My Windows 11 Start Button is no longer working.

Hi, Klauwaart

Welcome to the Microsoft Community.

In addition to the many things you've already tried, you can try the following suggestions to see if they can help you eliminate or troubleshoot the problem:

1. Uninstall the update: If you have recently installed Windows Update and are experiencing problems, here is how to uninstall the update to try to resolve the issue:

• Select Settings > Windows Update > Update History > Uninstall Updates.
• In the list that appears, find the update you want to remove and select "Uninstall". Note: Some updates cannot be uninstalled.

2. Restore the system: Use System restore to make restore points when you install a new app, driver, or Windows update, and when you create a restore point manually. Restoring won’t affect your personal files, but it will remove apps, drivers, and updates installed after the restore point was made.
3. create a new local account: Create a new account to see if the problem of unresponsive start menu clicks still occurs.

If there is anything not clear, please do not hesitate to let me know.

Best Regards

Martin | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Thank you very much for replying, Martin.

However, the solutions you mention are impossible for me unless you know certain shortcuts.

The problem is, my problem is not only restricted to the start button not working, the Windows key combinations don't work either (some still did yesterday), but Windows +I, Windows+R etc. do not work, nor can I type in the search bar.

If you have any other ways of getting to Settings etc., please let me know.

Thank you for your help so far.

Hi, Klauwaart

I'm really sorry, I really realize the importance of the start menu when you say that, a lot of approaches need to revolve around it.

For the uninstalling of updates mentioned in method 1, you can right click on the start menu and select Display settings, which also opens the settings screen, and then follow the steps.

For the restore operation mentioned in method 2, you can also open the settings via Display settings.

• Select System > Recovery > Advanced startup > Restart now
• Select Troubleshooting > Advanced options > System restore

It should now operate smoothly, if you have any questions, feel free to let me know.

Best Regards

Martin | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Hi, Klauwaart

I'm really sorry, I really realize the importance of the start menu when you say that, a lot of approaches need to revolve around it.

For the uninstalling of updates mentioned in method 1, you can right click on the start menu and select Display settings, which also opens the settings screen, and then follow the steps.

For the restore operation mentioned in method 2, you can also open the settings via Display settings.

• Select System > Recovery > Advanced startup > Restart now
• Select Troubleshooting > Advanced options > System restore

It should now operate smoothly, if you have any questions, feel free to let me know.

Best Regards

Martin | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Thank you Martin.

However, the solutions you mention are impossible for me unless you know certain shortcuts to access functions of the start menu.

The problem is I have no access to the start button to make it display and work, the Windows key combinations don't work either, Windows +I, Windows+R etc. nor can I type in the search bar. My shortcut bar also is missing and IMG files don't display when clicked on. I can't update windows because I can not access the settings to do anything. Is there a work around the Start button through file manager or something?

If you have any other ways of getting to Settings etc., please let me know.

Hi

I faced the same problem a few days ago. I have two accounts that work fine on my laptop, but when I created a third account I had a problem with Start button. I had tried different solutions but nothing helped. In the end, I found a recommendation in Community to remove/rename C:\Users{Problem account}\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows folder using a different account, so the system can re-create it properly. I tried it, Start menu problem is gone, but I had an error with opening files like jpg.

My solution was to delete C:\Users{Problem account}\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Shell folder using a different account. Now everything works fine.