How do I Fix the Unresponsive Taskbar in Windows 10?

Fix the Unresponsive Taskbar in Windows 10

Undoubtedly, Windows 10 Taskbar is the core element of our day to day interactions with our computer. What if it stops responding? This guide gives you the various methods to fix the unresponsive taskbar in Windows 10 system. So, whenever your taskbar stops working, apply one of these discussed methods. There are different reasons why your taskbar freezes or doesn't respond in general. However, there are fix methods available to deal with the unresponsive behavior of the taskbar. 

Windows 10 taskbar not working is one of the frequent issues that occur with your system or you encounter while using your Windows computer. But when it occurs, you will note that your taskbar just stops responding to your actions. So, whenever you are experiencing such an issue and you want to fix the unresponsive taskbar in Windows 10 on your machine, then here are some possible ways to get you out. 

Methods to fix the unresponsive taskbar in Windows 10

1. Restart Windows Explorer Using Task Manager 

Task Manager is the native OS programs that kill the unresponsive programs on your computer. Moreover, you can use it to kill and restart Windows Explorer also.

• Firstly, press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys simultaneously to open Task Manager.
• Here, click on More details if you don’t find the processes.
• Under the Processes tab at the top, check out all your running programs.
• Search for the Find the process option that says Windows Explorer, right-click on it, and select the Restart option.
• This will restart the Explorer and your taskbar will then work.

2. Restart Windows Explorer Using Command Prompt

Another method to fix the unresponsive taskbar in Windows 10 is to relaunch Windows Explorer using Command Prompt utility on your PC.

• Using Cortana search, search for Command Prompt.
• Type and enter the following command: taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
• You will see that everything on your screen is gone. Now, enter the given command to bring it all back to the screen: explorer.exe

3. Re-register The Taskbar

Certain times, your Taskbar gets deregistered from your system and so it becomes unresponsive too. In that case, you can re-register the utility using PowerShell which will restore the Taskbar functionality and you can start working with your Windows 10 again. Using PowerShell, you are required to run a command and you are all set to go.

• Initially, search for Windows PowerShell by pressing the Windows key. As you find it, launch it over the screen.
• Now, enter the following command into the PowerShell window and then press Enter: Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)AppXManifest.xml”}
• Exit from the PowerShell window.
• Do make sure that your computer is showing the hidden files. Thereafter, move to the following path using the File Explorer: C:\Users\<your-username>\AppData\Local\
• Search for the folder named TileDataLayer, right-click on it, and then select Delete.

4. Stop Specific Apps From Launching At Startup

Another possible reason why your Windows 10 taskbar is not working is that there are a few apps that launch during the start of your computer. Eventually, they start to interfere with the taskbar functionality. So, if you think this is the reason for the unresponsive behavior of the taskbar, you can go ahead with the following listed steps. These steps will basically disable the apps from being launched at the startup of your computer.

• Open the Settings app with the help of Cortana search.
• Click on the "Apps to manage your app settings" option.
• Next, select Startup from the left sidebar and check the list of apps that open at startup.
• At the right-hand side pane, you will notice a list of apps that are enabled and runs at the booting of your computer. So, if you think that a certain app is resisting the taskbar functionality, then you can turn its toggle to the OFF position to disable the app.

This might help you to fix the unresponsive taskbar in Windows 10.

5. Rollback The Recent Windows Update

The only purpose for any Windows update is to fix existing system bugs and provide you with new features. However, few of those updates interrupt the functionality of existing features including the taskbar on your computer. Considering that situation, rolling back the latest update is a good way to fix the unresponsive taskbar in Windows 10.

• Launch the Settings app and click on the "Update & Security" option to check the updates.
• Now, click on Recovery on the left sidebar menu.
• Here, select the Get started button under the Go back to the previous version of the Windows 10 section. Further, you can follow the on-screen instructions to finish the task.

Apply these specific methods to fix the unresponsive taskbar in Windows 10 and get your taskbar to work again.