How-To

How to Fix a Zip Error on Windows 11

By Brian Burgess

Published April 21, 2023

Having trouble zipping up your important files? If you’re trying to fix a zip error on Windows 11, follow the steps in this guide.

The ability to create zip files has been included with Windows since XP. There are also third-party apps like 7-Zip that support more compression options.

What do you do if you run into an error trying to zip up files and folders on Windows, however? Different errors might display while trying to zip files or folders. For example, you might get a “the compressed folder is invalid” error.

If that happens to you, you can fix a zip error on Windows 11 by following the steps below.

Restart File Explorer to Fix a Zip Error on Windows 11

If you’re getting a zip error while using Windows’ built-in compression tool, there could be a problem with File Explorer. To resolve the issue, a place to start troubleshooting is to restart File Explorer.

To restart File Explorer on Windows 11:

1. Right-click the Start button and select Task Manager from the menu.
2. Select the Processes tab.
3. Right-click Windows Explorer and choose Restart from the menu.
4. When File Explorer restarts, your desktop and taskbar will blink off briefly.

Manually Close and Restart File Explorer:

It’s important to note that if restarting File Explorer doesn’t work, you can manually close and restart it to help fix the zip error.

1. Right-click the Start menu and select Task Manager.
2. Select the Processes
3. Right-click Windows Explorer and select End task from the menu.
4. Your desktop will disappear, but Task Manager will remain open.
5. Click Run new task at the top of Task Manager.
6. In the Create new task dialog, type explorer.exe and click OK.

Your desktop and taskbar will come back on, and you can check to see if you can zip your file or folders without the error.

Reinstall Third-party Compression App

If you use a third-party compression utility like 7-Zip or WinRar, reinstalling the app will help resolve the zip error on Windows 11.

In this example, we’re reinstalling 7-Zip, but the process is similar to other compression apps.

To reinstall a third-party compression utility:

1. Press the Windows key and open Settings from the menu.
2. Click Apps on the left column and Installed Apps on the right.
3. Locate your compression app, click the three-dot button, and select the Uninstall option twice.
4. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the uninstall process for your file compression app.
5. Download and install a clean and updated compression utility of your choice, and reinstall it.

Manage Folder Optimization Settings

There are two benefits of using folder optimization settings. It can help speed up File Explorer and resolve file issues, including zip files.

To optimize folders:

1. Right-click the problematic folder that won’t zip and select Properties.
2. Click the Customize tab at the top.
3. Choose General items from the dropdown menu under the Optimize this folder for
4. Check the Optimize this folder for
5. Select the Also apply this template to all subfolders
6. Click Apply and OK.

Once the folder is optimized, try to zip it again and see if it works successfully.

Run Windows File and Folder Troubleshooter

Another tool you might not know is the Windows File and Folder Troubleshooter. It isn’t built into Windows but is available via download from Microsoft.

To run Windows File and Folder Troubleshooter:

1. Launch the File and Folder troubleshooter app.
2. Click the Advanced link, select the Apply repairs automatically option, and click Next.
3. Select the Renaming or moving files and folders and Others or I don’t know options and click Next.
4. Follow the troubleshooter’s onscreen instructions and restart your PC when prompted.

Run SFC and DISM to Repair Files

You may get a zip error on Windows 11 due to corrupt system files. Running SFC and DISM scans can scan for file errors and fix them automatically.

To run SFC and DISM scans:

1. Press the Windows key.
2. Search for PowerShell and click Run as Administrator from the right column.
3. Type the following command and hit Enter:

   sfc /scannow

   

4. After the SFC scan completes, type the following command in the same PowerShell window to begin the DISM scan.

   DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

   

These scans can take a long time to complete, and the time it takes varies between systems. However, once the scans are complete, you can restart your PC and see if you can zip files error-free.

Fixing Errors and Other Problems on Windows 11

Using the compression option to zip files and folders allows you to combine files and save disk space. But if you are getting an error while trying to manage your zip files, using one of the above options should fix a zip error on Windows 11.

There are other errors and issues you might run into on Windows 11. For example, you might need to fix an unidentified network error, or if you have a printing headache, you can fix print spooler errors.

Also, you might need to fix a missing Quick access menu on Windows 11. Or, if your system isn’t performing well, it could be a problem with the GPU. Luckily, you can fix high GPU usage on Windows 11.