FIX: Start menu not working on Windows 10/11. (Solved) (2025)

If your Start menu is not working in your Windows 10/11 device, continue reading below to fix the problem. Windows 10/11 devices are known for their efficiency and improved features. This is a huge upgrade from the Windows 8.1 operating system, which has not stood the test of time. Despite this, Windows 11/10 has its own drawbacks that include glitches and unresponsive features and buttons.

For example, the Start menu, one of the most important buttons in Windows, can stop working or crash as soon as it is opened. Some users have also reported that the Start menu is not always responsive when clicked, or freezes immediately after it opens.

As you understand, the above mentioned issues with the Start menu are frustrating and can affect user productivity and performance.

In this guide we have compiled several methods for fixing the following Windows 11/10 Start menu issues:

• Windows Start menu button not working in Windows 10/11.
• After installing updates the Start menu does not work.
• Start menu is freezing or becomes unresponsive.

How to FIX: Windows 10/11 Start Menu problems.

1. Install all Windows Updates.
2. Restart Windows Explorer process.
3. End the "Start Menu Experience Host: Task.
4. Scan and Repair System files.
5. Re-register the Start menu.
6. Fix Start Menu problems with Registry.
7. Create a New User account.

Method 1. Install all Windows Updates

Making sure your device is up to date is one way to fix glitches in the Windows Start menu, because in some cases installing pending updates can fix the unresponsive Start menu in Windows 10/11 OS.

To install all available updates if the Start menu does not work:

1. Press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys to open Task Manager.
2. Click the File tab from the Task Manager window, then select Run new task.

3. In the Run window, type the following command and hit OK.

• ms-settings:windowsupdate

4. Click Check for updates and wait Windows to scan for available updates. When this done, click Install now. *

* Note: If a feature update is also available, then download and install it as well.

5. When all updates are installed, select Restart.
6. As soon as the PC reboots, check if the Start menu is working.

Method 2. Restart Windows Explorer

Restarting Windows Explorer process in task manager is another way to fix Start menu. See steps below:

1. Press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys to open Task Manager.
2. Under the Processes tab, right-click on Windows Explorer and select Restart.

3. You will notice that the icons on the taskbar will disappear for few seconds, don’t panic they will resurface. Now check if the Start menu is working.

Method 3. Kill the Start Menu Experience Host task

The "Start Menu Experience Host" task is responsible for the Start menu. Sometimes ending it may cause Start menu to work again.

1. Press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys to open Task Manager.
2. Under the Details tab, right-click at StartMenuExperienceHost.exe and select End Task.

3. Now click the Start menu and check if the problem is fixed.

Method 4. Scan and Repair Corrupted System files.

If the Windows system files on the device are damaged or corrupted, the Start menu may stop working. To repair the damaged system files:

1. Press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys to open Task Manager.
2. From the File menu, select Run new task.

3. In the 'Create new task' window, type cmd, check Create this task with administrative privileges, then click OK.

4. In the command prompt window, type the command below and press Enter:

• DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

5. Once the operation is completed, enter the command below and press Enter:

• sfc /scannow

6. Wait until the process is completed.
7. Finally, press CTRL + ALT + DEL and press the Power button (at the bottom right), to restart the computer.

8. After, restarting check that the Start menu is working.

Method 5. Re-register the Start menu.

To re-register or restore all the built-in apps and Start menu in Windows, Use the command below on Powershell.

1. Press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys to open Task Manager.
2. Click the File tab and select Run new task.

3. In the new task window, type powershell, check Create this task with administrative privileges andclick OK.

4. Copy and paste the command below in PowerShell and press Enter.

• Get-appxpackage -all shellexperience -packagetype bundle |% {add-appxpackage -register -disabledevelopmentmode ($_.installlocation + "\appxmetadata\appxbundlemanifest.xml")}

5. Once it is completed, close PowerShell window and the issue should be resolved.

Method 6. FIX Start menu not working issue using Registry.

Modifying the registry editor as described below is another solution to restore the functionality of the Start menu. However, it is important to carefully follow the steps below to resolve the problem.

1. Press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys to open Task Manager.
2. Click the File tab and select Run new task.

3. In the new task window type regedit, check Create this task with administrative privileges, then click OK.

4. In the Registry editor window, navigate to the location below:

• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

5. Right-click on Advanced, click on New and select DWORD (32-bit) Value.

6. Type EnableXamlStartMenu as the name of the new value. Leave the Data value as 0 and close the registry editor. *

* Note: If the "EnableXamlStartMenu" REG_DWORD value already exists double-click on it and change the value data to 0.

7. Finally press CTRL + ALT + DEL and press the Power button (at the bottom right), to restart the computer.

Method 7. Create a User Account.

If the current user's profile is corrupted this may also affect the Start menu. In this case try creating a new user account and see if that solves the problem with the Start menu.

1. Press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys to open Task Manager.
2. From the File menu, select Run new task.

3. In the 'Create new task' window, type cmd, check Create this task with administrative privileges, then click OK.

4. In the command prompt window, type the following command where USERNAME is name for the new user and PASSWORD is its password. When done, press Enter: *

• net user USERNAME PASSWORD /add

* For example: To create a new user with name "wintips" and password "WIN1234", type:

• net user wintips WIN1234 /add

5. Nowgrant the new account administrative rights, by giving the below command (where USERNAME is the name of the new user). *

• net localgroup administrators USERNAME /add

* For example: To add the user with name "wintips" to administrators group, type this command:

• net localgroup administrators wintips /add

6. Press CTRL + ALT + DEL and press the Power button (at the bottom right), to restart the computer.
7. On the login screen, click on the new account to sign in to it.
8. Check if the Start menu is working on the new account and if yes, transfer all your files and settings from your old account to the new one. *

* Note: If you still face problems with the Start menu, resetting or reinstalling Windows 10 may be the last solution to fix them.

That's it! Which method worked for you?
Let me know if this guide has helped you by leaving your comment about your experience. Please like and share this guide to help others.

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