Windows 10 taskbar not working

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Is your Windows 10 taskbar not working? Microsoft gave the humble taskbar new tricks in Windows 10, but this introduced additional frustrating errors.

Let’s look at fixes for the most common issues that plague the taskbar in Windows 10, such as it not responding at all. Using these solutions, you can have a fully functional taskbar once more.

1. Too Much Clutter on the Taskbar

Before we move on to specific problems, we should mention that by default, the Windows 10 taskbar has a lot of unnecessary junk that takes up valuable room. Thankfully, if you don’t use these icons, you can hide them to make more space for the ones you care about.

One of them is the long search bar, which is unnecessary since you can search by clicking the Start button or hitting the Win key anytime. To hide the search bar in the Windows 10 taskbar, right-click on the search box or an empty area of the taskbar. Choose Search > Show search icon to change this to a small magnifying glass, or Hidden to hide the search field altogether.

Cortana has been heavily deemphasized since Windows 10 was released. If you don’t use this feature, you can uncheck the Show Cortana button field to hide it. To save more space, also uncheck Show Task View button and rely on the keyboard shortcut Win + Tab to access the function instead.

There are a few unnecessary elements on the right end of the sidebar, too. Disable Show People on the taskbar to hide that neglected shortcut. Unless you use any of the options under Toolbars, you can disable them without losing anything. Those who don’t want the weather on their taskbar can turn off News and Interests. And if you don’t have a touchscreen, Show Windows Ink Workspace button and Show touch keyboard button are both unnecessary.

Now you’ll have more room for the app icons you use all the time. While we focus on fixing particular taskbar issues below, check out our complete guide to Windows taskbar customization if you’re looking for more personalization options.

2. The First Fix: Restart the Explorer Process

A quick first step when you have any taskbar issue in Windows is to restart the explorer.exe process. This controls the Windows shell, which includes the File Explorer app as well as the taskbar and Start menu. Restarting it can thus clear up any minor hiccups, such as your taskbar not working.

To restart this process, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to launch the Task Manager. Click More details at the bottom if you only see the simple window. Then on the Processes tab, locate Windows Explorer. Right-click it and choose Restart.

You’ll notice your taskbar goes away for a minute, then comes back. This is normal, and when it returns, it will hopefully function properly.

If this doesn’t work, you can also try signing out and back into your user account. And don’t forget that restarting your PC is always a good idea if you haven’t done so in a while.

3. Check for Driver and Windows Updates

This is broad advice that’s applicable to many PC problems, but it’s solved taskbar strife for some. Outdated drivers, especially display drivers, can cause all sorts of issues. Thus, updating them is worth a look when your taskbar isn’t responding or is otherwise acting strange.

Follow our guide to updating Windows drivers safely and see if this clears up your issue.

While you’re at it, make sure you’ve installed all Windows updates at Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. Sometimes the latest Windows patches can clear up strange issues like this.

4. Windows 10 Taskbar Not Hiding

When you’ve enabled the auto-hide functionality of the taskbar, it’s annoying if it doesn’t work properly. If restarting the Explorer process doesn’t work or the issue happens frequently, you can try some other fixes.

First, make sure you actually have auto-hide enabled. Head to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar and make sure Automatically hide the taskbar in desktop mode is enabled. It’s worth disabling and re-enabling this toggle while you’re here, too. Sometimes an option can get stuck, and toggling it can restore the proper functionality.

One of the most common causes for the taskbar failing to hide automatically is an app requiring your attention. While this often comes accompanied by a glowing app icon on the taskbar, it’s not always obvious when this is the case.

If your taskbar is stuck open, cycle through the apps you have open and make sure that there are no error messages or other alerts waiting for you anywhere. For example, your browser can switch to this «attention» state if a website displays a notification, or perhaps a chat client just received a new message.

If checking your open apps doesn’t fix this, take a look at the apps in your System Tray. One of them, running in the background, might be calling for attention.

Should you run into this problem on a regular basis, try adjusting Windows notifications for the app that keeps getting stuck. Open Settings > System > Notifications & actions and disable notifications you don’t want.

