Skip to content

Fix Windows 10 Start Button Not Working – Solutions

If you’re struggling with a non-responsive Windows 10 Start button, check out these solutions to get it working again.

Restart Your Computer or Sign Out

If your Windows 10 Start Button is not working, one simple solution is to restart your computer. This can help resolve any temporary glitches that may be causing the issue.

Another option is to sign out of your account and then sign back in. This can also help refresh your system and potentially fix the problem with the Start Button.

If restarting or signing out does not resolve the issue, you can also try accessing the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc. From there, you can try to troubleshoot any processes that may be causing the Start Button to malfunction.

In some cases, running a Windows Update or checking for any pending updates may also help fix the problem with the Start Button not working. Make sure your system is up to date to ensure optimal performance.

Remember to always back up your important files and data before making any changes to your system. This can help prevent any potential data loss in case something goes wrong during the troubleshooting process.

If these solutions do not work, consider reaching out to Microsoft support for further assistance. They may be able to provide additional troubleshooting steps based on your specific issue.

Update Device Drivers

Device Driver Update Method
Graphics Card AMD Radeon Download latest driver from AMD website
Network Adapter Realtek Ethernet Update driver through Device Manager
Sound Card Realtek High Definition Audio Use Windows Update to check for driver updates

Restart Windows Explorer

1. Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc.

2. Look for Windows Explorer in the list of processes.

3. Right-click on Windows Explorer and select Restart from the context menu.

After restarting Windows Explorer, check if the Start button is now working properly. If the issue persists, you may need to try other solutions mentioned in the article.

Run SFC Scanner for Corrupt Files

Windows command prompt with SFC Scanner running

1. Press the Windows key + X on your keyboard to open the Power User menu.
2. Select “Windows PowerShell (Admin)” from the list to open an elevated PowerShell window.
3. In the PowerShell window, type “sfc /scannow” and press Enter to initiate the scan.
4. Wait for the scan to complete, which may take some time depending on the size of your system files.
5. Once the scan is finished, restart your computer to apply any repairs that were made.

Running the SFC scanner can help identify and fix any issues with corrupt system files that may be causing the Windows 10 Start button to not work properly.

Use DISM Tool

To fix the Windows 10 Start button not working issue, you can use the DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) tool. This tool can help repair any corrupted system files that may be causing the problem.

1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator by searching for “cmd” in the Start menu, right-clicking on Command Prompt, and selecting “Run as administrator.”

2. In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

3. Wait for the process to complete. This may take some time, so be patient.

After running the DISM tool, restart your computer and check if the Start button is now working properly. If the issue persists, you may need to consider other troubleshooting steps or seek further assistance.

Check for Windows Updates

1. Open the Start menu by clicking on the Windows icon in the bottom left corner of your screen.

2. Click on Settings, which is represented by a gear icon.

3. In the Settings window, select Update & Security.

4. Click on Windows Update in the left pane.

5. Click on Check for updates. Windows will then search for any available updates for your system.

6. If updates are found, click on Download and install.

7. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update process.

By regularly checking for Windows updates, you can ensure that your system is up to date with the latest security patches and improvements. This can help resolve issues such as the Start button not working on Windows 10.

Modify Registry or Rebuild Index

To fix the Windows 10 Start button not working issue, you can try modifying the registry or rebuilding the index.

Modify Registry: Open the Registry Editor by pressing the Windows key + R, typing “regedit,” and hitting Enter. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer, then right-click on the “Shell” key and choose “New” > “Key.” Name the new key “StartMenu” and close the Registry Editor. Restart your computer and check if the Start button is working properly.

Rebuild Index: Press the Windows key + R, type “control panel,” and hit Enter. Go to “Indexing Options,” click on “Advanced,” and then select “Index Settings” tab. Click on “Rebuild” under Troubleshooting and allow the process to complete. Restart your computer and check if the Start button is functioning correctly.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I fix an unresponsive Start menu?

To fix an unresponsive Start menu, you can try troubleshooting steps such as restarting Windows Explorer, updating Windows, re-registering Windows Store apps, repairing damaged system files, or resetting PC settings.

How to unfreeze Start menu Windows 10?

To unfreeze the Start menu in Windows 10, you can try restarting your computer, restarting Explorer, and hunting down any corrupt files that may be causing the issue.

Was this article helpful?
YesNo