This browser is no longer supported.
Upgrade to Microsoft Edge to take advantage of the latest features, security updates, and technical support.
![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(128, 8%, 22%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3EA%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The Windows start button is not working. When I press it nothing happens. SO I cannot shut down the computer in the normal manner or access any programs other than ones with desktop icons.
Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.
Hi,
I faced a similar issue! The following worked for me
Hope this helps!
Hi nickthomp.
Does start menu open if you press the windows key on the keyboard?.
Can you right click the start menu orb and choose properties, if so
In the Customize Start Menu dialog box, click Use Default Settings, clickOK, and then clickOK again.
Also try.
1 . Press Ctrl + Alt+ delete on the keyboard and click on task manager.
2 . Click on the Process tab and locate explorer.exe in the windows and click on end task.
3 . Click on File and then click on New.
4. Type explorer.exe and press enter.
Hope his helps.
Me too! :(
I tried the new user account so-called solution & created a new Local Acc, (as the main problematic one was linked to my MS account). Although the new Local Acc worked fine it had NONE of my software/programs/files/settings/apps etc so was USELESS & my main MS account was still faulty!
I then contacted MS online & after over 2 hours the best they could do was set up a new Account as my MS acc and change the faulty one to a Local acc..... this is also USELESS as NONE of my stuff is on the new MS account! This leaves me stuck using the now Local but still FAULTY acc as I need all of the stuff on there!
Therefore I would recommend that you avoid the so-called solution of creating a new account unless you are prepared to set up everything & reinstall from scratch on the new account.
I have tried EVERYTHING suggested and NOTHING has fixed this problem since the 112015 major Windows 10 update, (before that one or other fix did solve the problems temporarily, though they soon returned).
Reinstalling Windows 10 is not an option for me and from reports I have read it isn't a solution as the faulty Start Menu/Help/Cortana & no Modern Apps working problem just reoccurs EVEN AFTER a full reinstall!
This leads to the conclusion that Windows 10 itself is the problem, (not the MS account or certain Internet Security - as people using different security packages from different companies have the identical problem). The only was I can see this being fixed is if MS start to CARE, (unlikely),make an EFFORT to find the fault/bug and send out a solution in a Windows Update that will fix the problem whilst keeping all of the users software/apps/files/settings etc, (just as the update from Win 8.1 to 10 did)..... until then I fear we are all stuffed!
The cause of this issue may be somewhat complex.
IF Microsoft researched all users with "Start Menu" issues perhaps a common cause or trend would emerge?
As it is, hardware manufacturers provide support for in-warranty users, and out-of-warranty users are left with finding solutions for themselves.
Noted: Many here in this Microsoft community had issues with the "Start menu" much earlier than me.
Backgound for three computers (one affected):
My Dell 2013 XPS 2720 i7 desktop is affected but not my 2014 Dell XPS 18 i5 or 2015 Dell 13 2-in-1 i7 (so far, fingers crossed). All three are under warranty; upgraded from W8.1 to W10; set to auto update; and updated from W8.1 to W10 as soon as feasible so that was some time ago. The desktop has had some issues including blue screens, but all were resolvable with Dell Tech Support assistance until the "Start menu" and "Help button/Cortana" issues arose on 1/5/2016.
ASIDE: I keep a log book for each computer so I can reference details of all issues by date.
My loss of "Start menu" functions and a loop to restart started on 1/5/2016 (desktop only).
I found the BT UK page most helpful for suggested solutions: http://home.bt.com/tech-gadgets/computing/has-your-windows-10-start-menu-stopped-working-here-are-four-ways-to-fix-it-11364000314532
IMPORTANT SUGGESTION: One issue that Microsoft needs to resolve NOW is to bring back error codes.
IF users had error codes, we (and support technicians from other computer companies and service providers) could find help and suggestions on Windows Support.