You should also check inside the app’s settings for more granular control. For example, in Telegram, you can mute notifications for noisy group chats but keep them on for other conversations. Failing that, reinstalling any app that keeps the taskbar open may fix the problem.

5. Windows 10 Taskbar Icons Missing

If your taskbar is missing its icons and the System Tray at the bottom-right doesn’t show the clock and other functions, you might have to dip into the Command Prompt and use classic Windows troubleshooting commands to remedy your issue. Fortunately, this isn’t as intimidating as it might sound.

First, use the Win + X shortcut (or right-click the Start button) to open the Power User menu. From here, you can launch a Command Prompt (Admin), Windows PowerShell (Admin), or Windows Terminal (Admin) window. Using any of these, you can access a few tools to perform the taskbar fix.

In the resulting prompt, you should first try the SFC command, which runs the System File Checker utility to patch up Windows issues. Use this command to do so, then reboot once it’s complete:

 sfc /scannow 

If this doesn’t fix the issue, you can try another utility. Enter the following command to invoke Disk Image Servicing and Management (DISM), and you should find that your Taskbar returns to its normal state after a reboot:

 DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth 

6. Windows 10 Taskbar Not Responding or Frozen

If you can’t click on anything in your taskbar, you can try a few PowerShell fixes. There’s a relatively easy process, using a non-invasive command, that should clear up your unresponsive taskbar issues.

To use these, type PowerShell into the Start menu, then right-click its entry and choose Run as administrator. Enter the following command to re-register all apps:

 Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"} 

After this, navigate to C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Local. Find the TileDataLayer folder and delete it. Hopefully, after a moment, this will fix your taskbar and allow you to click on items properly again.

There is a second, more invasive fix if your taskbar is still frozen. Unfortunately, this one comes at a cost, as it will also remove all Windows 10 apps, including the Microsoft Store, from your system. Only do this if you don’t mind losing all Store apps and nothing else will fix your issue.

To try it, open PowerShell with admin rights as demonstrated above. Then input this command:

 Get-AppxPackage | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online | Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage -online 

Afterwards, restart your system and hopefully, you’ll have everything fixed. Follow Winaero’s guide if you decide that you want the Microsoft Store app back.

7. The Windows 10 Taskbar Moves Around

If you find that your Windows 10 taskbar moves around when you try to click it, chances are that you have it unlocked. This is a handy way to quickly stick your taskbar to another corner of the screen, but if you want to keep it in one place, the shortcut is only an annoyance.

Head to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar again and make sure you have Lock the taskbar enabled. With this turned on, you won’t be able to click and drag on an empty space in the taskbar to move it around your screen.

8. Last Resort: Try System Restore or Create a New User Account

Tried everything above and still can’t manage to make your taskbar behave as it should? You can try a System Restore point, if you have one, to go back in time before the issue started.

Failing this, you can create a new Windows user account to clear up the problem. This is fairly inconvenient, but it might be your only fix if nothing else has worked.

To create a new user account, open the Settings app (Win + I) and navigate to Accounts > Family & other users. Under the Other Users section, select Add someone else to this PC.

You can then work your way through the account creation process. If you’re replacing your own user account, you should choose the I don’t have this person’s sign-in information, then Add a user without a Microsoft account to avoid any confusion with your original login.

Long Live the Windows 10 Taskbar

Hopefully, you’ll never run into issues with your Windows 10 taskbar again. One or more of these tips should have helped you fix any annoying problems, like not being able to click anything on the taskbar.

Now you can take full advantage of what the taskbar offers you for navigation and more.

What is a taskbar and what does it do? 

Common taskbar issues and how to fix them 

1. Cluttered taskbar 

2. Restart the explorer process

3. Hiding taskbar

4. See if there are any Windows or drive updates 

5. Windows 10 taskbar frozen 

Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)AppXManifest.xml"}

C:/Users/your_username/AppData/Local/

6. Taskbar moves around

7. Taskbar disappeared 

8. Make a new account or carry out a system restore 

Final word

We all know the significance of the Start menu and the taskbar and how they help us navigate the computer. However, at times, there are unexpected issues that cause Windows 10 to freeze and even crash. The Start menu and taskbar not working as intended leaves the users frustrated. This system error blocks the access to applications and files stored on the computer. It freezes the system and in extreme cases, puts the computer in a boot loop.

