Start menu, action center, etc not working most of the time


  1. Posts : 148
    Windows 10 32 bit
       #1

    Start menu, action center, etc not working most of the time


    I get randomly but frequently on my Windows 10 on my Dell Optiplex 780 where the start menu stops working. clicking on it does nothing, the start menu will not open, so I attempt the action center, that will not open either. Neither will the sound (volume), or the Ethernet icon. Task View, and other pinned icons work just fine. The only way I can fix this (since I cannot shut down due to no start menu) is to force power off my PC. It works upon restart but it is only a matter of time until it stops working again. I did the usual troubleshooting that is displayed on various websites, including the one on Microsoft but the problem persists. Always fixable with a restart. But constantly restarting my computer is becoming a hassle. Any ideas?

    If there is a stuck process I need to end, I have not discovered what it is yet.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 5,452
    windows 10 Pro ver 21H2 build 19044.1348
       #2

    I would suggest a Repair Install.
    Repair Install Windows 10 with an In-place Upgrade
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 131
    Windows 10
       #3

    Ornithophilia said:
    I get randomly but frequently on my Windows 10 on my Dell Optiplex 780 where the start menu stops working. clicking on it does nothing, the start menu will not open, so I attempt the action center, that will not open either. Neither will the sound (volume), or the Ethernet icon. Task View, and other pinned icons work just fine. The only way I can fix this (since I cannot shut down due to no start menu) is to force power off my PC. It works upon restart but it is only a matter of time until it stops working again. I did the usual troubleshooting that is displayed on various websites, including the one on Microsoft but the problem persists. Always fixable with a restart. But constantly restarting my computer is becoming a hassle. Any ideas?

    If there is a stuck process I need to end, I have not discovered what it is yet.
    This happens to me occasionally on my insider machine but I've not seen it on my main one. In any case when this happens right click on the start button. That will bring up another menu that you use to shut down and restart.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 2
    Win 10 - 64
       #4

    I don't have the Start menu problem but quite often the Action Center will not activate at all. Open up Task Manager (Ctrl-Shift-Esc). Close any open explorer windows (optional). Find explorer.exe in the tasks (may be in background tasks near the bottom). Right-click and select Refresh. Then it all works fine again.
    This, to me, is confirmation that Win 10 is not ready for prime-time. It should never happen, yet it happens to many users. It has actually gotten to the point where my confidence that MS can continue is in doubt - if the quality of their flagship OS is going down, it doesn't look good for other areas of their business. (IMHO).
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 19,516
    W11+W11 Developer Insider + Linux
       #5

    Just found a tool from MS that should be able to fix that problem: download.microsoft.com/download/F/2/2/F22D5FDB-59CD-4275-8C95-1BE17BF70B21/startmenu.diagcab
    Found it here: Fix Windows 10 Start menu problems with Microsofts new troubleshooter tool
      My Computers


 

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