Windows 8.1 start menu button and charms frozen
So sometimes when I try to click the bottom-left start icon, it suddenly does not work. I hover over it but it doesn't change color nor work at all, but after i restart explorer.exe from task manager it starts working again. This happens randomly, and can happen again in a short while after restarting explorer.exe. I have this same problem on another computer running Windows 8.1 and I have not installed anything extra on that computer yet. I saw someone say disabling OneDrive syncing would solve this problem, but even if I did that it is still occasionally freezing up. This has been pestering me a while now and is a bit problematic since even event viewer doesn't have any information on it.

The problem doesn't seem to be explorer.exe as a whole, since the taskbar works and windows open and close properly. I can also view and use explorer.exe normally (browse files and folders and open programs). However, the charms do not appear and the start button in the bottom-left doesn't work at all, i can't click it to get to the start screen nor right click it to show the menu. In other words it seems to be the start menu freezing, but there's nothing in event viewer that would indicate a problem. Restarting explorer.exe fixes this problem temporarily, but it keeps happening every now and then.
June 7th, 2014 2:41pm

I also experience this problem.  Start button, hot corners, charm bar work ok after a restart, but all stop working after a few days. Start button normally turns blue with mouse over, but stays white during problem. Restart again and they work for a while.  My system is native 8.1 that came when I bought the computer in December 2013.  Problem started occurring sometime in May 2014, not sure just when.  Win+X only way to get start menu.  
Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
June 8th, 2014 7:32pm

Hi,

Firstly, please Use the Windows Troubleshooters:

1. Open the Control Panel and go to the Control Panel\System and Security.

2. Click the Troubleshoot common computer problems link under the Action Center.The Troubleshooting item will be opened.

3. Run the 'System and Security' item.Click the 'System Maintenance' item. The 'System Maintenance' wizard will appear on the screen. Click 'Advanced' and allow it to run as Administrator to increase the chances of the issue being fixed.

If it doesn't help, take a Clean Boot to troubleshoot if there is third-party software or service conflict.

June 9th, 2014 11:56am

Just wanted to comment that I'm having this issue as well, and it just started today.  I installed a Window's update last night, so I suspect that this issue is related to that update.  Hopefully Microsoft will provide a fix for this issue.
Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
June 13th, 2014 5:54am

Same issue here since UPDATE 1 very frustrating. :(
June 13th, 2014 11:41am

Hi,

Have you tried my first reply?

Which Windows Update did you install before you encounter this issue? Any clue in Event view?

Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
June 24th, 2014 12:38pm

Same issue on my PC since Windows 8.

Very frustated about this bug and i don't know why its still not fixed.

In Event view there isn't any Special only this:

From process "C: \ Windows \ System32 \ svchost.exe" (Process ID: 3076) was the policy scheme of "{381b4222-f694-41f0-9685-ff5bb260df2e}" to "{381b4222-f694-41f0-9685-ff5bb260df2e } "reset.

Nothing more.

June 24th, 2014 3:50pm

I've also had this issue for the past few months since I installed Windows 8.1. Very annoying! Fix it asap! I'm running a clean install of windows and it still doesn't work!It has to do something with microsoft. Probably somekindofbug...
Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
August 2nd, 2014 12:23am

I'm having the same problem. The only fix that works is restarted Windows Explorer from the Task Manager. The problem first occurred two days ago and comes and goes seemingly at random. 
August 27th, 2014 7:55am

Anyone who still has the problem, i dont know if this is the fix, but it has worked for me so far. (2 days)
I was having the intermittent start/charms not working.  to fix it, i just ctrl/alt/delete log out and back in.  I decided to look into anything wrong on my metro-dashboard and none of my live-tiles were working.  I clicked on the individually and they would not open.  I clicked on the "go to the store" link in the warning screen.  the app was repaired and reinstalled.  I had to do this with MANY native installed apps.  I never use the metro "board" so i never realized they were corrupt.  The bad apps seem to have a little "x" on the bottom right of the app live-tile.
I believe windows is calling on the tiles for a behind the scenes update on their display info but not recovering when the info is not updated.
TLDR: it looks like its locking up because of failed live tiles. ie: News/Weather/Sports.  I re-installed them and two days so far I have not had the issue
Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
September 1st, 2014 12:03am

Same problem I'm having, unfortunately no one on the internet has solved the issue as far as I know coz i'm searching for months for a solution. FRUSTRATING :(
September 3rd, 2014 7:04pm

There is no solution....It's clearly a OS bug that needs to be fixed by microsoft.
Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
September 7th, 2014 3:50pm

To anyone experiencing this, it is a bug in Win 8.1 which I can replicate at will.

Reinstalling your system as suggested by MS engineers will not fix this.

To force the bug to appear:

1. Grab a desktop Icon (recycle bin, any shortcut) and move this up to the top left hand corner without letting go of the mouse button. Drop shortcut anywhere on desktop. Without an Icon the mouse pointer would initiate the recent apps.

