Solved: Windows Taskbar, Start Menu, Desktop icons not showing, missing, unresponsive, broken, disappeared

Problem Symptom

Windows users reported that both native and third-party application icons on the Taskbar, Start menu, or Desktop is not showing, missing, unresponsive, become broken, or disappeared. This problem happens on both Windows 10 and Windows 11, not resolved even after OS restart. All the icons from the Taskbar disappear including the icons from the bottom-right corner, date and time, which applications are opened, and access items from their taskbar.

Follow the below solution steps to resolve Windows Taskbar, Start Menu, Desktop icons not showing, missing, unresponsive, broken, disappeared issues.

Content Summary

Potential Causes
Pre-check
Solution 1: Enable the Show desktop icons option using Settings app
Solution 2: Enable the Show Desktop icon option using Registry Editor
Solution 3: Enable Auto arrange icons
Solution 4: Enable Folders in the Start menu
Solution 5: Check Desktop Icons in Theme’s Settings
Solution 6: Uncheck then check again Automatically hide the taskbar option
Solution 7: Uncheck then check again Select the far corner of the taskbar to show the desktop option
Solution 8: Turn off Tablet mode
Solution 9: Change the Display orientation
Solution 10: Restart the Windows Explorer process from Task Manager
Solution 11: Restart the Start Menu Experience Host process from Task Manager
Solution 12: Restart all related Windows components
Solution 13: Clear and rebuild IconsCache database file
Solution 14: Delete icon cache for Taskbar System Tray using Registry Editor
Solution 15: Sign out and sign in again Microsoft account
Solution 16: Use a single monitor or temporary disconnect second monitor
Solution 17: Switch between second display and main display
Solution 18: Set date and time to automatic
Solution 19: Re-register Start menu
Solution 20: Remove and cleanup Iris Service
Solution 21: Uninstall Update for Microsoft Windows (KB5006050)
Solution 22: Uninstall recent Windows Update
Solution 23: Execute SFC scannow and DISM
Solution 24: Update graphics driver with Device Manager
Solution 25: Repair or reset the Windows Store app and all associated components via command
Solution 26: Repair or reset the Windows Store app and all associated components via Settings app
Solution 27: Repair the Windows Store component using PowerShell
Solution 28: Restore Language Pack Removal system restore snapshot
Solution 29: In-place upgrade or clean install
Reference

Potential Causes

• Display Glitch.
• Malfunctioning Iris Service due to bad server-side update deployment to Dev channel, Preview build, and Beta channel members of the Windows Insider program.
• Windows 11 feature update (KB5006050) conflicts with the IntcOED.sys dependency.
• Windows update installation which performs regularly failed to verify the date and time background check against the expected values in your area.
• Corrupted Windows Store app prevents Windows from connecting to Microsoft servers through the integrated UWP store.
• Corrupted file dependencies of the Windows Store.
• System-level glitch that affects the display of your taskbar icons.
• Incomplete Language Pack removal process.
• Corrupted system file.
• Cache-related issue and corrupted temporary files stored in the cache folder.
• Bug in the outdated Windows version.
• Enabled the Tablet mode accidentally.
• Show desktop icons function is disabled.
• Desktop icons are disabled in Theme Settings.
• Corrupted or inaccessible icons cache database file.
• Outdated or malfunctioning graphics drivers.

Pre-check

• Reboot the Windows and check again to confirm whether problem still persist.
• Make sure you have installed the latest Windows update.
• Make sure you have update the graphic card driver to the latest updated version.

Solution 1: Enable the Show desktop icons option using Settings app

Step 1: Right-click on the Desktop.

Step 2: Click on the Show more options.

Step 3: Hover to the View option in the context menu.

Step 4: Make sure the Show desktop icons option is checked. If the Show desktop icons option is currently unchecked, then mark it as checked by clicking over it.

Solution 2: Enable the Show Desktop icon option using Registry Editor

Step 1: Type regedit in the Search box on the taskbar.

Step 2: Select the Registry Editor in the App results, then select Yes if prompted by User Account Control.

Step 3: Locate and select the following registry folder:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

Step 4: Double-click the DWORD key TaskbarSd in the right-hand pane.

Step 5: Change the value from 0 to 1.

Step 6: Click on the OK button to save the change.

Step 7: Restart the Windows.

