Start Menu Not Working on Windows Server 2019? 5 Quick Fixes

Why Can't I Open My Windows Server Start Menu?

The Start button holds significant importance in a Windows computer, yet encountering issues with the Start menu on Windows Server 2019 is a prevalent concern for numerous users. It is frustrating when the Start menu fails to respond, crashes, or refuses to open upon clicking the button. Several factors can contribute to this problem with the Windows Start menu's functionality.

• The corruption of certain operating system files associated with the Start menu.
• Corruption in the temporary files of Cortana can also cause problems with the Start menu.
• Unspecified bugs in Windows updates.
• Windows Explorer on your system is expired or contains corrupted files.

In the following content, we will focus on effective solutions to address and resolve the Start menu not working on Windows Server 2019 issue.

How to Solve Start Menu Not Working on Windows Server 2019

With an understanding of the potential causes behind the Start menu not working issue on Server 2019, your can now explore the following methods to troubleshoot and resolve the problem effectively. Before trying anything complicated, you can try restarting your computer to see if it can help.

👉 Solution 1. Restart Windows Explorer
👉 Solution 2. Check if Start is installed
👉 Solution 3. Run SFC and DISM
👉 Solution 4. Check for Windows Updates
👉 Solution 5. Reset Your PC
👉 How to Backup Windows Server 2019 to Protect Data from Disaster🔥

Solution 1. Restart Windows Explorer

File Explorer plays a vital role in managing the start menu, taskbar, and other applications. If it encounters issues and fails to function properly, you may experience Windows Server 2019 Start menu not working. In this case, you can resolve it by restarting File Explorer through the Task Manager with the following steps:

>> Open Task Manager from the taskbar (or by pressing CTRL + Shift + ESC simultaneously). Go in Process pane and locate Windows Explorer. Right click on the Windows Explorer process and select Restart.

Solution 2. Check if Start is installed

If you encounter a situation where the Start menu fails to function properly after a feature update, it is essential to check if the app package was installed successfully. To verify this issue, you can examine the output of the following two PowerShell commands (run as an admin):

Step 1. Press the Win + R keys on your keyboard, and type powershell to tap on Enter.

Step 2. Input the following commands, one per line, and press Enter.

>> get-AppXPackage -Name Microsoft.Windows.ShellExperienceHost

>> get-AppXPackage -Name Microsoft.Windows.Cortana

If the app package was not successfully installed, you will encounter failure messages displayed in the PowerShell output.

Solution 3. Run SFC and DISM

Corrupted system files can lead to various issues in Windows, including Windows Server 2019 Start menu search not working correctly. To fix it, you can utilize the built-in DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) tool and SFC (System File Checker) scanner. These tools enable you to scan and repair the system files, thus resolving the problem with the Start menu.

Step 1. Open the PowerShell windows, and run as an admin likewise.

Step 2. Enter sfc /scannow and wait for the Windows scan to complete.

Step 3. If the scan reveals a message stating "Windows Resource found corrupt files," you can proceed with the following command:

>> DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth/

Solution 4. Check for Windows Updates

There are times where the Start menu not working on Server 2019 issue is related to system bugs or defects. If so, upgrading your system to the latest version can help resolve the problem.

Step 1. Press Win + I keys to open the Settings page.

Step 2. Head to Update & Security > Check for Updates to see if you have update Windows Server 2019 to the latest version.

Solution 5. Reset Your PC

Sometimes, Windows Server 2019 Start button not working can be attributed to improper Windows installation or upgrade. In such cases, resetting your Windows Server 2019 can be an effective solution.

Notes:✎...

Please be aware that resetting your PC to factory default settings will result in the deletion of all existing settings, applications, and configurations on the server. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you create a system backup to ensure the safety of your data before proceeding with the reset.

Step 1. Open the Dashboard and navigate to the Devices page.

Step 2. In the Computers Tasks section, click on Client computer backup tasks.

Step 3. On the Client computer and backup settings and tools page, go to the Computer Backup tab.

Step 4. Under the Computer Backup tab, locate the Reset to defaults option and click on it.

Step 5. After that, click on Apply and then OK to confirm the changes.

How to Backup Windows Server 2019 to Protect Data from Disaster

That’s all about how to solve the problem of Start menu not working on Windows Server 2019. While Start button not working is easy to solve, not all Windows errors are so simple, and many common errors can even lead to system crashes, hard drive failures, file loss, etc. To prevent more serious errors from occurring, it is highly recommended to create backups for Windows Server 2019 for easy and quick disaster recovery.

AOMEI Backupper Server is a user-friendly and professional server backup software designed to simplify the backup process. It supports various Windows server operating systems, including Server 2003, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2019, 2022 and 2025.

♤ It provides multiple backup options, such as System Backup, Disk Backup, Partition Backup, and File Backup, allowing to backup files in Server 2019, as well as creating system image backup and hard drive backup easily.
♤ It offers flexible backup destination choices, including local disks, external hard drives, USB flash drives, NAS devices, and network locations.
♤ It allows you to schedule backups on a daily, weekly, monthly, USB plug in, or event trigger basis. Also, you can choose between full, incremental, and differential backup methods.
♤ It even enables you to create bootable media, which can be used to restore your data and system. It also provides the AOMEI PXE Boot Tool, allowing you to boot computers from a network for convenient recovery operations.

Then, let’s get started to create a file backup on Windows Server 2019 using AOMEI Backupper Server.

Step 1. Download, install, and launch AOMEI Backupper Server. Then, click on Backup followed by File Backup.

Step 2. Provide a name for the backup task that helps you differentiate it from other tasks. Click on Add File or Add Folder to select the specific files or folders you wish to backup.

Step 3. Choose a destination location where you want to store the image file of the backup.

Step 4. Confirm the operation and click on Start Backup to initiate the backup process for the selected files in Server 2019.

🔥Hot: What's new in Windows Server 2025?

Windows Server 2025 was released on November 1, 2024. Following are some of the newest developments in Windows Server 2025:

• Desktop Shell: Upon signing in for the first time, the desktop shell is designed to match the look and feel of Windows 11, providing a familiar and modern user interface.
• Bluetooth: Windows Server 2025 now supports Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to seamlessly pair and connect devices such as mice, keyboards, headsets, audio devices, and more.
• DTrace: Windows Server 2025 includes DTrace as a native tool, providing a powerful command-line utility for real-time system performance monitoring and troubleshooting.
• Email and accounts: You can now add Microsoft Entra ID, Microsoft account and Work or school account in Windows Settings in Accounts > Email & accounts for Windows Server 2025. It's important to keep in mind that domain join is still required for most situations.

If you'd like to experience all these wonderful features, you may make a Windows Server 2025 Media Creation Tool to install Server 2025 on a compatible device.

Final Words

This article introduces you to how to solve "Start menu not working on Windows Server 2019" in 5 practical methods. And, an all-in-one server backup software - AOMEI Backupper Server is covered for you to backup files for security without a hitch. It offers you multiple useful features, such as schedule backup, backup auto-deletion, clone hard drive in Windows Server, etc.