'Taskbar not working' Issue

The 'Taskbar not working' issue is an accessibility problem with a fundamental Windows UI component that impedes program shortcuts and features like the system clock. A variety of glitches can cause this issue in different versions of Windows, most of which aren't severe. Users can change their settings, repair affected components and restart services for regaining access to the taskbar.

When the Bar Everyone Depends on Vanishes

As much as most Windows users depend on the operating system's taskbar – the gray bar on the bottom screen that displays shortcuts and other accessibility features – it's not the end-all, be-all of the OS. However, those finding themselves without it should resolve the error sooner rather than later on since its absence hinders many basic and expected program-accessing features. The 'Taskbar not working' issue may occur in different scenarios, including buggy Windows updates and various software conflicts, which users can correct in multiple ways.

The 'Taskbar not working' issue can be due to the taskbar remaining 'hidden' and not responding to mouse movement or keyboard commands. Users can resolve this glitch by forcing a restart of the entire Windows File Explorer. Open the Task Manager, scroll to Windows processes and select the 'Windows Explorer' entry. Right-click it and choose 'Restart,' which should re-create the taskbar with its normal behavior.

If the taskbar remains unavailable or unresponsive, users also may check a related service, Application Identity. Open the Services application (by typing 'services.msc' in the Windows Run dialogue window, if necessary), right-click the Application Identity entry and choose 'Start.'

All users also should install updates for Windows as promptly as possible. Out-of-date drivers and other software can cause sometimes-unpredictable errors, including UI problems like the 'Taskbar not working' issue.

More Intensive Solutions for a Bugged User Interface

The above solutions should be adequate for most users with a 'Taskbar not working' issue. Persistent taskbar problems may require repairing Windows system files, which is possible in various ways. Both the SFC (System File Checker) and DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) features include file-repairing for crucial system components and launches from the Command Prompt. These services require time to complete and may require administrator account privileges.

Restore Points are a potentially-more-invasive solution that 'rolls back' the entire PC, including files unrelated to the problem, to the date of the save point's creation. They require a previously-established point from the user.

Users with no other recovery options can also use the PowerShell tool to re-register Cortana and the ShellExperienceHos manually, which handles some graphical UI elements. The relevant command is as follows:

• Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.Windows.ShellExperienceHost | foreach {Add-AppxPackage -register “$($_.InstallLocation)appxmanifest.xml” -DisableDevelopmentMode}

However, most users can resolve the 'Taskbar not working' issue without a need to resort to DISM, Restore Points and similarly-drastic solutions.

Like a missing limb, a missing taskbar can leave Windows users at a loss as to how they should interact with their OS. On the bright side, Windows includes numerous keyboard shortcuts and alternatives for software access, which all users could benefit from understanding.