Start Button not Working Windows 11 [Fixed in 9 Ways]

Why start key is not working in Windows 11?

"I just updated to Windows 11 today and the Start menu hasn't been successfully opened. I've tried to open it with a touchscreen, mouse, physical keyboard, and touch keyboard but none of them worked. By the way, when I tap or click on it (not push the keyboard), it will act like it is opened (the icon will be marked) but I've never seen the pop-up. I'm hoping that some of you have ideas on how to fix this issue or what it could be. Thanks."

Start menu crashes on Windows have affected numerous users, making pinpointing the exact cause a difficult task. Many users attribute the problem to an update error or point the finger at corrupted system files.

The numerous complaints and discussions on the forums about the Start button malfunction allowed us to identify several potential culprits for this error:

✦ System files are damaged

✦ Outdated drivers linger on your computer

✦ Failure in Windows Explorer

✦ Corruption in critical system services

The good news is that there are a range of solutions to address these issues. If your Windows Start menu is acting up for any of the reasons mentioned above, don’t worry – a solution is waiting for you. Explore the full list of fixes below:

How to fix start button not working Windows 11?

Fix 1. Restart Windows Explorer using Task Manager

Windows Explorer acts as a gateway to navigate and access files on your computer. Its critical role extends to managing the taskbar, start menu, and various system functions. So, when faced with the tricky issue of Windows 11 Start Menu refusing to open or not working, a simple remedy is to restart Windows Explorer.

Performing the following steps may resolve the issue:

Step 1. Press "Ctrl + Alt + Del" on your keyboard and select Task Manager.

Step 2. If you only see the currently active application, click "More Details" at the bottom of Task Manager to display an expanded view.

Step 3. Browse through the process list and find the Windows Explorer service. Right-click on the service and select the "Restart" option.

Fix 2. Restart your PC

If restarting Windows Explorer doesn't work and the Windows 11 Start button continues to not work properly, another method is to restart the device. Given that the Start menu is frozen, the traditional restart method requires a workaround.

Follow these steps to initiate a reboot from the desktop screen:

Step 1. Press "Windows + D" to navigate to the desktop screen.

Step 2. Then, press "Alt + F4" on your keyboard, and the "Shut down Windows" screen will appear.

Step 3. In this screen, click the drop-down menu, select "Restart", and click "OK" to confirm.

Fix 3. Check for any system update

If the Windows 11 Start menu stubbornly refuses to cooperate, turning to Windows Update may be the solution. Sometimes, this problem stems from random bugs or outdated software in your Windows system. Routine updates from Microsoft can usually resolve these issues.

Follow these steps to take advantage of Windows updates:

Step 1. Press "Windows + I” to open Settings.

Step 2. Navigate to the left panel and select "Windows Update".

Step 3. Click the "Check for Updates" button to start searching for available updates for your computer.

Fix 4. Run DISM and SFC

DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) and SFC (System File Checker) stand out as potent tools for identifying and rectifying compromised Windows installations.

To employ these tools effectively, follow the steps below:

Step 1. Press "Win+R" to unveil the RUN dialog box, type “cmd”, and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter simultaneously (avoiding the typical Enter key) to open an elevated Command Prompt.

Step 2. In the Command Prompt, input the following code and press "Enter":

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Step 3. Upon completion of the DISM process, maintain the open Command Prompt window to proceed with the SFC command. Paste the subsequent code in the Command Prompt and press Enter:

sfc /scannow

Step 4. After the SFC process concludes, restart your computer to assess whether the Windows 11 Start Menu malfunction has been successfully addressed.

Fix 5. Sign in with local administrator account

To determine the availability of the Start menu in your Windows 11 installation, you can perform a check by logging into your local administrator account. In this order:

Step 1. Press "Windows + I" on your keyboard to access Settings. Click "Account" in the left panel.

Step 2. Select "Family and other users".

Step 3. Click "Add Account" under Other Users.

Step 4. On the subsequent screen, select "I don't have login information for this person".

Step 5. Additionally, click “Add users without Microsoft accounts”.