Solution 3: Enable Auto arrange icons

Step 1: Right-click on the Desktop.

Step 2: Click on the Show more options.

Step 3: Hover to the View option in the context menu.

Step 4: Make sure the Auto arrange icons option is checked. If the Auto arrange icons option is currently unchecked, then mark it as checked by clicking over it.

Solution 4: Enable Folders in the Start menu

Step 1: Press the Window + I key together to open the Settings app.

Step 2: Click the Personalization on the left sidebar.

Step 3: Click on the Start option.

Step 4: Click on the Folders option.

Step 5: Use the toggles to enable all preferred icons in the Start menu.

Step 6: You should see those icons in the Start menu next to the Power button.

Solution 5: Check Desktop Icons in Theme’s Settings

Step 1: Press the Window + I key together to open the Settings app.

Step 2: Click the Personalization on the left sidebar.

Step 3: Click on the Themes option.

Step 4: Click on the Desktop icon settings below the Related settings section.

Step 5: Check the icons you like to show on the desktop.

Step 6: Click on the Apply button and OK button afterward.

Solution 6: Uncheck then check again Automatically hide the taskbar option

Follow the below steps to access the Taskbar Settings, modify the default Taskbar behavior by unchecking, then check again the Automatically hide the taskbar checkbox to effectively re-load/reset the taskbar display and icon currently included inside the Taskbar menu of Windows 11.

Step 1: Right-click on the Taskbar and click on Taskbar settings from the context menu to open the Settings menu.

Step 2: Scroll down and click on the Taskbar behaviors from the menu on the right to expand it.

Step 3: Check the Automatically hide the taskbar checkbox under the Taskbar behaviors section.

Step 4: Close the Settings dialog box and wait for a few seconds until you see the taskbar hiding.

Step 5: Repeat again the steps to uncheck the Automatically hide the taskbar checkbox to bring the taskbar back.

Solution 7: Uncheck then check again Select the far corner of the taskbar to show the desktop option

Step 1: Right-click on the Taskbar and click on Taskbar settings from the context menu to open the Settings menu.

Step 2: Scroll down and click on the Taskbar behaviors from the menu on the right to expand it.

Step 3: Uncheck the Select the far corner of the taskbar to show the desktop checkbox under the Taskbar behaviors section.

Step 4: Close the Settings dialog box and wait for a few seconds until you see the taskbar hiding.

Step 5: Repeat again the steps to check the Select the far corner of the taskbar to show the desktop checkbox.

Solution 8: Turn off Tablet mode

Step 1: Press the Window + I key together to open the Settings app.

Step 2: Click on the System option.

Step 3: Click on the Tablet mode option.

Step 4: Change the When I sign in option setting to Use desktop mode.

Step 5: Select Always ask me before switching under When this device automatically switches tablet mode on or off.

Step 6: Restart the Windows.

Solution 9: Change the Display orientation

Since there is no dedicated Tablet mode included in Windows 11 but there are Tablet mode-related settings called Display orientation you can enable or disable in Windows 11.

Step 1: Press the Window + I key together to open the Settings app.

Step 2: Click the System on the left sidebar.

Step 3: Click on the Display option.

Step 4: Change the Display orientation setting to Portrait mode.

Step 5: Click on the Revert button in the confirmation dialog box.

Solution 10: Restart the Windows Explorer process from Task Manager

Windows Explorer process is responsible for providing a graphical interface for several utilities including the Start menu, Desktop, and Taskbar. If the icons not showing in the Start menu, Taskbar, or Desktop, restarting the Windows Explorer process might help.

Step 1: Press the CTRL + Alt + Delete key combination and click on the Task Manager. Alternatively, you can press the CTRL + Shift + Escape key combination to open Task Manager directly.

Step 2: If the Task Manager interface opens in simple mode, click on the More Details located at the bottom left corner.

Step 3: Click on the Processes tab.

Step 4: Scroll down to locate the Windows Explorer process.

Step 5: Right-click on the Windows Explorer process and click on the Restart option from the context menu.

Step 6: Repeat the step above two to three times.

Solution 11: Restart the Start Menu Experience Host process from Task Manager

Start Menu Experience Host (StartMenuExperienceHost.exe) is a process that handles the Start menu on Windows 11. If the icons disappeared on the Start menu, you can try to restart the Start Menu Experience Host by following the steps below.

