cannot start Copilot

Question

After several month of use I can not longer start Copilot. The icon appear on my tray (in color) but nothing happen when i clik on it. Internet is working

Answer 1

Hi Jeff Barnes,

Welcome to Microsoft Q&A!

I’m sorry to hear that the Copilot app suddenly stopped working for you. To better help you, I'd like to ask for a little bit more context:

• Did only the Copilot on the Taskbar not work, or the app itself?
• Have you tried opening the Copilot app via Start search?

While waiting for the answers, here are some basic troubleshooting steps you can try out. Maybe they can get your Copilot working immediately!

1 - Restart Windows Explorer

• Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager
• Search Explorer > right‑click Windows Explorer
• Choose Restart > try clicking the Copilot icon again.

2 - Toggle Copilot button (if available)

• Right‑click the taskbar > Taskbar settings
• Find and turn OFF Copilot > Restart the PC
• Go back to Taskbar settings > turn it back ON.

3 - Repair / Reset / Reinstall the application

• Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps > look for Copilot
• Click the three-dot > Advanced options > click Terminate
• Next, click Repair. If the issue persists, click Reset below it.
• (Optional) Background app permissions > Change to Always
• If nothing works, click Uninstall > Restart PC > reinstall from Store.

In the unfortunate case that even reinstallation didn’t help, this might be an update regression. Check for Windows Updates and consider reporting it via Feedback Hub (press Win + R)!

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Answer 2

If you are unable to start Copilot despite the icon appearing in your tray, there could be several reasons for this issue. Here are some potential causes and steps to troubleshoot:

1. Internet Connectivity: Ensure that your internet connection is stable, as Copilot requires a reliable connection to function properly.
2. Licensing Issues: Check if your Microsoft 365 license supports Copilot. If there have been recent changes to your account or license, it may affect Copilot's availability.
3. Account Conflicts: If you are signed in with multiple accounts (personal and work/school), this could lead to validation issues. Ensure you are using the correct account.
4. Privacy Settings: Verify that Copilot is not blocked by your privacy settings. You may need to adjust these settings to allow Copilot to function.
5. Software Updates: Ensure that your Microsoft 365 Apps are up to date, as updates can affect functionality.
6. Restart the Application: Sometimes, simply restarting the application or your computer can resolve temporary glitches.

If the issue persists after trying these steps, consider reaching out to your Microsoft 365 administrator or Microsoft support for further assistance.

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References:

• Copilot is missing, disabled, or doesn't work correctly
• Copilot is missing, disabled, or doesn't work correctly
• Troubleshoot GitHub Copilot in Visual Studio
• GitHub Copilot is offline
• Manage GitHub Copilot installation and state
• Troubleshooting network errors for GitHub Copilot
• Copilot is disabled
• Check Troubleshooting Page
• Developer Community ticket