How To Fix A Frozen Windows Taskbar?

Sometimes the Windows Taskbar doesn't work as you expect it to. Most often this will happen when your computer locks up. This taskbar is a part of the Windows Interface, and will be displayed by default on all your Windows desktops. It will most likely be located at the bottom of your screen, although some operating system displays feature taskbars on their own separate screens altogether. The main purpose of the Windows Taskbar is to act as a launchpad for various programs, documents and websites. When the taskbar in Windows stops working properly, it can become quite a nuisance.

When the Windows taskbar freezes, every function will cease working. As such, you as the user will be unable to fulfill any commands or shortcuts. It can get extremely frustrating, especially if you are working on a tight schedule.

It is difficult to know the reason why your Windows 10 taskbar randomly freezes. One thing is for sure: it does not mean anything is wrong with your PC, and many users have complained of this same issue since Windows 10 got released.

Luckily, this article will give you a step-by-step guide on how to solve this problem so you can get on with your work!

Simply follow these steps to get started:

Method 1: Restart Windows Explorer

There are 2 ways you can restart Windows Explorer. The first one involved these steps:

1. Click the Ctrl key + Shift key + Esc key to launch Task Manager.
2. When  Task Manager is opened, select the file.
3. Select Run to run a new task.
4. Type “Explorer” in the box.
5. Select box titled: “Create this task with administrative privileges“.
6. Click OK.

Meanwhile, the second method involves the following:

1. Click Ctrl key + Shift key + Esc key to open Task Manager.
2. In the tabs that pop up, search for  Explorer under Processes.
3. Click on Explorer then Restart.

Either route is efficient for restarting your frozen taskbar.

Method 2: Run SC Scan

This method will scan your PC and repair the system files that have been corrupted. Here’s how:

1. Click the Ctrl key + Shift key + Esc key to open Task Manager.
2. Like the first method, click Run New Task.
3. Type “CMD" in the box that is labeled open.
4. Check the box labeled “Create this task with administrative privileges”.
5. Click OK.
6. A command prompt will pop up. Enter the following commands then press Enter after each command:
   sfc / scannow
   dism / Online / Cleanup-image / Restorehealth
7. Restart your PC.

Method 3: Use Powershell Command

1. Click the Ctrl key + Shift key + Esc key to open Task Manager.
2. Click on More details.
3. Select the option labeled Services.
4. Ensure that Windows Firewall is functional.
5. Click Windows + R to open the Run window.
6. Type “powershell” then hit Enter.
   Sometimes, the prompt does not function. If that’s the case,  press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. After that,  click Start, then Run New Task. Type powershell as illustrated above, check the “Create this task with administrative privileges” box, then click OK.
7. Once the Powershell window opens, enter this command:
   Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)AppXManifest.xml”}.
8. Press Enter. Your taskbar should now be unfrozen.

Method 4: Uninstall Applications

Some applications can cause your taskbar to freeze. These applications include Classic Shell and Dropbox. Uninstalling these programs or applications might resolve the issue. Here’s how to proceed:

1. Click Windows icon + R to open the Run window.
2. Type appwiz.cpl then press Enter.
3. Locate the application causing the taskbar to freeze. Look for it in the list of installed applications.
4. Double click on the said application then click Uninstall.
5. Restart your PC. The frozen taskbar issue should be fully resolved now.

Method 5: Enable User Manager

When User Manager is disabled, it may freeze your taskbar. Enabling it may reverse this process. Here’s how:

1. Click Windows Icon + R.
2. In the open box, type in “services.msc"
3. Click OK  to open the Services console.
4. Search the options until you find User Manager. Double click on it.
5. Ensure that startup type says Automatic and the Service is started.
6. Click OK.
7. Restart your PC. Your taskbar should now be unfrozen.

Summary: Fix a frozen Windows Taskbar

• Restart Windows Explorer.
• Perform a system restore point.
• Open Taskbar properties.
• End process for 'explorer.exe' in Task Manager.
• Run the DISM and SFC scans.
• Disable 3rd-party applications from auto-starting with Windows.
• Uninstall recently installed programs.
• Update Windows with the latest patches.

Conclusion

Fortunately, resolving a frozen taskbar is fairly easy as long as you know which caused it in the first place. But in case you have no idea, then you can just follow the steps we mentioned above.