Step 1: Press the CTRL + Alt + Delete key combination and click on the Task Manager. Alternatively, you can press the CTRL + Shift + Escape key combination to open Task Manager directly.

Step 2: If the Task Manager interface opens in simple mode, click on the More Details located at the bottom left corner.

Step 3: Click on the Processes tab.

Step 4: Scroll down to locate the StartMenuExperienceHost.exe process.

Step 5: Right-click on the StartMenuExperienceHost.exe process and click on the End task option from the context menu.

Step 6: Click on the End process button to confirm.

Step 7: The Start Menu Experience Host process will start automatically.

Solution 12: Restart all related Windows components

Step 1: Press the CTRL + Alt + Delete key combination and click on the Task Manager. Alternatively, you can press the CTRL + Shift + Escape key combination to open Task Manager directly.

Step 2: If the Task Manager interface opens in simple mode, click on the More Details located at the bottom left corner.

Step 3: Click on the Processes tab.

Step 4: Scroll down to locate the ShellExperienceHost.exe process.

Step 5: Right-click on the ShellExperienceHost.exe process and click on the End task option from the context menu.

Step 6: Click on the End process button to confirm.

Step 7: The Shell Experience Host process will start automatically.

Step 8: Repeat the steps above to end task the following processes as well:

• SearchIndexer.exe
• SearchHost.exe
• RuntimeBroker.exe
• Explorer.exe

Step 9: Click on the File > Run new task option in the menu bar.

Step 10: Type explorer.exe inside the Open text box, and press the Enter key to start the Windows Explorer process.

Solution 13: Clear and rebuild IconsCache database file

Step 1: Press the Windows + R key to open the Run dialogue box with administrative privileges.

Step 2: Type cmd and press the Ctrl + Shift + Enter key combination to open an elevated Command Prompt. If the UAC (User Account Control) prompt, click Yes to grant administrator access.

Step 3: Type in the following commands one by one and press the Enter key after each to execute them:

taskkill /F /IM explorer.exe
cd /d %userprofile%\AppData\Local
attrib -h IconCache.db
del IconCache.dbDEL IconCache*
EXIT
start explorer.exe

Solution 14: Delete icon cache for Taskbar System Tray using Registry Editor

Step 1: Type regedit in the Search box on the taskbar.

Step 2: Select the Registry Editor in the App results, then select Yes if prompted by User Account Control.

Step 3: Locate and select the following registry folder:

HKEY_USER\

Step 4: Double click the registry key with second-last value ending in 1001.

Step 5: Navigate to the path below under the selected value.

Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\TrayNotify

Step 6: Hold down the Ctrl key on your keyboard and select the binary entries mentioned below:

• IconStreams
• PastIconStream

Step 7: Press the Delete key and click on the Yes button to confirm.

Step 8: Close the Registry Editor and Restart the Windows.

Solution 15: Sign out and sign in again Microsoft account

This solution steps will guide you to sign out Microsoft account on Windows 11 in order to force all the opened applications and other sessions belonging to the end.

Step 1: Press the CTRL + Alt + Delete key combination.

Step 2: Click on the Sign out option.

Step 3: Sign in to your account.

Solution 16: Use a single monitor or temporary disconnect second monitor

If you facing this issue while using a dual-monitor setup. Try to disconnect the second monitor for a few minutes, then reconnect it back to see if the issue has been fixed.

Step 1: Disconnect the monitor from the system.

Step 2: Restart the Windows Explorer process from Task Manager. If the Taskbar icons still not restored on your original monitor, then proceed to next step.

Step 3: Restart the Windows.

Step 4: Connect the external monitor again and do not use any OEM utilities or display configurators.

Solution 17: Switch between second display and main display

Step 1: Press the Windows + R key to open the Run command.

Step 2: Type ms-settings:display and click on the OK button to open the Display Settings window.

Step 3: Click to expand the Multiple displays option.

Step 4: Select the secondary monitor from the GUI at the top by clicking on it.

Step 5: Check the Make this my main display checkbox.

Step 6: Click on the Apply button.

Step 7: Close the Display Settings app.

Step 8: Restart the Windows Explorer process from Task Manager

Solution 18: Set date and time to automatic

Step 1: Right-click on the Date and time widget located at the bottom-right of the screen.

