Skip to main content
< All Topics
Print

Windows 11 Start button is not working

Posted
Updated
Bychris_fry

Immediate Fixes

  • Restart Windows Explorer: Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete or Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. Locate “Windows Explorer” in the list, right-click it, and select Restart.
  • Restart Your PC: A full system restart can resolve temporary glitches.
  • Force Restart Graphics Driver: Press Windows Key + Ctrl + Shift + B to refresh the display driver, which can unfreeze the taskbar. 

Troubleshooting Steps

  1. Run System File Checker (SFC):
    • Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
    • Select File > Run new task.
    • Type cmd, check “Create this task with administrative privileges”, and click OK.
    • Type sfc /scannow and hit Enter.
  2. Re-register the Start Menu (PowerShell):
    • Open Task Manager > File > Run new task.
    • Type powershell and click OK.
    • Paste the following command and press Enter:
      Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}.
  3. Check for Windows Updates: Press Windows Key + I to open Settings (or use Task Manager to run ms-settings:), go to Windows Update, and install any pending updates.
  4. Create a New User Account: If the profile is corrupted, creating a new user account can fix the issue.