Solving Issues with the Windows Taskbar Not Working Properly | For Windows 11/10

The Windows Taskbar is one of the best features of Windows computers, enabling users to access frequently used programs quickly. This sleek and functional tool has always been a staple of the Windows experience, and Windows 10/11 continually updates it to ensure optimal performance. If you encounter issues with the Windows Taskbar not working correctly, you can try the following solutions:

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For Windows 10 laptops or computers, the Taskbar got a new look with Cortana search functionality. This is why you might be facing the "Taskbar not working Windows 10" issue, which wasn't a problem in its earlier versions. However, there can be many reasons behind the Windows Taskbar not working. Here are the top four:

Before we proceed with the solutions to fix the non-functional Taskbar on Windows 11/10, we offer you a video for assistance. The video primarily covers:

• 00:15 Press Ctrl+Shift to open the Task Manager window.
• 00:30 Click "More details," find Windows Explorer, and then click on Restart.
• 01:00 Open Control Panel and select User Accounts.

Method 1: Fix the Taskbar by Creating a New User Account

Is your Windows 10/11 Taskbar not working correctly? Follow the solutions below to resolve the issue by creating a new user account:

Step one: Press Windows + I to open the Settings app, and then choose Accounts.

Step 2: In the right pane, click “Family & other users.” Then click “Add someone else to this PC.”

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Step 3: Choose “I don't have this person's sign-in information.”

Step 4: Next, choose the option to add a user without a Microsoft account.

Step 5. Enter the username, password, and hint, then click "Next." After creating the new account, switch to it and check if the taskbar not working issue in Windows 10/11 has been resolved.

Now you know how straightforward it is to fix the Taskbar not working correctly on Windows 10/11. Follow each of the steps above, and then sit back and relax! If these methods worked for you, remember to share the steps with your friends on social media.

Method 2: Fix the Taskbar by Restarting Windows Explorer

When a personal computer encounters issues, a simple restart is often the ideal solution. For similar reasons, a quick fix for a malfunctioning Taskbar in Windows 11 is to restart the Windows Explorer. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Open it by right-clicking the taskbar and selecting “Task Manager” from the drop-down menu.

Step 2: Scroll down and locate Windows File Explorer.

3. Right-click the File Explorer icon and select Restart from the context menu.

If your Windows File Explorer is not responding, you can also resolve the issue through Task Manager. Please refer to the detailed tutorial in the following article:

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8 Solutions | Fix File Explorer Not Responding on Windows 11/10

Is File Explorer not responding on your Windows 11/10? Don't worry! This article offers easy solutions to help you out. Read More >>

Method 3: Fix the Windows 11 Taskbar by Checking for Updates

This is a general advice that fixes various PC issues, but for some, it can resolve taskbar conflicts. Therefore, check for updates to fix the problem with the Windows 10 taskbar not working. You just need to go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. Install any available updates to address the taskbar issue.

If you're experiencing issues with Windows Update not functioning properly, you can find solutions in the paragraphs below:

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Solving Issues with Windows 11/10 Updates Not Working

Problems with Windows updates not working in Windows 10 or 11 can lead to various errors during the update process. Read More >>

Method 4: Fix the Windows Taskbar Not Working with PowerShell

PowerShell is a feature in the Windows operating system similar to the commonly used Command Prompt, which can be launched through it. It aids in configuring system settings. Here are the steps to enable PowerShell: 1. Open the "Start" menu: Click on the Windows icon located at the bottom-left corner of the screen or press the Windows key on your keyboard. 2. In the search bar, type "PowerShell." You should see an application named "Windows PowerShell." 3. To open PowerShell, simply click on "Windows PowerShell." If you want to run it with administrator privileges, right-click on it and select "Run as administrator." 4. Your system might ask if you allow this app to make changes to your device. After verifying that it's the correct program, click "Yes." Now, PowerShell is open, and you can enter commands to manage your system settings. Be cautious while doing so, as some commands can have significant impacts on your system.

Type Windows PowerShell, or just power, then select the Windows PowerShell app icon.

"Awake" in this context probably means to open or activate. So, your translation could be: "Search for 'Windows PowerShell' and open it with Administrator privileges."

Step 2. Copy the following command, paste it into the PowerShell window, and press Enter:

Step 3. Close the PowerShell window, then navigate to this Windows Explorer folder: C:/Users/YourUsername/AppData/Local. Replace “YourUsername” with your account name.

4. Locate the “TileDataLayer” folder, and delete it. Check now if the Taskbar is working properly.

Method 5: Update Graphics Drivers to Solve Windows Taskbar Issues

A corrupted Taskbar in Windows 10 might be related to outdated drivers. This method can fix the Taskbar issue, as well as several other errors on your computer. To update your graphics driver:

Outdated drivers might cause Taskbar issues. Generally, you should check for updates on standard drivers like graphics and audio drivers. You can download software like "Driver Talent" or other third-party tools to update drivers automatically.

Depending on your specific hardware and version of Windows 10, the automatic driver update tool will correctly identify your device and choose the appropriate driver. The software will then install the graphics driver on your computer.

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Method 6: Use Windows Troubleshooter to Fix Taskbar Issues

You can use the Windows Troubleshooter to fix issues with the Taskbar not working properly in Windows 11/10. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Open the Settings app and choose Update & Security.

