Windows 10: Windows start menu does not open

I am experiencing issue with Windows 10, that windows menu does not open on windows click nor on the Win key. Unlike of the older similar thread however, everything else works, including right-mouse button, pinned applications, etc - only start menu does not open. On first attempt it stays highlighted as clicked, but does not open and on further attempts it does not react at all. Now some points:

• System is Asus CH7 board, Ryzen 2700x and Asus AMD RX-580. The only other connected peripheral is USB Hub and Steinberg UR22 USB soundcard
• Before, I had Gigabyte Gaming 7 board and Gigabyte Gaming RX580 video card having the same issue
• Windows explorer restart solves it
• Killing "Windows Shell Experience Host" process solves it as well (from 99%)
• Happens randomly, but more likely after sleep or longer inactivity, even without sleep - not when actively working with the PC
• I went through the other forum with "Start menu does not work", tried the obvious like sfc scan, dism, reinstall MS Store apps via the Get-AppXPackage command, tried to modify the WPnUserService registry value to 4, also I have tried to mess with the Cortana search.
• I have also tried to reinstall Windows several times and the issue is always showing up quite soon after install, even before most of apps I use are installed.
• Also, I have 2 users registered on the PC, mine and my wife and the issue affects both. Also any new user and no matter if local user or Microsoft account.
• All drivers and patches are and were actual, now I have older Radeon drivers which are included with the most recent Asus Chipset drivers (18.50) because ACDSee does not work with newer drivers, but the start menu issue is still the same.

I have suspicion on the AMD drivers themselves, but doubt it as I would not be alone if so and i have not seen the same issues over the internet - The start menu does not work quite often, however usually, there are different symptoms, like right mouse button not working as well, Windows explorer restart not working, etc.

Also, what I experience is, that sometimes when I launch settings, I get blue window with the wheel, but that's it - it stays so and does not show the content. But when I close it and launch again, it works. (see attached). This is also why I have suspicion to the display drivers - besides of it it feels like it has difficulties to display the menu.

And also, the "Shell Experience Host" is sometimes quite large in memory and yes, I did all the tricks to troubleshoot this one, like to switch off the wallpaper etc, but no difference.

Please excuse longer text augmented with my nasty English, but I was trying to describe the issue and steps taken.

Josef.

:)

 

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.

 

Start menu and settings both wont open.

Hello Robert,

As per the description of the issue, you are unable to open both Windows Settings and Start menu. For us to resolve this issue, we suggest that you perform troubleshooting. Here's an

article that you can go to. In here, you'll see solutions to resolve Start menu issues.

To resolve Windows Settings issue, kindly follow the steps listed below:

• Boot into Safe Mode.
• Open a command prompt windows.
• Type sfc/scannow, and then hit Enter.
• Once it's finished, restart the computer to check if the issue still persists.

If the issue still persists after doing the steps above, kindly refer to this
link for further troubleshooting.

Let us know if the resolution provided works.

 

Start Menu Search

Hi,

About your issue regarding the Start menu or Search, in order for us to assist you better. Please answer the question:

• Were there any recent changes made to your system prior to the issue?

In the meantime, we suggest you to check this link:
Troubleshoot problems opening the Start menu or Cortana. It contains troubleshooting steps prior to the issue.

We'll look forward to your response.