Invisible overlay not allowing to click

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  1. Posts : 21
    Windows 10 Pro 64bit
       #1

    Invisible overlay not allowing to click


    Hi there,

    For over 2 weeks now I seem to be having an issue whereby after some time of using the PC I cannot interact with any programs, the desktop, icons in a 'square' region at the bottom left of the screen, right above the taskbar and below the topmost icons.

    I've tried closing down different programs - to no avail. However, the issue goes away for a while when restarting explorer.exe.
    Here's a video:
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 6
    windows 10
       #2

    My guess would be maybe a registry problem of some sort or maybe malware of some kind.
    Have you tried scanning for both?

    Another idea, probably stupid but worth thinking about, could you have a problem with the connectivity of the mouse?
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 2,899
    Windows 10 Pro for the Bro
       #3

    That's strange, but what I can conclude after watching the video is that yes, there is some interference that causes whatever is "active" to become inactive, like an invisible window that opens itself and making itself as the active window instead.

    What I'd do is try to open the Task Manager (Control+Shift+Escape) and go to Details.
    Order that list by Name.
    Press View > Update speed > High

    Now sit the and look at it sections at a time, and see if you can catch anything new that pops up in the list (that also disappears very quickly too? I'm assuming its a program that opens and closes very quickly)
    This is just an idea.

    (A solution that is very unlikely, yet could work at a slight chance)
    Go to: Programs and Features
    Uninstall everything that you don't use anymore. Restart the computer and see if that bug is still there.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 31,471
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #4

    pepanee said:
    That's strange, but what I can conclude after watching the video is that yes, there is some interference that causes whatever is "active" to become inactive, like an invisible window that opens itself and making itself as the active window instead...
    I watched it carefully too. What struck me was that the inactive area seems to be the exact size and shape as the Start menu (also apparently inactive?) which appears at 1:07.

    This may be a clue that a setting for the Start menu has become corrupted. Try changing some settings that affect Start's size and shape, then set them back again. That may restore proper functionality. I'd try 'Show more tiles on Start' and 'Use Start full screen' in Settings > Personalisation > Start

    Another thing to try would be to create another user account and see if this behaves properly. The Start menu settings are part of the user profile, if you can't get it to work in one user profile but it does in all others then it may be that your user profile is corrupt. You may need to create yourself a new account to use.
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 2,899
    Windows 10 Pro for the Bro
       #5

    You right Bree. I can totally see what you mean by the thing at 1:07. Very good eyes/and analysis.
    I only skipped through the video a few times when I watched it earlier =P

    So yes, like Bree said, it is very likely that it is a bug in the Start Menu. Follow what she said above, and see if that works out for you.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 31,471
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #6

    pepanee said:
    Follow what she said...
    :)

    Bree, my adopted nickname is short for Breelander - a man of Bree (I'm a Tolkien fan). Despite its other meanings, I'm actually male. (sorry about any confusion.)
    https://www.tenforums.com/members/br...boutme#aboutme
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 2,899
    Windows 10 Pro for the Bro
       #7

    Oh my God, I'm so sorry! I've always thought otherwise, because I thought your profile name was short for Breanne =)
    Woops!

    "Follow what he said..." =D
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 124
    Windows 10.0.15063 (Version 1703) Pro 64-bit
       #8

    What I find interesting is how you explain when explorer.exe is killed and restarted, the issue stops for a little while. Can you tell me how long a little while is?

    Exporer.exe is responsible for displaying Windows and controls via WinAPI. It is also responsible for the Start Menu. You may have potentially a broken/corrupt explorer.exe and especially after attempting what @Bree explains, we can draw a potential cause.

    It may also be malware too, since we have not assessed for that either.

    All Windows accounts call to the same explorer.exe located in
    Code:
    C:\%systemroot%\explorer.exe
    To reiterate:
    Definitely need to check the integrity of Explorer.EXE and for potential malware. After completing the above replies from Bree and pepanee please let us know! I am growing curious.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 31,471
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #9

    pepanee said:
    I thought your profile name was short for Breanne
    I wasn't aware of that abbreviation when I chose it

    Hydrate said:
    To reiterate:
    Definitely need to check the integrity of Explorer.EXE and for potential malware. After completing the above replies from Bree and pepanee please let us know! I am growing curious.
    Good points. I am getting curious too - subscribed and awaiting further test results...
      My Computers


  10. Posts : 21
    Windows 10 Pro 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #10

    Thanks for all the replies! I will definitely try out the methods you've all mentioned and then post the results here.

    Now, I felt the need to post this, because the issue has not yet re-occurred and when it will again -- remains to be seen. That might take a while, so I would like to apologise in advance if I don't post anything here for what could be several days or more.


    P.S.
    Hydrate said:
    What I find interesting is how you explain when explorer.exe is killed and restarted, the issue stops for a little while. Can you tell me how long a little while is? ...
    - I posted this thread right after this issue happened, however, about a day earlier, it had occurred as well. Now though it hasn't occurred since I posted.
      My Computer


 

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