It seems strange if users find the Start button in Windows 10 operating system doesn’t work. It has also been reported that Start menu has disappeared or isn’t responding to simple clicks.
Nothing to panic, you have reached the right place to learn the methods of fixing the ‘Windows 10 Start button is not working’ problem.
Follow our quick guide and ensure that you can navigate to Windows without any further errors or unresponsive scenario.
Can’t Open Start Menu? Check The Resolution!
When the Windows button is not working on your computer, you can turn it off by pressing the Power key for a few seconds.
Though it is not the obvious way to shut down the system, you can try it once. Now, reboot your PC and log in to it.
No doubt, it is the quickest and easiest way to do so.
Once you logged in, verify the problem. In case, you find Start button doesn’t work again, you need to continue the read.
Method 1: Check for Windows Updates
You might be aware of the fact that Microsoft keeps on updating the operating system with new fixes and definitions. Any missing download may lead to such errors.
So, you need to check whether your Windows is up-to-date or not.
Follow these steps-
- Press and hold Windows key and press ‘I’ key
- On Windows Settings, click on ‘Update & Security’
- On the new window, you can Check for updates and its status
If it shows, you are up to date with today’s date and time. It means there is another issue. Or else, you need to click on ‘Check for updates’ and make it done.
After the completion of the update, it will ask you to install and reboot the PC. Click on ‘Yes’ and wait for a complete update. It is likely that the problem will be solved then.
Method 2: Sign Out of Your Account
Some user accounts need to be signed out to fix this problem. After that, you can log back in and restart your computer.
Follow these steps-
- Open ‘Task Manager’
- Right click on Taskbar and select ‘Task Manager’
On the ‘Users’ tab, you can find the details on your account to disconnect it.
Method 3: Use Command Prompt
Some Cortana files can lead to ‘Windows 10 menu is not working’ problem. It is then needed to recreate them by deleting the temporary files.
Follow these steps-
- Type ‘cmd’ in the search box
- Right click on it and choose ‘Run as administrator’
proceed.
Now, you need to type three different commands and press ‘Enter’ key each time.
- CD /d “%LOCALAPPDATA%\Packages\Microsoft.Windows.Cortana_cw5n1h2txyewy”
- Taskkill /F /IM SearchUI.exe
- RD /S /Q Settings
Once the command is executed properly, the damaged and corrupted files will be deleted and rebuilt in the computer. Hopefully, this will solve the problems related to Windows button.
Note:
If you are unable to open the command prompt here, reboot your PC in Safe Mode and follow the above-mentioned steps.
Method 4: Restart Windows Explorer
Simply restarting the Windows Explorer can solve ‘Start menu is not working in Windows’ problems. It can be easily done from Task Manager.
Follow these steps-
- Right click on task bar
- Select ‘Task Manager’
- On the ‘Processes’ tab, choose Windows Explorer
- Right click on it
- Select ‘Restart’
Once it restarts, you won’t notice further problems. In case you find similar issues later, you can replicate the steps again.
Method 5: Modify the Registry
The interference with Windows processes can lead to such problems. It is then important to modify the registry and make necessary changes.
Follow these steps-
- Press Windows + R keys to open the Run box
- Type ‘regedit’ and press Enter
This will open the Registry Editor on the main screen.
- Go to ‘HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services’
Now, you need to scroll down and find ‘WpnUserService’
- Select ‘WpnUserService’
- Right click on ‘Start’
- Choose ‘Modify’
It will open DWORD window where you need to change the Value date to 4 and click on ‘OK’ to enable the changes.
Now, reboot your computer and check whether you still find ‘Windows 10 Start button is not working’ problem.
Note:
It is not at all necessary to do any extra step. Remember that any unusual changes users make without the proper knowledge can lead to corrupt OS (operating system).
So, you need to strictly follow the steps and ask below if you have any query.
Method 6: Restore to a Previous Point
It is another useful method to get rid of any corrupted or missing files from the computer. Even this also solves the issue related to the Start button.
Follow these steps-
- Type ‘system restore’ in the search box on the taskbar
- Click on ‘Create a System Point’
- On ‘System Properties’, click on ‘System Restore’ to create it
It will open the restoring window and you need to choose a specific date earlier for restoring Windows.
If you have a restore point, you can use that or else the PC will show recommended date for restoring the operating system. Click on ‘Next’ and then ‘Finish’ to start the process.
It will take a few minutes to several minutes for completion. Once done, your PC will reboot automatically to the restored point.
Note:
System restore can be done for solving program errors and related problems.
However, it is not asked to start with this step because other problem-fixing methods can do the same quickly.
Method 7: Do a SFC Scan
Many users prefer using this scanning feature on Windows to replace any incorrect versions of OS programs with correct and accurate Microsoft versions.
It is a worthy process and can be done in simple steps.
Follow these steps-
- Type ‘cmd’ in the Windows search box on the taskbar
- Open ‘Command Prompt’ desktop app
- Type ‘Sfc /scannow’ and Hit the ‘Enter’ key
It will run the operation which may take a little time. Upon its completion, you need to reboot the PC and your problem will be solved.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you have understood how to get rid of the problem when Windows 10 Start button is not working on your computer.
Always start with the first method and followed by the next if the problems still exist. If you want to know more about your Windows computer, you can comment below.
You should feel free to ask any technical queries related to your personal computer and get it solved with ease. So, hurry up!
WOW! So much info and illustrations are excellent. Have not tried any of these methods yet but am adding your site to My Favorites right now. Good Job
BTW: start button is green, will open its menu, background not the normal solid color as before a faded image currently set as background.
Let you know results.
Mike
Do let us know if you solved this!
I have tried all of these but it did not fix it, my windows 10 start menu and search button are still not working
Same here
It did fix the issue. I used method 4. Thank you!