HP Laptop , taskbar items will not work.

[andirae76]

Opened my HP Laptop today, the following functions will not work:

 - windows key

 - taskbar search bar

 - Network and internet settings will not open, click etc in task bar

 - cannot open CMD prompt (cannot type in search bar etc)

 - have an alert for windows security in the taskbar but cannot click it (click it and it just does nothing)

 - nothing in task bar taking up ram or CPU 

 - have attempted reboot already does not resolve

 - cannot get into any settings of any kind to check status of keyboard drivers etc.

if I lock my screen i can access the wifi to connect but nothing on the task bar will open

[Raj_05]

Hi @andirae76,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

It sounds like your HP laptop is experiencing some critical issues with the taskbar and system functions. Here are a few steps you can try to troubleshoot and hopefully resolve the issue.

Restart in Safe Mode: Boot your laptop into Safe Mode to see if the issue persists. Safe Mode starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and services. This can help determine if the problem is related to third-party software or drivers.

• To enter Safe Mode, restart your laptop and repeatedly press the F8 key (or another key depending on your laptop model) before Windows logo appears. Choose "Safe Mode" from the options.

System Restore: If you recently installed any software or updates that might have caused the issue, performing a System Restore can revert your system to a previous working state.

• Type "System Restore" in the taskbar search (if possible from Safe Mode) and follow the wizard to choose a restore point from before the issue started.

Check for Windows Updates: Sometimes, updates can fix bugs that cause issues like this. Ensure your Windows is up to date by going to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.

Run System File Checker (SFC): SFC is a built-in Windows utility that scans and repairs corrupted system files.

• Open Command Prompt as an administrator (you might need to use Safe Mode Command Prompt) and type sfc /scannow. Let it complete the scan and repair process.

Check for Malware: Run a full system scan with your antivirus software to rule out malware or viruses that could be causing the problem.

Check Keyboard and Input Settings: If the issue seems related to keyboard inputs not registering correctly, you may need to check the keyboard settings in Control Panel (if accessible).

Create a New User Account: Sometimes, user profile corruption can cause such issues. Create a new user account from Safe Mode and see if the problem persists when logged into the new account.

If none of these steps resolve the issue, it might be a deeper system problem that requires professional diagnosis or Windows repair tools

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

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Alden4

HP Support