Many users of Windows 10 have reported an occasional problem wherein the Start Button Not Working. The Start menu won’t open on repeatedly clicking the Start button or Windows key. Often, the Start button disappears altogether. Since the Start icon is closely linked to the taskbar, usually, this problem also affects the taskbar. Recently-used apps that are pinned to the taskbar cannot be accessed if the taskbar is not working or freezes. Thus, this problem is troubling for many Windows users.
There can be many possible causes for Windows 10 Start Button Not Working problem. Most users report this issue after updating Windows. Whatever the causes, there are specific solutions to the problem. In case you are facing this problem, this article is intended to help.
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How to Fix Start Button Not Working in Windows 10
The following are the techniques to fix the problem of the Start menu or taskbar of Windows 10 not working.
1. Restart the PC
For a vast range of problems, a simple system restart proves useful. Glitches like the one being discussed are often momentary, and restarting Windows may solve it.
Since the Start menu is not working, the Restart option cannot be accessed in it. Thus, an alternative way has to be used to restart. Simultaneously press Alt + F4, then Shut Down and Restart options will appear — select restart. After rebooting, check if the error is fixed.
2. Disable Uninstall Antivirus Program
Interference by a third-party antivirus program is a possible cause of the problem. Temporarily disable or uninstall the program and check whether the Windows 10 Start Button Not Working problem is fixed. If the Start menu or taskbar resumes normal functioning, the antivirus program was indeed responsible.
In such a case, consider using another antivirus. In the meantime, make sure the Windows Defender is enabled and working fine, as the system must not be without protection.
3. Use Command Prompt and PowerShell
Running code in Powershell is another way to fix the error. You can do this through Command Prompt, or directly in the Powershell window.
To use Powershell through Command Prompt, follow the steps below:
Step 1: Open Command Prompt by typing cmd in Run dialogue box (open Run by pressing Windows + R) and make sure to run as administrator.
Step 2: In the Command Prompt type “Powershell,” and hit Enter.
Step 3: Next, copy-paste the following code and press Enter to run it:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}
Alternatively, you can directly access Powershell. Just write “PowerShell” in the Run dialogue box. After that hit Enter. Then copypaste the code mentioned above, and press Enter. Restart Windows after this and check whether the Windows 10 Start Button Not Working error is resolved through this method.
4. Update Windows 10 with New ISO
Usually, Windows 10 keeps installing updates automatically. However, auto-updates may miss out on certain key aspects. The problem with the Start menu may be due to update-related issues. Thus, a successful Windows update may fix the problem. Following are the steps in manually installing updates:
Step 1: Enter Settings by pressing Windows + I.
Step 2: In Settings, select Update and Security.
Step 3: Click on “Check for updates” option. If any updates are available, they should be installed automatically in the background. Once the installation is complete, check whether the problem has been rectified.
You can also update your Windows successfully through an ISO file or Media Creation Tool.
Step 1: Open the Microsoft website and download the media creation tool.
Step 2: After downloading, open Windows Explorer (press Windows + E) and select the .exe file and run it.
Step 3: Select Download and Install Updates.
5. Create a New User Account
Often, creating a new user account and logging into Windows through it help solve such problems. Following are the steps to create a new account:
Step 1: Press Windows + I to open settings.
Step 2: In Settings, select Accounts.
Step 3: Select “Family and other people” option.
Step 4: Chose “Add someone else to this PC.”
Step 5: Then, select the “I don’t have this person’s sign-in information“option.
Step 6: After that, click on “Add a user without a Microsoft account.”
Step 7: Finally, create the username and password of the new account, and click Next.
Alternatively, you can also create a new user account through a Powershell command. Open Powershell in the way described under the previous method. Then run the following command:
net user newusername newpassword /add
Here, “new username” and “new password” refer to your new username and password, respectively. Create a username and password of your choice and mention them in their places.
Then, log into your new account and check whether the problem has stopped. If yes, start using this account. Transfer all files of the previous account to this one.
Conclusion
Thus, the various ways to fix the Windows 10 Start Button Not Working issue of the Start menu and taskbar not working have been discussed. Apart from the solutions mentioned, there are specific other general steps which you may take. Since corrupted files or data may be a cause, an SFC scan may detect any such corruption and help solve the problem. You can refresh or reinstall Windows OS.
It is lengthy and complicated. However, at least one of the above methods must ideally work, and other ways should not be necessary. The problem regarding the Start menu or taskbar is usually temporary and can be resolved through any of the simple methods.