

1. Press Win + S to open the Start Menu search bar.
2. Type Perform recommended maintenance tasks automatically and select the Best match.
3. Click the Advanced option, check the Apply repairs automatically box, and click Next. Follow the on-screen steps to complete the process.

If the issue persists, then you’re probably dealing with hardware-related issues. In this case, you can resolve the problem with the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter.

1. To get started, press Win + I to open the System Settings
2. Select Update & Security from the options.
3. Click the Troubleshoot option on the left-hand side pane.
4. Next, click View additional troubleshooters on the right-hand side.
5. Select the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter and then press the Run the troubleshooter button.

5. Perform a "Check Disk" Scan

If the LGPE problems are caused by hard drive issues, then the Check Disk (CHKDSK) tool could help. When you run the Check Disk scan, the tool scans the hard drive and tries to repair the issues on it.

Now, here’s how you can run a Check Disk scan via the Command Prompt:

1. Type Command Prompt in the Start Menu search bar.
2. Right-click on the Command Prompt option and select Run as administrator.
3. Type the following command and press Enter:

chkdsk C: /f

The “C:” part represents the letter of the hard drive. So, if you’ve installed Windows on a different drive, replace C: with the letter of that particular drive. Finally, restart your device once this scan is complete.

6. Repair or Replace Corrupted System Files

At times, it might be difficult to repair corrupted system files using Windows troubleshooters or the Check Disk scan. In this case, you’ll need to use advanced tools like the SFC and DISM.

The SFC and DISM tools are quite helpful when it comes to repairing or replacing corrupted Windows system files. So, if the LGPE issue is caused by system-specific problems, then these tools could help.

Now, let’s get started and check how you can run the DISM scan:

1. Type Command Prompt in the Start Menu search bar.
2. Right-click on the Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
3. From there, type the following command and then press Enter:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth

The scan might take a few minutes. When it’s done running, type the following command and press Enter:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Wait a few more minutes for the DISM scan to complete and then restart your device. Finally, run the SFC scan through these steps:

1. Open the Command Prompt by following the previous steps.
2. Type the following command and then press Enter:

sfc /scannow

Once the scan is complete, close the Command Prompt and then restart your device.

7. Restore the Default Windows Settings

As a last resort, you could now consider restoring your device to its default settings. This method could help get rid of the bugs that might be interfering with the LGPE's functionality.

The best part is that this method will restore the device to its factory settings while keeping your data safe. However, you could consider backing up your data first just to be safe.

Now, let's check out how you can restore Windows to its default settings:

1. Press Win + I to open the System Settings and then select Update & Security.
2. Select the Recovery option on the left-hand side pane.
3. Finally, click the Get started button on the right and finalize the process by following the on-screen steps.

LGPE: A Reliable Tool For Repairing Windows System Issues

Need a reliable tool that can help you tweak Windows system settings? Try the Local Group Policy Editor—an easy-to-use tool that you can open with a few clicks.

Should you bump into issues while using this tool, try any of the fixes we’ve recommended.