2. To check that the first step has worked, try and invoke charms by moving mouse to top right hand corner.  If Charms do not appear then the bug has been triggered.

3. Now move mouse over start button (no click), move away then back again. Now the start button is locked.  If you unlock the taskbar you can move it to any other position (top, left or right) and the start button works.  Move taskbar back to the bottom and the start button still does not work.  Only way to get it working again is to restart window explorer in task manager.

To avoid this happening all you need to do is disable recent apps corner.

1. Right click desktop.

2. Click Taskbar and Navigation

3. Click Navigation tab in the properties window

4. Uncheck "When I click the upper-left corner, switch between my recent tabs."

Now the bug cannot be triggered as above to make the start button stop working. You have to remove this feature which is pretty hopeless on a desktop anyway.  Its better than restarting Window explorer every time.

I can replicate this on any desktop or laptop, fresh install or old. Not sure about any touch screen machines. I can also trigger this in VMPlayer\Virtual Box and the Modern IE VM images that MS provide.

Now the MS engineers can replicate this on their machines, and maybe if we are lucky they will FIX it!!!!

MS please acknowledge that this is a bug.

Maybe the issue is due to the windows button not being redrawn on the screen once triggered as it still works when taskbar is moved (graphic card drivers). Could not find anything use full in the system logs.

Just noticed also that the charms also breaks if you drag an Icon up to the right hand corner. Once triggered Charms stops working, start button is not affected with the above work around configured.

MS please read this and reply.

  • Proposed as answer by Soohong Lee 16 hours 30 minutes ago
October 27th, 2014 6:07pm

To anyone experiencing this, it is a bug in Win 8.1 which I can replicate at will.

Reinstalling your system as suggested by MS engineers will not fix this.

To force the bug to appear:

1. Grab a desktop Icon (recycle bin, any shortcut) and move this up to the top left hand corner without letting go of the mouse button. Drop shortcut anywhere on desktop. Without an Icon the mouse pointer would initiate the recent apps.

2. To check that the first step has worked, try and invoke charms by moving mouse to top right hand corner.  If Charms do not appear then the bug has been triggered.

3. Now move mouse over start button (no click), move away then back again. Now the start button is locked.  If you unlock the taskbar you can move it to any other position (top, left or right) and the start button works.  Move taskbar back to the bottom and the start button still does not work.  Only way to get it working again is to restart window explorer in task manager.

To avoid this happening all you need to do is disable recent apps corner.

1. Right click desktop.

2. Click Taskbar and Navigation

3. Click Navigation tab in the properties window

4. Uncheck "When I click the upper-left corner, switch between my recent tabs."

Now the bug cannot be triggered as above to make the start button stop working. You have to remove this feature which is pretty hopeless on a desktop anyway.  Its better than restarting Window explorer every time.

I can replicate this on any desktop or laptop, fresh install or old. Not sure about any touch screen machines. I can also trigger this in VMPlayer\Virtual Box and the Modern IE VM images that MS provide.

Now the MS engineers can replicate this on their machines, and maybe if we are lucky they will FIX it!!!!

MS please acknowledge that this is a bug.

Maybe the issue is due to the windows button not being redrawn on the screen once triggered as it still works when taskbar is moved (graphic card drivers). Could not find anything use full in the system logs.

Just noticed also that the charms also breaks if you drag an Icon up to the right hand corner. Once triggered Charms stops working, start button is not affected with the above work around configured.

MS please read this and reply.

  • Proposed as answer by Soohong Lee Sunday, May 17, 2015 2:54 PM
Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
October 27th, 2014 6:07pm

To anyone experiencing this, it is a bug in Win 8.1 which I can replicate at will.

Reinstalling your system as suggested by MS engineers will not fix this.

To force the bug to appear:

1. Grab a desktop Icon (recycle bin, any shortcut) and move this up to the top left hand corner without letting go of the mouse button. Drop shortcut anywhere on desktop. Without an Icon the mouse pointer would initiate the recent apps.

2. To check that the first step has worked, try and invoke charms by moving mouse to top right hand corner.  If Charms do not appear then the bug has been triggered.

3. Now move mouse over start button (no click), move away then back again. Now the start button is locked.  If you unlock the taskbar you can move it to any other position (top, left or right) and the start button works.  Move taskbar back to the bottom and the start button still does not work.  Only way to get it working again is to restart window explorer in task manager.

To avoid this happening all you need to do is disable recent apps corner.

1. Right click desktop.

2. Click Taskbar and Navigation

3. Click Navigation tab in the properties window

4. Uncheck "When I click the upper-left corner, switch between my recent tabs."

Now the bug cannot be triggered as above to make the start button stop working. You have to remove this feature which is pretty hopeless on a desktop anyway.  Its better than restarting Window explorer every time.

