If you are a windows user you might encounter a taskbar not working issues. Windows 10 taskbar not working is one of the common problems that users report while using a Windows computer. When it occurs, you’ll find that your taskbar has disappeared or has no response or functions randomly or it may also get frozen and you won’t even be able to bring your cursor there.
If you’re experiencing the Windows taskbar not working problem on your machine, there are a few ways you can use it to possibly get over this issue. These methods will troubleshoot and fix the elements that sit behind the feature and try to get your taskbar back to work again. This article can help you to fix the windows 10 taskbar not working issue. But before diving into solutions, you should be aware of what’s new with Windows 10 taskbar?
What’s new with windows taskbar?
Just like the operating system launched in 2015, window 10 Taskbar was given an aesthetic and functional makeover.
The addition of the search box is the biggest change in this version, which doubles as a method of interacting with Cortana, Microsoft’s assistant. If you are not much fond of this bar, right-click on the Taskbar and then choose Cortana > Show Cortana Icon for a much less invasive icon, or select Hidden to remove it completely.
You will see Task View Icon at the immediate right of the search bar. This powerful functionality allows you to see all the windows feature you presently have open at a glance. It also offers an easy way to make virtual desktops.
Virtual desktops allow you to separate different windows and applications into an individual instance. For example, you might want to create a work desktop separate from the one you use to browse the web and watch a movie while you relax.
Task View option also lets you access Windows 10’s Timeline feature. This provides a detailed history of everything you have done recently so you can easily jump back into a previous task whenever needed. Windows 10 offers a great level of control over the new Taskbar feature.
How to fix Windows 10 Taskbar not working issue?
There are several methods to solve taskbar not working issue. We’re going to list down the most effective methods below for you.
1. Restart the Windows Explorer
This is one of the simplest fixes that can help you restore your taskbar to action. If the problem with the taskbar is not so serious, this solution should do the job for you. You are not required to play or manipulate with other system settings. Here’s what you are supposed to do:
- Firstly, on your keyboard press the combination of Windows Key + R to launch the Run prompt. Enter taskmgr.exe and then hit Enter to open Task Manager.
- Now, scroll down and look for Windows Explorer under the Processes tab.
- Now click on the Windows Explorer option and then click on the Restart button available in the bottom right corner.
These steps should simply kill the Windows Explorer process and then restart it in a little while.
Check if this method resolves the problem for you.
2. Check for bad explorer addons
Yet another method to solve the issue of the Windows 10 taskbar not working is by checking bad explorer addons. Firstly, Boot your Windows 10 PC in Clean Boot State and then try to locate the offender by the trial and error method. Some File Explorer addon may be interfering with the smooth functioning of explorer.exe. If you can identify it, disable or remove that addon and see the taskbar works or not.
3. Re-register the Taskbar
If the taskbar not working, then try this method to troubleshoot and fix it using Windows Powershell. Powershell is a command-line tool to configure the system settings and also to automate Windows tasks.
First of all, create a system restore point and then follow the below-mentioned steps to use Windows Powershell for fixing taskbar problems:
- On your keyboard press Windows Key and type in Powershell. Then Right-click on Windows Powershell and click on Run as administrator. Now Select Yes in the UAC window that pops up on the screen.
- Now in the PowerShell window paste the following command and hit Enter:
- Now, when the command is executed successfully, move to the following directory in Explorer where the name is your Account Username. You need to ensure that you have enabled the showing of hidden items in Explorer.
- Now, simply scroll down to find the folder named TileDataLayer and delete this folder.
However, If you are not able to delete this folder, to open the services manager run services.msc, now scroll down to Tile Data model server service and stop it. Now try to delete the folder again on your computer.
Now check if your taskbar not working issue has been resolved as expected.
4. Download Windows 10 drivers
It has been found in many cases that if you have got any incompatible or outdated device drivers within your PC, you might encounter a taskbar broken issue. In this scenario, Windows 10 taskbar might stop working in your hand. If the taskbar doesn’t respond, you must download the proper Windows 10 drivers on your system to solve your issue with the taskbar.
You need to use Driver Talent to mark this process, which is said to be the safest and fastest way through which the users can choose to update drivers
Step 1 -Identify the outdated drivers
To move ahead with the method, you need to identify the incompatible drivers firstly. Now Click on the Scan button and then Driver Talent will be identifying the corrupt, broken, and incompatible drivers on your system.
Step 2 -Download and update Windows 10 Drivers
Now, simply click on the Update button which will download and install the proper Windows 10 drivers for your system automatically.
5. Creating a new user account
If you have already tested out all the above-mentioned fixes but could not find any of them working out successfully, try out this option and we hope it will resolve the issue now! Taskbar not working problem may have an issue with your administrator credentials and you can resolve the same by creating a new user account.
Here are the steps that you are supposed to follow:-
- Press Windows + I button on your keyboard to open Settings,
- After that move to the Accounts and select the Family and Other Users from there
- Click on the Other Users option and choose “Add someone to this PC” below that option.
- Now, select the option “I don’t have this person’s sign-in info” on your screen
- Further, click on the option “Add a user without a Microsoft account” available on the screen
- The moment you are done with all the steps, create the user & click the Next button to move forward.
- Make the latest account as an administrative account
- Choose the New user account which you created from the Other Users & choose the option “Change Account type”
- Select the Administrator
- Select on OK button to set an administrator
We believe this guide has proved to be beneficial and has helped you to resolve your “taskbar not working” issue
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