The Taskbar is an essential Windows 10 user interface component, providing quick access to frequently used applications and system settings.
However, users may sometimes encounter an unresponsive Taskbar that does not function as expected, causing frustration and hindering productivity.
In this article, we will explore 7 solutions that can help you troubleshoot and fix an unresponsive Taskbar in Windows 10. We will provide step-by-step instructions to help you resolve this issue and restore the functionality of your Taskbar.
Why can’t I press anything on taskbar?
Various factors are causing your Taskbar to be unresponsive. Some of the most common causes include:
- The system is busy: If your system is currently performing a resource-intensive task such as installing updates or running a disk scan, the Taskbar may become temporarily unresponsive
- Corrupted system files: If some critical system files responsible for running the Taskbar become corrupted or damaged, the Taskbar may stop functioning properly.
- Display settings issue: Sometimes, if your display settings are misconfigured, or there is an issue with your graphics driver, the Taskbar may not respond to clicks.
- Third-party software conflict: Certain third-party programs or services may conflict with the Taskbar, causing it to stop working properly.
- Malware infection: In some cases, a malware infection can cause the Taskbar to become unresponsive or stop working altogether.
Now that we know some of the major causes of an unresponsive Taskbar in windows 10 let us explore some effective solutions to fix this problem.
How do I fix unresponsive Taskbar in Windows 10?
1. Uninstall Nvidia graphics driver
- Hold the Windows + X keys simultaneously and select Device Manager.
- In your device manager window, select the graphics card driver, right-click on it, and choose Uninstall device.
- Now verify to see if this step has resolved this problem.
2. Perform a system restore
- Hold the Windows + S keys to bring up the search bar, type create a restore point in the search box, and select the related option.
- In the System Properties window, click the System Protection tab and choose the System Restore option.
- In the System Restore window, choose Next.
- Choose the required restore point and select Next.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to restore your system.
- After completing the system restore process, check whether your Taskbar is working again.
3. Verify your anti-virus software
Antivirus software protects your system against malicious software that can harm your computer, including viruses, Trojans, and spyware. It scans files, emails, and attachments for signs of malicious activity and isolates or removes any detected threats.
However, antivirus software is not foolproof, and it may not always detect all malware or may have its functionality affected by malware. Verifying your antivirus software can help you determine whether it works correctly and whether any malware infections affect its performance.
To verify your antivirus software, ensure it is up-to-date and has the latest virus definitions installed. This will ensure that the software can detect the latest threats and provide optimal protection for your system.
Once you have updated the software, you should perform a full system scan to detect and remove any detected malware. If the scan detects any threats, you should follow the recommended steps to remove them and restart your computer.
After performing the virus scan and removing any detected threats, you should test the functionality of the Taskbar to see if the issue has been resolved.
4. Make use of PowerShell
4.1 Enable Windows Firewall
- Press the Windows + R to open the run dialogue box, type services.msc into the dialogue box and hit Enter.
- From the list of services, locate and double-click on the Windows Defender Firewall option.
- Locate the Startup type option, set it to Manual, and click OK.
- Next, on the top left corner of the Services window, locate the Start this service button to activate the Windows Firewall.
- After this process has been completed, follow the next step below.
4.2 Use the PowerShell
- Locate the path below.
C:WindowsSystem32WindowsPowerShellv1.0powershell.exe - Right-click the powershell.exe file and select Run as administrator.
- Input this command into your Powershell and hit Enter.
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register"$($_.InstallLocation)AppXManifest.xml"}
- Now verify to see if this process has resolved this issue.
5. Update your Operating system
- Hold the Windows + I keys simultaneously to open the Settings app and select Update & Security.
- On the left-hand side of your screen, click Windows Update, and then on the right, choose Check for updates.
- If any updates are available, download and install them on your PC.
6. Restart your file explorer
- Hold the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys to open your Task Manager.
- Look for file explorer in the Process tab, right-click on it, and select Restart from the menu.
- Verify to see if this solution helped fix this problem.
7. Create another account
- Hold the Windows + I keys simultaneously to go to settings and select Accounts.
- From the left side of your screen, select Family & other users, and then choose the Add someone else to this PC option on the right side.
- Select the I don’t have this person’s sign-in information option.
- Next, choose Add a user without a Microsoft account option.
- Enter your preferred username and password, then click Next.
- Finally, log in with your new account and see if the problem has been resolved.
How do I restart the taskbar service?
To restart your Taskbar, follow the steps below.
- Hold the Ctrl + Alt + Del keys and select Task Manager.
- Locate Windows Explorer, click on it, and choose Restart task.
- This process will restart your Windows Explorer.
By following the steps outlined in this article, you can identify and fix the root cause of an unresponsive Taskbar in Windows 10.
Remember that the solutions mentioned in this article have not been arranged in any particular order, so try different solutions until you find one that works for you.
