Start Button Not Working In Windows 10. Causes, Solutions, Alternatives

Would you like to know why? The home button does not work on Windows 10? Start menu not showing up and taskbar stuck? When Windows starts, the Start menu doesn't open or simply doesn't appear, the taskbar seems to be stuck, and the notification area buttons don't work. Don't worry, here we will show you several solutions to get everything back to normal.

Why is the start button not working in Windows 10?

This is a common Windows 10 error that has never been fully resolved, despite reports and various updates. The causes of this recurring problem remain mysterious. Sometimes it occurs after installing a software or update, but it also appears for no apparent reason. The symptoms are always the same, with these disappearances and these crashes.

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Fortunately, there are several ways to get the Start menu and taskbar back. If you are a victim of this error, try these different solutions that work most of the time.

Solution 1: Return to the Windows Start menu with a hard restart

Very often, when you exit Windows, you don't actually shut it down. In fact, to start faster thanks to the Windows shutdown feature, quick startWindows enters a deep sleep state: files and programs are closed, but the kernel state is saved.

On reboot, the kernel is restored to speed up the boot process. Boot. A good thing, except in case of an error! A hard reset avoids saving the kernel state and restoring it, and completely restarts Windows, which sometimes allows you to clear errors, including the disappearing Start menu. If the start button does not work in Windows 10 you can do these steps to fix it:

• Step 1:: Enter the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Alt + Delete.
• Step 2:: Hold down the key Shift and release it at the end of the manipulation.
• Step 3:: Click the button The ability to at the bottom right of the screen.
• Step 4:: Then click Restart in the context menu.
• Step 5:: On the next page choose an option, click on Continue.
• Step 6:: Allow your computer to restart.
• Step 7:: When you log in, you can release the key Shift to enter your password, but press it again before validating it.
• Step 8:: Release the key Shift and the Start menu should reappear normally. If not, try one of the following methods.

NOTE: : If you prefer to disable Fast Startup so that it can completely reboot every time you log out and log back in.

Solution 2: Find the Start Menu by Uninstalling Antivirus When Start Button Not Working in Windows 10

Sometimes antivirus like Avast or Kaspersky conflict with Windows, for example, when the protection system detects a file used by Windows as suspicious. The disappearance of the Start menu can be caused by this type of problem. In this case, you can temporarily uninstall the antivirus and check if the problem is there. If the start button does not work in Windows 10, you can try the following steps:

• Step 1:: Open the window Run simultaneously pressing the keys Windows + R.
• Step 2: Enter the command cpl controlin the field Open to access the window Programs and Features of the Control panel.

• Step 3:: In the window Programs and Features, Find your antivirus in the list of software. Right-click on the name and then click uninstall in the context menu.

• Step 4:: Restart your computer and check if the menu Home it works again.

Solution 3: Search for the Start menu with a PowerShell command

Here's another solution you can try if the start button is not working in Windows 10: re-register Windows apps via a command prompt. PowerShell. Normally, you can access the PowerShell utility in administrator mode by right-clicking on the Start menu. But if it has disappeared or is stuck, you can use an alternative, slightly more complex opening method. Follow these steps:

• Step 1:: Press the buttons simultaneously Ctrl + Alt + Esc keys to open the Task Manager.
• Step 2:: In Task Manager, click the menu Archive and then on Run new task.

• Step 3:: Enter the phrase Powershell in the field Open, select the check box Create this task with administrative privileges and click on Accept.

• Step 4: In the window of PowerShell, paste the following command which allows you to re-register Windows applications:
  • Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register «$ ($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml»}

• Step 5:: Please wait while the reinstallation is carried out.

• Step 6:: When this is complete, the message PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> should appear in the Powershell window.

• Step 7:: Restart your computer for the changes to take effect and check upon restart if the menu has returned.

Solution 4: Get the Start Menu Back by Repairing System Files if Start Button Not Working in Windows 10

If none of the above solutions worked, you can try to repair system files if the start button is not working in Windows 10, which might solve your problem if the error is caused by corrupted files. Follow these steps:

• Step 1:: Press the buttons simultaneously Ctrl + Alt + Esc keys to open the Task Manager.
• Step 2:: In Task Manager, click the menu Archive and then on Run new task.
• Step 3:: Enter cmd in the field Open, check the checkbox Create this task with administrative privileges and click on Accept.

