The below information has been copied from this website. https://www.stellarinfo.com/blog/windows-10-cannot-open-jpg/
The above website link has images included that help understand what to do, so I do recommend popping over there to read the information copied below.
Methods to fix Windows 10 / 11 can’t open JPG files
Solution 1.
Please try downloading the file again. I know this is a pain, but sometimes a file can be corrupted in the downloading process. ( Contact me if you need help with a new download link, I am happy to help! )
Please make sure you are not trying to load ghost files. If you are operating in windows, when you open your folder, you may see duplicate files which start with ._ These are invisible / ghost files and will not load.
._ files are created automatically by Mac OS X and contain metadata related to the accompanying file that was placed there by programs in the Mac. ( All my work is created on a Mac, so this will happen if you open them on PC. )
( Deleting these files is not advised because they contain information that could not be supported by the file format that is presented as for your computer. This information is referenced by programs when their associated files are opened on the Mac OS. ) Macs will split extra information for files into these ._ files (since the drive type being used in these cases is not Mac-specific).
This link will show you more information on this and a few tips for hiding the files. ( so they don't clutter your windows system. ) atptextures.com/pages/file-are-blank-in-windows
Solution 2: Rename the JPEG file
Sometimes wrong file extension cannot open JPG files with Windows Photo Viewer. Rename the file and use .jpeg as an extension. It may open the JPG image on Windows 10 / 11.
Solution 3: Update Windows 10 / 11 Photo Viewer
Updates usually fix bugs and glitches in applications. Begin by updating your image viewer program to fix the “JPEG file not opening” error in Windows.
Windows update automatically updates its default apps.
How to open JPEG files on Windows
JPEG is a common image file format that is compatible with almost all operating systems and devices. Windows uses the Photos App as the default image viewer, recommended by Microsoft. Sometimes users may also install third-party apps to open or edit JPEG files on their computer.
If a JPEG file is not opening on your computer, the problem could be with Windows or the photo viewer program or your JPEG file may be damaged. So try the below methods that can fix such issues:
- Rename the JPEG file.
- Update to Windows 11 Photo Viewer.
- Run an SFC scan.
- Restore to the default Photos app.
- Repair the image viewer program on Windows.
- Open JPEG files in another application.
- Use JPEG repair software.
Methods to fix Windows can’t open JPG files
Solution 1: Rename the JPEG file
Sometimes wrong file extension cannot open JPG files with Windows Photo Viewer. Rename the file and use .jpeg as an extension. It may open the JPG image on Windows.
Solution 2: Update Windows Photo Viewer
Updates usually fix bugs and glitches in applications. Begin by updating your image viewer program to fix the “JPEG file not opening” error in Windows.
Windows update automatically updates its default apps.
Solution 3: Run an SFC scan
Broken operating system components may not let Windows to open JPG files. Try to fix the problem by running an SFC scan on Windows.
Steps to run the SFC scan:
- Click Start on your PC. In the search box, type CMD.
- Right-click on the Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator.
- Type sfc/scannow, and press Enter.
- Restart your PC.
Now check if the JPG/ JPEG files can open in Windows, else move to the next method.
Solution 4: Restore to default Photos app
Often an image file does not open in your system due to a software conflict. If you are using any third-party image viewer on Windows, prefer to go back to the default Photos app.
Steps to restore default Photos App on Windows 10 / 11:
- Go to Settings > Applications > Default apps.
- Scroll down and click on the Reset button.
-
This will reset all the default apps recommended by Microsoft on your version of Windows. Next, restart your PC and check whether the JPG file opens in Windows.
Solution 5: Repair the image viewer program on Windows
Windows has the provision to repair any app that isn’t working properly on it. If you cannot open JPG files in Windows, choose to repair the image viewer on your computer. You can repair any image viewer such as the Microsoft Photos app, IrfanView, XnView, or others on Windows 10 / 11.
You can also choose to “Reset” the image viewer program, but this will delete all the apps data on your system.
Steps to repair image viewer program on Windows:
- Go to Settings > Applications > Applications and Features.
- Scroll down to the picture viewer program that is causing the ‘JPEG file not opening’ problem. Click on it, and select Advanced options.
Solution 6: Open JPEG files in another application
If updating, repairing or resetting the image viewer doesn’t fix the ‘JPEG not opening’ issue, use a different application. There are plenty of other JPEG-friendly programs such as Paint 3D, IrfanView, Snip & Sketch, Cool File Viewer, Photoshop, Inkscape, etc.
Solution 7: Use a JPEG repair software
JPEG won’t open on Windows 10 if the file is corrupt. To rule out corruption, check for 2 things:
- Whether all the JPEG/ JPG photos are not opening or the problem is with a few files.
- Whether the JPEG file is opening in MS Paint.
If some specific JPEG files are not opening in Windows, and you cannot view them in Paint, it indicates that JPEG photos may be corrupt.
Use an effective JPEG photo repair software – Stellar Repair for Photo to fix the file corruption.
The software can fix unreadable JPEG/ JPG image files by repairing corrupt header, data, invalid image file structure, etc. You can repair inaccessible and error showing JPEG photos as well.
Key advantages of Stellar Repair for Photo:
- Quickly repairs unlimited photos in one go
- Offers advance repair for severely corrupt JPEG files by using sample JPEG image
- Fixes grains, greying, or blur in photos
- Repairs RAW image files formats along with JPEG
- Preview the repaired JPEG photos, and click Save Repaired Files.
Now your JPEG file should open perfectly in any image viewer on Windows 10 / 11.