How to Fix an Unresponsive Start Menu and Taskbar in Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

Is your Windows 11 Start Menu or Taskbar frozen or unresponsive? Don’t worry—this common issue can often be resolved with a few simple steps. In this guide, we’ll walk you through a quick and effective solution to get your system back to normal. Follow these instructions carefully to fix the problem in no time.

Step 1: Open Task Manager

Press CTRL + ALT + DEL on your keyboard and select Task Manager from the options. This will allow you to manage running processes and troubleshoot the issue.

Step 2: Expand Task Manager

If Task Manager opens in a compact view, click on More details at the bottom to expand it. This will give you access to advanced options and tools.

Step 3: Run a New Task

Navigate to the File menu in the top-left corner of Task Manager and select Run new task. This will open a dialog box where you can execute commands.

Step 4: Open Command Prompt

In the Open field, type cmd and press OK. This will launch the Command Prompt, where you can input specific commands to fix the issue.

Step 5: Enter the Fix Command

Copy and paste the following command into the Command Prompt:

           reg delete HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\IrisService /f && shutdown -r -t 0

This command removes a specific registry entry related to the Start Menu and Taskbar and immediately restarts your computer to apply the changes.

Step 6: Restart Your PC

Press Enter to execute the command. Your PC will automatically restart. Once it reboots, check if the Start Menu and Taskbar are functioning properly.