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What if your Windows Start menu doesnt work? | Fixed

‘The start is what stops most people’
Don Shula

Windows 10 has proved a real boon to PC users: indeed, the OS in question has lots of breathtaking features to offer and is brilliant at performing multiple tasks. And although Windows 10 refuses to run smoothly every now and then, we are not supposed to bear a grudge against it – nobody is perfect, right?

Nevertheless, some of its escapades are hard to forgive: for instance, wonky Windows 10 Start Menu has been causing much tearing of hair lately. Luckily, there is no need to hold it against Microsoft – ‘not working’ Start Menu in Windows 10 is pretty reparable.

Here are our 19 easy-to-perform fixes for the Start Menu Windows 10 critical error:

  1. Restart Your Computer
  2. Restart Windows Explorer
  3. End Local Security Authority Process
  4. Check Windows Search Service
  5. Enter Safe Mode
  6. Run Microsoft Start Menu Troubleshooter
  7. Run Windows Update
  8. Run System File Checker
  9. Relog Into Your Account
  10. Create A New User Account
  11. Switch to Another Administrator Account
  12. Transfer Database Folder to Your Regular Account
  13. Temporarily Disable Your Third-Party Antivirus
  14. Uninstall Dropbox
  15. Fix Your Drivers
  16. Fix Cortana-Related Issues
  17. Reinstall Your Windows Apps
  18. Run a Complete Checkup of Your OS
  19. Reset the PC

First and foremost, make sure all your personal files are properly backed up – a little foresight can prevent a big drama. Make use of an external/USB drive and/or a cloud solution. Besides, a special backup tool, e.g. Auslogics BitReplica, can take care of your important data.

It’s time to wipe the ‘Start Menu not working’ issue off your memory:

1. Restart Your Computer

That is a pretty straightforward procedure: just restart your PC and check whether your Start Menu is back on track.
No luck? Then you are welcome to try out the following fixes – one of them is sure to work out for you.

2. Restart Windows Explorer

Restarting Windows Explorer is reported to be an easy solution to the ‘Start Menu not working’ problem. Why not give it a chance?

Here is what you should do:

Ctrl + Alt + Del -> Task Manager -> Processes -> Windows Explorer -> Right-click on it -> Restart

We hope the frustrating Start Menu Windows 10 critical error has vanished into thin air. Not yet? Do not give up – we have only just begun our journey.

3. End Local Security Authority Process

To fix your ‘not working’ Windows 10 Start Menu, try ending Local Security Authority Process:

Ctrl + Alt + Del -> Task Manager -> Processes -> Local Security Authority Process -> Right-click on it -> End Task

Does the issue persist? Keep working your way down – your triumph is just around the corner.

4. Check Windows Search Service

Your Windows Search Service might be slacking off, thereby causing your Start Menu to misbehave.

Check Windows Search Service straightaway:

  1. Windows logo key + R -> Type services.msc into the run box
  2. Windows Search -> Check whether it is running -> If not, right-click on it
  3. Properties -> General -> Startup type -> Automatic -> Start -> OK

If your Start Menu keeps acting weird after this manoeuvre, move on to the following tip.

5. Enter Safe Mode

Entering Safe Mode is another way to resolve the ‘Critical Error – Start menu not working’ problem:

  1. Press Windows Key + L at startup -> Power button -> Hold Shift and click Restart
  2. Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings -> Restart
  3. F5 -> Safe Mode with Networking.

If your Start Menu is OK now, reboot your PC.

All to no avail? It is time to summon Microsoft Start Menu Troubleshooter to do its job.

6. Run Microsoft Start Menu Troubleshooter

Good old Microsoft knows that the ‘Start Menu not working’ cry for help keeps popping up on troubleshooting websites and blogs. Microsoft Start Menu Troubleshooter has been rolled out to address the drama in question:

  1. Download Microsoft Start Menu Troubleshooter -> Run it
  2. Advanced -> If you do not want repairs to be applied automatically, uncheck this option -> Next -> Examine the problems

No problems identified?

