You can read this article with the utmost attention if the Start button or menu is not working on Windows 10 to learn the best fixes for this problem.
Many simple tasks, such as accessing the required apps and programs, become challenging if the Windows 10 Start menu is not working. However, you do not need to worry if you are also experiencing the same problem. This issue is fixable with some quick and easy workarounds.
However, before explaining these solutions, let us first look at the culprits behind this issue to ensure easier troubleshooting.
The following factors may be why the Start button won’t work on Windows 10.
- Outdated video/sound card drivers
- Corrupt system files
- User account issues
- Cortana file problems
- Installation of a problematic application
- Out-of-date operating system
The above section lists the prominent causes of your problem. Let us now learn how to fix it.
Below is what you can do if the Windows Start button is not working on your computer.
Fix 1: Log out and log in to your user account
User account glitches are among the most popular reasons the Start button won’t work on Windows 10. Hence, you can sign out and sign in to your account to fix the issues. Here is how.
- First, use the Ctrl+Alt+Delete keyboard shortcut to get the account options.
- Secondly, click Sign Out to log out of your user account.
- Next, wait for a couple of seconds until the login screen appears.
- In this step, input your password and sign in to your account. After signing in, check whether or not the issue is resolved. If the problem persists, try the next solution.
Also know: How to Fix Ctrl F Not Working on Windows 10,11 PC [Easily]
Fix 2: Create another user account
If signing in and out of your account does not solve the problem, you can create a new user account. After creating the account, you can transfer your files to it (if this hack works for you). To do so, you can follow the steps below.
- First, launch settings using the Windows+I keyboard shortcut.
- Secondly, choose Accounts from the on-screen settings.
- In this step, select Family & Other Users from the left section of the on-screen settings window.
- Next, click the option to Add someone else to this PC.
- Click I don’t have this person’s sign-in information and Add a user without a Microsoft account.
- Next, input your desired username and password.
- Lastly, click Next to complete the user account creation process.
Fix 3: Restart Windows Explorer (File Explorer)
Windows Explorer or File Explorer is responsible for running all programs on your computer efficiently. Any issue with the File Explorer may lead to various problems, such as the Windows Start menu not working. Hence, you can take the following steps to restart the File Explorer to solve the problem.
- The first step is to press your keyboard’s Ctrl, Alt, and Delete keys in unison.
- Secondly, choose Task Manager from the available options.
- Next, click More details.
- In this step, find and right-click File Explorer.
- Next, choose Restart from the on-screen menu.
Fix 4: Check your system files
Corrupt system files may be why your computer behaves erratically. Hence, you can follow these directions to check the system files to fix the Start menu not working Windows 10 issue.
- First, use the Windows+X keyboard shortcut to launch the Quick Access menu.
- Secondly, select Windows PowerShell (Admin) from the available menu.
- You can now input sfc /scannow in the command line and hit Enter on your keyboard.
- Next, input the DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth command if you get “Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some (or all) of them” on your screen.
- Lastly, wait until the process ends and restart your computer after it is complete.
Also know: Fix Connections to Bluetooth Audio Devices and Wireless Displays in Windows 10
Fix 5: Update Windows
An outdated operating system becomes corrupted and buggy, leading to problems like the Windows 10 Start menu not working. Hence, you can update the operating system to solve this problem. Here is how.
- First, open settings using the Win+I keyboard shortcut.
- Secondly, select Update & Security from the available options.
- In this step, click Check for Updates to find available updates.
- You can now download and install the available updates.
- Lastly, reboot your PC to complete the Windows update process.
Fix 6: Remove the problematic Cortana files
Cortana is closely connected to the Start menu. Hence, problems like corrupt Cortana files may be why the Windows 10 Start button won’t work. You can take these steps to remove these files and fix the issue.
- First, apply the Win+R keyboard shortcut to access the Run utility.
- Next, input Cmd in the on-screen box and press Ctrl+Shift+Enter.
- In this step, input the following commands one after the other and hit Enter after each of them.
CD/d “%LOCALAPPDATA%PackagesMicrosoft.Windows.Cortana_cw5n1h2txyewy”
Taskkill /F /IM SearchUI.exe
RD /S /Q Settings
- Lastly, restart your PC after completing the above steps.
Fix 7: Uninstall the problematic program
Some programs and applications (for example, Dropbox) interrupt the working of the Start button. Thus, you can remove problematic apps by following the below steps.
- The first step is to launch the Run utility using the Win+R keyboard shortcut.
- Next, input Control in the on-screen Run box and click OK.
- You can now click View by and select Category from the on-screen menu.
- Next, choose Uninstall a program from Programs.
- You can now locate and click Dropbox/any other app you want to uninstall and select Uninstall.
Fix 8: Add a new registry
Creating a new registry can fix the Windows Start button if it is not working. Hence, you can follow these directions to create a registry.
- First, use the Win+R shortcut to open the Run box.
- Secondly, key in regedit in the on-screen Run box and click OK to launch the Registry Editor.
- Next, follow the path HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerAdvanced
- Right-click the empty space in the right pane of the Registry Editor and select New.
- Next, choose DWORD (32-bit) Value from the New menu.
- You can now key in EnableXamlStartMenu as the new DWORD name.
- Lastly, close the Registry Editor and restart the computer.
This was a troubleshooting guide for the Windows Start button/menu not working issue. You can apply any of the above-mentioned solutions to resolve the problems with your Start menu. However, in our opinion, driver updates works the best to fix issues like these. You can leave a comment if you have different views, questions, doubts, or suggestions regarding this article.
