Having trouble with your Windows Start button? Let’s troubleshoot the issue and get it working again.
Turn Off Filter Keys
1. Press the Windows key to open the Start menu. If the Start button is not working, try using the Ctrl + Esc keyboard shortcut as an alternative.
2. Click on the Settings icon (gear-shaped) in the Start menu.
3. In the Settings window, click on Accessibility, then select Keyboard from the left-hand menu.
4. Scroll down and click on the Filter Keys option.
5. Toggle the Use Filter Keys switch to the off position.
6. Close the Settings window and check if the Start button is now functioning properly.
If the issue persists, you may need to try some additional troubleshooting steps. Here are a few options to consider:
– Run the System File Checker tool to check for and repair any corrupt system files. Open a Command Prompt as an administrator and type “sfc /scannow” (without quotes), then press the Enter key.
– Check for any malware or viruses that could be causing the issue. Run a full system scan using a reliable antivirus program.
– Reset the Windows Registry to its default settings. This should be done with caution, as modifying the registry can cause system instability. Consider seeking assistance from a professional if you are unfamiliar with this process.
– Try using the Windows PowerShell to reset the Start menu and Cortana components. Open PowerShell as an administrator and run the command “Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml”}” (without quotes).
Use PowerShell to Restore Functionality
To restore functionality to your Windows Start button using PowerShell, follow these steps:
1. Open PowerShell: Press the Windows key on your keyboard or use the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut to open the Run dialog box. Type “powershell” and press Enter.
2. Run the PowerShell command: In the PowerShell window, type the following command and press Enter: Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml”}
3. Wait for the command to complete: The PowerShell command will scan and repair any issues with the Start button functionality. This process may take a few minutes to complete, so be patient and do not close the PowerShell window.
4. Restart your computer: After the command has finished running, restart your computer to apply the changes.
After following these steps, your Windows Start button should be restored and functioning properly. If you continue to experience issues, you may need to further troubleshoot or seek additional assistance. It’s also a good idea to run a thorough scan for malware using an updated antivirus software to ensure your system is clean and secure.
Adjustments to the Registry
1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “regedit” and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
3. In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced
4. Right-click on the “Advanced” key and select “New” > “DWORD (32-bit) Value.”
5. Name the new value “EnableXamlStartMenu.”
6. Double-click on the newly created value and set the “Value data” to 0.
7. Click “OK” to save the changes.
8. Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer.
These adjustments disable the XAML Start Menu, which can help resolve issues with the Start Button not working in Windows 10. Remember to always be cautious when making changes to the Registry, as incorrect modifications can cause system instability.
If the Start Button issue persists, you may also try running the System File Checker tool to scan for and repair any corrupted system files. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Press the Windows key + X and select “Command Prompt (Admin)” or “Windows PowerShell (Admin).”
2. In the command prompt window, type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
3. The System File Checker will now scan your system files for errors and attempt to fix them.
4. Once the scan is complete, restart your computer and check if the Start Button is working properly.
These adjustments to the Registry and running the System File Checker can often resolve issues with the Windows Start Button not working. If you continue to experience problems, it may be helpful to seek further assistance from a professional or Microsoft support.
Disable Game Mode
1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “regedit” and press Enter to open the Windows Registry Editor.
3. In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following location:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\GameBar
4. Right-click on the GameBar folder and select “New” > “DWORD (32-bit) Value”.
5. Name the new value “AllowAutoGameMode” and set its value to 0.
6. Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer.
By disabling Game Mode, you can eliminate any potential conflicts that may be causing the Start button to stop working. This troubleshooting step can help resolve the issue and restore the functionality of the Start button on your Windows 10 computer.
Perform a System File Checker Scan
Performing a System File Checker (SFC) scan can help troubleshoot the Windows Start button not working issue. This scan checks for corrupted or missing system files and attempts to repair them. To perform an SFC scan, follow these steps:
1. Press the Windows key + X on your keyboard to open the Power User menu.
2. Select “Command Prompt (Admin)” or “Windows PowerShell (Admin)” from the menu. If you’re using a tablet or touchscreen device, swipe from the right edge of the screen, tap “Search,” and type “Command Prompt” or “Windows PowerShell.”
3. In the Command Prompt or Windows PowerShell window, type “sfc /scannow” and press Enter.
4. The scan will begin and may take some time to complete. Do not close the window or interrupt the process.
5. Once the scan is finished, you will see the results. If any corrupted or missing files were found, the SFC scan will attempt to repair them. If the scan couldn’t repair all the files, you may need to perform additional troubleshooting steps.
Performing an SFC scan can help resolve issues with the Windows Start button not working. This scan checks for corrupted or missing system files and attempts to repair them. To perform an SFC scan, follow these steps:
1. Press the Windows key + X on your keyboard to open the Power User menu.
2. Select “Command Prompt (Admin)” or “Windows PowerShell (Admin)” from the menu. If using a tablet or touchscreen device, swipe from the right edge of the screen, tap “Search,” and type “Command Prompt” or “Windows PowerShell.”
3. In the Command Prompt or Windows PowerShell window, type “sfc /scannow” and press Enter.
4. The scan will begin and may take some time to complete. Do not close the window or interrupt the process.
5. Once the scan is finished, review the results. If any corrupted or missing files were found, the SFC scan will attempt to repair them. If the scan couldn’t repair all the files, additional troubleshooting may be necessary.
Performing an SFC scan can help resolve issues with the Windows Start button not working. To perform the scan, follow these steps:
1. Press the Windows key + X on your keyboard to open the Power User menu.
2. Select “Command Prompt (Admin)” or “Windows PowerShell (Admin).” Tablet or touchscreen users can swipe from the right edge of the screen, tap “Search,” and type “Command Prompt” or “Windows PowerShell.”
