How to Fix Blender Program icon not showing in the taskbar when running

Mohammad Ahmed 20 Reputation points
2026-09-01T09:28:24.3866667+00:00

I installed Blender from Microsoft Store and opened it to see this problem in the taskbar (The red rectangle refers to the problem) This must be Blender but its icon isn't shown probably in the taskbarUser's image

Although the blender icon is shown well in the [start menu, the most top left icon in the window of blender, and when switching to the program by pressing ALT + TAB] but the only case that the program occur in the taskbar only. Before installing blender from Microsoft Store previously, I installed it from blender.org and it was good [there are no problems appeared]

I am working in Windows 11 25H2 (OS Build: 26200.9278) and this problem also appeared in last versions before I installed the last Preview Update.

Edit: After trying the AI Solution the problem evoloved into this shape
User's image

So if anyone have a solution, I will be grateful for him to share it with me

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Settings
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Answer accepted by question author
SD - IA 178.9K Reputation points Independent Advisor
2026-09-01T10:53:36.47+00:00

Hi,

This is a very common problem with Blender strecthing 10 years back.

method 1:

  1. Right-click the Blender icon on the taskbar.
  2. In the jump list, look for the Blender version with the paper/document icon above “Unpin from taskbar.”
  3. Left-click that Blender version.
  4. A prompt may appear saying that the shortcut has been deleted or moved.
  5. Click Yes on the prompt.

Method 2:

  1. Open the Start menu and find Blender in the list of installed applications. Do not use Windows Explorer, search, or try opening a .blend file elsewhere.
  2. Scroll down the list of applications on the left until you find Blender.
  3. Right-click Blender.
  4. Select More > Pin to taskbar.
  5. The Blender icon should now appear on the taskbar.

I look forward to hearing from you to get the results of the troubleshooting.

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  1. AI answer

    2026-09-01T09:28:41.0733333+00:00

    This usually points to a taskbar/icon cache problem rather than a Blender launch problem, especially since the icon appears correctly in Start, Alt+Tab, and the app window itself.

    Try these steps in order:

    1. Unpin and repin the Blender taskbar icon
      • Right-click the blank Blender icon on the taskbar.
      • Select Unpin from taskbar.
      • Open Blender again.
      • Right-click the running Blender icon and select Pin to taskbar.
    2. Clear the Windows icon cache
      • Save open work first, because Windows Explorer will be restarted.
      • Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
      • In Processes, find Windows Explorer.
      • Right-click it and select End task.
      • In Task Manager, select File > Run new task.
      • Type cmd.exe and create the task with administrative privileges.
      • Run these commands: 
             CD /d %userprofile%\AppData\Local
     DEL IconCache.db /a
      • In Task Manager, select File > Run new task again.
      • Type explorer.exe and press Enter.
    3. Re-register Shell Experience Host
      • Open Windows PowerShell as administrator.
      • Run: 
             Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Where-Object {$_.InstallLocation -like "*ShellExperienceHost*"} | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}
      • Restart Windows.

    Because Blender was installed from Microsoft Store, if the icon issue continues after the steps above, also update Store apps:

    • Open Microsoft Store.
    • Go to Library > Get updates.

    If the taskbar icon is still blank after that, the supported fixes in the available guidance are the icon cache reset and Shell Experience Host re-registration.

    References:

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