Top 6 Ways to Fix Win­dows 11 Taskbar Not Working

When you install the latest version of Windows, Taskbar is the first thing you will notice on the brand new OS. Microsoft completely redesigned the taskbar and placed app icons and the start menu in the center. What’s the point of the revamped taskbar when it stops working in the first place? Let’s fix Windows 11 taskbar not working issue.

Many users have reported that the Windows 11 taskbar is blocked or remains inactive when you click on it. It’s confusing as the taskbar is the core part of the Windows 11 OS, and you would want it to work as expected on a single try.

This post will list out solutions that allow you to bring back taskbar functionality on Windows 11. Without further ado, let’s get started.

1. Restart PC

First, you can do is to reboot your PC. It’s the most common way to fix common Windows 11 issues without going into advanced solutions.

Since the Windows Taskbar isn’t working, you won’t be able to access the new start menu to restart Windows 11 PC. Instead, you can use Alt + F4 keys and Restart the computer from the drop-down menu.

Upon reboot, check the Windows 11 taskbar. If it’s still not working, then move to the next solution.

2. Restart Taskbar Services

Windows 11 taskbar is a part of Windows Explorer services in the OS. You can restart the service using the Task Manager and try reaccessing the taskbar.

Step 1: Use Ctrl + Shift + Escape keys to open the Task Manager on Windows 11 (since the Windows key won’t work with a disabled taskbar, you need to use keyboard shortcuts to access these apps on Windows 11).

Step 2: Go to the Processes tab.

Step 3: Scroll down to Windows processes.

Step 4: Find Windows Explorer from the list.

Step 5: Right-click on it and select Restart.

Reboot the PC once again, and the taskbar should start working now.

3. End Task for System Files

If Windows 11 taskbar is still not working, you need to end some of the system files on your PC. Here’s how.

Step 1: Press Ctrl + Shift + Escape keys to access the Task Manager on Windows 11.

Step 2: Go to the Details tab from the menu bar.

Step 3: Right-click on each service and End the task for them.

• ShellExperienceHost.exe
• SearchIndexer.exe
• SearchHost.exe
• RuntimeBroker.exe

4. Repair System Files

Next up, we will use the Command Line terminal to fix system files on Windows 11. Some corrupt system files interfere with Windows 11 taskbar. Go through the steps below.

Step 1: Use Windows + R keys and open the Run dialog box.

Step 2: Type cmd and open the command terminal.

Enter following commands and hit enter after each.

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

sfc /scannow

Windows 11 will execute these commands and repair damaged files on the computer. Close the Command menu and try to access the taskbar again.

5. Run Windows Security Scan

If you have a habit of installing apps and media from unverified sources from the web, chances are, you might have infected the Windows 11 system with viruses and malicious files. These files may mess up the core Windows 11 functions such as taskbar, Microsoft Store, and File Manager.

Windows 11 taskbar not working might be due to corrupted files on your PC. You need to scan the PC with an anti-virus. Don’t worry though. You don’t need to invest in any third-party anti-virus software. You can use Microsoft’s excellent Windows Security tool to remove harmful files on PC. Make the changes from the steps below.

Step 1: Use Windows + I keys and open the Windows Settings menu.

Step 2: Go to Privacy & security and open the Windows Security menu.

Step 3: Open Windows Security from the following menu.

Step 4: Go to Virus & threat protection and run a quick scan on your PC.

Let Microsoft remove malicious files and fix Windows 11 taskbar not working issue.

6. Update Windows OS

An outdated Windows 11 build might mess up taskbar functionality on your computer. You need to update Windows 11 to the latest version and bring back the taskbar to life.

Use Windows + I keys and open the Windows Settings menu. Go to the Update menu and install the latest build on your computer.

Use Taskbar on Windows 11

Taskbar plays a huge role in Windows 11 experience. Taskbar being dysfunctional may leave you frustrated with Microsoft’s new OS. The steps above should help you fix the issue.