• Step 4:: In the window of the symbol of the system, first paste this first command line and press the key ENTER to validate:
  • Dism/Online/Cleanup-Image/ScanHealth

• Step 5:: Once the scan is complete, do the same with this command line:
  • Dism/Online/Cleanup-Image/RestoreHealth

• Step 6:: Allow time for analysis and restoration.
• Step 7:: Finally, enter the command SFC / scannow to check that there are no errors. If so, reissue the two commands above.

• Step 8:: When the verification is complete, close the Command Prompt window and restart your computer.

Solution 5: Shut down and restart your PC if the start button is not working in Windows 10

In many cases, a simple reboot is all your computer needs to unlock itself. Hence the endless question from IT folks: “Have you tried rebooting your computer?”

Please note that you can restart your PC several times. But if after two or three attempts you don't see any results, or if you have to restart your computer frequently, we recommend that you follow the methods below.

Solution 6: Update the operating system if the start button is not working in Windows 10

Microsoft constantly makes changes to its operating system to make it more efficient. So with each update, Windows 10 gets better and some bugs are fixed. If your operating system doesn't update automatically, you can do it manually, even without access to your Start menu.

To do this:

• Step 1:: Open your Configuration pressing the keys Windows + I simultaneously.
• Step 2:: If the first shortcut doesn't work, press Windows + R and writes ms-settings: on the command bar and click on Accept.
• Step 3:: Once the window opens Configuration, go to Update and security, Click on Windows update, then click on Download o Solve problems.
• Step 4:: If an update is available, install it and restart your computer.

Solution 7: Create a new user account

One way to temporarily fix the Start menu issue is to create a new user account and resolve the error from there. Follow these steps:

• Step 1:: Simultaneously press the keys Windows and R, then write Control panel.

• Step 2:: Choose User account→ Change account type→ Add.
• Step 3:: Below are several options available, you can create a family user account or a classic account.
• Step 4:: When you sign in to a new account for the first time, Windows will create a new Start menu for it.
• Step 5:: Sign out, sign back in to the account whose start menu was corrupted, it should now work. Please note that any customizations you have previously made to the menu will be lost.

Solution 8: Use command line utilities if the start button is not working in Windows 10

Before you begin with this solution, we recommend that you back up your files before proceeding.

Scan file system

Scan File System is a utility that, as the name suggests, can scan your computer for problems and other errors. You can access it from your Task Manager. Follow these steps:

• Step 1:: Press CTRL + Shift + Esc simultaneously.
• Step 2:: At the top left, click on Archive and then on Run new task.

• Step 3:: In the window that opens, type DCM, Mark create this task with administrative privileges, then click Accept.

• Step 4:: This takes you to an administrator command page that displays c:\windows\system32>
• Step 5: Type the command SFC / scannow and press ENTER.

NOTE: : If, after Windows has reviewed your files, the message appears “Windows Resource Protection found corrupted files and was able to repair them”, Close the window and restart your computer. Your Start menu should work again.

If, on the other hand, the message indicates that the damaged files could not be repaired, then you need to issue another command.

• Step 6:: In the window, write, respecting the spaces:
  • DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Please note that this command may take a long time to execute, so feel free to stretch your legs while you wait. When the process is complete, you should get a message telling you that everything was fine. To be safe, you can redo the command SFC / scannow.

If, despite all the steps above, you still have a problem with your Start menu, then we need to move on to a more drastic measure.

Solution 9: Reinstall Windows applications

The process for reinstalling Windows applications is very similar to Scanning the file system. Follow these steps:

• Step 1:: Press CTRL + SHIFT + ESC to open the Task Manager.
• Step 2:: At the top left, click on Archive and then Run new task.
• Step 3:: In the window that opens, type DCM, marks the case of create this task with administrative privileges, then click Accept.
• Step 4:: This takes you to an administrator command page that displays c:\windows\system32>
• Step 5: Write the word Powershell and then press ENTER.
• Step 6: Copy and paste the following command still on the same page:
  • Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register «$ ($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml»}

• Step 7:: Press Enter and let the process take place.

