Windows 10: File Explorer not opening and making taskbar disappear and the screen go black.

Like I said above when I try to open the File explorer it pops up for a second but doesn't fully load in. then the task bar goes away and the screen goes black it comes back with no taskbar and then the taskbar bounces up from the bottom. I need to figure out what is causing this because it is killing my workflow and productivity. Has anyone seen this before? I took a video with the snipping tool I can link if anyone needs.

:)

 

File Explorer Causes Black Screen

Whenever I click on File Explorer, it causes my screen to go black and File Explorer doesn't open, with my curser still working. I have to use ctrl+alt+delete to restart my computer to get out of this issue. If I click on File Explorer while using another app (firefox or Excel for example), I can still use them without any issue, but my home screen and taskbar have gone black, and when I exit the apps, I am back to my original issue.

I have tried:

• Clearing File Explorer History - issue pursists
  
• Launching folder windows in a separate process - my screen doesn't go black when I click on File Explorer but it won't open either
  
• Run netsh and winsock reset - issue persists
  
• Run sfc/scannow - issue persists
  
• Uninstalling recent update - issue persists
  
• Restarting in safe mode - Got a pop up saying "explorer.exe - system warning Unknown hard error" and signing it lead me to the black screen again. Restarting after this did nothing
  

Any more suggestions would be amazing! My computer is working fine other than this issue.

 

Hovering over taskbar makes screen go black

Thank you for the information. We'd like to run the following:

• Run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter.
• Run the app troubleshooter.
• Reset the taskbar (Start menu and Cortana search bar included) using the
  steps below:

• Open Task Manager and look for Windows Explorer in the Processes tab.
  
• Right-click it and select End task for the taskbar to disappear.
• Right-click any installed applications that you'll see in the Processes tab and select the
  Open file location option.
• Click the File tab in the new window that will appear. Select Open Windows Powershell > Open Windows Powershell as administrator > type
  explorer.exe to open taskbar.
  

Also, you can check the following instructions on this link to have additional troubleshooting
steps for the Start menu which can correct any issues with Cortana as well. If the problem disappears, then it's due to a corrupted profile. If not, then run the
driver verifierto check illegal functions of your drivers that may have corrupted
the system.

Keep us posted after performing the troubleshooting steps.

 

window file explorer freezes while black strip comes above the explorer window

Hi Sunny,

Windows Explorer freezes may be due to third-party programs or virus infection. As an initial troubleshooting step, temporarily disable your antivirus programs. After that, replicate the issue if it will freeze. You can enable your antivirus program after
we troubleshoot.

If the issue persists, you can try refreshing/restarting Windows Explorer by following these steps:

• Open Task Manager by typing it in the Cortana search bar, then press Enter.
• Look for Windows Explorer, then right-click it and select End task.
• The taskbar will disappear at the bottom of your screen.
• On the Task Manager, look for any installed application like your browser.
• Right-click it and select the Open file location. A new window will appear.
  
• Click the File tab and select Open Windows Powershell, then select Open Windows Powershell as administrator.
• Type in explorer.exe and press Enter.

It should put the taskbar back at the bottom of your screen. Check if it will freeze again.

Keep us posted after performing the troubleshooting steps.