Cortana not working.


  1. Posts : 114
    Windows 10
       #1

    Cortana not working.


    Over the last couple of days I have found Cortana's 'Ask Me Anything' search box will not work. I can type nothing in. From inspection of other people's problems with Cortana it seems the trouble is often associated with Start Menu malfunction. In my case however I have no problem with the start menu.
    Can anyone advise me how to overcome this annoying problem?
    PS The Windows 10 updates are all installed.
      My Computer


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

    Suggestions only :

    1. You said " Over the last couple of days ". If that is the fact, do a system restore. Pick a date when Cortana was working , or at least a week ago as your restore point.

    2. If that does not help. Try this troubleshooting method..............
    Run a system file check to look for corrupt files. It will try to do repair if any found.
    Right click at Start button > click Command Prompt (Admin) > at the flashing prompt, copy/paste this.......
    sfc /scannow

    > press Enter.
    It will take quite sometime.
    When finished, it will give you one of the 3 reports...............(paraphrasing)
    1. No integrity violation.
    2. Found corrupt files and repair successful.
    3. Found corrupt files but unable to repair.

    If the report is #1, your solution lies elsewhere.
    If the report is #2, check if your problems have been resolved.
    If the report is #3, use this method................
    In the same Command Prompt (Admin) windows, copy and paste this command...........

    dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

    > press Enter.
    Again it will take some time.
    When finished, it will give you a report.


    3. Create another user account with exactly the same privileges > log on to it and see if Cortana will work.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 114
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #3

    David. Thank you for your response to my question. I had earlier tried a system restore to no effect. I therefore ran sfc/scannow which showed no problems, as it usually does for me whether or not there are problems. I therefore set up a new account and lo-and- behold Cortana was there and working. I then shut down and started up again, logging on to my original account hoping Cortana would work but it wouldn't. On the subject of accounts, I set up the new one as a L.ocal account with administrator rights. However when I logged on to it I seem to recall, though I may be mistaken, that some of my programs did not load. This leads me to more questions I'm afraid such as:
    If Cortana appears in one account why does it not in all accounts.? Surely there must be a work around for this bug?
    Does it matter that I set the new account as Local?
    Is there any trick I can use to get the new account back to my own name and password etc. keeping Cortana running?
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 5,452
    windows 10 Pro ver 21H2 build 19044.1348
       #4

    The reason I suggested a new user account is on the assumption that your account maybe corrupted.
    Seems to me my assumption is correct.
    The next step will be backing up all your personal files you want to keep and delete the corrupt account.

    As to the question of local admin account etc, I can't answer it as I don't know the answer.
    Sorry.
      My Computer


 

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