One of the most common problems you may encounter while using your Windows computer is the taskbar not working in Windows 10. When this happens, your taskbar simply stops responding to your actions. It may also become frozen at times, and you will be unable to move your cursor there.
Well, If you are experiencing the Windows 10 taskbar not working issue on your machine, there are a few workarounds you can try. These methods fix to restore the taskbar of the feature by repairing the elements that sit behind it.
To Fix Windows 10 Taskbar Not Working, Restart Windows Explorer
Well, Windows Explorer is one of the core utilities that contains a number of small items. Your taskbar is actually a component of the Explorer, and you can restart it to give your taskbar a fresh start. It will most likely fix the issue for you, and the following are two methods for doing so. You can use either of these to complete the task.
Use Task Manager To Restart Windows Explorer
Task Manager can be used to kill and restart unresponsive programs on your computer, as well as to kill and restart Windows Explorer.
- First, Press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys at the same time to launch Task Manager.
- If you don’t see your processes, click More details.
- At the top, click the Processes tab to see a list of all the programs that are currently running.
- Find the process named Windows Explorer, right-click it, and choose Restart.
- It will restart the Explorer, and your taskbar should be operational at that point.
Restart Windows Explorer Using Command Prompt
Another option is to use your PC’s Command Prompt utility to relaunch Windows Explorer.
- Search for and open Command Prompt using Cortana.
- Enter the following command into the command line and press Enter.
taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
- You should notice that everything on your screen has vanished. To restore everything, enter the following command.
explorer.exe
Prevent Certain Apps From Launching At Startup
One possible reason why the Windows 10 taskbar is not working is that certain apps launch at the start of your computer and interfere with the taskbar’s operation. If you believe this is a possible cause of the issue, you can disable those apps from being launched when your computer boots up.
- Use the Cortana search to open the Settings app.
- To manage your app settings, select the Apps option.
- Select Startup from the left sidebar to see a list of apps that start up automatically.
- On the right-hand side pane, you will see a list of apps that are permitted to run when your computer boots. If you suspect that a specific app is causing the taskbar issue, you can disable it by turning its toggle to the OFF position.
Re-Registering The Taskbar To Fix Windows 10 Taskbar Issues
Well, Your taskbar may have been deregistered from your system, which is why it is behaving as it does. Well, If this is the case, you can use PowerShell to re-register the utility, which will restore functionality when your Windows 10 taskbar isn’t working.
Simply run a PowerShell command, and you’re good to go.
- Press, the Windows key, then search for and launch Windows PowerShell.
- Here, In the PowerShell window, type the following command and press Enter.
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)AppXManifest.xml”}
- Shut down the PowerShell window.
- Ensure that your computer displays hidden files. Then, using File Explorer, navigate to the following path.
C:\Users\<your-username>\AppData\Local\
- Find the TileDataLayer folder, right-click it, and select Delete.
Use Another User Account On The Computer
Unintentional tasks can sometimes end up causing damage to the system’s core features. For example, a similar action could be the cause of your Windows 10 taskbar not working.
Here, In these cases, check to see if the taskbar works in another user account on your computer. It will then give you an idea of what caused the issue, and you will be able to undo your action to fix it.
- Well, If you don’t already have a secondary account on your computer, set one up by going to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users and clicking on Add someone else to this PC.
- After you’ve finished configuring your account, press the Windows button, navigate to your profile icon, and select Sign out.
- Log in to your secondary account and check if the taskbar is functional.
To Fix The Taskbar Issues, Rollback A Recent Windows Update
A Windows update’s main purpose is to fix existing bugs and add new features. Certain updates, however, may break existing features on your computer, including the taskbar. In that case, reverting the update is a good way to fix the issue.
- Start the Settings app.
- To view your updates, select the Update & Security option.
- In the left sidebar menu, select Recovery.
- In the Go back to the previous version of Windows 10 section, click the Get started button. Then, to complete the task, follow the on-screen instructions.
Rollback To A System Restore Point
Restoring a system restore point allows you to undo any significant changes you may have made to your computer recently. This should restore your machine to its original state before you make any changes to it.
- Open Cortana and search for System Restore.
- Select the System Restore option.
- Click Next, then select your restore point and click Next again.
- Your taskbar should be operational once the restore point has been restored.
Conclusion:
The taskbar is an important component of a Windows computer, and its failure is a major annoyance to users. We hope this guide helped you fix it on your computer, and if it did, please let us know which method worked for you.