Don't worry if you get a red error message. Once the command is complete, you can close the window and your Start menu should be operational again.

Solution 10: Disable Game Mode if Start Button is Not Working in Windows 10

If you are using the game mode on your Windows 10 system, this is the reason why you are having the problem with the start button. Follow these steps to fix it. Fix Windows Button Not Working disabling game mode:

• Step 1:: Click on its windows icon on the taskbar and enter settings in the search bar. open settings from the search results.
• Step 2:: Go to the Games section on the menu.

• Step 3:: Click on the tab Game mode in the left panel.
• Step 4:: Lastly, make sure deactivate the lever together a Game Mode.

After disabling Game Mode, press the Windows key on your keyboard to check if it works or not.

Solution 11: Enable the key in Registry Editor if Windows 10 Start Button is not working

Windows Registry Editor has the ability to enable or disable keys on your keyboard. You may accidentally disable the Windows key in the registry editor on your system. So, to fix Windows 10 start button not working, you can follow these steps to enable the Windows key using registry editing:

• Step 1:: Click on the Windows menu and type run in the search bar.
• Step 2:: Once you have opened the run dialog, type regedt32 in the box and do click en Accept

• Step 3:: If you receive a confirmation message, click YES.
• Step 4:: With the Registry Editor open, navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.
• Step 5:: Click System.
• Step 6:: Press CurrentControlSet.
• Step 7:: Click on the monitored folder.
• Step 8:: Scroll down and open the Keyboard Layout folder.
• Step 9:: Now, if you see a scan code card registration entry, click law about her y click delete.
• Step 10:. Click on YES if a warning message appears on your screen.
• Step 1: Finally, restart your computer and check if the Windows key starts working on your system.

However, if you are unable to find the Scan Code Card registry entry key, it may not be available on your system. You can try the following methods if the start button is not working in Windows 10.

Solution 12: Run System File Checker Scan if Start Button Not Working in Windows 10

By default, Windows 10 comes with a system file checker tool called SFC scan. You can perform an SFC scan to find system files. corrupt files on your system. For solve the problem of the Windows button not working, you can follow these steps to run SFC scan on your system:

• Step 1:: Click on the windows icon on your taskbar and search for Run in the search bar.
• Step 2: Once the run dialog box opens, type cmd and click Ctrl + Shift + Enter in your keyboard to launch the command prompt with administrative permissions.
• Step 3: Click on YES when asked "Do you want to make changes to your device?"
• Step 4: Now you need to type the following command and press Enter: SFC / scannow
• Step 5:: Finally, wait for your system to automatically scan and repair the corrupted files. Do not close or exit the system window.

Once the scan is complete, you can restart your computer and check if this method can fix the Windows 10 start button not working issue.

Solution 13: Disable Filter Keys Feature if Start Button Not Working in Windows 10

Sometimes the filter key function in Windows 10 causes the window key to work properly. So, to fix Windows 10 Start Menu Frozen, you can disable filter keys by following these steps:

• Step 1:: Access the search bar by clicking the Start menu on the taskbar and entering the Control panel.
• Step 2:: Open the Control panel from the search results.
• Step 3:: Sets the Display mode en Category.
• Step 4:: Access settings Accessibility.

• Step 5:: Choose «Change how your keyboard works» in the Accessibility Center.

• Step 6:: Finally, you can uncheck the box next to «Enable filter keys»to disable the feature. Click Apply, then do click en Accept To save the changes.

That's all, you can try using the Windows key on your keyboard and check if it works fine or not.

Solution 14: Use DISM command if the start button is not working in Windows 10

The DISM command is quite similar to an SFC scan, but running a DISM command can help you repair the Windows 10 image.

• Step 1:: Opens the dialog box Run searching in your system's search bar.
• Step 2:: Type cmd and click on Ctrl + Shift + Enter from your keyboard to launch the command prompt with administrative permissions.
• Step 3:: Click YES to allow the app to make changes to your device.
• Step 4:: Type the following command at the command prompt:
  • Dism/Online/Cleanup-Image/StartComponentCleanup
• Step 5:: Once the command is complete, enter another command Dism / Online / Cleanup-Image / restorehealth and wait for it to complete.
• Step 6:: Once the command is completed, you can restart your computer and check if the Windows key starts working properly or not.

