Windows 10: Windows 10 1803: Cortana not working and unable to type in the start menu

I am running Windows 10 version 1803 on a Surface Pro 4. Suddenly, Cortana stopped working and I am unable to type via the start menu. I tried re-registering cortana via powershell, rebuilding the index file, checking if Cortana runs under another users profile, and made sure all windows updates were installed and the surface firmware and drivers were all up to date. Any suggestions on how to fix this?

:)

 

Unable to access Start menu and Cortana in Windows 10

Hello Kevin,

As you are unable to access Start menu and Cortana on your device we will help you with this issue.

Do let us know if you are able to see any error message/ error code while trying to access Start menu and Cortana?

This issue might have occurred due to missing/ corrupted system files on your device. Try the below troubleshooting steps and check if it helps.

Step 1: I suggest you to run SFC scan and check if it helps.

System File Checker is a utility in Windows that allows users to scan for corruptions in Windows system files and restore corrupted files. If a
Windows Resource Protection (WRP) file is missing or is corrupted, Windows may not behave as expected.

• Press Windows + R keys, to open
  Run command.
• Type cmd and hit Enter to open
  Command Prompt.
• Type the command "sfc /scannow" without the quotes
  and hit Enter.
• After the scan, restart the computer and check for the issue.

Step 2: Also, I suggest you to install all the pending updates on Windows 10.

• Connect to the internet.
• Press Windows key and type
  updates.
• Click on Check for updates.
• Under Windows Updates, click on
  Check for updates.
• Try to install the updates being shown.

Hope it helps. Kindly update the status of this issue, we will be happy to help you further.

Thank you.

 

Start menu is not working on Windows 10

Hi,

Iunderstand the frustration if things are not working fine as expected.

Please help us with below details,

• • • • • 
          When you say "If I sign in under my user name I am in some earlier version", which version you are referring to?
          
        • 
          Did you made any recent changes to your computer prior to the issue?
          
        • 
          When you say “I cannot access the start menu and am limited to IP as a browser” Is it refers to Microsoft Edge?
          

As an initial steps, I suggest you to check for the Windows version. To do so, follow the below steps:

1) Login to your computer through user name on which it show earlier version of Windows.

2) Press Windows key + r.

3) Type winver, hit enter.

For the issue related to start menu, I suggest you to refer to the below Microsoft help article and check,

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us...ubleshoot-problems-opening-start-menu-cortana

Reply with results and necessary information to help you further.

Thank you.

 

Start menu and Cortana is not working in Windows 10

Hi,

Welcome to Microsoft Community and thank you for your interest in Windows 10.

• 
  What are the steps you have followed to reset your PC?
  
• 
  Do you get any error code or error message?
  

I would suggest you to refer to the following Microsoft help article to resolve issues with start menu and cortana. Refer to the below link:

Get help with the Windows 10 Start menu:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/get-help-windows-start-menu

I hope this information helps.

Please do let us know if you need any further assistance.

Thank you