Well, your Windows 10 may need updating.

7. Run Windows Update

It is important to keep your OS up-to-date – and your Windows 10 never fails to remind you of that by acting all weird every time you try to ignore its updates. Your rebellious Start Menu might be a case in point.

Run Windows Update to mollify your Start Menu:

  1. Start -> Settings -> Update & Security -> Check for updates
  2. Let the updates come through – they may bring peace to your PC

No success so far? Then move on to the following tip.

8. Run System File Checker

Missing or corrupt Windows files might cause your Start Menu to malfunction. To check and repair them, run System File Checker (SFC) – this built-in Windows solution can save your day.

To make use of SFC, do the following:

  1. Start -> Enter Command Prompt -> right-click Command Prompt -> select Run as administrator -> Enter DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth -> Enter sfc /scannow
  2. Wait for the system scan to finish -> Reboot your computer

9. Relog Into Your Account

To make the Start Menu Windows 10 critical error leave for good, try relogging into your account.

Here is how to do that:

Ctrl + Alt + Delete -> Sign out -> Type in your password or PIN -> Log in

Does the issue remain unresolved? Then relogging might not be enough.

10. Create A New User Account

If your Start Menu keeps playing up, creating a new user account could provide a way out.

So, it is certainly worth a try:

  1. Ctrl + Alt + Del -> Task Manager -> File -> Run New Task
  2. Type powershell -> Tick Create this task with administrative privileges -> OK
  3. Type net user newusername newpassword /add -> Enter
  4. Restart your PC
  5. Log in to the new user account

11. Switch to Another Administrator Account

To fix the Start Menu Windows 10 critical error, you might need to create another admin account and remove the TileDataLayer directory.

Here is your action plan:

  1. Ctrl + Alt + Del -> Task Manager -> File -> Run New Task
  2. Type cmd -> Check Create this task with administrative privileges -> OK
  3. Type net user /add admin1 password1 -> Enter

In our example, ‘admin1’ is the name of the account with the password ‘password1’. Feel free to choose any names you consider appropriate.

  1. Type net localgroup administrators admin1 /add
  2. Close Command Prompt -> Sign out of your user account -> Log in to the new admin account
  3. Windows Key + R -> Enter %localappdata% -> OK
  4. TileDataLayer folder -> Right-click on it -> Delete
  5. Sign out of the admin account -> Log in to your user account

We hope your Start Menu is running like clockwork now.

12. Transfer Database Folder to Your Regular Account

Here is another trick to perform if you are having trouble with your Windows 10 Start Menu:

  1. First, create 2 admin accounts:
    Ctrl + Alt + Del -> Task Manager -> File -> Run New Task
    Type cmd -> Check Create this task with administrative privileges -> OK
    Type:
    net user /add admin1 password1
    net user /add admin2 password2
    net localgroup administrators admin1 /add
    net localgroup administrators admin2 /add
  2. Close Command Prompt
  3. Log out of your account
  4. Log in to the admin1 account
  5. Reboot your PC
  6. Log in to the admin2 account -> C:Usersadmin1AppDataLocalTileDataLayer ->Database -> Right-click on it -> Copy
  7. If you cannot find it, go to View -> Check Hidden items
  8. C:UsersYour_usernameAppDataLocalTileDataLayer -> Right-click and rename the Database folder to Database.old
  9. Paste the Database folder
  10. Restart your PC
  11. Log in to your regular account
  12. Check your Start Menu

If the issue has been resolved, you may delete the admin accounts.

13. Temporarily Disable Your Third-Party Antivirus

If none of the above fixes has put an end to the ‘Windows 10 Start Menu not working’ nightmare, we recommend you to take a closer look at your third-party antivirus program – it might be the one to blame.

To check whether your antivirus is the main culprit, disable it temporarily. If your Start Menu works properly after that, contact the vendor and report the issue. And there is no need to worry about your PC’s security: the built-in Microsoft Windows Defender can keep malware at bay.

