Windows 10: News and Interests Widget blank on taskbar

I searched for this issue beforehand, but while others have had related issues, they did not seem to be quite the same. Also, the recommended fixes failed.My News and Interests Widget is blank, but only on the taskbar. It no longer shows any icon OR information, such at the temperature or AQI. I have checked all the settings and they appear correct. Setting to "Show Icon and Text" vs "Show Icon Only" changes the length of the widget as expected when mousing over it, it does highlight in a brighter color. The popup from the widget appears to load normally, as it is showing all the default new

:)

 

KB5000626 Windows 10 Insider Preview Dev Build 21301.1010 Feb. 1 Insider

Windows 10’s taskbar is getting a big update with new weather and news widget - The Verge
To disable the taskbar news widget, use these steps:

• Right-click the taskbar on Windows 10.
• Select the News and interests menu and choose the Hidden option. Disable taskbar News and Interests.
• (Optional) Select the Show icon only option if you want to keep the widget using less space in the taskbar.

I don't know if it works


It works

 

KB5000626 Windows 10 Insider Preview Dev Build 21301.1010 Feb. 1 Insider

Hi there

After a reboot it's gone --

Thanks !!!

Cheers
jimbo

 

Does News and Interests widget require MS News and Weather apps?

I have a laptop that doesn't have the Microsoft News or Weather app preinstalled. After installing some Windows updates, I saw that I had the "News and interests" option in the task bar. I have it turned on but the widget hasn't shown up. Turning it off then on again didn't help. Does that widget require the MS News and Weather apps in order to function?

On another PC, I have no issues with that widget appearing but that one has had the News and Weather apps installed before the widget was released.