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Step 2: Click on “Troubleshoot,” and then choose “Additional troubleshooters.”

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Step 3: Select “Windows Store apps,” and then click “Run the troubleshooter.”

Click on "Run the troubleshooter".

Method 7: Fix the Taskbar Issue in Windows 10/11 Using DISM

After running SFC, it's recommended to perform a DISM scan to check the disk image. Run DISM following these steps to resolve the issue with the taskbar not working:

Step 1: Press the Windows + R keys to open the “Run” window, and then type CMD.

2. In the Command Prompt window, type DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth, and then press Enter. This command checks the disk image.

Step 3: The DISM tool will scan for and fix any issues. Once done, restart your computer and check if the Windows 10 taskbar problem is resolved.

Method 8: Fix the Windows 10/11 Taskbar Not Working Issue with System Restore

If none of the above solutions work, it's best to perform a System Restore. Follow these steps to restore your computer to an earlier date.

Step 1: Type “Recovery” in the search field and select Recovery from the list.

Search for the “Recovery” option in the search bar

Step 2: Choose “Open System Restore.”

Click “Open System Restore.”

Step 3: When the System Restore window opens, click “Next” to continue.

Click the "Next" button.

If you can, choose Show more restore points.

Step 5. Choose the restore point you want to recover, and click "Next."

Select a restore point and click “Next.”

Step 6: Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the restore process.

Recover Lost Data Due to Windows Taskbar Issues

The above fixes should resolve these Taskbar issues on your Windows computer. But what if you lost data due to this problem? In that case, it's best to use a professional data recovery tool, such as the Data Recovery Wizard, to get your files back.

Install this Windows recovery tool to quickly retrieve deleted files from any location on your Windows computer to restore lost documents. Given that you've lost important files while fixing the Windows taskbar issue, here are the notable features of the tool displayed:

• Supports multiple versions of Windows, even the latest Windows operating system.
• Recover deleted MP4 files, MOV, JPEG, PNG, DOCX, PDF, and various file types.
• Recovers files from over 2000 storage devices, including USB drives, SSD & HDD, etc.
• Restore files after a factory reset on Windows 11 and handles other data loss scenarios.

Download this professional data recovery tool right now! Also, if you like what we've shared here, do share it with your friends on social media.

Abstract

Hopefully, your Windows 10/11 taskbar issues are now resolved. By employing one or more of these suggestions, you should have successfully overcome annoying problems like not being able to select anything on the taskbar. Now, you can fully leverage the navigation and other features it offers. However, if you lost data while fixing the unresponsive taskbar, installing a data recovery tool is crucial!

Frequently Asked Questions About the Windows Taskbar Not Working Properly

Read the following FAQ for a better understanding of the topic:

1. How do I fix the unclickable taskbar issue in Windows 10?

You can fix an unclickable Taskbar in Windows 10 by ensuring the "Lock the Taskbar" option is enabled. Follow these steps to resolve the issue:

1. Right-click on the taskbar. 2. Select the "Lock the taskbar" option.

2. What Can Cause the Windows Taskbar to Stop Working?

The Windows taskbar not working could be due to damaged components or system glitches. Your operating system might occasionally encounter errors that manifest in this issue. Furthermore, if components of Windows are corrupted, reinstalling pre-installed applications can resolve the problem.

Why isn't my Windows 11 Start menu working? If you're experiencing issues with the Start menu in Windows 11, several factors could be causing the problem: 1. **System Update Issues**: Make sure your Windows 11 is up to date. Check for available updates and install them. 2. **Performance Issues**: If your system resources are constrained, the Start menu might not load properly. Close some background apps or upgrade your system's RAM. 3. **Settings Issue**: Check if the Start menu is disabled in settings. Go to "Settings" > "Personalization" > "Taskbar" and ensure the "Hide the Start button" option is unchecked. 4. **Temporary Files Errors**: Cleaning temporary files and caches can help resolve the issue. Press `Win + R` to open the Run dialog, type `%temp%`, and hit Enter. Delete all files in this directory. 5. **Resetting the Start Menu**: Run Command Prompt as an administrator and enter the following command, then press Enter: ``` wsreset.exe ``` This will reset the Start menu and search cache. 6. **Service Abnormalities**: If critical services like "Windows Explorer" (also known as "File Explorer") are not running, it could cause the Start menu to malfunction. Check if the service is started correctly. 7. **Registry Editing**: A more advanced solution that requires caution. You can modify a registry key to fix the Start menu, but first create a system restore point or backup your registry. In the Run dialog, type `regedit`, navigate to `HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer`, locate the `Shell` key, and make sure its value is set to `explorer.exe`. If none of these solutions work, consider contacting Microsoft support or reinstalling Windows 11.

Many Taskbar issues can be resolved by restarting the Windows Explorer from the Task Manager. If the problem persists, you can troubleshoot by uninstalling problematic Windows updates, resetting system services, reloading built-in Windows apps, and restoring system points.

Why does my taskbar keep appearing on top of Windows 10?

Many people find that the taskbar stays on top, and this is usually caused by one or more apps that are pinned to the taskbar. Thus, before re-pinning apps or files, try removing them from the taskbar first.