Windows 10 Start Menu Not Opening or working : 8 Solutions to Try
Is your Windows 10 Start menu not working, Start menu not responding or opening very slow where you are unable to select items from Start Menu? Here How to fix the Windows 10 Start menu if it's frozen.

The Start Menu is an essential feature of Windows 10 and serves as the central hub for accessing all applications, settings, and files on a computer. However sometimes you may notice, the Start Menu freezes up and is unresponsive, and other times it won’t open at all when you click the Start Menu button. Users often report issues such as the Start menu not opening or working, not responding to clicks, or opening very slowly after a Windows update. This issue can occur due to a variety of reasons, Corrupted system files, User profile corruption, Third-party software conflicts or a known glitch in Windows 10 causing the Start menu to freeze. Whatever the reason, Use the following tips to fix and get the Start menu working quickly for you again.
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Windows 10 Start Menu Not Opening
The Start Menu is a complex feature that relies on multiple components and services to function properly. If for some reason or a temp glitch, one of these components fails, the Start Menu may stop working entirely.
- The Start Menu freezes and becomes unresponsive.
- It does not respond to clicks or keyboard shortcuts.
- The menu opens but is extremely slow.
- The search bar within the Start Menu stops functioning.
These issues can arise due to several underlying causes, some common ones include:
- Corrupted system files: Key Windows files may be damaged or missing, disrupting the Start Menu’s operations.
- Faulty updates: Recent updates may have introduced bugs that interfere with the Start Menu’s functionality.
- Third-party conflicts: Applications or antivirus software might interfere with the Start Menu by blocking or altering essential processes.
- User profile corruption: The problem might be tied to a specific user account, causing localized issues.
- Service issues: Essential Windows services that support the Start Menu may have stopped running or encountered errors.
Restart Windows Explorer
Windows Explorer manages the desktop, taskbar, and Start Menu. Restarting it clears temporary glitches reloads the desktop environment, including the Start Menu, and often resolves issues caused by minor system hiccups.
- Press
Ctrl + Shift + Esc
to open the Task Manager. - Under the Processes tab, locate Windows Explorer.
- Right-click on it and select Restart.
- The screen may flicker briefly as the desktop refreshes. Once completed, test the Start Menu.
Restart ShellExperienceHost
The ShellExperienceHost is a critical component that manages the Start Menu and other interface elements. Restarting it can resolve interface glitches.
- Press
Ctrl + Shift + Esc
to open the Task Manager. - Go to the Details tab.
- Locate
ShellExperienceHost.exe
. - Right-click it and choose End Task.
- Windows will automatically restart this process. Test the Start Menu to see if the issue is resolved.
Restart Your Computer
While basic, restarting your computer can fix many temporary system issues. When you restart Windows, it clears temporary files, resets background processes, and applies any pending updates or changes that may be affecting the Start Menu.
- Click the Power icon on the login screen or press
Ctrl + Alt + Del
to access restart options. - Select Restart.
- After the system reboots, check if the Start Menu works.
Check for Corrupted System Files
System corruption can disrupt Start Menu functionality, Run SFC and DISM tools to check for and replace them with the correct ones. The System File Checker (SFC) scans for and repairs corrupted or missing Windows files, while the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool ensures the integrity of the system image.
- Press
Win + X
and select Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin). - Type the command sfc /scannow and press enter key, to scan and check for corrupted system files and repair them automatically.
- In addition, run DISM restore health command, DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
- Restart your PC after the process completes 100% and check if this help restore start menu functionality.
Re-registering Start Menu applications ensures that all associated components are properly configured. This step is particularly helpful if the Start Menu issue stems from a broken or improperly registered app package.
Press Win + X
and select Windows PowerShell (Admin).
On PowerShell windows Type the following command and press Enter:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml”}
Wait until the app download and installation process completes ignore any red text that appears — and restart Windows. After that restart Windows and check Windows 10 Start menu working properly.
Check Windows Services
Certain services, like the Application Identity service, are critical for the Start Menu to function. Ensuring these services are running can resolve Start Menu issues caused by service interruptions.
- Press
Win + R
, typeservices.msc
, and press Enter. - Locate Application Identity in the list.
- Right-click it and select Restart or Start (if it’s not running).
- Restart your PC and test the Start Menu working as expected.
Create a new user account
Again sometimes corrupted user profiles also cause Windows apps to struggle or not respond. Create a new user account following the steps below, log in with the newly created user account profile and check Windows apps and start menu working properly or not.
A new profile ensures default settings and applications, which may resolve user-specific glitches affecting the Start Menu.
- Press
Win + I
to open Settings. - Navigate to Accounts > Family & other users.
- Click Add someone else to this PC.
- Follow the prompts to create a new local account.
- Log in with the new account and check if the Start Menu works
Now log off from the current user account and log into the new user account. The Start menu should now work, so you can change the new local account to a Microsoft account, and transfer your files and settings.
Update or Roll Back Windows Updates
Faulty updates can cause Start Menu issues. Installing pending updates or rolling back recent ones may resolve the problem. Updates often contain bug fixes and performance improvements, while rolling back removes problematic updates.
Steps to Check for Updates:
- Open Settings with
Win + I
. - Go to Update & Security > Windows Update.
- Click Check for updates and install any available updates.
- Restart your PC.
Steps to Uninstall Recent Updates:
- Open Settings and navigate to Update & Security > Windows Update > Update history.
- Click Uninstall updates.
- Select the problematic update and click Uninstall.
- Restart your PC and check the Start Menu.
Perform System Restore
If all else fails, a System Restore can revert your system to a previous state when the Start Menu was functioning. This process undoes recent changes, including faulty updates or software installations.
- Press
Win + R
, typerstrui
, and press Enter. - Select a restore point created before the Start Menu issue began.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
- Restart your PC and test the Start Menu.
Note: If you’re not seeing any restore points, it might be because system protection isn’t turned on. To check, go to the Control Panel, search for Recovery, and then select Recovery > Configure System Restore > Configure and make sure Turn on system protection is selected.
Did these solutions help fix Windows 10 Start menu problems? Let us know in the comments below.