Task bar not working

[IVONNE424]

Hello so i have had an issue with my Hp lately. The task bar does not let me ope the notification center or the windows button. It also does not let me go to the windows desktop the only things i can access are files and app pinned on the task bar other than that I cannot access cortana or change wifi networks

[praveen196]

@IVONNE424 Welcome to HP Community!

I understand that you have an HP Notebook with Win10. I read that the start menu does not appear when you click on the start button. Also, nothing happens when you click on other parts of the toolbar. Not worry, I'll do my best to help you. 

Did any software changes or updates happen on the laptop recently?

Since how long are you facing this issue?

Meanwhile, please perform a Microsoft System Restore to roll back the laptop to an earlier date when everything worked fine. This does not delete your data. 

If the issue persists then let us repair the Windows system files. 

Corrupt Windows system files can slow down the computer and cause other problems. System File Checker (SFC) is a utility in Windows that scans for corrupted system files. If SFC finds a problem, it tries to replace the problem files from a cached version on your computer.

If System File Checker cannot replace the corrupt files, use the Deployment Image Service and Management Tool (DISM). DISM checks the corrupted files, then downloads and replaces the files through Windows Update. Use the following instructions to run System File Checker.

1. In Windows, search for Command Prompt. In the search results, right-click Command Prompt, select Run as administrator, then click Yes.

2. In Command Prompt, type sfc /scannow. Make sure to include the space between sfc and the forward slash /.

Figure : Running System File Checker

• Press Enter, then wait while System File Checker scans for corrupted files.

  When the scan completes, the results display on the screen.

• If the file checker found and replaced any corrupted files, restart the computer, then check the performance.

• If the file checker did not find any corrupted files or found corrupted files but could not replace them, then go to the next step.

• If System File Checker finds corrupted files but cannot replace them, use the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool. DISM checks the corrupted files, then downloads and replaces the files using Windows Update.

  In Windows, open a web browser.

• NOTE: You need to be connected to the Internet to use DISM.

• In Windows, search for Command Prompt. In the search results, right-click Command Prompt, select Run as administrator, then click Yes.

• In Command Prompt, type dism.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth. Make sure to include the space before each forward slash / in the command line.

  Press Enter, then wait while DISM works. This might take several minutes.

Figure : Running DISM

• If DISM finds corrupted files, it replaces them using Windows Update. If this occurs, after DISM is finished, restart your computer and see if the performance has improved.

This should take care of the issue. 

However, you may go ahead and perform a Microsoft Push Button reset if the problem continues. This repairs your computer by reinstalling the operating system. This can be done either while preserving your personal data and customizations, or removing all your personal data.

Keep us posted,

If you would like to thank us for our efforts to help you, 

Give us a virtual high-five by clicking the 'Thumbs Up' icon below, followed by clicking on the "Accept as solution" on this post, 

Have a great day!