Windows 10: Windows 10 screen flickering, explorer.exe not working and critical error on start menu

Hi community,

My HP pavilion laptop has developed some annoying problems. The screen is flickering almost every 5 seconds. The rest of the application are able to open but for the windows explorer which closes when the screen flickers. The start menu also is showing critical error messages when I click on it.


This started when I left the pc connected to WiFi as well as to the power source. But I found the pc had shut down and was showing that the boot system files were missing. I switched it off and on and since then the above actions keep happening.


Kind assist me..

:)

 

Windows 10 Critical error for start menu

Hi Mark,

Sorry for the inconvenience caused to you by Windows 10 Critical error for start menu.

Some customers have reported that adding a new local administrator account has resolved their Critical Error. If that doesn’t work, try removing the original administrator account now that you have a new one created.

Refer: create a local user account in Windows 10

You may also, create a new user account with different Microsoft account and check if it helps.

If you have already logged in with a Microsoft account, I suggest you to covert that Microsoft account into local account. Later login using newly created local account to create a different Microsoft account.

Step 1: To convert the account, you can do the following:

• Sign in to your Microsoft account on Windows 10.
• Click Start and then PC settings.
• Click Users and accounts and under Your Profile click Disconnect on the right of the screen.
• Enter your Microsoft account's password, and click on Next.
• Type in a Username, Password, and Password Hint that you want set for your Local account and click
  Next. Click on Sign out and Finish button.

Step 2: Create new Microsoft account

Refer: Sign in with a Microsoft account

Also, see:

Critical Error – Start menu and Cortana aren’t working. We’ll try to fix it the next time you sign in.

Critical Error – Start menu and Cortana aren’t working. We’ll try to fix it the next time you sign in.

Hope it helps. Get back to us with the update on Critical Error – Start menu. We are happy to help!

 

Flickering Home Screen and No Start Menu

Hi Ben,

This issue could be caused due to some corrupt files or app conflicts. I would suggest you to try these steps and check:

To start, press this key combination: CTRL+SHIFT+ESC

If this opens Task Manager and that window is NOT flickering:

The likely cause is Software Compatibility issue causing Explorer.exe to crash repeatedly.

• Use the File, Run option in Task Manager to open additional tools as-needed. Be sure to check the box to run tools as Administrator. These could include:
  
  appwiz.cpl: Opens Programs and Features
  
  compmgmt.msc: Opens Computer Management
  
  cmd.exe
• You can search for crash events in the Event Logs and find if any third party DLLs are the faulting module in the Explorer,.exe crashes Or uninstall software that is likely to include shell extensions.
  
• If removing software does not resolve the issue, use these commands to repair Windows:
  
  dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
  
  sfc /scannow

We have reports that removing these apps help resolve the issue:

• Norton Antivirus
• Other AV solutions
• iCloud
• IDT Audio (faulting module IDTNC64.cpl)

If Task Manager is flickering, or it didn’t open, proceed with display driver troubleshooting:

The likely cause is a display driver or display hardware issue.

• Boot to Safe Mode with Networking.
• Use the same steps here as for Black Screen issues – if dual chipset, disable built-in graphics, if still flickers, try with only the other chipset enabled.
  
• If this does not work, or there is only a single chipset, uninstall the device and remove the driver software.
  

[*]Then boot into Windows and update the drivers to the latest from the manufacturer.

 

Critical Error message that the Start menu isn't working

Hi Patti,

Welcome to Microsoft Community.

I understand your concerned. Let me help you to fix the issue.

To understand the issue better, please provide us more information.

• 
  What is the complete error message do you received?
  
• When exactly do you get this error message?

Let’s try simple troubleshooting steps and check if this helps in resolving the issue. I would suggest you to go to the below link and try the steps provided by Ravinath P

“Critical Error – Start menu and Cortana aren’t working. We’ll try to fix it the next time you sign in.”

“Critical Error – Start menu and Cortana aren’t working. We’ll try to fix it the next time you sign in.”

If the issue still persist, you can also visit the below link and try the steps.

Troubleshoot problems opening the Start menu or Cortana

Hope this helps. Please let us know the status.