Portions of Taskbar dead

Toshiba Satellite L55-A5226, W10 Pro

Problem just popped up today. I can't launch any program from the task bar. Clicking on the search box does nothing, neither does clicking on the Windows logo. I can launch programs from the desktop OK, and if I place a desktop item on the task bar, that item will launch. Because of this problem, I can't launch my Edge browser. What can I do to get the task bar working again? I need an answer soon since this is my only computer now (other was stolen 2 days ago)
Fortunately, I had Google Chrome already installed

If Fast Startup is enabled then problems like this can sometimes survive a shut down and start up. If so, a Restart is a way to perform a full cold start.

Try a Restart, either from the Start menu Power button or, if that is not working either, click on an empty part of the Desktop and use Alt+F4.

You can also get to the Restart option on the Power button you get on the blue Ctrl+Alt+Del screen.

xTL said:

...all you need to do is to replace the icons you have on the taskbar with new ones.

It's more serious than just a few broken icons, Mr Ed said that "...the search box does nothing, neither does clicking on the Windows logo...".

xTL said:

Relax Bree, you're right :)
added additional info that should help Ed.

Yes, the may well help, but a full restart from cold should be the first thing to try. It's surprising just how many apparent bugs can be fixed just by turning off and back on again

xTL said:

Doesn't hurt to run a CheckHealth or ScanHealth just to make sure his OS is healthy :)

True, but you may be searching for a fault that doesn't actually exist in the OS configuration. Sometimes an app just get itself into a 'mixed up' state (and the Desktop/Taskbar is just another app, explorer.exe). That was the case for the Snipping Tool here, for example...

the snipping tool is not responding Solved - Windows 10 Forums

That's why I advise a Restart as the first step. By all means check the OS after that, even if its now working properly.

Thanks for all the help, friends. I've already done a few restarts from cold, which hadn't helped. I now found I can open a "run" command box by hitting windows + R. What type of command should I use to try to resolve this issue, if that's possible? Just now, I also find if I double click on the file explorer icon, I can launch that. Others are still dead (maybe little by little the issue is trying to resolve).

Mr Ed said:

Thanks for all the help, friends. I've already done a few restarts from cold, which hadn't helped.

Then this may be a corrupt user profile. To check that, sign in as another user. If you do not have one to try, create a new local user and make it an administrator.

I now found I can open a "run" command box by hitting windows + R. What type of command should I use...

Run Netplwiz. The Add button can create a new user. Select a user and the Properties button lets you change the account type on its Group Membership tab.


You can also run apps from the Task Manager. Ctrl+Alt+Del will let you open that. From Task Manager's 'File > Run new task' you can run tasks as an administrator (something you can't do from WinKey+R). Run CMD.EXE as administrator to get a Command Prompt (Admin). From there you can run sfc /scannow and Dism's restorehealth option.

Run SFC Command in Windows 10 | Tutorials

Use DISM to Repair Windows 10 Image | Tutorials