SourceTree Not Opening? Complete Fix Guide

SourceTree is a popular Git and Mercurial client that offers an intuitive graphical interface to manage repositories without the command line. However, users occasionally encounter a frustrating issue: SourceTree simply won’t open. Whether you’re launching it from a shortcut, directly from the executable, or attempting to reinstall, the application remains unresponsive.

TL;DR

If SourceTree isn’t opening, it’s often due to corrupted configuration files, incompatible settings, or outdated software dependencies. Try resetting the app’s settings, deleting user configuration files, or ensuring you have the latest .NET Framework and Visual C++ Redistributable installed. In some cases, a full reinstall or running it in compatibility mode may help. Follow the step-by-step guide below to thoroughly diagnose and fix the problem.

Common Causes of SourceTree Not Opening

Understanding the root causes can help you better know where to begin troubleshooting. Below are the most frequent reasons SourceTree may fail to launch:

• Corrupted user configuration files
• Outdated or incompatible system dependencies (e.g., .NET, Visual C++)
• Application updates that failed or were incomplete
• Conflicting stored credentials or authentication errors
• Permissions issues or blocked execution by antivirus software

Step-by-Step Fix Guide

Below are organized steps to help resolve the issue, starting with the easiest solutions first and progressing toward deeper system-level fixes.

1. Run as Administrator

SourceTree may be unable to launch due to lack of necessary permissions:

1. Right-click on the SourceTree shortcut or executable.
2. Select “Run as administrator.”
3. If prompted by a UAC (User Account Control) dialog, click “Yes.”

If the app runs this way, you can configure it to always use admin privileges via the properties menu.

2. Kill Any Background SourceTree Processes

Sometimes, SourceTree is technically running in the background but fails to display the GUI.

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Locate any processes named SourceTree.exe.
3. Click End Task for each one.
4. Try launching SourceTree again.

3. Clear App Cache and Configuration Files

Corrupted app settings are a major cause of launch issues. Resetting configuration files can often resolve the problem:

1. Press Windows + R, type %LocalAppData%\Atlassian\SourceTree, and press Enter.
2. Delete the entire SourceTree folder.
3. Also navigate to %AppData%\Atlassian\SourceTree and remove this folder as well.
4. Try opening SourceTree again. It will reconstruct the configuration from defaults.

4. Check for Dependency Issues

SourceTree relies on several Microsoft libraries, and missing or outdated versions may prevent it from opening.

• Ensure you have the latest version of .NET Framework installed. You can check and update it from the official Microsoft site.
• Install the latest Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio (both x86 and x64 versions).
• Reboot your computer and then attempt to open SourceTree again.

5. Check Compatibility Settings

Sometimes Windows compatibility settings are incorrectly applied to the SourceTree executable.

1. Right-click on SourceTree.exe and select Properties.
2. Go to the Compatibility tab.
3. Uncheck any boxes under “Compatibility mode.”
4. Click Apply and OK, then try launching the application again.

6. Temporarily Disable Antivirus or Firewall

Your security software may be interfering with SourceTree’s execution. Temporarily disable it and test your app:

1. Disable any running antivirus or firewall software.
2. Attempt to launch SourceTree.
3. If it opens, add SourceTree as an exception to your antivirus software before re-enabling security tools.

7. Reinstall SourceTree

When all else fails, a clean reinstall may be necessary:

1. Go to Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a program and remove SourceTree.
2. Delete residual folders from:
   • %LocalAppData%\Atlassian\SourceTree
   • %AppData%\Atlassian\SourceTree
   • %Temp% folder – clear any Atlassian logs
3. Download the latest SourceTree installer from the official Atlassian website.
4. Install and launch fresh. Reconfigure your settings and repositories.

Additional Advanced Solutions

Use the SourceTree Log Files

Launch logs may help diagnose deeper issues:

• Navigate to %LocalAppData%\Atlassian\SourceTree and open the sourcetree.log file.
• Check for errors such as “Unhandled exception,” “invalid config,” or installation issues.
• Google error messages or post them on Atlassian’s community forum for accurate help.

Try a Different User Account

Issues with the current user profile can impact app behavior.

1. Create a new local user account on your system.
2. Log into this profile and install SourceTree freshly.
3. If it opens here, then your original Windows user profile may be corrupted or misconfigured.

Reset Git Configuration

In rare cases, misconfigured Git settings conflict with SourceTree’s operations.

• Open a terminal and run git config --global --edit.
• Inspect for any unusual paths or settings that may block operation.
• To reset Git to defaults, use git config --global --unset-all user.name and reconfigure as needed.

Preventative Measures for Future Stability

Once you’ve resolved the issue, it’s important to minimize the likelihood of recurrence.

• Keep SourceTree and system dependencies up to date
• Avoid abrupt shutdowns while SourceTree is open
• Backup your configuration regularly if you heavily customize your workflow
• Enable automatic crash reporting to notify Atlassian of bugs

When All Else Fails

If you’ve exhausted every step listed here and SourceTree still won’t launch, it may be time to escalate:

• Submit a support ticket to Atlassian via their support portal.
• Include your OS version, software versions, and any log data you obtained.
• Consider using alternative Git GUI clients such as GitKraken or GitHub Desktop until your issue is resolved.

Conclusion

SourceTree not opening can halt your productivity, but it’s rarely without a fix. By methodically checking configuration files, dependencies, permissions, and installations, you’ll usually uncover what’s gone wrong. These instructions offer a comprehensive path back to operation—whether you’re a developer working on a mission-critical project or a student trying to commit your latest assignment.