Can't access my start button

[JessieB31]

I have the HP Laptop Model 17-ca1031dx. I bought it in 2020. I'm not sure what happened but I can no longer access my "Start" button, it also won't let me search in anything at the bottom of my screen.

I've been trying to access my Microsoft Office programs but it's not letting me access those either. What do I do? 
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[erico]

Did you mean to say Windows icon instead of  "Start" button?

You may need to consider some recovery options, since it sounds like your Windows 11 OS may be a bit broken.

Having access to Microsoft Office programs is another issue and you may just have to reinstall those if access does not return after recovery.

These are your options inside the OS itself

If I were you I would start by using the options that would allow you to keep your programs and data.

Back up your important data to an external device ( USB flash thumbdrive or external disk) before you try anything.

Kindly keep me in the loop and take notes and report what you have tried, here in your thread.

As a la 

[JessieB31]

Yes, I meant the "Windows Icon" instead of "Start". What are the recovery options? 

Regarding Microsoft Office programs, I have  reinstalled them quite a few times and it still does not work. I put in the codes and everything to renew it but it doesn't do anything. 

I've actually lost everything that I had on my computer so I have nothing to backup or anything.  What are some other options for me to fix this? I've already tried pressing the power button to restart the system and pressing 'ctrl +shift+esc" and tried restarting Windows Explorer but that didn't work either. 

Thank you for your help!

[erico]

Do you not see the image in my last post?

From off, press the power button and immediately tap the F1 key.

That will invoke the System Information dialogue. Copy  the serial number, the product number (SKU). You will need those for the creation of an HP Cloud Recovery USB flash drive. Once that is done, you can press enter to continue to boot and then shut down your notebook.

Perform an HP Cloud Recovery by booting to the newly created flash drive.

The HP support Portal for your notebook

https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/hp-17-ca1000-laptop-pc/26210380/model/33386466

Maintenance & Service guide
https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/hp-17-ca1000-laptop-pc/26210380/model/33386466

Drivers & Software portal
https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/hp-17-ca1000-laptop-pc/26210380/model/33386466

HP Cloud recovery information (you will need a USB flash drive of up to 32GB capacity)
https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/ish_4511095-4511141-16