Complete troubleshooting guide for the most common Obsidian installation and startup errors. Pick your issue below for a dedicated step-by-step fix.
Obsidian Not Installing on Windows 11
SmartScreen blocks, antivirus interference, corrupted download, permission errors.
View fix →Obsidian Won't Open After Install
App launches but closes instantly, missing runtime, GPU crash on startup.
View fix →Obsidian Blank Screen Fix
White or black screen after launch — GPU acceleration, cache and scaling fixes.
View fix →Obsidian Install Stuck Fix
Installer freezes at 0%, hangs mid-progress or never completes.
View fix →Reinstall Obsidian Without Losing Notes
Safe uninstall and reinstall procedure — vault and notes stay fully intact.
View fix →Not sure which error you have? Match your symptom to the right fix page.
| Symptom | Fix Page |
|---|---|
| "Windows protected your PC" warning | Not Installing on Windows 11 Fix |
| Installer stops at 0% or hangs mid-way | Install Stuck Fix |
| App icon appears then disappears | Won't Open After Install |
| App opens but shows only a white/black screen | Blank Screen Fix |
| Want to reinstall but worried about notes | Reinstall Without Losing Notes |
| Cannot install — no admin rights on PC | Installation Guide (portable method) |
A corrupted download causes most installation failures. Always re-download before trying other fixes.
Real-time antivirus scanning can block installer writes. Disable it for 60 seconds during setup.
Obsidian requires ~250 MB free. Run out of space and the installer silently fails.
