How to Fix Windows 10 Taskbar Frozen Issue | Top 7 Ways

The taskbar of your Windows 10 device is probably the most used function out of all. So, having it glitch at times when you’re in dire need of it can get very frustrating. After recent Windows updates, users have been complaining of their taskbar freezing up and 0x8000ffff error so often. Useful shortcut keys like Windows+ R and Windows + X don’t seem to work anymore. Now, the Windows 10 taskbar freezing is a pretty common issue. Besides Windows updates, the cause of this error has also been traced back to the usage of applications like Dropbox. Therefore, if you’ve been met with the dreaded Windows 10 taskbar frozen issue, then here are our top 7 solutions to fixing it.

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Employing the use of Powershell for Windows 10 Taskbar Frozen

This is the first and most common solution to the windows taskbar frozen problem. You can employ the usage of the Powershell command to unfreeze your taskbar. This solution will work for you if your Windows + R shortcut works. That being said, commence by

  1. Using the shortcut Windows + R to open up the ‘Run’ box
  2. Now, input ‘PowerShell’ into the ‘Run’ box.
  3. Next, hit ‘Enter.’
  4. Now, copy and paste the following command: ‘Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml”}.
  5. Finally, hit ‘Enter.’
windows 10 taskbar frozen
Windows 10 Taskbar Frozen

Please ensure that you enable Windows Firewall before performing the steps above. If you would like to check whether your firewall is enabled or not, perform the next set of steps. 

  1. Start by opening up your ‘Task Manager’ by using the shortcut Ctrl + Shift + Esc
  2. Click on ‘more details’
  3. Next, select the ‘services’ tab
  4. Now, make sure that ‘MpsSvc’ is running 

If this method hasn’t proved to be fruitful for you, move on to the next step.

Check Also: Windows Live Mail Won’t Open | 7 Ways To Fix

Enabling The User Manager 

If the first solution hasn’t fixed your windows taskbar frozen issue, you can try to enable the user manager. This issue can arise when the user manager has been disabled. Therefore, to re-enable it, start as follows.

  1. Open up the ‘Run’ box by using the Windows + R shortcut.
  2. Now, input ‘services.msc’
  3. Next, double-click the ‘User Manager.’
  4. Next, set the ‘Startup type’ to ‘Automatic.’
  5. Now, select ‘OK’ and restart your device.
windows 10 taskbar frozen issue
Windows 10 Taskbar Frozen Issue

Check to see if your taskbar is working properly. If not, then try out the next solution. 

Disabling The Recently Opened Items

Speeding up your device’s list launch can automatically resolve your Windows 10 taskbar frozen issue. To do so, you can disable all recently opened items. You can perform the next set of steps to disable the newly opened items.

  1. Go into your device’s settings.
  2. Next, go to ‘Personalization.’
  3. Now, click on ‘Start.’
  4. Turn the toggle button titled ‘Show recently opened items in Jump Lists on Start or the taskbar,’ and you are done. 

See also: Fix Windows 10 File Explorer Won’t Open Issue | 5 Working Methods.’

Restart Windows Explorer

Restarting Windows Explorer has worked for several users as well. So, to continue windows, commence as follows. 

  1. Open up your device’s ‘Task Manager.’
  2. Next, click on ‘File’ and then ‘Run new task.’ 
  3. Input ‘explorer’ into the open box, check the box below it, and click on ‘OK.’
restart windows explorer
Restart Windows Explorer

Once done, check to see if the Windows 10 taskbar frozen issue has been fixed. 

Running The System File Checker For Windows 10 Taskbar Frozen

The system file checker is a built-in scanner that comes with all Windows devices. The SFC scans your complete tool for any discrepancies and then proceeds to fix them. Therefore, if any errors persist that restrict you from utilizing your taskbar, you can fix them by running the SFC. To run the SFC, commence as follows.

  1. Open up your task manager. 
  2. Then, click on ‘Start.’ From there, click ‘Run new task.’
  3. Now input ‘cmd’ in the open box. Tick the checkbox below it and finally select ‘OK.’
  4. This will open up your command prompt. Over here, input.  sfc /scannow

dism /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

windows 10 taskbar frozen
Windows 10 Taskbar Frozen

Make sure you hit ‘enter’ after each command

Now the SFC will get to work. Once complete, restart your PC

Check to see if you Windows 10 Taskbar Frozen problem has been fixed. If not, then read on. 

Read more: Fix Error: The Application Was Unable To Start Correctly (0xc000007b)

Uninstalling Applications

Various times, it isn’t the device with issues; rather, it is the applications on them that cause all the trouble. Dropbox and Classic Shell are such applications that have been associated with the Windows 10 taskbar frozen issue. Therefore, it is worth uninstalling these applications and checking to see if your taskbar related problem continues to persist.

Also Check: Fix Google Chrome Won’t Open Issues | Top 4 Working Methods

Signing Out Of The Account Windows 10 Taskbar Frozen

Signing out of the account is the last solution on our list if you’re facing the dreaded Windows 10 taskbar frozen issue. The taskbar can freeze if a user doesn’t log in to their account properly. Therefore, to sign out, perform the following set of steps

  1. Use the shortcut Ctrl” + “Alt” + “Del to open up your device’s account settings
  2.  Next, select the ‘sign out’ option
  3. Confirm all prompts that come up on your screen at this point
  4. Now, you can sign right back into your account by logging in your credentials

Now, check to see if your taskbar is working or not. Most likely, this ought to fix your issue.

Conclusion

So if you ever ask yourself the question, “why my taskbar is froze?” then you’ve now got your answer! The solutions listed here are the most common ones that have worked out for several Windows 10 users. Finally, if your error persists, you can always find other solutions on the web or even visit Microsoft’s website for further assistance. 

See Also: How to Fix the “No Audio Output Device Is Installed” Error on Windows 10

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