Windows 10: Start menu suddenly won't open at all

Hello, I am running Windows 10 version 2004.

After restarting Windows 10 today my Start menu has suddenly stopped working. Clicking on the Start button or pressing the Windows key on my keyboard does nothing at all. The search menu still works, but is now half its previous height.

I have not installed any software or any patches, this has happened entirely on its own as far as I can tell.

I have tried restarting Explorer, restarting Windows and running Code:

to no avail.

After checking the Event Viewer it is flooded with 2 types of errors:

The first one states:
0x3D00: Cannot create the process for package Microsoft.Windows.StartMenuExperienceHost_10.0.19041.1_neutral_neutral_cw5n1h2txyewy because an error was encountered while checking the user-level package status. The application cannot be started because it is currently updating.

And the second one:
Unable to start a DCOM Server: Microsoft.Windows.StartMenuExperienceHost_10.0.19041.1_neutral_neutral_cw5n1h2txyewy!App as Unavailable/Unavailable.
The error: "2147958016" Happened while starting this command: "C:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.Windows.StartMenuExperienceHost_cw5n1h2txyewy\StartMenuExperienceHo st.exe" -ServerName:App.AppXywbrabmsek0gm3tkwpr5kwzbs55tkqay.mca

Any idea what's going on?

:)

 

Windows 10 Start Menu won't open.

Hi Dougie,

Corrupted system files could be one of the reason why Start Menu is not opening.

As an initial troubleshooting, we suggest following the steps listed in this article:
Troubleshoot problems with the Start menu or Cortana
see if it helps resolve the issue.

Update us with the outcome so we can provide further assistance.

 

Windows 10 Start menu won't open

Hi,

As you are unable to access Windows Start menu on your device. Do not worry we will help you with this issue.

This issue might have occurred due to corrupted/ missing system files on your device.

Do let us know the following to assist you better with this issue:

• Have you made nay changes to the operating system that might have resulted in this issue?
• What is the complete error message/ error code while trying to access Start menu on your device?

I suggest you to refer to the Microsoft help article about Troubleshoot problems opening the Start menu
or Cortana try the troubleshooting steps suggested and check if it helps.

Hope it helps. Get back to us with an updated status of this issue for further assistance. We will be happy to help you.

Thank you.

 

Start Menu opens and closes suddenly

Hi,

Thank you for posting your query on Microsoft Community.

I suggest you to follow the steps provided below to make your start menu work and check if it helps.

• Open the Task manager. Here’s a tip: Press CTRL+Shift+ESC.
• Click File > Run New Task
• Make sure you have a check mark beside “Create this task with administrative privileges”
  
• Type Powershell
• Type the following 2 commands in the Powershell prompt:
  • $manifest = (Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.WindowsStore).InstallLocation + '\AppxManifest.xml' ; Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $manifestand press Enter.
  • Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers |Where-Object {$_.InstallLocation -like "*SystemApps*"}and press Enter.
• Close the Powershell window.
• Reboot.

Hope it helps. Do let us know if your issue is resolved. For any further queries, feel free to contact us.

Thank you.