Step 6. Provide a username for the new account and set a password if desired. Then, click “Next”. A new user account will be created.

Step 7. Log out of your current account and log in with the newly created account to evaluate whether the Start menu is functioning as expected.

Fix 6. Run Windows in safe mode

If the Start Menu issue persists, it's worth checking if it functions correctly in Safe Mode. In some cases, third-party applications may disrupt the normal operation of the Start Menu. Consider the following steps to troubleshoot:

Step 1. Press "Windows + I" on your keyboard to open Settings.

Step 2. Navigate to System -> Recovery. Under Advanced Startup, click on "Restart Now".

Step 3. Your PC will reboot to the recovery screen. Click on Advanced options -> Troubleshoot -> Advanced options -> Startup Settings.

Step 4. Press "F4" to initiate the startup of your PC in Safe Mode.

Fix 7. Run a malware and antivirus scan

If the problem persists and you suspect malware or a rogue service affecting the Start menu, running a malware scan through Windows Defender may be a possible solution. Please follow these steps to perform a thorough scan:

Step 1. Press "Windows + I" on your keyboard to open Settings.

Step 2. In the Settings window, select Privacy & Security -> Windows Security.

Step 3. Click on the Virus & Threat Protection option.

Step 4. Under scan options, select Full Scan to ensure comprehensive malware detection and removal. Then, click Scan Now.

Fix 8. Reset your PC

If the ongoing issue of "Windows 11 Start menu not working" is caused by a defective installation or upgrade, resetting your Windows 11 PC may be a corrective measure. In this order:

Step 1. Press "Windows + I" to access Settings.

Step 2. Navigate to System -> Recovery. Click "Reset PC" under-recovery options.

Step 3. Select "Keep my files". And follow the instructions to finish the resetting process.

Fix 9. Re-install Windows from scratch

If all other troubleshooting methods fail, a clean install of Windows 11 may be the final solution. Please note the following steps:

Step 1. Start your computer from the Windows 11 installation disc, or download and boot from the Windows 11 ISO file.

Step 2. Enter your language and other preferences and click "Next". In the subsequent screen, click "Install Now".

Step 3. You will be prompted to activate Windows. Enter your product key, or click "I don't have a product key" if you are reinstalling Windows.

Step 4. Select the operating system you want to install and click Next. Accept the license terms and click "Next".

Step 5. Select "Custom: Install Windows Only (Advanced)".

Step 6. Select the drive where you want to install Windows and click "Next". Let the installation process unfold.

Best cloning software to protect your data safe

If you've had to resort to a clean installation to resolve the "Start Menu not working on Windows 11" issue, creating a file backup is crucial, as this method entails the deletion of all data and installed applications on the computer (excluding pre-installed applications).

Consider using AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional, a reliable disk cloning utility, to facilitate the cloning process. Follow the steps below to learn how to clone your hard drive in Windows 11 using AOMEI software:

Step 1. Install and launch AOMEI Partition Assistant, click "Clone" in the main interface and select "Clone Disk".

Step 2. Choose the hard disk that you need to clone as the source disk and click "Next".

Step 3. Select the destination disk to store the data on the source disk, and then click "Next".

Step 4. Then, you can check the source and destination disk in the next window or change to “Sector to Sector clone”, and click the "Confirm" button to continue if there is no problem.

Here, you can also click the "Settings" button to adjust the partition size on the destination disk or tick "4k alignment" to improve the reading and writing speed of SSD if the target disk is an SSD drive.

Step 5. At last, click "Apply" and "Proceed" in the main interface to start cloning the hard drive.

Conclusion 

After reading this article, the solution to the “Windows 11 Start Menu not working” problem should now be at hand. However, prioritizing data and system security is critical. In a post-release environment of Windows 11, issues may occasionally occur, such as a black screen after an update.

By integrating AOMEI Partition Assistant into your computer management toolkit, you can enhance your system and prevent potential data loss or system crashes. Windows Server 2003, 2008 (R2), 2012 (R2), 2016, 2019, 2022, and SBS 2003, 2008, 2011 users can choose the Server Edition to secure computers as well.