Finding and organizing files can be challenging, especially when Sort by Date Modifies stops working in File Explorer. This could happen because of corrupt folder view settings, grouping options, folder optimization, etc. Here, we explain the causes and how you can fix the “Sort by date modified” feature.
When this feature stops working upon closing and reopening folders, the files revert to sorting by “Name,” or they may behave unpredictably, mixing newer files with older ones or prioritizing certain file types over regular folders. This is frustrating, but you no longer need to worry about it. Simply follow the steps below and fix the issue.
Why is “Sort by Date Modified” Broken or Not Working in Windows 11 File Explorer
Software Glitches—Bugs in File Explorer or outdated Windows updates can cause issues. Regular updates and resetting folder view settings may help resolve these problems.
Folder View Settings – If the “Group by” option is set to anything other than “None,” it can prevent files from being sorted correctly by modification date. Make sure this setting is adjusted properly.
File Metadata Issues—Corrupt or inaccurate metadata can affect how files are organized, and problems with file properties can lead to sorting discrepancies.
Indexing Problems—Issues with the Windows search index can hinder File Explorer’s ability to interpret and display file properties accurately.
Folder Optimization Settings – Windows optimizes folders based on their content types, but automatic optimizations may lead to sorting errors, particularly with the “Sort by date modified” function.
Mixed File Types – Folders containing different file types can confuse Windows, causing incorrect sorting behaviors.
Fix Windows 11 Sort By Date Modified Not Working
Optimizing folder Sort by Date Modified in Windows 11 is easy. To fix the problem, start by restarting File Explorer. Doing so helps fix temporary glitches that might be the reason behind File Explorer issues. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. Click Processes tab > File Explorer > right-click > Restart. After this, update Windows and see if you can use the Sort by Date Modified option. If this does not help, follow these advanced troubleshooting steps.
Method 1 – Refresh The “Group By” Option
Files are displayed in groups when specific attributes, like name, date, or type, are used. This sometimes affects the sorting order within those groups. Therefore, to remove this added layer of folder organization, set the “Group by” option to None. This disabling of grouping helps fix the issue. To do so, follow these steps:
1. Navigate to the folder where the Group By option is malfunctioning.
2. Right-click a blank space within the folder to reveal the context menu.
3. Hover your mouse cursor over Group By and click on “(none).”
Note : You will not see the “(none)” option if it is already set to None.
4. After you have set it to “(none),” you can check your files in the folder and select Group By “Date” again.
Method 2 – Reset The Folder View Option
Folder view settings dictate how files and folders appear in File Explorer. When you configure a folder to sort files by date modified, Windows remembers this setting for the next time. However, certain changes, updates, or modifications from other software may corrupt these settings, leading File Explorer to display files incorrectly. Resetting the settings helps clear any issues and restores File Explorer to its default, uncorrupted state. Here is what you need to do.
1. Press Win + E to launch the File Explorer.
2. Click on the three dots in the toolbar located on the top and choose Options.
3. The Folder Options box will now open. Click the View tab > Reset Folders button first.
4. Next, click Apply to Folders button.
5. This will ensure that the settings reset to default are now applied to all folders.
6. Finally, click on the Apply button followed by OK.
This will reset File Explorer to default settings. Now, reapply the “Sort by Date Modified” option and check if it functions correctly.
Also Read – How to Fix “Windows Cannot Open the Folder”
Method 3 – Modify Folder Optimization
Different file types require specific view settings for correct display, such as thumbnails for images and detailed metadata for documents. Windows automatically optimizes folders based on their content type, but it can sometimes make mistakes about the primary content, particularly in folders with mixed file types. This can result in incorrect optimization and issues in File Explorer. Follow these steps to manually select the optimization options.
1. Press Win + E to Open the File Explorer window and navigate to the folder with issues.
2. Right-click any space within the folder and choose Properties from the context menu.
3. In the folder properties box, click on the Customize box.
4. Select the option that best matches the folder’s content in the ‘ Optimize this folder for ‘ dropdown menu.
5. Check the box before ‘Also apply this template to all subfolders’ to ensure the same optimization applies to any subfolders.
6. Click on the Apply button followed by OK to save your changes.
Also Read – How To Fix Destination Folder Access Denied Windows 10/11
Method 4 – Rebuild Search Index
File Explorer depends on the Windows Search index to sort files. When there is an issue with the indexing data, you face issues and cannot use certain features. To fix it and rebuild the search index, follow these steps:
1. Press Windows + I to open Windows Settings.
2. Click the Privacy & Settings option. 
3. Scroll down and look for the Searching Windows option.
4. Scroll down > click Advanced Indexing Options.
5. Click Advanced option under Indexing Options.
6. Click Rebuild.
7. Confirm the action by clicking the Ok button.
Let the process finish, and then try to use the Sort by Date Modified option. It should work correctly.
Editor’s Tip: Use Advanced System Optimizer To Clear Thumbnails And Other Junk Files
Junk and temporary files like thumbnails, cache, cookies, etc, are helpful but cause several issues. They occupy valuable storage space and interfere with the other software and basic Windows functioning. This makes clearing them essential. Sadly, they are not auto-deleted after their purpose is over; therefore, to remove these unwanted files and optimize your PC, you need to find them or use Advanced System Optimizer. It is a PC optimization software that cleans your unwanted files, helping your PC run smoothly. To use it and optimize your PC, here is what you need to do:
1. Download and Install Advanced System Optimizer using the link below.
2. Launch the application and click on the Start Smart PC Care button.
3. This will launch a scan on your PC and identify the issues.
5. Click the Optimize button, and the app will fix all your issues.
Restart your PC after the process is completed.
Also Read – Why Use Advanced System Optimizer – Best PC Cleaning Software
File Explorer Date Modified Sorting Problem on Windows 11 – Solved
Sort by Date Modified is a basic feature in Windows 11, and most users use it to keep files and folders organized. This is why users get irritated when there are issues with this feature. By disabling grouping, resetting view settings, and optimizing the PC, you can optimize and resolve group-by and sort-by-date-modified issues in Windows 11. We hope the abovementioned methods have helped you resolve the issue on Windows 11. Please let us know which fix worked in the comments section below! To avoid such issues, regularly update Windows, use consistent folder settings, and limit grouping in File Explorer.