3. In the Command Prompt or Windows PowerShell window, type “sfc /scannow” and press Enter.
4. Wait for the scan to complete. It may take some time, so be patient.
5. Once the scan finishes, check the results. If any corrupted or missing files were found, the SFC scan will attempt to repair them. If not all files could be repaired, further troubleshooting may be necessary.
Create a New User Account
1. Open the Control Panel by pressing the Windows key and typing “Control Panel” in the search bar. Press Enter.
2. In the Control Panel, click on the “User Accounts” option.
3. Click on “Manage another account” to access the user account management options.
4. Click on “Add a new user in PC settings” to open the PC settings menu.
5. In the PC settings menu, click on “Accounts” and then select “Other accounts.”
6. Click on “Add an account” to start creating a new user account.
7. Choose the type of account you want to create, either a local account or a Microsoft account.
8. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the account creation process. You may be asked to provide a username, password, and other personal information.
9. Once the account is created, you can switch between user accounts by clicking on the Start button and selecting the account name from the menu.
Note: Creating a new user account can help troubleshoot issues with the Windows Start button not working. It allows you to test if the problem is specific to your user account or if it affects all user accounts on the computer.
Use DISM from Command Prompt
To troubleshoot a Windows Start button that is not working, you can use the DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) tool from the Command Prompt. DISM is a built-in Windows tool that can repair corrupted system files and restore the health of your operating system. Here’s how you can use DISM to fix the issue:
1. Press the Windows key + X on your keyboard to open the Power User menu.
2. Select “Command Prompt (Admin)” from the list. This will open an elevated Command Prompt window.
3. In the Command Prompt window, type “dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth” and press Enter. This command will scan your system for any corrupt files and attempt to repair them.
4. Wait for the scan and repair process to complete. This may take some time, so be patient.
5. Once the process is finished, restart your computer and check if the Start button is now working.
If the Start button still doesn’t work after using DISM, you can try other troubleshooting methods or seek further assistance from Microsoft Support. It’s also a good idea to keep your operating system and software up to date, as software bugs and compatibility issues can sometimes cause the Start button to malfunction.
Check for Malware
To check for malware, follow these steps:
1. Open your preferred antivirus software or download a reputable antivirus program if you don’t already have one installed.
2. Perform a full system scan to search for any malware on your computer.
3. If any malware is detected, follow the prompts to remove or quarantine it from your system.
4. Restart your computer and check if the Start Button is now functioning correctly.
If the Start Button still doesn’t work after removing malware, there may be other underlying issues causing the problem. It is recommended to further troubleshoot by checking for software conflicts, updating your operating system, or performing a system restore.
Try a Different Keyboard
- Replace your current keyboard with a different one to check if it’s a hardware issue.
- Plug in the new keyboard and test if the Start button works with it.
- Verify that the new keyboard is compatible with your Windows operating system version.
- Make sure the keyboard driver is properly installed and up to date.
- Restart your computer after connecting the new keyboard to allow Windows to detect and install the necessary drivers.
- Clean the keyboard thoroughly to remove any dirt or debris that might be interfering with its functionality.
- Check the keyboard settings in the Control Panel to ensure it’s configured correctly.
- Try using the keyboard on a different USB port to rule out any port-related issues.
- Disable any third-party keyboard software or utilities that might be conflicting with the Start button functionality.
- Scan your computer for malware or viruses that could be affecting keyboard input.
F.A.Qs
How do I fix my Windows button is not working?
To fix a non-working Windows button, you can try the following steps:
1. Restart your computer – Sometimes a simple restart can resolve the issue.
2. Check for Windows updates – Make sure your operating system is up to date.
3. Run the Windows Troubleshooter – Use the built-in troubleshooter to identify and fix any problems with the Start button.
4. Restart the Windows Explorer process – Open the Task Manager, locate Windows Explorer, right-click on it, and choose Restart.
5. Create a new user account – If the issue persists, creating a new user account can help resolve the problem.
6. Perform a system restore – Restore your computer to a previous point when the Windows button was working.
7. Reinstall or update drivers – Update or reinstall the drivers for your keyboard and mouse.
8. Perform a clean boot – Temporarily disable all non-Microsoft services to check if any third-party applications are causing the issue.
9. Reset or reinstall Windows – As a last resort, you can reset or reinstall Windows to fix any underlying software issues.
Why did my window button stop working?
Your window button may have stopped working because it has been disabled in the system. This can happen due to various reasons such as an application, a person, malware, or Game Mode. Another potential cause could be a known bug in Windows 10’s Filter Key feature which can cause issues with typing on the login screen.
How do I get my window key to work?
To troubleshoot a non-working Windows key, you can try the following steps:
1. Restart your computer: Sometimes a simple reboot can resolve the issue.
2. Check for physical damage: Ensure that there are no physical obstructions or damage to the key.
3. Update keyboard drivers: Go to the manufacturer’s website and download the latest drivers for your keyboard.
4. Use a different keyboard: Connect another keyboard to see if the issue lies with the specific keyboard or the system.
5. Check for stuck keys: Press all the keys on your keyboard to ensure none are stuck or jammed.
6. Scan for malware: Run a thorough antivirus scan to rule out any potential malware causing the issue.
7. Use the on-screen keyboard: If the physical key doesn’t work, try using the on-screen keyboard as an alternative.
8. Seek professional help: If none of the above steps resolve the issue, it may be best to consult a computer technician for further assistance.
Why is my Windows power button not working?
Your Windows power button may not be working due to various reasons such as a faulty power cable, a dirty power button, issues with the power source, or a faulty power supply unit (PSU).
