Start Menu Not Working Windows 10

If you’ve recently upgraded to Windows 10, you may have encountered a frustrating issue: the Windows 10 Start menu not working as expected. It’s a common problem that can manifest in various ways, from Windows 10 start menu not responding, or responding to your clicks to the dreaded “Critical Error” message. Also, users report Windows 10 Start menu has disappeared, or isn’t responding to clicks after update. Several factors cause this issue, including third-party programs, system file corruption, and corrupt user profiles are common. whatever the reason here are 5 Ways to Fix your Dead Windows 10 Start Menu problem.

Issue: Windows 10 Start menu not Working or not responding to Clicks 

Users report After recent windows 10 upgrade, everything has been working fine. But now the start menu icon isn’t working and can’t get to my apps. Also action center and volume are not working. How do I fix start menu problems in Windows 10?

Windows 10 start menu not working

It may be for some reason essential system files are damaged or missing, which can lead to issues with the Start menu. Again Certain third-party programs, especially PC optimizers and antivirus software can conflict with the Start menu’s functionality.

  • Sometimes, updates may not install correctly, leading to issues with system functions like the Start menu.
  • If essential services that the Start menu relies on are not running or are disabled, it can lead to problems.
  • Corrupt user profiles can result in various system malfunctions, including problems with the Start menu.

Restart the Start menu process

Sometimes, temporary glitches or conflicts can cause the Start menu to stop working, and a simple restart might resolve the issue.

Go to “Settings -> Accounts -> Sign-in” options then scroll down to “Privacy” and switch the “Use my sign-in info…” slider to “Off”.

  • Open the task manager using the Ctrl+Shift+Esc keys together.
  • Under the process, tab look for “Start“, right-click on it and select End task,
  • It’ll immediately kill the Start Menu process and restart it
  • Now check if this helps fix the start menu problem.

Restart Win 10 Start menu task

Update Windows 10

Microsoft regularly releases security updates with various bug fixes to make Windows 10 error-free. Check and make sure the latest Security patch is installed on your PC.

  • Press the Windows + I keyboard short to open the settings app,
  • Click on Update & security then Windows Update,
  • Next, hit the check for updates button to allow the download latest security updates from the Microsoft server.
  • Once updates are downloaded, restart your PC to apply them.
  • Now check if the Windows 10 start menu working normally.

Check for windows update

Re-register Windows 10 start menu

This is the most working solution I have found to fix all Windows start menu app problems.  To do this you need to open Powershell with admin privileges.

  • As the start menu not working simply right-click on the taskbar and open task manager.
  • Here on Task Manager click on file -> type cmd and checkmark on create this task with administrative privileges.
  • Then type the following command and press Enter:

Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml”}

re-register default Windows apps

After Execute the command simply restart Windows and check on the next login, I am sure this time Windows start the menu working properly without any problems.

Run system file checker utility

As discussed before corrupted missing system files, especially after the Windows 10 update may cause different problems to include this Windows 10 start menu unresponsive problem. We recommend to, Run System File Checker Utility to make sure corrupted system files not causing the issue.

Use the SFC tool to scan and repair corrupted or missing system files, which can affect the Start menu’s functionality.

  • Open the Command Prompt as an administrator,
  • Type the command sfc /scannow and hit the enter key.
  • This will check the Windows system for corrupted files if found any the SFC utility restore them with the correct one if possible.

Run system file checker

In case if system file checker utility fails to restore them Then use the DISM restore health command (Deployment Imaging and Servicing Management) which can repair corruption that was preventing SFC from doing its job. In the Command Prompt, type:

dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

DISM restore health command

Create a New Admin Account

Some people find that their Start menu stops functioning properly after bigger Windows updates. If you’re one of these people, then a tried and tested solution is to create a new Windows admin account, make sure that the Start menu is working on it, and then transfer all your files over.

  • Open Task Manager using keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + Esc,
  • Click “File and select Run new task
  • Here typenet user yourname yourpassword /addinto the box,

where “yourname” is what you want to name the account, and “yourpassword” is the password you want for the account.

Tick the checkbox to make it an administrator account, then click “OK.”

command to create new admin account

  • Now log off from the current user login and login to the new account.
  • You may notice the Windows 10 Start menu working properly without any problem.

To transfer your settings and apps over to the new account, log back into your old account, then go to “Control Panel -> System -> Advanced system settings.” Click the “Advanced” tab, then under “User Profiles” click “Settings.” Select your newly created account from the list and click “Copy To.

Check Application Identity Service

The Application Identity Service in Windows 10 uses a service called Applocker to decide which applications are and aren’t allowed to run on your PC. Make sure this service is started and working properly.

  • Press Windows + R, keyboard short, type services.msc and click ok,
  • This will open the Windows services console,
  • Scroll down and locate Application Identity
  • Right-click on the Application Identity service select Start,
  • Make sure its startup type is set to automatic.
  • Restart your PC and check if the start menu working normally.

Sometimes Third-Party Antivirus or PC Optimizers can conflict with system functions. Temporarily disabling them can help identify if they’re the cause. If the issue started after a recent change, using System Restore to revert to a previous state can be effective.

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Robeg
I am Robeg founder of this blog. My qualification. completed Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP). With a strong background in computer applications love write articles on Microsoft Windows (11, 10, etc.) Cybersecurity, WordPress and more.