How to Fix Windows 11 Start Menu Not Opening Issues

The Windows 11 Start Menu is in an all-new build, unlike any Start Menus in the older versions. However, with user experience, it is found that the Start menu is very prone to breaking. At times, the Start menu becomes unresponsive, freezes out of nowhere, or stops. Along with that, there were instances when all the taskbar icons disappeared temporarily. All of these circumstances have troubled a lot of users. However, there isn’t anything to worry about as it is nothing but a small glitch.

Fixes for the Windows 11 Start Menu Not Opening Issue

The Windows 11 Start menu not opening issue can arise due to multiple reasons, including Windows 11 Memory leak, improperly installed KB5004300 Windows Update and many more. However, above the reasons, there are several potential fixes available for the same. To know more about them, have a look down below:

FIX 1: Restart your computer

The simplest troubleshooter for Windows 11 Start menu not opening issue is ‘Restart.’ All you need to do is restart your computer and then check whether Windows 11 Start Menu opens or not. For doing so, follow the steps given below:

Firstly, on your keyboard, press Ctrl + Alt + Delete
Now from the bottom right corner of the screen, click on the Power icon and then select the option
Lastly, check for improvements

FIX 2: Reset your Computer

If restarting your computer does not help, then consider resetting your computer. For doing so, follow the steps given below:

Note: Before you begin, make sure you create a backup for all your personal data.

First, press Windows + I together, and it will launch the Settings App on your monitor screen.
Now inside the Settings window, select the option System (from the left-pane menu) and then click on Recovery (from the right-pane menu).
On the next screen, click on Reset this PC and then click over the Reset PC tab associated with the same.
Let the process complete on its own. Until you see the prompt to log in to Windows, avoid interrupting the process.
Lastly, check for improvements

FIX 3: Relaunch Windows Explorer

Windows Explorer is one of the crucial components that can control several subcomponents, including the Start menu and Taskbar. As per a few suffered users, while they relaunched Windows Explorer, the Windows 11 Start menu not opening issue got resolved for them. You can also try the same and check whether it works for you or not. For doing so, follow the steps given below:

Firstly, on your keyboard, press Ctrl + Alt + Delete
Now from the list of options, select Task Manager.
Further, inside the Task Manager window, scroll through the list of Processes.
Here locate and select the option Windows Explorer.
Further, at the end of the screen, click on the Restart tab.
Once done, check for improvement.

FIX 4: Sign in with the local administrator

Consider signing in with the local administrator access and check if it helps you in resolving the Windows 11 Start menu not opening an issue or not. For doing so, follow the steps given below:

First, press Windows + I together, and it will launch the Settings App on your monitor screen.
Now inside the Settings window, select the option Accounts (from the left-pane menu).
Now on the right-pane menu, click on Your Info, and further, under the Related Settings section, click on Manage my accounts.
Further, select Sign in with a local account instead, and once you complete the process, check for improvements.

FIX 5: Install the latest Windows update

With the latest Windows update, a lot of existing errors and issues are automatically resolved. Thus, here too, we can consider the same and install the latest Windows update. For doing so, follow the steps given below:

First, press Windows + I together, and it will launch the Settings App on your monitor screen.
Now inside the Settings window, select the option Windows Update (from the left-pane menu).
Now on the right-pane menu, click on Check for Updates and let it process on its own.
Once the entire process of updating is done, check for improvements.

FIX 6: Rollback to an earlier build of Windows 10

If none of the above-mentioned fixes worked for you, then, at last, consider rolling back to an earlier build of Windows 10. It will undo any recent changes that may have been interrupted with Windows 11 Start menu.

However, keep in mind that you cannot go back to Windows 10 if you have been using Windows 11 for more than 10 days.

For rolling back to an earlier build of Windows 10, follow the steps given below:

Firstly, press Windows + I all together, and it will launch the Settings App on your monitor screen.
Now inside the Settings window, select the option Windows Update (from the left-pane menu).
Now on the right-pane menu, click on Advanced options and then select the option Recovery.
Further, click on the Go Back tab.
Follow the on-screen instructions and answer your reason to switch back to the older version.
Once done with all that, click on Go back to the earlier build tab, and you are done.
Lastly, check for improvements.

These were the top 6 tried, tested, and proven fixes for the Windows 11 Start menu not opening issue. Along with that, we also recommend you uninstall the KB5004300 Windows Update (if you have installed it in the first place).

However, if that too doesn’t prove of any help, at last, wait for Windows 11 to release an official solution. If you have any queries or feedback, please write down the comment in the below comment box.