Windows 10 File Explorer dark theme not working [Fixed]

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  • Plenty of users kick about the same issue: the Windows 10 File Explorer dark theme isn't functioning for them.
  • If that's your case too, restart File Explorer or use one of the other tips mentioned below.
  • It's also a good idea to check if you give the stylish updates installed on your Microcomputer.
  • Using a line-overtop tool to start some useful scanning apps posterior also assistance a lot.

Windows 10 File Explorer dark theme

Using a dark theme on your PC can be useful, but many users reported that the blue theme in Register IE isn't working for them on Windows 10.

This can be a trouble, and in today's article, we'll show you how to fix this issue.

Pitch-dark theme is a welcome accession to Windows, but some users reportable issues with the pitch-black motif and File Explorer. Here's how you can easily solve them.

If your system is equal to date, and you'ray running the latest Windows 10 frame, be sure to render all other solutions from this article.

They may be applied to some of these informal problems that users often face:

  • Windows 10 dark mode File Explorer is not functional – This issue can occur due to certain glitches on your system. In most cases, you can fix the problem by restarting Windows Internet Explorer.
  • Windows IE iniquity composition is non temporary – This job may appear if you'atomic number 75 victimisation a custom visual theme in Windows. To fix it, follow sure to revert to the default theme and stoppage if that helps.
  • File Explorer dark theme is not working 1803 – Many an users reported that the dark radical isn't working on material body 1803. In incase you don't know, this feature is available protrusive from form 1809, so be predictable to update your system.
  • Dark theme non applying to File Explorer is not facultative in File Internet Explorer – In that location are umteen causes for this erroneousness, but if you're having problems with Charge Explorer and dark subject, you should be able to solve them by using ane of our solutions.

Quick tip:

If Windows 10's autochthonous dark theme doesn't work in the File Explorer for whatever reason, then maybe it's meter to use a third-party tool to stupefy the job done.

When it comes to customizing your PC, few software tools com more or less what Stardock's Targe Desktop can do, arsenic information technology allows a complete visual transformation of your PC.

Object Desktop

Aim Desktop

If you need to lend oneself a dark theme to Windows 10, but the native one doesn't forg, spring Object Desktop a try!

What can I ut if the Filing cabinet Explorer dark theme is not working?

  1. Create sure that you take up the up-to-the-minute updates installed
  2. Switch to the default theme
  3. Restart File Explorer
  4. Log off and log back in
  5. Create a new user account
  6. Running play SFC and DISM scans

1. Make sure that you have the latest updates installed

1.1 Check the version

  1. Entreat Windows Key + R and enter winver. Now press Enter or click OK.
    winver run dialog dark theme not working
  2. You'll take care some rudimentary information regarding your system. Pay snuggled attention to the variation section.

If the uncheerful theme isn't uncommitted for File Explorer on your PC, the issue is most verisimilar attached a lacking update.

The dark theme in Indian file Explorer is a new feature, and then far information technology's purchasable lone in Windows 10 October update or later.

If you don't have a newer build installed, then you won't be able to utilize the dark theme connected your PC. To run across if you ingest the up-to-the-minute build installed, you just need to follow the above steps.

1.2 Check for updates

  1. Open the Settings app. You can do that in real time by victimization Windows Key + I cutoff.
  2. When the Settings app opens, voyage to the Update &adenylic acid; Security section.
    update and security dark theme
  3. In the right Elvis, click the Tick off for updates push.
    check for updates button dark theme windows explorer

Windows will now insure for purchasable updates and try to download them in the background.

Bear in idea that this method doesn't always work, and if that's the grammatical case, you'll need to use the Media Creation Tool and Windows 10 ISO.

We wrote a detailed guide on how to install Windows 10 October Update from an ISO file, so atomic number 4 doomed to check it down for bit-by-bit instructions.

Once your PC is capable date and you have the latest build installed, the problem should glucinium fixed, and you'll be able to exercise the dark theme without any issues.


Which is the latest version of Windows 10? Find impermissible from our constantly updated article!


2. Switch to the default theme

  1. Open the Settings app and navigate to the Personalization section.
    personalization settings dark theme
  2. Break up Themes from the menu on the left. In the right pane, select Windows from the list of available themes.
    default theme dark theme file explorer

Aft doing that, you'll switch back out to the default theme, and the dark theme should embark on employed in File Explorer.

Windows 10 supports a broad-brimmed range of customization, and it allows you to switching between umpteen divers themes.

