How to fix ‘Start Menu Not Working’ issue in Windows 11/10

How to fix ‘Start Menu Not Working’ issue in Windows 11/10. The Start Menu is a simple but useful tool that comes with becomes more of a problem when problems start with the Start menu. But this has been a problem that Windows 11 users have often had to deal with. Even though the reasons could be as simple as programs not loading correctly after booting or as serious as corrupted files. Windows has been telling people for years that all of its new features and improvements are just a click away from the Start menu.

But what if you can’t open the Start menu? Well, it’s possible that the Start menu on your Windows 11 computer stopped working all of a sudden, making it harder to do everyday things. In this article, we’ll show you a few ways to fix the problem of your Windows 11 start menu not working. Even if you haven’t upgraded to Windows 11 yet and are having trouble with the Windows 10 start menu not working error, you can still use these methods. Here we mentioned below are the ways how to fix ‘Start Menu Not Working’ issue in Windows 11/10.

What is the Start Menu?

The main place in Windows to find your installed programs and any files or folders is the Microsoft Windows Start menu. By default, you click Start in the bottom-left corner of the Windows desktop screen to open the Start menu. If your version of Microsoft Windows has the Start menu, you can find it by clicking the Start button. By default, it will be in the bottom left corner of the screen. Its place can change if the Taskbar at the bottom of the screen is moved.

What are the Reasons of the “Start Menu Not Working” issue?

1. Corrupted System Files: System files related to the Start Menu functionality may become corrupted or damaged, leading to its malfunction.
2. Third-Party Software Interference: Sometimes, third-party software or applications can conflict with the Start Menu, causing it to stop working correctly.
3. Windows Update Issues: Certain Windows updates can introduce bugs or compatibility problems that affect the Start Menu’s functionality.
4. Driver Problems: Outdated or faulty drivers, particularly graphics drivers, can lead to issues with the Start Menu.
5. Incorrect Configuration: Changes made to the system settings or registry settings related to the Start Menu can cause problems.
6. User Profile Corruption: If the user profile is corrupted, it may affect the proper functioning of the Start Menu.
7. Virus or Malware: Malicious software can interfere with system components, including the Start Menu.

Fix: ‘Start Menu Not Working’ issue in Windows 11/10

Restart Start Menu Services

1. To open the task manager menu, press Ctrl+Shift+Esc on your keyboard.
2. Here, click on “More details” and go to the “Details” tab.
3. Now, scroll down until you find the StartMenuExperienceHost.exe file.
4. Select the file, and then in the bottom right corner of the active window, click the End Task button.
5. Since you can’t get to the start menu the old way, press Alt+F4 and restart your PC.

Uninstall third-party start menu apps

1. Press Windows+I on the keyboard, you can open the Windows Settings app.
2. Here, go to the section called “Apps.”
3. Now, click the Apps & Features button once more.
4. Once you’re done, click on the icon with three dots next to the app you installed and choose “Uninstall” from the drop-down menu.
5. Boom, the problem with Windows 11 not having a start menu should now be fixed.

Restart Windows Explorer

1. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc on your keyboard to open the Task Manager menu.
2. Click on “More details,” and then click on the “Processes” tab.
3. Scroll down until you find Windows File Explorer in the list of processes.
4. Now, choose Windows Explorer and click the button that says “Restart” in the bottom left corner of the active screen.
5. Once you’re done, wait a few seconds and try to open the start menu again. You could even try to force the PC to restart before checking the start menu again.

Rebuild Search Index

1. Press Windows+R on your keyboard, your PC’s Run menu will open.
2. Now, type control/name Microsoft.IndexingOptions and click the OK button.
3. Here, a new window will pop up. At the bottom of the screen, click on the word “Modify.”
4. After that, choose to show all locations.
5. Here, uncheck every place on the list and press the “next” button.
6. After that, click on “Advanced” and then choose “Rebuild” from the “Troubleshooting” tab.
7. Use the Alt+F4 keyboard shortcut to restart your PC. This time, the Start menu should work perfectly.

Update Graphics Driver

1. Press Windows+X, the device manager will open.
2. Now, find the option for “processors” and click on it.
3. Once you’re done, right-click on the graphics card and choose Update Driver from the drop-down menu.
4. After you’ve updated the drivers, check the Windows 11 start menu again to make sure it works.

Prevent the “Start Menu Not Working” issue from happening again?

1. Keep Windows updated: Your Windows operating system should be updated regularly to make sure you have the latest bug fixes and security patches.
2. Update Your Drivers: Make sure all of your drivers are up to date, especially your graphics drivers, because they can sometimes cause problems with your operating system.
3. Install Reliable Software: Be careful when installing new software and only download from trusted sources to avoid malware or other programs that could mess with your system.
4. Use antivirus software. Use good antivirus and antimalware software to keep harmful software from getting on your computer.
5. Manage Startup Programs: You should limit the number of programs that run when your computer starts up to avoid conflicts or using up too many resources.
6. Check for Third-Party Software Conflicts: If you just installed new software before the problem started, try uninstalling it to see if that fixes the problem.

Questions and Answers