A Comprehensive Guidance On How To Fix Windows 10 Taskbar Not Working Error

Windows 10 Operating System comes with a lot of features as well as improvements over its earlier versions. But still, it is not free from occasional glitches like others. Windows 10 taskbar not working is one of those common problems which are often faced by several users. Most of the users who have upgraded their system to Windows 10 recently have found that the taskbar is not functioning properly. This issue varies from user to user. Some users fail to use anything from the taskbar as well as the taskbar icons might disappear. Some users have also noticed that their Start Search bar is not working.

 

Basically, this is a common bug in Windows 10 update and it will surely get fixed in further updates. Since Microsoft is throwing updates rapidly, it is ascertained that you might face this error. Although it’s disturbing, still the issue is easy to solve. If you also face the same error, then nothing to get worried about this. Here in this guide, you will know some amazing tips and tricks which will help you to fix this issue. Hence, you are advised to have a glance at the article given below.

 

Easy Tips and Tricks to Fix the Windows 10 Taskbar Not Working Issue:

 

There are a lot of ways to fix the Windows 10 start menu and taskbar not working issue. Hence, you need to follow the troubleshooting methods given below and that too in the same manner:

 

Fix 1: Restart Windows Troubleshooter

 

Before going to fix the Windows 10 taskbar not working issue, use some ‘system-messing’ procedures such as PowerShell or Command Prompt, you need to try simpler one. You can fix this error easily by restarting the Windows Explorer. It has the ability to get back the functionality of the taskbar. To perform it, you need to follow the steps mentioned below:

 

1. At first, hit the Esc, Ctrl and Shift key simultaneously from the keyboard.
2. Choose the ‘Task Manager’ option from the list.
3. Now, go to the upper left side of the screen and tap on the Processes tab.
4. Search for the ‘Windows Explorer’  option and right-click on it.
5. Choose the ‘End task’ option from the current window.
6. It will re-launch the taskbar automatically after a couple of times.
7. Restart the system to apply the changes.

 

After that, you need to check if everything is going okay with the taskbar now. This procedure might fix the error, but only for a few times. Hence, if the error returns back, then try the procedure explained below.

 

Fix 2: Using PowerShell

 

Using Windows PowerShell is an advanced way to fix this issue. To perform the Windows PowerShell fix, you should perform the steps listed below:

 

1. At first, move the cursor to the bottom left corner of the screen and tap on the Start button.
2. Now, type ‘command prompt’ on the search bar.
3. Right-click on the ‘Command Prompt.’
4. Choose the ‘Run as Administrator’ to open a Command Prompt window with Administrator privileges.
5. Type ‘PowerShell’ in the command line and press the Enter key to run the command.
6. Now, you have to type the command given below in the command line. Don’t forget to hit the Enter from the keyboard.

 

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

 

1. Exit from the PowerShell and navigate to the location ‘C:/Users/your_username /AppData/Local/.’
2. Now, you have to search the TileDataLayer folder from the current window and remove it from the system.
3. After that, restart the system to apply the changes.

 

Now, you should check whether the taskbar is functioning properly or not. If the issue still persists, then you should follow the next procedures.

 

Fix 3: Reinstall Shell Experience Host or the Apps and Cortana

 

If you don’t wish to reinstall all the applications, then the best way is to re-register the Shell Experience Host and Cortana. Here are the steps that you need to perform:

 

1. First, you need to navigate to the Start Menu and tap on it.
2. Then, type ‘windows powershell’ in the search result.
3. Now, right-click on the search result and choose the ‘Run as Administrator’ from the list. This will help to run the Command Prompt with administrator privileges.
4. Enter the following commands (each command resets one feature) into PowerShell, and press Enter:

 

1st: Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.Windows.ShellExperienceHost | foreach {Add-AppxPackage -register “$($_.InstallLocation)appxmanifest.xml” -DisableDevelopmentMode}

2nd: Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.Windows.Cortana | foreach {Add-AppxPackage -register “$($_.InstallLocation)appxmanifest.xml” -DisableDevelopmentMode}

 

1. Now, you have to wait for a few seconds until the process completes.  

 

After that, should try to use the taskbar icon to check whether the Windows 10 taskbar not working issue is fixed or not. If the error is still unresolved, then proceed with the solutions discussed below.

 

Fix 4: Check for the Update

 

It might happen that a certain glitch/bug in the Operating System is blocking the taskbar to function in a proper way. Often, these glitches are solved by updating the Operating System to its latest version. Hence, in this method, we will check if there are available any new updates for the Operating System.

 

1. First, press the I and Windows key both at the same time from the keyboard to open the Settings window.
2. Now, navigate to the right pane of the screen and tap on the ‘Updates & Security’ option.
3. Tap on the ‘Check for Updates’ option. Then, you have to wait for the checking procedure to be finished.
4. If there is available any new updates, then it will be downloaded by itself. Thus, you should install them.
5. After completing the installation procedure, you have to restart the system to save the changes.  

 

Now, move the cursor to the taskbar to check whether the Windows 10 start menu and taskbar not working issue have been resolved or not. If the error still persists, then perform the further procedures mentioned below.