Step 2: Select the Adjust time and date option from the context menu.

Step 3: Toggle OFF the Set time automatically option and Set time zone automatically option.

Step 4: Wait a few seconds and toggle both settings to ON again.

Solution 19: Re-register Start menu

The IRIS service in Windows 11 is tied to Microsoft ads, Spotlight, and Microsoft Teams chat in Windows.  This solution steps will cover the operations to open the expert Task Manager interface and create a Command prompt task to remove the Iris Service registry key. After that Windows will notice that Iris Service is missing and then perform reinstall a healthy version.

Step 1: Press the CTRL + Alt + Delete key combination and click on the Task Manager. Alternatively, you can press the CTRL + Shift + Escape key combination to open Task Manager directly.

Step 2: If the Task Manager interface opens in simple mode, click on the More Details located at the bottom left corner.

Step 3: Click on the File > Run new task option in the menu bar.

Step 4: Type PowerShell inside the Open text box, check the  Create this task with administrative privileges checkbox, and press the Enter key to open the elevated CMD prompt.

Step 5: Type the following command and press the Enter key:

Get-appxpackage -all *shellexperience* -packagetype bundle |% {add-appxpackage -register -disabledevelopmentmode ($_.installlocation + “\appxmetadata\appxbundlemanifest.xml”)}

Step 6: Restart the Windows.

Solution 20: Remove and cleanup Iris Service

This solution steps will cover the operations to open the expert Task Manager interface and create a Command prompt task to remove the Iris Service registry key. After that Windows will notice that Iris Service is missing and then perform reinstall a healthy version.

Step 1: Press the CTRL + Alt + Delete key combination and click on the Task Manager. Alternatively, you can press the CTRL + Shift + Escape key combination to open Task Manager directly.

Step 2: If the Task Manager interface opens in simple mode, click on the More Details located at the bottom left corner.

Step 3: Click on the File > Run new task option in the menu bar.

Step 4: Type cmd inside the Open text box, check the  Create this task with administrative privileges checkbox, and press the Enter key to open the elevated CMD prompt.

Step 5: Type the following command and press the Enter key:

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

Step 6: The Windows will reboot automatically after the command is processed successfully to clean up the Iris service.

Solution 21: Uninstall Update for Microsoft Windows (KB5006050)

Step 1: Press the Windows + R key to open the Run command.

Step 2: Type appwiz.cpl and click on the OK button to open the Programs & Features window.

Step 3: Click on the View installed updates link on the left sidebar.

Step 4: Select the Update for Microsoft Windows (KB5006050) entry.

Step 5: Right-click on the file and choose the Uninstall option.

Step 6: Click the Yes button at the confirmation prompt to begin uninstalling the update. The process will take some time to complete.

Step 7: Download the Microsoft’s Show or Hide Updates Troubleshooter for Windows 11 and Windows 10.

Step 8: Double-click to execute the downloaded wushowhide.diagcab file.

Step 9: Click on the Next button to proceed.

Step 10: Check the Apply Repairs Automatically checkbox, then click on the Next button to proceed.

Step 11: The Troubleshooter utility will start to scan the system to figure out which pending updates are not installed yet.

Step 12: Click on the Hide updates option.

Step 13: Check the update you’re targeting and click the Next button to hide it so that it will stop Windows Update from installing it again in future attempts automatically.

Step 14: Reboot the Windows.

Solution 22: Uninstall recent Windows Update

Step 1: Press the Windows + I key to open the Settings app.

Step 2: Click on the Windows Update.

Step 3: Click on the Update history option.

Step 4: Scroll down and click on the Uninstall updates option to display a list of recently installed updates on the system.

Step 5: Sort the list by the date stated in Installed On column. Check the dates and select the latest one.

Step 6: Click on the Uninstall option.

Step 7: Click the Uninstall button again to proceed.

Step 8: Repeat the steps above to uninstall additional recent updates from your system.

Solution 23: Execute SFC scannow and DISM

Step 1: Open the Command Prompt by searching cmd in the search box and clicking Run as Administrator.

Step 2: Type or copy-paste the following command in the command line and press the Enter key:

DISM /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

Step 3: Allow the process to complete. It might appear to be stuck at some point, but don’t interfere.

