Microsoft Surface Taskbar Empty

Question

My Microsoft Surface Pro updated a few weeks ago, and ever since then my taskbar has been empty. No start menu, search bar, icons, or anything. I can even get to my settings without having to type it on my keyboard. I have tried everything suggested when I searched on Google -- several of the answers coming directly from Microsoft. Please help. I'm basically desperate at this point. I've hardly had this computer for a single year.

Answer 1

Hi ErinEmery1,

Thank you for reaching Microsoft Community and I'm sorry for the issues that you are having on the Taskbar of your Surface Pro 7 after an update.

Is the device running on Windows 11 already or still in Windows 10?

Please try running these steps first on your Surface Pro 7 then see if the issue persist:

1: Run Surface Diagnostic Toolkit

See: Fix common Surface problems using the Surface Diagnostic Toolkit (microsoft.com)

2: Check for Windows Update

Go to Windows Settings > Update & Security and select Check for updates

Make sure all updates need are installed including Optional updates

3: Update drivers and firmware

Check what is the current OS Build of your Windows version by going to Settings > System > About. 

Go to Download driver and firmware for Surface, choose Surface Pro

Then click the link next to Surface Pro 7 then click Download on the next page.

Choose the .msi file that matches your current OS Build and click Next.

After downloading, run and install the .msi then Restart. 

4: Run System File Checker Tool

See: Using System File Checker in Windows (microsoft.com)

Kind regards,

Marrion

Answer 2

Hi ErinEmery1,

We have noticed that you haven’t replied to our first response yet. We would like to know if you still need some assistance on the concern raised. If yes, please reply back for us to further assist you.

Hope to hear from you.

Kind regards,

Marrion

Answer 3

Hi Marrion,

Sorry, I didn't receive a notification for the first response. I have completed the steps you listed above and it didn't change anything. What else do you recommend?

Answer 4

Hi ErinEmery1,

Thank you for the response and I'm sorry to hear that the issue persist.

Please try doing a right-click or press and hold (for 2seconds) on the Taskbar if a pop-up comes up. If yes, select Search then select Show search box. See if the Search box appears on the Taskbar.

Is your Surface Pro 7 running on Windows 10 or Windows 11?

Try going to Windows Settings > Personalization then Taskbar. Make sure Taskbar items are enabled.

If still the issue persist, please open Command Prompt (Run as administrator) then type and enter this command below:

taskkill /f /im explorer.exe && start explorer.exe

Hope this helps.

Kind regards,

Marrion

Answer 5

It is running on Windows 11. The update is what caused this issue to begin. Nothing happens when I right click on the taskbar. There is not a pop-up. I have checked my taskbar settings and everything is the way it should be. I opened the Command Prompt and entered your command. My screen turns black for about a second and then comes back exactly the same as before. My taskbar is still empty.