I can replicate this on any desktop or laptop, fresh install or old. Not sure about any touch screen machines. I can also trigger this in VMPlayer\Virtual Box and the Modern IE VM images that MS provide.

Now the MS engineers can replicate this on their machines, and maybe if we are lucky they will FIX it!!!!

MS please acknowledge that this is a bug.

Maybe the issue is due to the windows button not being redrawn on the screen once triggered as it still works when taskbar is moved (graphic card drivers). Could not find anything use full in the system logs.

Just noticed also that the charms also breaks if you drag an Icon up to the right hand corner. Once triggered Charms stops working, start button is not affected with the above work around configured.

MS please read this and reply.

October 27th, 2014 9:07pm

Same problem here. I just wish for some update fixing that darn thing. Works with restarting explorer though, so thanks for the tip.
Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
November 28th, 2014 1:06am

It's January 12th and the problem still persists!

Come on Microsoft. Why isn't any work being done on fixing this bug?!

January 12th, 2015 8:09pm

Have had this issue randomly since purchasing the computer a few months ago.

I see there is still no fix posted anywhere.

Just had it happen a few minutes ago and needless to say it's annoying. I doubt they are even attempting to come up with a fix.

Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
January 13th, 2015 7:54pm

Anyone know of an update to this? It happens on all of our windows 8.1 machines and telling my ceo to just reboot or taskkill explorer and reload it is NOT! an answer. 
February 20th, 2015 9:11am

Same issue here.
Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
March 4th, 2015 3:50pm

MS Bug in Windows ...   MS still not admitting or fixing...
NO FIX until /MS fixes this.. TO STOP IT TRY THIS::::

To avoid this happening all you need to disable recent apps corner. 1. Right click TASKBAR and select PROPERTIES 2. Click Taskbar and Navigation 3. Click Navigation tab in the properties window 4. Uncheck "When I click the upper-left corner, switch between my recent tabs."
Now the MS engineers can replicate this on their machines, and maybe if we are lucky they will FIX it!!!! MS please acknowledge that this is a bug.

FJM
March 8th, 2015 4:11pm

Poor answer to a common Bug.  .MS Bug in Windows ...   MS still not admitting or fixing...
NO FIX until /MS fixes this.. TO STOP IT TRY THIS::::

To avoid this happening all you need to disable recent apps corner. 1. Right click TASKBAR and select PROPERTIES 2. Click Taskbar and Navigation 3. Click Navigation tab in the properties window 4. Uncheck "When I click the upper-left corner, switch between my recent tabs."
Now the MS engineers can replicate this on their machines, and maybe if we are lucky they will FIX it!!!! MS please acknowledge that this is a bug.

FJM
Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
March 8th, 2015 4:11pm

As of May 15th, it's still an issue for me.  Interestingly, with a dual monitor setup, the problem is only present on my main screen.  I can still click the start button and bring up the charms on my secondary screen.  I can't on my main screen.

I usually bring up the start menu using the start button, so I generally don't notice.  That is until I open a full screen app.  When in this state, you can't bring up the app menu bar to close or minimize the window.  You have to hit Alt+F4 to close the app.

I'm guessing I'm triggering the crash when I drag icons up to my Recycle Bin which I keep at the top left.  I guess I will see if disabling upper-left corner charms prevents it from happening.


May 15th, 2015 6:06pm

As of May 15th, it's still an issue for me.  Interestingly, with a dual monitor setup, the problem is only present on my main screen.  I can still click the start button and bring up the charms on my secondary screen.  I can't on my main screen.

I usually bring up the start menu using the start button, so I generally don't notice.  That is until I open a full screen app.  When in this state, you can't bring up the app menu bar to close or minimize the window.  You have to hit Alt+F4 to close the app.

I'm guessing I'm triggering the crash when I drag icons up to my Recycle Bin which I keep at the top left.  I guess I will see if disabling upper-left corner charms prevents it from happening.


Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
May 15th, 2015 10:04pm

Hello,

       Obviously, it's a Microsoft bug, since so many people are having the same issues with the start menu and charms freezing up. Hopefully MS has already got something in the works to fix this bug. Today, I did something different. When I boot up my computer I go straight for the Personalize option to change my picture and color but this time I went to my desktop first and less than a minute I went to the start menu and everything worked fine. I'm going to try this every day to see if improves this problem.

May 23rd, 2015 7:42pm

Hi,

    I have done this same procedure 4 days in a row and everything works fine but i don't know if this will help you. When you boot up and go to your desktop, spend a little time doing your virus updates or whatever before you go to the start menu and select a charm, or personalize a picture and color. Then when you go to the start menu to do these procedures see if the charms or personalize your pictures and colors freezes. Ever since I've made this change i have not had any issues. I hope MS fixes this problem because before i went quickly to the start menu to do these changes with no issues.

Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
May 25th, 2015 8:36pm

This topic is archived. No further replies will be accepted.

Other recent topics Other recent topics