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How to Fix Windows 11 Start Menu Visual Glitch: Step-by-Step Solutions

Windows 11 introduces a fresh and modern Start Menu design that many users enjoy. However, sometimes users experience visual glitches with the Start Menu, such as flickering, missing icons, or an unresponsive interface. These issues can disrupt your workflow and make using your PC frustrating.

Fortunately, most Start Menu visual glitches can be fixed with simple troubleshooting steps. You don’t need to be a tech expert to follow these instructions, as each step is explained clearly and in detail.

This article will guide you through easy and effective solutions to fix the Windows 11 Start Menu visual glitches. By following these steps in order, you can restore smooth functionality to your Start Menu quickly.

Let’s get started with some quick checks before diving into the solutions.

Quick Note: Basic Checks Before Troubleshooting

  • Restart your PC: Sometimes a simple restart clears temporary issues causing glitches.
  • Check for Windows updates: Updates often include bug fixes that solve Start Menu problems.
  • Make sure your system is not overloaded: Close unnecessary apps that might slow down your PC.
  • Verify your user account: Corrupted user profiles can cause Start Menu issues.

Step 1: Restart Windows Explorer

Windows Explorer controls the desktop environment, including the taskbar and Start Menu. Restarting it can fix minor glitches without rebooting your entire system.

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. Scroll down and find Windows Explorer in the list of processes.
  3. Right-click on Windows Explorer and select Restart.
  4. Your taskbar and Start Menu will briefly disappear and then reload.

This step refreshes the graphical interface and often resolves visual glitches quickly.

Step 2: Run the Start Menu Troubleshooter

Microsoft provides a dedicated troubleshooter that can detect and fix common Start Menu problems.

  1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
  2. Go to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
  3. Find Start Menu or Windows Store Apps troubleshooter and click Run.
  4. Follow the prompts to complete the process.

This automated tool scans for system inconsistencies and applies fixes, saving you manual work.

Step 3: Check for Corrupted System Files

Corrupted system files can cause the Start Menu to behave oddly. Running system file checks can repair these files.

  1. Click on the Search icon in the taskbar, type cmd.
  2. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
  3. In the command window, type the following command and press Enter:
sfc /scannow

This command scans for corrupted Windows files and repairs them automatically. Wait until the process finishes before closing the window.

Step 4: Re-register the Start Menu

Sometimes the Start Menu app itself needs to be refreshed by re-registering its components.

  1. Open Windows Terminal or PowerShell as an administrator. To do this, click the search icon, type PowerShell, right-click it, and select Run as administrator.
  2. Copy and paste the following command and press Enter:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)AppXManifest.xml"}

This command re-registers all Windows apps, including the Start Menu, fixing issues caused by corrupted app packages.

Alternative Method: Create a New User Account

If the Start Menu only glitches under your current user profile, creating a new account can help determine if the issue is user-specific.

  1. Open Settings by pressing Windows + I.
  2. Navigate to Accounts > Family & other users.
  3. Click Add account under Other users.
  4. Choose I don’t have this person’s sign-in information, then Add a user without a Microsoft account.
  5. Set a username and password for the new account and finish setup.
  6. Sign out of your current account and sign in to the new one to test the Start Menu.

If the Start Menu works fine on the new account, your original user profile may be corrupted and require repair or reset.

FAQs

Why does my Windows 11 Start Menu flicker or not open?

This can be caused by temporary system glitches, corrupted files, or conflicts with background apps. Restarting Windows Explorer or running system scans usually fixes it.

Is it safe to run the SFC scan?

Yes, the System File Checker (SFC) scan is a built-in Windows tool that checks and repairs system files without harming your data.

Will re-registering the Start Menu delete my files?

No, re-registering only refreshes Windows app packages and does not affect your personal files or installed programs.

What if the Start Menu works in a new user account but not mine?

Your user profile might be corrupted. You can try resetting your account or backing up data and creating a new profile.

Do I need to update Windows 11 to fix Start Menu issues?

Yes, keeping Windows updated ensures you get the latest bug fixes and improvements that often resolve such glitches.

When Nothing Works

If none of the above solutions fix your Start Menu visual glitch, consider the following final options:

  • Reset your PC: Go to Settings > System > Recovery and choose Reset this PC. This reinstalls Windows while giving you options to keep or remove your files.
  • Contact Microsoft Support: Visit the official Microsoft Support website for personalized help and advanced troubleshooting.
  • Restore from a system restore point: If you have system restore enabled, revert your PC to a state before the issue started.

Conclusion

Visual glitches in the Windows 11 Start Menu can be annoying but are usually easy to fix. Starting with simple steps like restarting Windows Explorer and checking for updates often solves the problem. More advanced options like running system scans or re-registering the Start Menu app help repair deeper issues.

By following the step-by-step solutions in this guide, you can restore your Start Menu’s smooth operation without hassle. Remember to back up your data regularly and keep your system updated to prevent future glitches.

If problems persist, don’t hesitate to seek help from official Microsoft resources or consider resetting your PC as a last resort. With these tips, your Windows 11 Start Menu should be back to normal in no time.

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