- The failure is usually linked to Windows Web Experience Pack already has dependencies like Edge/WebView2 and Microsoft Account.
- There are gradual solutions: enabling and restarting widgets, checking GPU and browser associations, and reinstalling the package.
- If it persists, in-place repair preserves your data and often stabilizes affected system components.
If the widgets of Windows 11 If they don't load, they hang around, or they don't update, you're not alone.In recent weeks, many users have reported that after updating to the Windows Web Experience Pack, the widgets panel gets stuck in a loading loop, and to top it all off, CPU usage skyrockets, causing the fans to roar as if the PC is about to take off.
The most cited pattern coincides with the update to version 421.20070.45.0 of the Windows Web Experience Pack- On some computers, the widgets feed never appears, and after a few minutes, the process takes up a significant amount of processor power. The only temporary solution is to end the "Widgets" task from the Task ManagerInterestingly, there are computers with a different build (e.g., 421.20050.505.0) that still work correctly, which points to a bug introduced by a specific version.
What's happening and why it might affect your team
Windows 11 widgets depend on several system components and web services.These include Windows Web Experience Pack, Microsoft Edge/Edge WebView2, and your Microsoft account session. When one of these components fails after an update, it's common to see infinite loading, cards not refreshing, or CPU spikes.
The most common trigger in recent reports is the update to Windows Web Experience Pack 421.20070.45.0In this case, the panel may remain loading for an eternity; after a few minutes, CPU usage spikes abnormally and the fan kicks in. Ending the "Widgets" task calms the processor, although the problem recurs when you reopen them.
Many users ask if it is possible to revert to a previous version of the package from the Microsoft Store.The store doesn't offer a rollback mechanism for system packages, nor does Microsoft maintain a public repository of older versions to choose from. The most viable official option is to reinstall the package or wait for a corrective patch.
The good news is that there are safe steps that usually restore functionality., from quick checks to a reinstallation of the Windows Web Experience Pack. If that doesn't work, you can perform an in-place repair of Windows 11, which keeps your files and programs.
Quick checks to rule out the basics
Before you go any further, it's a good idea to make sure the widgets are enabled and restart their process.. Sometimes they are disabled or the process is stuck.
Activate the Widgets button on the taskbar By following this simple route: right-click on the taskbar → "Taskbar settings" → under "Taskbar items," activate "Widgets." If it was already activated, deactivate it and reactivate it to force a refresh.
- open settings: Right-click on the taskbar and select “Taskbar settings.”
- Locate Widgets: Under “Taskbar Items,” look for “Widgets.”
- Reactivate: Turn the switch on; if it was on, turn it off and then back on.
Restart the Widgets process from Task Manager To clear a potential blocker: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc, go to "Processes", locate "Widgets", select it and press "End Task". Then, open the widgets panel again and check its behavior; if possible, restart your computer for a while. Boot cleansed.
- Access: Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- End process: In “Processes”, right-click on “Widgets” → “End Task”.
- Verification after reboot: Restart your PC and reopen the widgets.
If when closing the task the CPU drops but the widgets still do not load afterwards, indicates that a deeper problem persists that requires additional steps.
Graphics drivers and default browser
The widget panel relies on graphics acceleration and web componentsAn unstable video driver or incorrect browser association can cause worse failures.
Check the display adapter: open the Device administrator (Win + R → type "devmgmt.msc" → Enter), expand "Display Adapters" and try disabling and re-enabling your graphics driver. This will force the system to restart the driver without uninstalling it.
- Open manager: Win + R, "devmgmt.msc", Enter.
- Display adapters: Expand and select your GPU.
- Restart driver: On the “Driver” tab, tap “Disable Device,” accept, and then tap “Enable.”
If you suspect the driver is outdated, try updating it. automatically from Device Manager or from the GPU manufacturer's website.
Change the default browser to Microsoft Edge If you're using another one. In some cases, switching the HTTP/HTML protocol association to Edge makes widgets work properly again. Go to Settings (Win + I) → Apps → Default Apps and change the Edge associations for related protocols and files.
- Access settings: Win + I → “Applications” → “Default applications”.
- Select browser: Choose your current browser.
- Reassign protocols- Change HTTP, HTTPS, .htm, .html, etc., to Microsoft Edge.
Sign in with your Microsoft account and install WebView2
For the widget feed to work properly, Windows 11 requires a Microsoft account sign-in.If you're using a local account, sign in with your Microsoft account and restart your computer. Without this link, the dashboard may be disabled or may not function properly.
- Go to settings: Win + I → “Accounts” → “Your information”.
- Convert to Microsoft account: Select “Sign in with a Microsoft account” and fill in your details.
- Restart: Once configured, restart and test the widgets.
Install Microsoft Edge WebView2 If you don't have it or suspect it's corrupted, WebView2 allows you to embed web content in widgets using a required runtime. Download it from the official Microsoft website, install the Evergreen version, and reboot.
If Edge isn't working properly, check out official Microsoft support guides for updating Edge or troubleshooting Edge issues. A broken or outdated Edge can affect WebView2 and consequently the functionality of the widget panel.
Reinstall Windows Web Experience Pack (Store method and advanced method)
After a problematic update of the Windows Web Experience Pack, reinstalling it usually resolves the issues.. You can do this using the Microsoft Store or through commands in a terminal with elevated permissions.
Method 1: From the Store (update or reinstall)Open the Microsoft Store, search for "Windows Web Experience Pack," and, if necessary, update or reinstall it. Close the store, restart, and test the widgets. If you were already updated and it still fails, continue with the command line method.
- Open Store: From the Start button, search for and open Microsoft Store.
- Search package: In the store, search for “Windows Web Experience Pack.”
- Update or reinstall: Click on “Update” or “Get”.
- Restart: After the operation, restart Windows.
Method 2: Uninstall and reinstall with Windows Terminal in administrator mode. This cleans and reinstalls the package from the official identifier.
- Open terminal: Win + X, select “Windows Terminal (Administrator)”.
- uninstall package: executes:
Get-AppxPackage *WebExperience* | Remove-AppxPackage- Restart: Restart Windows after uninstallation.
- Reinstall from Store: In the same terminal, run:
winget install 9MSSGKG348SPWhen the installation is complete, reboot and check if the widgets are working properly.This method ensures a clean installation from the official Microsoft source.
If nothing works: in-place repair and additional checks
In-place repair will reinstall Windows 11 without losing your files or programs.. It is recommended if other solutions have failed to resolve the issues caused by a faulty update.
What do you need: The Windows 11 Setup Assistant or Media Creation Tool. From the Microsoft portal, download them, run them, and select "Keep files and apps" to avoid losing your settings.
- Download: From the official Microsoft website, get the “Windows 11 Setup Wizard”.
- Run: Launch the tool and select keep everything for repair.
- Complete and restart: Finish the installation and reboot the system.
Check your Windows version: With Win + R type “winver” and check the version and build number, to report or understand if you are affected by a bug in a certain build.
Also, check out these additional points to rule out common causes: ensures that Windows Update is up to date, that your Edge browser is running smoothly, and that you're not blocked by a firewall or antivirus. Also confirm that you're logged in to Microsoft and that your region and language settings are correct.
If the infinite loading and CPU spikes persist, it's most likely a bug specific to the package version and your configuration. In these cases, it's best to send feedback to Microsoft and stay tuned for official updates.
Passionate writer about the world of bytes and technology in general. I love sharing my knowledge through writing, and that's what I'll do on this blog, show you all the most interesting things about gadgets, software, hardware, tech trends, and more. My goal is to help you navigate the digital world in a simple and entertaining way.