14. Uninstall Dropbox

Most regrettably, Windows 10 Start Menu is said to have something against Dropbox, which means you have nothing to do but wave farewell to this nice hosting solution.

To uninstall Dropbox, follow these steps:

Windows logo key + R -> Type Control -> Enter -> View by: Category -> Uninstall a program -> Dropbox -> Uninstall

15. Fix Your Drivers

Dodgy or outdated drivers are capable of wreaking havoc on your computer: for instance, they can bring about the Start Menu Windows 10 critical error.

So, what if your drivers are a bit over the hill?

It is time to get them in tip-top shape:

Use Device Manager

Make use of Device Manager, which is a built-in Windows utility aimed at managing your drivers.

To run Device manager, go to:

Start -> Control Panel -> Performance and Maintenance -> System -> Hardware tab -> Device Manager

or

Win + X -> Device Manager

Run Driver Verifier

Try using Windows Driver Verifier to find and fix problematic drivers:

Start menu -> Type verifier -> Enter

Troubleshoot Your Drivers Manually

Are you the one who likes to be in control? Then you can fix your drivers by yourself – download and install the latest driver versions for your devices.

Use a Special Solution

Some tools can help you out with your driver chores: for example, Auslogics Driver Updater can fix all your drivers in a fast and simple way.

All things considered, Cortana is a nice person. And yet she might be the reason for your Start Menu acting up.
So, it is time you straightened Cortana out:

Restart Cortana’s Process

First, try restarting Cortana:

Ctrl + Alt + Del -> Task Manager -> Processes -> Cortana -> Right-click on it -> End Task (The process will restart automatically)

How is your Start Menu doing? If its behaviour still leaves a lot to be desired, move on to the next Cortana-related tweak.

Hide Cortana From Taskbar

Maybe all Cortana is after is a bit of privacy.

Try hiding it temporarily from your Taskbar:

  1. Right click on your Taskbar -> Cortana -> Hidden
  2. Right click on your Taskbar -> Cortana -> Show search icon

Has this trick resolved the issue?
If it hasn’t, the time has come to take a more decisive step.

Reinstall Cortana

To reinstall Cortana, follow these instructions:

  1. Ctrl + Alt + Del -> Task Manager -> File -> Run New Task
  2. Type powershell -> Tick Create this task with administrative privileges -> OK
  3. Paste Get-AppXPackage -Name Microsoft.Windows.Cortana | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml”} -> Enter

We hope your Start Menu is OK now.

17. Reinstall Your Windows Apps

Reinstalling the Windows apps may fix your wonky Start Menu.

Here is how to perform the trick:

  1. Ctrl + Alt + Del -> Task Manager -> File -> Run New Task
  2. Type powershell -> Tick Create this task with administrative privileges -> OK
  3. Paste Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml”}>/li>
  4. Wait for the process to complete
  5. Restart your computer

18. Run a Complete Checkup of Your OS

If your system keeps having issues with its Start Menu after so much poking and prodding, it definitely needs a complete checkup.  You can examine the most sensitive areas of your Windows 10 and perform all the necessary tweaks manually orhave it fixed and boosted by a special tool, e.g. Auslogics BoostSpeed.

 

How to fix Start menu in Win10

19. Reset the PC

If all the above methods have fallen short, resetting your computer seems to be the only way to end the ‘Start Menu isn’t working in Windows 10’ agony. This manoeuvre allows you to keep your personal files, but you’ll need to reinstall your non-Windows apps.

To reset your PC, do the following:

  1. Restart your PC -> Login Screen -> Power ->Hold down Shift -> Restart
  2. Choose an option -> Troubleshoot -> Reset this PC -> Keep my files
  3. Follow the instructions

We hope you have made it up with your Start Menu.

Do you have any ideas or questions regarding this issue?

We are looking forward to your comments!