5 Methods Fixing Windows 11 Taskbar Not Working After Update

User case: Windows 11 taskbar icons not working

Windows 11 was officially launched on October 5, 2021. In 2022, a significant update known as "Sun Valley 2," or version 22H2, was released. This update aimed to bring back drag-and-drop support, enhance customization options for the Start menu, and more. However, many users reported experiencing various issues and minor bugs during its use.

One common problem is that the Windows 11 taskbar may stop working after an update, becoming unresponsive and preventing you from taking any action. Unfortunately, it can be hard to predict what other issues might arise after an update. To safeguard your system and data, it is highly recommended to back up your computer before updating with any updates, using reliable backup software. Additionally, if you find that the new settings do not meet your needs, you can easily and safely revert to your previous setup using your backup.

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How to fix the Windows 11 taskbar not working after the update

When using the initial Windows 11 system, some users reported that they were facing issues with the Start Menu and the Taskbar after the update. Such as the Windows 11 Start Menu not working, the Windows 11 taskbar missing, etc. The Taskbar not working in Windows 11 can occur due to a variety of reasons. Some of the common causes include:

• Corrupted system file
• Outdated or incompatible drivers
• Third-party software conflicts
• Malware or virus infections
• Configuration issues

In this post, you can learn how to fix the Taskbar not working in Windows 11.

Method 1: Restart the services in Task Manager🔥

1. Press Ctrl + Alt + Del and choose Task Manager.
2. In the Task Manager window, click on the “Processes” tab, and look for the “Windows Explorer” service. Right-click on this service and select “Restart”.

3. Then, click on the “Details” tab in the Task Manager. Look for the below-listed services, right-click one each, and select “End Task” in the same order:

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

Method 2: Restart your PC through Task Manager🔥

Microsoft has provided official steps to fix Windows 11 taskbar not working issue.

1. Press Ctrl + Alt + Del and choose Task Manager.
2. Click on the More Details at the bottom of the Task Manager and expand it.

3. Click on the File menu and choose Run New Task. This will open the run command.

4. Type “cmd” in the Open field and click OK to launch the Command Prompt.

5. After that, paste the following command in the Command Prompt and hit Enter on your keyboard.

• reg delete HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\IrisService /f && shutdown -r -t 0

6. Click Enter and restart the PC to fix the Windows 11 taskbar unresponsive problem.

Method 3: Shut down your device

We usually use the Start Menu to shut down or restart your device. But in this special case where the Windows 11 taskbar is not working after the update, you can use the power button to turn off the device, make it reload all components, and then restart your PC.

Method 4: Repair system files via CMD

You can fix the Windows 11 taskbar not working problem by repairing the missing or damaged Windows 11 system files. This method is also applicable to the problem of the Windows 11 Start Menu not working.

1. Press the Windows + R key combination to open the Run dialog box, type “cmd” and hit Enter.

2. Type the following commands and hit Enter after each:

• Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
• Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
• sfc /scannow

3. Wait until the check and any repairs are complete. Then restart your PC and try accessing the Taskbar again to see whether it’s active or not.

Method 5: Reinstall UWP with a PowerShell command

Reinstalling the basic UWP (Universal Windows Program) allows you to fix the "Windows 11 taskbar missing" problem. To reinstall UWP, you need to run commands in Windows PowerShell (Admin). Please follow these quick steps:

1. Press Windows + X and select the “Windows PowerShell (Admin)” option from the list.

2. Type the following command in the PowerShell window:

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

3. If you see some red text in the PowerShell window at the same time, don't worry! Wait a few minutes until the command is successfully executed. Then restart your PC.

Backup computer before changing device settings🔥

When you change settings on your device, it's hard to know how it will affect your computer. Additionally, installing Windows updates can lead to unexpected issues. For instance, vulnerabilities like CVE-2022-41128 impact the JScript9 scripting language, while CVE-2022-41040 allows attackers with access to run PowerShell commands on the system. Users have also reported encountering the blue screen error (0xc000021a) after applying the KB5021233 update.

To avoid problems, it's wise to back up your computer beforehand. This way, if something goes wrong, you can easily restore the computer to an earlier date using your backup.

AOMEI Backupper is a free backup software that makes it simple to back up your computer. It also lets you create bootable media to recover your data and system if your computer won’t start properly. It works with all versions of Windows, including Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, and XP.