Affected users have reported encountering either of the two messages –

Message 1 – “Critical Error – Your Start menu isn’t working. We’ll try to fix it the next time you sign in.”

Message 2 – “Critical Error – Start menu and Cortana aren’t working. We’ll try to fix it the next time you sign in.”

While this issue may seem problematic and complex, the solutions to fix it are quite easy to follow. Hence, affected users should not worry about this error. Let’s look at the possible reasons behind this error message and ways to fix it.

Why Do the Start Menu and Taskbar Fail to Work Sometimes?

There are several reasons that could cause the Start menu and taskbar to stop working and fail. Let’s look at some of them –

• Corrupt system files
• Installed faulty or incompatible software
• Outdated OS
• Lack of system memory
• Hidden taskbar

Methods to Fix the Start Menu and Taskbar Not Working Error

Now that we have discussed the probable reasons causing the Start menu and Taskbar to not function properly, let’s look at the ways to resolve the issue.

Method 1: Unhide the Taskbar

Sometimes, the taskbar gets hidden, which make it seem as if the taskbar has failed. This can confuse the user. If you are not able to see the taskbar or the Windows symbol on your screen, you can go to the taskbar settings to fix this. Simply follow these steps –

• Press WIN + I to open Settings.
• Click on Personalization.

• Click on Taskbar in the left pane and look for Automatically hide the taskbar in desktop mode.
• Toggle the switch under it to OFF position.

• The taskbar should be visible on the screen again.

Method 2: Restart Windows Explorer

This is the most basic method to fix the broken or frozen Start menu or taskbar on a windows 10 system. You can fix the issue at hand by simply restarting the Windows File Explorer from the task manager. To do this –

• Press CTRL + ALT + DEL to open Security Options window.
• Select Task Manager from the list.

• Find Windows Explorer under the Processes tab.

• Select it and right-click on it.
• Click on Restart.

This will restart the File Explorer and should fix the issue at hand.

Method 3: Boot Windows 10 into Safe Mode

Many user reports suggested that booting Windows 10 systems into safe mode fixed the broken Start menu and taskbar. However, some of the testers reported that this fix is temporary and the error comes back. You can try and see if this resolves the error. To restart the computer into safe mode –

• Press WIN + R, type msconfig and hit Enter.
• In the System Configuration window, click on the Boot tab.

• Under Boot options section, select Safe boot and ensure that the marking under it is at Minimal.
• Click on Apply and then OK.

This will start your computer into safe mode. Once inside, restart the system into normal mode. This should fix your problem.

Note – By default, the system starts in normal mode after you restart your computer from safe mode. If your system restarts again into safe mode, you can follow the steps as mentioned above to restart the system in the normal mode.

Method 4: Create a New Administrator Profile

In some rare cases, the error causing the start menu and the taskbar to become unresponsive could be due to an error with your user account. You can try logging into another user account by creating a new one to fix this issue. To create a new administrator account –

• Press WIN + I to open Settings.
• Click on Accounts.

• Click on Other users in the left pane.
• Click on Add someone else to this PC.

• Click on I don’t have this person’s sign-in information.

• Click on Add a user without a Microsoft account.

• Enter the details and click on Next to follow further instructions.

Once the account is created, sign out from your current user account and sign in with the new account to check if this has resolved this issue.

Method 5: Perform SFC scan

Windows system files are vital for the smooth functioning of your computer. If you unexpectedly encounter the Start menu or Taskbar becoming unresponsive, it could be due to some damaged or missing system files. You can use the elevated Command Prompt to run the System File Checker or SFC command. This command checks the integrity of all the system files and replaces/repairs the damaged ones. To perform this check –

• Open an elevated Command Prompt.
• Type sfc/ scannow and hit Enter.