Solution 15: Update video and audio drivers

If you are using outdated sound and video card drivers on your system, it may be the reason why your Windows key is not working, or the Start menu may freeze. Sometimes, updating the sound and video card driver can help solve the problem. Follow these steps:

• Step 1:: Click on the windows icon on your taskbar and in the device administrator search.
• Step 2:: Open Device Manager from the search results.
• Step 3:: Double click on the sound, video and game controller.
• Step 4:: Now right click on the audio driver and select Update Driver.
• Step 5:: Finally, click Search for drivers automaticallyYour system will automatically update the audio driver. However, you also have the option to manually update your audio driver, but this may take some time.

Solution 16: Restart Windows Explorer

If the start button is not working in Windows 10 still, you can fix this error by restarting Windows Explorer. When you restart Windows Explorer, you will also force the start menu to restart. Follow these steps:

• Step 1:: Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete on your keyboard and select task manager.
• Step 2:: Click on the Process tab.
• Step 3:: Scroll down and Search for Windows Explorer.
• Step 4:: Finally, right click and select

NOTE: : Once Windows Explorer is restarted, you can check whether your start menu is working properly or not.

Best Start Menu Alternatives for Windows 10

If none of the options worked for you, you can try the following alternatives. Each one is as effective as the original. We recommend you download them if the start button in Windows 10 does not work and you want to use something better.

Racing PowerToys

The first alternative you can use if the start button does not work in Windows 10 is Powertoys runIf you don't know, PowerToys is a new beta tool created by Microsoft for power users. However, in terms of visual scoring, it looks more like Spotlight on a Mac that in the Windows Start menu.

Considering the features it offers, PowerToys Run is quite useful compared to the Start menu. Not only does it let you search through apps, it also lets you efficiently search for files, perform quick math calculations, and more.

It is even possible to search open tabs for applications that are already running. For example, if you have a conversation with «Bob Open In Slack, you can directly search for “Bob On PowerToys Run” and navigate to the appropriate window.

To completely switch to PowerToys Run, you can reset the Windows button on your keyboard to activate PowerToys Run. Unfortunately, Windows 10 does not provide a built-in way to reset the shortcut layout. Therefore, you will have to use an external tool such as KeyExtender which allows you to reset the keyboard shortcuts originals.

General opinion:

• You can search for files, settings and submenus.
• You can search the tabs for applications that are already open.
• Supports RegEx.

Download microsoft power toys

WOX

Wox is similar to PowerToys Run but with more stable and advanced options, it is also an excellent alternative that you can use if the start button does not work in Windows 10. Basically, Wox and PowerToys Run They are similar, but here is something that Wox also has to offer: plugins.

It contains a currency converter, Shell, and over 280 other plugins. For example, the “Shell” plugin, which allows you to run cmd commands directly in Wox. Other plugins, such as the browser, allow you to access bookmarks directly from Wox.

Another reason you might want to use Wox is that Microsoft PowerToys is still using beta features. If you want a more stable option, Wox would be a better choice.

General opinion:

• Support for plugins to integrate CMD, browser, etc.
• An option to search in applications.

Download WOX

Classic Shell

Classic Shell It is a great replacement that you can use if the Start button is not working in Windows 10 that has a Classic Windows 7 Shell style. The Classic menu also allows you to customize the sound, Start menu icons, quick access options, taskbar appearance, and more.

It would literally take weeks to figure out all the customizations. You can put themes like Mineral Windows XP. The only caveat with Classic Shell is that you won't be able to search for submenus in the new Windows 10 settings.

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General opinion:

• Provides a nice start menu for old Windows Step 7:
• Option to customize the taskbar and start menu shortcuts.
• Apply themes to the taskbar and start menu.
• Control Panel is used instead of the new Windows 10 Settings menu.
• No longer in active development.

Download Classic Shell

Conclusion

As you can see, these are the alternatives and solutions that you can use if the start button does not work in Windows 10. We recommend that you use each one of them, we assure you that you will like them. We hope we have helped you.