Windows has always been a user favorite with its multitude of features bringing you the best and always claiming that they are just a Start menu click away. However, have you ever wondered what would happen if this Start Menu stops functioning? Not only would your regular day-to-day work be hampered, but it will be annoying and tiring. With Windows 11, it can happen that the Start Menu might not work.
Do you then have to take it to the computer repair professional, or can you do it at home? Here are some fixes you could try on your own and find out the one which suits your needs.
How About Restarting Your Windows 11 PC?
One of the most common reasons behind your Windows Start Menu not working would be a memory leak. However, nothing to worry about; this could be easily resolved just by rebooting the system. This type of memory leak is very common; however, for this, you have to press Windows key + X so that the WinX menu opens up. With this, you could click on Shutdown or go for Exit> Restart.
If you are facing Start Menu not working issue related to this, restarting would be a temporary solution, and you might have to wait for Microsoft’s official fix. However, if the rebooting solution does not work for you, read below to find another appropriate one.
Reinstalling After Uninstalling Windows Update KB5004300
This is a recent solution you would find where the new Windows Update has been introduced by the name KB5004300. This new update has been creating a lot of mayhem when it comes to the proper functioning of the Start Menu and could be fixed if you uninstall and reinstall it again.
Select Windows + i using your keyboard for opening the settings app and then click on ‘Windows Update’ and then go for ‘Update History.’ Select ‘Uninstall Updates’, you will soon be redirected to the control center where you will find KB500300, which needs to be uninstalled. Click on uninstall and then restart. After the initial process, click on Windows + i again and select Windows Update, and download KB5004300 again.
Restart Your PC’s Windows Explorer By Using The Task Manager
This is a pretty simple solution where the Task Manager would be perfect for you to manage the running process of your PC without the Start Menu. Go for Ctrl + Shift+ Esc to get the Task Manager and click on ‘More details.’ After the Task Manager box has opened, find ‘Windows Explorer’ from the processes list and right-click on it, opting for ‘Restart.’
With just this one click, you would be able to fix your Start Menu. Restarting your Windows Explorer and your PC is almost similar, with the only difference being for the latter; all the processes would undergo restart. At the same time, for the former, it would be a particular application.
Run SFC And DISM
DISM stands for Deployment Image Servicing and Management and SFC for System File Checker; these two are considered to be crucial tools for any corrupt files that might have been integrated during Windows installation. With DISM, you could easily get your hands on fresh copies of the corrupted file. Press Win key + r, which would open the Run box and type ‘cmd’ and then opt for Ctrl + Shift + Enter for opening the common prompt. Once open, paste ‘DISM/Online/Cleanup-Image/RestoreHealth.’ This entire process can take up to 20 minutes.
After the completion of the action, verify Windows 11 file integrity by pasting the code ‘sfc /scannow.’ This will only take a few minutes to check the integrity of the file.
Removing Any Third-Party Programs That Might Be Disrupting The Start Menu
If you have recently installed any third-party program on your PC and since then you have been facing issues with the Start Menu, you should uninstall them as soon as possible. Most probably, the program is not compatible with your PC. If you have applications like ‘Open Shell,’ ‘Classic Start,’ ‘TaskbarX,’ and ‘WinAero Taskbar’ installed, it would be better to uninstall them.
If removing these applications helps in making your Start Menu function smoothly, then wait for a more modified version of the third-party app so that you can use it again.
Go For Installing Any Pending Windows Update Or Driver
This might seem way too obvious, but due to insufficient time or sometimes due to forgetting, a lot of people do not install their pending Windows update, which could slow down your machine and not offer you the latest security and features. Updating would help you run on the latest drivers and make your system a lot more compatible with the existing hardware. If you use a pre-built system, then check the OEM support page for the latest driver update compatibility.
Therefore, these are some of the solutions you could opt for when it comes to fixing your Windows Start Menu. If nothing works, make sure you go for professional help.
Also Read: Top 10 Best Screen Recording Software for Windows
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