Can’t Change Desktop Background Windows 10 [Quick Fixes]

A desktop wallpaper is not fundamental for your PC performance, but still, it can be a bit annoying not to be capable of changing it. This issue can have multiple reasons. This Can’t Change Desktop Background Windows 10 Guide will give you the best tips and steps to fix this problem.

Table of Contents:

If you’re not capable of removing background images and replacing them with new ones, this usually has to do with the user configuration but still can be caused by several other problems. Below, you’ll find some tips and steps you should consider when you experience this issue.

Check for Pending Windows Update

Most problems with general applications have to do with a pending Windows Update, especially when you’re using a Windows Home Edition. Installing the latest version of Windows updates makes the computer easier to use and fixes the vast majority of problems. To do this, just follow the steps below:

• Press Windows + I to enter Window Settings.
• Click on the Update & Security button.

• Windows PC will check if there are some pending updates in your software. If Windows find new updates, then you’ll see them here. Just double-click over those updates you want to install.

Check Activation Status of Windows 10

An unactivated version of Windows will prevent changing the desktop background. So you should activate the windows you’re using or change it to a genuine version of the operating system.

• Access Settings and click on
• Updates & Security button
• .

• In the Update & Security window, tap on the Activate button you see on the left side of the screen.
• On the next screen, you’ll see the activation status.

Anyway, if you don’t have a key to activate the product, it may not be worth buying one only because you want to change the background. However, you can get a cheap and fully working version of Windows 10 CD Key for less than 4$.

Check if There is Any Third-Party Tool Installed

As a third step, you should check if your computer has third-party customization software installed. Some kinds of software can provoke issues in the system settings. If this is the case, access Control Panel and uninstall the third-party software that makes your desktop background settings fail.

Restart Your Computer

We know this is a simple step, but sometimes the vast majority of issues are fixed with this simple move. Just restart your computer and check if you can change the background image. If you see a black background image, you very likely won’t be capable of changing the wallpaper.

Examine Accessibility Settings

If all the steps we’ve mentioned above do not solve the problem, you should examine the Window’s accessibility settings. In some cases, problematic Windows accessibility settings do not allow you to change the desktop background. Follow these steps to check the status of the accessibility settings.

• Enter the Control Panel.
• Head to the Ease of Access Center.
• Click on the Optimize Visual Display link.
• Find the Make the computer easier to see the section, and uncheck the option Remove background images.

• Finally, click “Apply” and the “OK” button.

Edit Group Policy Editor

If any of the options above do not provide results, the next alternative is to use the local group policy editor. To do this, follow the next steps:

• Open Run (Windows + R). Then type in gpedit.msc. Finally, click “OK.”
• Head to User Configuration
• >
• Administrative Templates
• > Control Panel > Personalization.
• Double-click on “Prevent changing desktop background.”

• Click on “Not Configured” or “Disabled.” Then click on the
• “OK” button.

• You do not need to restart your PC because the changes are adopted immediately.

Disable “Active Desktop”

Another way of trying to fix the issue of the desktop background option is disabling “Active Desktop” in the Registry Editor. To do this, follow these instructions:

• Type Windows +R on the keyboard to open Registry Editor. Next, type “Regedit” and click “OK.”
• In the settings window, you see follow this: HKEY_CURRENT_USER
• >
• Software
• >
• Microsoft
• > Windows > CurrentVersion > Policies > ActiveDesktop.
• Right-click on “No Changing Wallpaper” you see on the right side of the screen to modify the value.

• Type “0” in the Value Data box.

• Finally, click “OK.”

Check Power Options

Try to fix the Background Slideshow that is not working properly.

• Right-click on Start and select “Power Options.”
• In the new window, click “Additional power settings.”

• In the next window, click “Change plan settings.”

• Click “Change advanced power settings.”

Head to “Desktop background settings > Slide Show. Change the value and put it in “Available.” Then Click on “OK.”

Reset Wallpaper Cache

If all other solutions we’ve provided have not worked, perhaps the TranscodedWallpaper file is corrupted. To fix it, follow these steps:

• Open Explorer Windows and type all the text you see below in the address bar. Immediately afterward, press Enter:

%USERPROFILE%AppDataRoamingMicrosoftWindowsThemes

• At this point, rename TranscodedWallpaper, jpg to TranscodedWallpaper.old.
• Double-click on the slideshow.ini file. Open it with Notepad.
• Empty its content.
• Save the changes and close Explorer Windows.

Summary

We know that if you cannot change the windows background in Windows 10, it may not be super relevant to the functionality of your PC, but it can be a bit annoying. We hope we have been able to help you fix the issue if you tried the methods mentioned above.