Step 4: When the process completes, type and press the Enter key.

sfc /scannow

SFC will automatically scan and repair the system files on your PC.

Solution 24: Update graphics driver with Device Manager

Update the graphics card driver to the latest build or reinstall it using Device Manager may solve the error.

Step 1: Go to the Windows desktop and right-click on the This PC.

Step 2: Select the Manage option from the context menu.

Step 3: Click on Device Manager on the left sidebar in Computer Management windows.

Step 4: Expand the Display adapters and right-click on the built-in graphics device.

Step 5: Select the Update driver option from the context menu.

Step 6: Click on the Search automatically for the drivers or Search automatically for updated driver software option.

Step 7: Windows will start to look for a newer version of the driver from the Internet. If available, you will be prompted about the same.

Step 8: If the newer version of the driver found, proceed with the installation.

Step 9: Restart your Windows.

Solution 25: Repair or reset the Windows Store app and all associated components via command

Step 1: Press the Windows + R key to open the Run dialogue box with administrative privileges.

Step 2: Type cmd and press the Ctrl + Shift + Enter key combination to open an elevated Command Prompt. If the UAC (User Account Control) prompt, click Yes to grant administrator access.

Step 3: Type wsreset.exe and press the Enter key to reset the Windows Store together with all dependencies.

Step 4: Restart the Windows.

Solution 26: Repair or reset the Windows Store app and all associated components via Settings app

Step 1: Press the Windows + R key to open the Run dialogue box with administrative privileges.

Step 2: Type ms-settings:appsfeatures and press the Enter key to open the Apps & Features menu in the Settings app. If the UAC (User Account Control) prompt, click Yes to grant administrator access.

Step 3: Scroll down to the list of installed UWP apps and locate the Microsoft Store.

Step 4: Select the Microsoft Store app.

Step 5: Click on the Advanced options link.

Step 6: Click on the Reset button.

Step 7: A new pop-up window will appear for final confirmation, click on the Reset button to confirm the operation to start to clear the cache.

Step 8: Close the Settings app.

Step 9: Restart the Windows.

Solution 27: Repair the Windows Store component using PowerShell

Step 1: Press the Windows + R key to open the Run dialogue box.

Step 2: Type powershell then press the Ctrl + Shift + Enter key combination to open up an elevated PowerShell window. If the UAC (User Account Control) prompt, click Yes to grant administrator access.

Step 3: Type the following command to uninstall Windows Store functionality from your Windows using Powershell:

Get-AppxPackage -allusers *WindowsStore* | Remove-AppxPackage

Step 4: Restart the Windows.

Step 5: Open the elevated PowerShell window again.

Step 6: Type the following command inside the elevated Powershell window and press the Enter key to re-register the Windows Store component.

Get-AppxPackage -allusers *WindowsStore* | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml”}

Step 7: Close the elevated Powershell window and restart the Windows.

Solution 28: Restore Language Pack Removal system restore snapshot

Step 1: Press the Windows + R key to open the Run dialog box.

Step 2: Type rstrui.exe in the Run box and press the Enter key to open the System Restore Wizard.

Step 3: Click on the Next button to proceed.

Step 4: Check the Show more restore points checkbox.

Step 5: Select a restore point from before the error occurred. You should be able to spot a system restore snapshot called Language Pack Removal.

Step 6: Click on the Next button to proceed.

Step 7: Click on the Finish button to start the restoration process.

Step 8: Click the Finish button again and confirm at the final prompt.

Solution 29: In-place upgrade or clean install

Step 1: Start a web browser and visit the Windows 11 download page of Microsoft.

Step 2: Select Windows 11 in the dropdown in the section of Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) and click on the Download button.

Step 3: Wait till the download is complete. Right-click on the downloaded ISO and select the Mount option from the context menu.

Step 4: Open the mounted drive through File Explorer.

Step 5: Right-click on the Setup file (setup.exe) and select the Run as administrator option from the context menu.

Step 6: Follow the prompts on the screen to complete the upgrade process, make sure to select the Keep Files, Apps, and Settings option.

Step 7: Restart your Windows.

Reference

• Microsoft Community > (FIX INCLUDED) No Icons on Task Bar on Windows 11
• Windows Blog > Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22000.176
• Windows Community > Windows 10 pro desktop icons missing