How to Fix Windows Taskbar Not Working -

Last Updated on May 7, 2021 by Rick Darlinton

Windows taskbar allows you to access the most-used programs on the desktop with just a single click. Moreover, it lets you know which utility is currently running on the system. Understandably, when the taskbar fails to operate, it will disrupt the workflow and cause a bit of panic in your mind. However, the Windows taskbar not working issue occurs quite often when you do not keep your PC in good shape. Still, you can apply different solutions to fix the Windows 10 taskbar, not working problem, which we will discuss in this post. You can use the techniques on older Windows versions as well.

Table of Contents

1. Restart the PC

The first way to resolve the Windows taskbar not working issue is simple. You can just reboot your system and see if the taskbar works or not. If you are not able to restart the computer from the Start button, then simply press Alt+F4 to shut it down and power it on again.

2. Re-Register the Windows Taskbar and Windows 10 Cortana

MS Powershell will enable the taskbar, which is the default configuration utility available on Windows 10. Powershell is an independent program on the operating system, but you can also access it through Command Prompt.

Click on the Windows Start Bar Button and select PowerShell (Admin).
Enter the following command to re-register the taskbar:

Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.Windows.ShellExperienceHost | foreach {Add-AppxPackage -register “$($_.InstallLocation)appxmanifest.xml” -DisableDevelopmentMode}

You can enable Cortana by entering the command below if it is not working:

Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.Windows.Cortana | foreach {Add-AppxPackage -register “$($_.InstallLocation)appxmanifest.xml” -DisableDevelopmentMode}

3. Windows Troubleshooter

You can run a quick diagnostic of the laptop or desktop using the Windows Troubleshooter from the Settings menu. If there is a problem with the operating system that is causing the unclickable taskbar, then this method will fix it. The steps are as follows:

Click on the taskbar Start button and hit the Settings
Select Update & Security from the list and click on Troubleshoot.
Hit the Run the Troubleshooter tab, and let it run a complete diagnostic of the Windows OS.
Reboot the PC to check if the method is successful.

4. Run DISM Scan

The Deployment Image Servicing and Management or DISM scan can make the Windows taskbar up and running again. It generally checks system images, such as Win PE, Win Recovery Environment, and Windows Setup. Moreover, it modifies and fixes them. You can apply the DISM scan using the Command Prompt utility to solve several standard system-related issues, including Windows 10 taskbar not working problem.

You need to open the Task Manager. For that, press Ctrl+Shift+Esc at the same time.
On the top-left corner of the dialogue box, click on File and select Run New Task.
Type CMD and check the “Create this task with administrative privileges” option before clicking OK.
From the CMD window, enter the following command to initiate the scan:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Once the scan is complete, reboot the PC to check if the taskbar is running or not.

5. Update Windows

Suppose you haven’t updated Windows 10 in a long time. In that case, there is a chance the obsolete Windows version will cause the taskbar not responding issue.

Access the Settings
Select Update & Security to open the Windows Update section.
Click on Check for Updates to install any new improvement.
Restart the PC to enable the latest updates on Windows.
After update, the taskbar will become responsive again.

6. Disable Startup Applications

The Windows 10 taskbar not responding can occur if you are using an older PC or laptop. Moreover, it can be due to the specific high-end programs enabled on the system that run upon startup. You can disable those apps to make the taskbar functional again.

Click on Windows Settings and select Apps from the menu.
Choose Startup, which will open a new window with a list of apps.
Disable all the apps you think are causing the PC and taskbar to collapse.
Now, Restart the system to see the efficiency of the method above.

7. Restart the Windows Explorer

The Windows Explorer lets you navigate the entire Windows framework quickly, under an intuitive setup. If there is something wrong with the Windows Explorer utility, then there is a chance that it will affect the taskbar. It is because the taskbar is a part of Windows Explorer. The instructions to restart the Explorer are as follows:

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to access the Task Manager.
On the bottom-left corner, click on the More Details
Under the Processes tab, locate Windows Explorer.
Right-click on the option and choose Restart from the list.
Click on the taskbar to check if it is working again or not.

8. Add a New User Account to the Same PC

If you have enabled any recent task on the system, and suddenly the taskbar has stopped working, then the chances are that PC didn’t react positively to the action. Under such a scenario, you can add another Windows user account to fix the taskbar issue. The step-by-step guide is listed below:

Click on Settings and select Accounts.
Choose Family & other users.
Now click on Add someone else to this PC.
Sign out from the PC, and log in using the newly created account.
The taskbar will work on your PC.

Bottom Line

We have discussed the top 8 solutions to help you troubleshoot the Windows taskbar, not working on all Windows versions. Each technique is simple to follow and requires no such technical knowledge from you to implement it. However, if you wish to prevent the unclickable taskbar problem, you must keep your PC updated. It means frequently updating the Windows and the system drivers