Resolved: Taskbar/Start Button Not Functioning in Windows 10

The Taskbar/Start Button on Windows 10 is Not Functioning

"I have Windows 10, which was functioning perfectly since the upgrade. However, today when I turned it on, I noticed that when I click the Start button or press the Windows key, the mouse indicates a loading state, the taskbar flickers, and nothing appears. I'm unable to use the search bar, and I can't right-click on applications pinned to the taskbar. Additionally, there's another issue that might be relevant: Microsoft Edge was pinned to my taskbar, but when I started my computer and attempted to open it, the Edge icon turned black and subsequently vanished from the taskbar. Now, nothing seems to function properly. Can anyone assist me in resolving the issue of the non-functional taskbar/start button on Windows 10?"

How to Fix the Taskbar/Start Menu Not Working Issue in Windows 10

A considerable number of Windows 10 users are reporting issues with the Start and Taskbar menu malfunctioning, and various computer technicians and experienced users are providing practical solutions to address this glitch. Generally, we have compiled 6 highly recommended fixes, and we hope at least one of them will resolve the problem for you.

Solution 1: Restart the Operating System

Press Alt + F4 to open the Shut Down Windows dialog box.

Fix 2: Close/Uninstall Antivirus Program

Over 20% of victims successfully resolved the issue by completely quitting or uninstalling antivirus software like AVG from their Windows 10 computers.

Fix 3. Use Command Prompt

1. Press the Windows + S keys, type 'cmd', and open the Command Prompt from the search results. 2. Type 'Powershell' and hit Enter. 3. Copy the following code: Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}

Fix 4: Create a New User Account

To create a new Account, press the Windows key + I to open Settings, and then follow the instructions to create a new user account.

Tip: If you create a new User Account for your Windows 10, that account will not have this issue. However, you should copy your files from the Desktop, Downloads, Documents, and other folders to another local drive. Otherwise, you risk losing them.

FIX 5: Update Windows 10 with a New ISO

The Taskbar and Start button may not function properly in specific Windows 10 builds, so it's crucial to keep your Windows 10 updated. Automatic updates might not resolve the issue. To update, you can download the Windows 10 ISO file. Here's the download link for the Media Creation Tool: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

After downloading the Media Creation Tool, run it and it will download the Windows 10 ISO file to your desktop. Open the Windows ISO using File Explorer and execute the setup file. You'll be presented with two options: either to download and install updates or to choose 'Not right now'. Either option should resolve the issue.

FIX 6: Restore to the Previous Version of Windows

If methods 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 fail to solve your problem, you'll need to update to the latest version of Windows 10 or restore your system to a previous point where the Start menu/taskbar was functioning normally. System restoration becomes simpler if you've previously created a system backup image using system backup software; with just one click, you can complete the system recovery process.

* To perform system recovery on a non-bootable machine, try to boot the computer using the Todo Backup emergency disk.

Step 1. Launch Todo Backup, and click "Browse to Recover".

Click "Browse to Recover"

Step 2. Navigate to your backup destination, and choose the system backup file you need. (The backup file created by Todo Backup is a pbd file.)

Step 3. Select the recovery disk. Ensure that the partition style of the source disk and the recovery disk are identical.

Step 4. You can customize the disk layout as per your requirement. Click "Proceed" to initiate system backup recovery.