• Wait for the scan to complete.
• Once the scan is complete, close the window and Restart your computer to see if the issue is fixed.

Method 6: Re-register the Start Menu

Re-registering the Start menu is a great way to fix any errors that are causing the Start menu to glitch. For this, you need to simply run the following command in Windows PowerShell (Admin).

Because the start menu is not working, you won’t be able to open PowerShell using it. You will have to open with administrator privileges using Run. Simply follow the steps mentioned below to open PowerShell and execute the following command –

• Press WIN + R to open RUN.
• Type PowerShell and press CTRL + SHIFT + ENTER to launch it with administrator rights.

• Paste the following code in the terminal –

Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml”}

• Press Enter.

• Once this is executed, restart your system.

Method 7: Update Windows 10

Outdated Windows OS can sometimes cause the system to run into issues like unresponsive start menu and taskbar. Hence you should always keep your Windows 10 OS updated.

To update Windows 10 –

• Press WIN + I to open Settings.
• Click on Update & Security.

• Click on Windows Update and then Check for updates.

Method 8: Do a System Restore

System Restore is a great way to restore the system to its previous or normal state, i.e., before you start encountering issues with the start menu and taskbar. If you have created a System Restore point well in advance, then you can follow the below mentioned steps. However, you should take a backup of your data before proceeding with this. To perform this –

• Press WIN + I to open Settings app.
• Click on Update & Security.

• Click on Recovery in the left pane and then click on Restart now under Advanced startup.

• On the WinRE screen, click on Troubleshoot.

• Click on Advanced options.

• Click on System Restore.

• The wizard will prompt you to select your username and enter password for it, if required.
• Select Choose a different restore point and click on Next.
• Choose the restore point you wish to return to and click on Next.

Wait for the process to finish restoring Windows 10 to its previous state.

Method 10: Perform Windows Reset

If none of the above-mentioned solutions work for the problem in hand, you can perform reset Windows 10. You should take a complete backup of your data on an external storage device before performing this. Once the backup process is complete, carefully follow the steps below to reset your PC –

• Press WIN + I to open the Settings app.
• Click on Update & Security.

• Click Recovery in the left pane and then click on Get started under Reset this PC.

• A prompt will ask you to either Keep my files or Remove everything. Make your selection and proceed further.

• In the next section, you will have to choose between Cloud download or Local reinstall. Carefully select whatever you feel comfortable with.

Note – Selecting cloud download will download a fresh image of Windows OS and remove any custom OS image that came preinstalled with the PC.

• Proceed with the wizard by carefully reading the reinstallation instructions listed on the Ready to reset this PC screen. Click Reset whenever you are ready.

Performing this procedure installs a clean and fresh Windows image that should fix the unresponsive taskbar & start menu error.

Pro Tip

Sometimes the Critical error: Start menu and taskbar not working causes the system to crash unexpectedly. This could cause data loss and some files to go missing. Critical errors could also happen due to corrupt system files causing unexpected system crashes.

This calls for a versatile data recovery software like Stellar Data Recovery, which can recover data from any data loss situation like accidental deletion, file corruption, drive crash or system errors. This is a simple to use software which can restore all types of data from any storage media like HDD, SSD, SD card and more.

Conclusion

Start menu and Taskbar are some of the most important components of Windows 10 GUI. They increase usability and make navigation easier. However, some pesky errors cause these two to glitch and freeze unexpectedly. In this post, we discussed some easy methods to fix the start menu and taskbar not working error. We hope the methods mentioned in the post will help you fix the Start menu and task bar error.

FAQs

How do I get rid of taskbar critical error message windows 10?

The easiest way to get rid the taskbar critical error message is to sign out of the current user account and sign back in.

How do I fix the critical error: start menu not working?

You can boot your Windows 10 PC in safe mode to fix the Critical Error: Start menu not working issue.

How do I fix frozen start menu or taskbar on windows 10?

You can fix the frozen start menu or taskbar by restarting windows explorer from the Task Manager. Press CTRL + ALT + DEL > Task Manager > Processes > right-click on Windows Explorer > Restart.