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If you want to change the device settings to solve the problem of the Windows 11 taskbar not working after update, please use AOMEI Backupper to back up your computer first.

Step 1. Download this freeware and install it on your computer.

Step 2. Launch this software to enter into the deep-blue interface. Click Backup -> Disk Backup in order.

Step 3. Click “+ Add Disk” to choose the source disk that you want to backup.

Step 4. Choose the destination path to store backup. Considering that you may change the device settings, it is recommended that you back up to an external disk.

Step 5. After finishing all the settings, click Start Backup.

Notes✍: You can make some special settings according to your needs before clicking “Start Backup”.
✾ Options: you can write a note for the backup, enable email notification of the backup, make encryption for the backup, etc.
✾ Schedule: you can set up the backup frequency with this feature. Multiple choices are provided, including daily, weekly, monthly, event triggers, and USB plug-ins.
✾ Scheme: you can upgrade to higher editions to choose a cleanup method as per your needs. 4 different methods are supported. This feature can delete old backups to free up disk space while keeping the latest backup versions.

What’s new about the Windows 11 taskbar compared to Windows 10?

Windows 11 began rolling out to eligible devices on October 5th, with a brand-new design and a series of new features designed to simplify your PC and help you improve your work efficiency. For instance, you'll be able to download Android apps on Windows 11, add Widgets to the interface, bring up the Microsoft Teams Chat bar directly from the taskbar in Windows 11 for easier access to your contacts, etc.

Compared with Windows 10, the Taskbar in Windows 11 has changed a lot.

▶ In Windows 11, Microsoft centers the Taskbar and the Start Menu on the screen. It provides many customization options for adding or removing applications and programs from the Start menu.

 ▶ In place of the Action Center (called up by the notifications button in Windows 10), Windows 11 includes a Quick Settings menu which can quickly change the system volume, screen brightness, communications options, and more.

▶ In Windows 10, apps could create special status icons in a Notification Area on the far-right side of the taskbar beside the clock. In Windows 11, all of these icons are permanently hidden behind the “Overflow Area” on the left of the Quick Settings button.

Many of these changes are only visual. Windows 11 and Windows 10 have the same functions, but their appearance is different.

FAQ on Windows11 update errors

1.  Why am I getting Windows 11 update errors?

Windows 11 update errors can occur due to various reasons, including incompatible hardware or software, corrupted system files, insufficient disk space, network issues, or conflicts with existing drivers or applications. Additionally, sometimes updates are released with bugs or compatibility issues, leading to errors during installation.

2. What should I do if the Windows 11 update fails to install?

If a Windows 11 update fails to install, try restarting your device and running Windows Update again. If the problem persists, you can manually download and install the update using the Windows Update Assistant or the Media Creation Tool. Alternatively, you can wait for Microsoft to release a fix for the installation issue or seek assistance from Microsoft support forums or a professional technician.

3. How do I fix specific Windows 11 update error codes?

Specific error codes like 0x80070002, 0x800f081f, or 0x80240023 may indicate different underlying issues. You can search for the error code online to find specific troubleshooting steps recommended by Microsoft or community forums. Common solutions may include resetting Windows Update components, running DISM and SFC scans, repairing system files, or performing a clean installation of Windows 11.

Tips for Maintaining Taskbar Functionality

1. Regularly Update Software: Ensure all applications are compatible with your current version of Windows.
2. Run Antivirus Software: Regular scans can help detect and remove malware that may affect your taskbar.
3. Create System Restore Points: Before major updates, create restore points to revert to in case of issues.

Conclusion

To fix the “Windows 11 taskbar not working after update” issue, you can perform a variety of tasks mentioned in this article. In order to avoid any data loss or damage to the system when changing the device settings. Remember to back up your computer with the best free backup software—AOMEI Backupper in advance.

The benefits of having backups are far beyond your imagination. If you encounter a Windows 11 black screen after the update, this software can also help you solve it. The software also provides more powerful functions, including cloning, restoring, and synchronization. Try it yourself.

In addition, if you think Windows 11 is not stable enough, you can choose to return to Windows 10. Recently, Microsoft released new Windows 10 21H2 features that greatly improve productivity, management, and security. Of course, you can also wait for the 22H2 update that will be released this year. See if this update can make your computer run more stable.