 

Fix 5: Run the SFC or System File Checker

 

System File Checker is an in-built tool of Windows Operating System that helps the users to scan the system for any damaged or corrupted system files. It also has the capability to repair those corrupted system files. Hence, you should try to run the SFC to check if it can fix the Windows 10 start menu and taskbar not working issue. To run the SFC scan, you should perform the steps cited below:

 

1. At first, navigate to the Start menu.
2. Then, you have to type ‘command prompt’ on the search bar of the Start menu.
3. Right-click on the ‘Command Prompt’ and choose the ‘Run as Administrator’ option to invoke the command prompt window with admin privileges.
4. Now, type ‘sfc/scannow’ in the command line and press the Enter key to execute the command.
5. Now, wait for a few seconds until SFC scans the entire system. It will also take a few times to repair those corrupted system files.
6. After completing the process, you have to restart the system to apply the changes.

 

Then, you should try to use the taskbar icon to check if the issue has been fixed or not. If the error persists, then you should perform the solutions stated below.

 

Fix 6: Create a New Microsoft Account

 

Sometimes, the user data of the system get damaged. This damaged data can conflict with the elements of the OS as well as block some features to work in a proper way. Hence, you should try to create a new Microsoft account. To do that, you need to have a glance at the steps provided below:

 

1. First, you have to open the Start menu. There you will see the gear-shaped Settings icon. Tap on it.
2. Tap on the ‘Accounts’ button under the Settings window.
3. Now, look at the left pane of the window. There you will see the ‘Family & Other People’ section. Open it and tap on the ‘Add someone Else to this PC’ option.
4. Select the ‘I don’t have this person’s sign in information’ option. Now, tap on the setting ‘Add a user without a Microsoft Account.’
5. Next, you should type the essential details for the account that you wish to create. Tap on the Next button.
6. After creating the Microsoft account, you need to tap on it and choose the option ‘Change account type.’
7. Now, you have to tap on the dropdown menu and choose the ‘Administrator’ option from the list.
8. Tap on the OK button and log out from the current account. Restart the system to apply the changes. Then, you have to sign in to your newly created account.

 

Now, you need to check whether the task is working properly or not. If you see that this issue is still appearing, then you should move on to further solutions.

 

Fix 7: Using Application Identity Service

 

According to some users, they have fixed the Windows 10 taskbar not working issue by using the Application Identity Service. To perform this, you should follow the steps mentioned below:

 

1. At first, hit the R and Windows key simultaneously from the keyboard to invoke the Run command box.
2. Then, you should type ‘services.msc’ on the Run box and hit the Enter key from the keyboard to execute the command. Else, you can also tap on the OK button.  
3. Now, you need to search for the service named ‘Application Identity’. Right-click on it and choose the ‘Start’ option from the list.
4. Now, you have to wait for a few minutes and then reboot the system to apply the changes.

 

After completing the above process, you should check whether the taskbar has started to function properly or not. If it is not, then move on to further fixes.

 

Fix 8: Perform a Safe Boot of the System

 

You can also fix the Windows 10 taskbar not working issue by performing a safe boot of the system. But the actual problem of using the msconfig is that you cannot use the taskbar and start search options to make it functional from other angles. The steps to access the msconfig without any help of taskbar or start search are mentioned below:  

 

1. First, you have to right-click on a blank space of the desktop screen.
2. Click on the ‘New’ button and then click on the ‘Shortcut’ option.
3. Now, it will prompt to enter the location. Type ‘msconfig’ on the specific field. Tap on the Next button and name it whatever you wish. Tap on the Finish button.
4. Next, click twice on the newly made shortcut. You will see it the desktop now. Navigate to the Boot tab.
5. After that, tick the box that prompts ‘Safe Boot.’
6. Select the Network option from the current window.
7. Tap on the Apply button and then click on the OK button. Now, it will prompt if you want to restart the system right now. Tap on the YES button.

 

After restarting the system, you need to click twice on the shortcut that you have created previously. Again go to the Boot tab and untick the ‘Safe Boot’ box. Tap on the Apply button and then choose the OK button. Now, restart the system to apply the changes.  

 

After that, you have to check whether the issue has been resolved or not. If the error still persists, then it is advised to perform further procedures.

 

Fix 9: Restore the System

 

By restoring the system, you can repair the damaged or corrupted system files of the computer. By performing this, you can also bring back the system to its previous state. It will also not put any effect on the data and files of the system. Hence it is a much reliable option than performing a clean install of the system. To restore the system, you should follow the steps stated below:  

 

1. Navigate to the Start menu and type ‘Recovery’ on the search box. Tap on the ‘Recovery’ from the search result.
2. Choose the ‘Open System Restore’ option from the list.
3. As a result, it will launch the System Restore window. Tap on the Next button to proceed further.
4. Now, you have to check if there exist some other restore points. Choose your desired restore point and tap on the Next button.
5. After that, follow the on-screen prompts to finish the restoration procedure.

 

Now, you have to check whether the taskbar has started to work properly or not.

 

Final Recommendation

In the above guide, we have provided some possible solutions to fix the Windows 10 start menu and taskbar not working issue. We hope if you perform the above ways in their respective order, then it will surely help you to put an end to this bug. After successfully performing the above ways, if you are still not able to fix this issue or face any other kinds of trouble, then you need to connect with a tech expert. In addition, you can also share your queries and valuable feedback through the comment box given at the end of this article.