Windows 11 Taskbar Clock and System Tray Icons Disappeared after update

Question

Windows 11 Taskbar Clock and System Tray Icons Disappeared after update

Katarina Crystal 65

After an update on 17th July 2026, my laptop encountered an issue when I just turned on my laptop

Symptoms:

Clock and date are missing from the taskbar.
Network, volume, and notification icons are also missing.
Only pinned applications remain visible on the taskbar.
Restarting Windows Explorer didn't fix the issue.
SFC and DISM scans didn't resolve the problem.
Using rstrui.exe also didn't fix it

I also want to mention that audio doesn't seem to work. I tried increasing volume from F3 the audio volume is locked at 0 both speaker and Bluetooth volume. I can't screenshot the screen directly because for some reason it refuses to even though it usually works

WhatsApp Image 2026-07-19 at 14.24.39

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Answer 1

DaveM121 933.1K Independent Advisor

This is a widely reported problem where the system tray icons on the taskbar disappear after the June or July updates.

Open the Settings App.

Go to System - Recovery.

Click the 'Reinstall Now' button in the 'Fix problems with Windows Updates' section, then wait for that process to complete, this process will not affect your files, settings or installed apps.

Katarina Crystal 65 Reputation points

2026-07-19T09:35:57.7533333+00:00

Hello, this doesn't seem to help as the issue still persists. Nothing really changed after I try following the steps
DaveM121 933.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-07-19T09:41:12.0033333+00:00

If that process is unavailable or did not resolve the problem, then the only other option is to perform an in-place repair with the Windows 11 ISO.

Please ensure you download the ISO in the same language as you use for the Windows UI, follow the steps, this is then not like re-installing Windows, it is just like an update and your personal files, settings and installed software will not be affected.

Click this link:

https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11

to download the Windows 11 ISO

When the ISO file completes downloading

Disconnect from the Internet

Disconnect all external devices with the exception of a mouse or keyboard.

Temporarily disable any 3rd party Anti-virus you may have installed

Then, in Windows File Explorer, double click the ISO and then run Setup.exe and select the Install option.

Very Important - ensure you select the option to keep your files and apps.
Katarina Crystal 65 Reputation points

2026-07-19T11:18:47.49+00:00

This solution fixed the issue for me, thank you!