bottom right icons not working

Sure, Clement.

If nothing else works then do a Repair Install, by installing Media Creation Tool, open tool and choose to Upgrade Now. This reinstalls Windows while keeping files, programs and most settings in place, is the most stable method to advance to the latest version, and solves most problems.

Tutorial here: https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&...

Keep me posted on your progress as I will be here to help until the case is resolved.

Hi Greg,

Surprised to see your instant response!

The Repair Install mentioned in your reply appears to be a good suggestion to give it a shot, could you please provide further advice for the way to go ahead? This option is new to me.

Thanks.

The only risk with a BIOS update is if you lose power. If you can protect against that then look over the how-to on the download page and also in the download itself there may be a read-me file. You can also contact your PC or motherboard maker's Support to help you with this.

I did not suggest to Reset the PC but to do a Repair Install which keeps your files, apps, and settings all in place which reinstalling Windows in about an hour, fixes most problems. It's a better install than the Reset if WIndows will start.

If you do a Reset be sure to back up your files and choose deep clean Reset saving nothing so it has you set up your account again, since a corrupted account can be the cause of many problems. Did you already do that step in the checklist I gave you? If so and you do a Reset then make sure to choose Cloud Reset so it downloads fresh installation files or it may use corrupted onboard files.

A vastly better install is the Clean Install which is the gold standard, better than any amount of money could buy. Look over this tutorial for an install that has been done by millions without anyone ever coming back with further problems that I have seen: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

Feel free to ask back any questions. Based on detailed results you post back I will have other suggestions if necessary.

______________________________________________

Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

Hi Greg,

Many thanks for your prompt reply and very detailed instructions attempting to sort out the bottom right icons problem issue.

I have spent quite a long time to try majority of those steps suggested in your reply, except the followings:-

a) System Restore. I have not created a restore point before the starting of the stated problems which have occurred in about a year ago after a Window Update. Thus, I believe System Restore to current restore point won't help.

b) Update BIOS/UEFI firmware. I understand that it is quite risky to update BIOS firmware, anything goes wrong during the update process will render my desktop unbootable. As such, I dare not go through this process.

After my trial of running steps suggested in your reply, except the above 2, the icons not working situation persists. The Action Center can still not be able to be opened.

Any other suggestions from you for me to try?

Is Reset PC, which is time consuming and thus to avoid as far as possible, the last resort for me to tackle the problems?

Lastly, I have recently installed a Bluetooth adaptor but failed to pair my desktop up with other devices as there is no display for available devices coming up. I suspect this failure roots from the no-show of Action Center and/or notifications. Can you offer your advice for this as well?

Hi Clement. I'm Greg, 10 years awarded Windows MVP, here to help you.

1. There are fixes for System Tray and Action center here:

https://news.softpedia.com/news/how-to-fix-brok...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtNCYrUFBeU

https://www.lifewire.com/fix-windows-10-action-...

https://www.makeuseof.com/ways-to-fix-windows-1...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdOQzSixQ54

2. If you know when this started, see if you can System Restore to a point before the problem started:

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-use-system-r...

System Restore is your first line of defense and can take you back to a point before a problem began like a time machine. If it doesn't help then you can undo it. Read about it first in the tutorial above and then try restoring to just before this started. If System Restore is not enabled on C drive do that now so it's available in the future.

If the problem repeats or System Restore doesn't work then check which Windows Updates were installed at Settings > Update & Security > Windows Updates > Update History, uninstall them there or System Restore again, then immediately check for and block the Updates with the Hide Updates tool explained here: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/8280-hide-s...

3. Try these fixes for Task Bar:

https://helpdeskgeek.com/help-desk/how-to-fix-w...

https://techpp.com/2021/05/21/windows-10-taskba...

https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/5-steps-fix-windo...

https://techloris.com/fix-windows-10-taskbar-no...

https://www.auslogics.com/en/articles/fix-windo...

4. Re-registering the Start menu can also fix task bar issues:

https://www.kapilarya.com/re-register-start-men...

5. Go over this checklist to make sure the install is set up correctly, optimized for best performance, and any needed repairs get done: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

Start with Step 4 to turn off Startup freeloaders which can conflict and cause issues, then Step 7 to check for infection the most thorough way, then step 10 to check for damaged System Files, and also Step 17 to test a new Local Admin account. Then if necessary continue with the other steps to go over your install most thoroughly.

6. Update your drivers and BIOS/UEFI firmware from PC or motherboard maker's Support Downloads web page, using the full model number, Serial Number or Dell Service Tag on sticker. Compare the latest drivers available for download with the ones presently installed in Device Manager reached by right clicking the Start button. Make sure you have the latest BIOS or UEFI firmware, Chipset, Display (Video), Sound, USB3, Bluetooth, Network and all other drivers, or else download and install the latest now.

Updating drivers from the Device Manager or Windows Update is rarely enough. The most basic thing we need to learn to maintain a PC is keep the latest manufacturer's drivers installed from their Support Downloads web page.

7. If nothing else works then do a Repair Install, by installing Media Creation Tool, open tool and choose to Upgrade Now. This reinstalls Windows while keeping files, programs and most settings in place, is the most stable method to advance to the latest version, and solves most problems. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m...

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask any questions. Based on the results you post back I may have other suggestions if necessary.

______________________________________________

Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.