Windows 11 Start and Taskbar Not Responding Suddenly

Microsoft is currently investigating the causes and potential fixes for the sudden issue where the Start menu and taskbar in Windows 11 become unresponsive. If you're looking to resolve this issue immediately, you can try the methods outlined in this MiniTool article.

Windows 11 Taskbar Continuously Loops and Disappears

Problem Description

Recently, the latest Windows 11 Insider Preview builds (build 22449 and build 22000.176) available through the Dev and Beta Channels have encountered a major bug causing the Windows 11 taskbar and Start menu to crash, affecting numerous users. Specifically, after booting up, the taskbar appears blank. If clicked, it starts to loop. Clicking other areas on the desktop yields no response. You cannot open files or folders from the desktop, nor can you use keyboard shortcuts to access the Settings app. The Windows 11 update has caused the taskbar, Start menu, desktop, and other operational areas to malfunction.

Microsoft Acknowledges the Issue and Is Working on It

Many users have reported this issue, and Microsoft has acknowledged the feedback, posting about this bug on Twitter:

If your Windows 11 taskbar and Start menu stop functioning, continuing your work becomes challenging. For those affected by this issue, seeking immediate solutions is essential. We have also encountered this problem and found several methods to address it. Below, we present these solutions in this post. You may also give them a try.

Solution 1: Use CMD

Regardless of whether you are using Windows build 22000.176 or build 22449, you can follow these steps to resolve the issue. This fix was provided by Microsoft.

1. Press Ctrl Alt Del simultaneously and then select Task Manager.

2. Click More details at the bottom of Task Manager.

3. Go to File > Run new task.

4. Type cmd and press Enter to open Command Prompt.

5. Enter the following command into Command Prompt and press Enter.

reg delete HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\IrisService /f && shutdown -r -t 0

6. Your computer will restart. Afterward, Windows 11 should function normally.

Here’s a tip to easily copy the command into Command Prompt:

Solution 2: Adjust Date & Time, and Disable Time Synchronization

If your Windows 11 taskbar and Start menu fail to work due to a recent Windows 11 update, you can adjust the date and time on your computer to restore normalcy. Additionally, you should disable time synchronization.

1. Press Ctrl Alt Del to open Task Manager.

2. Click More details at the bottom of Task Manager.

3. Go to File > Run new task.

4. Type control.exe and press Enter to open Control Panel.

5. Click Date and Time.

6. Under Date and Time, click Change date and time.

7. Choose a later date like September 4, 5, or 6 as desired.

8. Click OK.

9. Navigate to Internet Time.

10. Click Change Settings.

11. Uncheck Synchronize with an Internet time server.

12.Click OK.

13. Click OK.

14. Click the taskbar. Your computer should return to normal. If not, restarting your device might help.

Solution 3: Perform a System Restore

If you’ve previously created a system restore point, you can perform a system restore to revert the taskbar and Start menu to their normal states.

1. Press Ctrl Alt Esc to open Task Manager.

2. Click More details at the bottom of Task Manager.

3. Go to File > Run new task.

4. Type control.exe and press Enter to open Control Panel.

5. Click Recovery.

6. Click Open System Restore.

7. If the necessary system restore point is already selected, click Next to proceed. Otherwise, select Choose a different restore point and click Next to pick the appropriate one.

8. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the system restore process. This may take some time, so patience is required.

9. Afterward, restart your computer. Your Windows 11 should then function properly.

Solution 4: Downgrade to Windows 10

If you believe Windows 11 has too many issues and bugs, you can consider downgrading to Windows 10. Windows 11 will officially launch on October 5, 2021. You can opt to install the official version of Windows 11 at that time.

If your Windows 11 taskbar and Start menu keep disappearing and looping after an update in September 2 or September 3, 2021, try the methods mentioned in this post to resolve the issue. If you encounter any other problems, feel free to leave a comment.

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