The new Start menu on Windows 11 is one of the main features of the new OS. It is centered, unlike the previous versions, and some users find this better. However, since the OS is new, there have been glitches that disrupt users, like clicking on Start doesn’t do anything, and some users have also complained about the Start menu not appearing at all. However, fortunately with every update, Microsoft is trying to resolve these issues, but if for some reason this doesn’t work out for you, you can easily try these fixes. This tutorial will show you how to fix a broken Windows 11 Start Menu.

Fix Broken Windows 11 Start Menu

You can try different things and see which one works out for you. There are some simple fixes and some a little advanced. Try out these and let us know which one works out for you:

Restart Explorer

Open Task Manager using shortcut keys Ctrl + Shift + Esc.Locate Windows Explorer in the Processes tab.Right-click on it and select Restart.

Safe Mode

Step-1: Open Task Manager using shortcut keys Ctrl + Shift + Esc.

Step-2: Select File from the top left corner and click on Run new task.

Step-3: Type msconfig and press Enter.

Step-4: Select the Boot tab.

Step-5: Click on Safe Boot under the Boot options. All the greyed-out areas will become available for selection when you click on the option.

Step-6: Keep the Minimal selection. Press Apply and then select OK.

Step-7: If you have BitLocker enabled, you will see the following message. Press Yes. Then provide the Recovery password.

If BitLocker isn’t enabled, you will have to click on Restartand be directed to Safe Mode.

Step-8: If you can see the Start Menu in Safe mode, follow steps 1 – 5. Uncheck Safe boot and Restart the system.

Shut Down

Close all your apps.Press Alt + F4.Choose Shut down from the drop-down menu and press OK.Login to your system again and see if this fixes the issue.

Fix Broken Windows 11 Start Menu By Changing Taskbar Settings

Step-1: Press the Win + I keys on your keyboard to open the Settings app.

Step-2: Select Personalization from the left pane.

Step-3: Scroll down in the right pane and select Taskbar.

Step-4: Scroll down and click on Taskbar behaviors to expand the option.

Step-5: Uncheck the Automatically hide the taskbar option.

SFC and DISM

System component errors can be resolved by using SFC and DISM tools.

Open Task Manager using shortcut keys Ctrl + Shift + Esc.Click on File and select Run new task.Type cmd and check the Create this task with administrative privileges and press Enter.

Type the following command and press Enter:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

After the check is complete (it will take a considerable amount of time), type the following command and press Enter:

SFC /scannow

Restart your system.

Restore Default Start Menu

If you have been using the system for a while, the chances are that you made changes to settings, uninstalled apps, installed new apps, etc. This results in changes to the default Start menu. If you face issues with the Start Menu, restoring it to what it was initially can resolve any issues.

Step-1: Open Task Manager using shortcut keys Ctrl + Shift + Esc.

Step-2: Click on File and select Run new task.

Step-3: Type Powershell, check to Create this task with administrative privileges, and press Enter.

Step-4: Type the following command press Enter:

Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}

Start Menu Experience Host

Open Task Manager using shortcut keys Ctrl + Shift + Esc.Click on theDetails tab.Scroll down and locate StartMenuExperienceHost.exeRight-click on this option and select the End process tree.

Wait a few seconds, and then Restart your system.

Search Index

Step-1: Press shortcut keys Win + I to open the Settings app.

Step-2: Select Privacy & Security from the left pane.

Step-3: Scroll down in the right pane and select Searching Windows.

Step-4: Scroll down to the very bottom and select Advanced indexing options.

Step-5: Click on Advanced.

Step-6: Select Rebuild.

This process will take a while, depending on how much data is on your system. Once the process is complete, Restart your system.

Local Account

Creating a new local account can sometimes help resolve the Start menu issues.

Open Settings app using shortcut keys Win + I.Select Accounts from the left pane.

Select Family & other users from the right pane.

Click on Add account button next to Add other user.

Select I don’t have this person’s sign-in information.

Click on Add a user without a Microsoft Account.

Enter username and password and then click on Next.

Once the account is set up, use the shortcut keys Win + L to switch accounts. Sign in and see if the Start menu is working in this local account.

Third-party Apps

When Windows 11 was introduced, not many people favored the new Start Menu and Taskbar. Many users installed third-party apps to get the classic Start menu back. Sometimes, these apps can problems, and it is best to uninstall them.

Use Win + R to open the Run box.Type appwiz.cpl and press Enter.Right-click on the third-party app you wish to remove and select Uninstall/Change.When a UAC prompt shows up, select Yes.

Windows Updates

If the Start menu was working perfectly and it started causing issues after a recent update, this update may be causing issues. You can uninstall this update, and hopefully, this will resolve the issue.

Open Settings app using shortcut keys Win + I.Select Windows Update from the left pane.Click on Update history in the right pane.

Scroll down and under Related settings, click on Uninstall updates.

Right-click on the latest update and select Uninstall.

Fix Broken Windows 11 Start Menu By Resetting System

If nothing else is working, you should try resetting the OS.

Step-1: Open Settings app using shortcut keys Win + I.

Step-2: Make sure you are in the System section (from the left pane) and select the Recovery option in the right pane.

Step-3: Click on the Reset PC button next to Reset this PC.

Step-4: A blue screen will appear, and you will have two options. The Keep my files option will remove apps and settings but will not remove your files. The second Remove everything option will completely reset the system.

Step-5: Another blue screen will appear that will ask you, ‘How would you like to reinstall Windows?’. Once again, you will get two options. Choose the option relevant to you and follow the on-screen instructions to reset.

I hope this helps you fix a broken Windows 11 Start menu quickly. Let us know in the comments below.