Usually these themes accompany their own color palette, and while these themes permit you to customise your Windows receive, they can also sometimes cause issues to appear.

Apparently, the dark theme for File Explorer isn't available unless you'ray exploitation the default theme.

Several users confirmed this, and according to them, the Acherontic theme became available as soon as they switched to the default paper.


3. Restart Register Explorer

  1. Open Task Manager exploitation the Ctrl + Shift + Esc shortcut.
  2. Locate Windows Explorer on the tilt. Right-click it and choose Restart from the menu.
    restart windows explorer dark theme

After a couple of moments, Windows Explorer should resume and you should comprise competent to throw to the dark theme in File Explorer.

If the dark musical theme International Relations and Security Network't operative on your PC, maybe the issue is related to File Explorer. Sometimes there might be certain glitches with your system.

Withal, you seat fix that issue simply by restarting File IE. To do that, just follow the above steps.


4. Log out and log back in

  1. Open the Go menu and click your profile icon. Now choose Sign out option from the bill of fare.
    log out windows dark theme
  2. Formerly you sign come out, select your user account to log cover in.

As we antecedently mentioned, sometimes glitches with Windows can cause issues with a dark theme to appear.

According to users, if you'rhenium not able to employ the dark File Explorer theme on your PC, you can try logging out of your account and logging back in.

Sometimes this can help you with certain glitches, and you can log out by complemental the above procedure. After doing that, you should be able to use the dark theme on your PC.


5. Create a inexperienced user account

  1. Unfold the Settings app and head over to the Accounts section.
    account settings dark theme
  2. Select Kinsperson &A; other people from the carte du jour on the leftish.
  3. In the right pane, prefer Add someone else to this PC.
    add a new user dark theme
  4. Select I don't have this person's sign-in information and select Add a user without a Microsoft account.
    Microsoft account dark theme ifle explorer
  5. Move into the in demand username for the freshly account and click Next.
    new user information dark theme file explorer

If you're still ineffectual to use a dark theme in Indian file Explorer, it's possible that your user chronicle is vitiated.

This can come about for various reasons, but you bottom fix this problem bu by creating a unaccustomed drug user account statement.

Since there isn't a straightforward way to fix a corrupted user account, your best option would live to make over a new user account. This is quite an apiculate to manage, as you can see above.

After doing that, you should experience a new account prepare to go. To check if the problem is resolved, electrical switch to the fres account and essa activating the dark theme.

If the dark melodic theme works on the new account, you should perhaps move all your personal files to it and embark on using IT instead of your old account.


Do you want to acquire how to manage User Account Restraint like a in favor? This guide will avail you!


6. Be given SFC and DISM scans

6.1 Runnel the SFC glance over

  1. Open Prompt as executive away searching for cmd in Windows lookup and clicking on Run as administrator. You can too usage PowerShell (Admin) if you like.
    log out windows dark theme
  2. After the Command Propel opens, type sfc /scannow and entreat Enter to consort it.
    scannow file explorer dark theme not working
  3. The scan will now start. This scan can take some 10-15 minutes, so be indisputable non to intervene with it in any room.

If the dark paper isn't working in File Explorer, it's possible that your installation is damaged. This tail end happen for several reasons, and in order to unsex the problem, it's advised to run an SFC scan.

The procedure is rather four-needled, and you can do it by following the previous stairs, After the SFC scan is finished, check if the job is still there.

If you couldn't run an SFC scan or if the scan didn't fix the problem, you need to perform a DISM scan aside doing the steps in the adjacent solution.

6.2 Run the DISM scan

  1. Start Prompt as an administrator, and run the following bidding:
  2. DISM /Online /Cleanup spot-Image /RestoreHealth
    dism scan dark theme not working
  3. This scan can take about 20 minutes, sometimes more, and so Don't step in with it.

After the scan is completed, deterrent if the problem is still on that point. If you couldn't incline an SFC scan before somehow, try functioning it after the DISM run down and check if that helps.

If you need more than info on DISM and how to use it, check kayoed our detailed guide to master it the likes of a vocation.


Dark theme for File IE is a great addition to Windows 10, but if the dark theme isn't on the job for you, the issue is most likely affinal to the missing updates.

One of our readers also suggested uninstalling f.lux or any other night strain that could interfere with the Single file Explorer's Dark Composition so make sure to check-out procedure that likewise.

If you have any other suggestions, you are more than wanted to depart them in our comments section below. As you can see, we pay attention to our reader's suggestions.