Setting app not opening and Windows button not working

Question

My setting app wont open and when i try to click the windows button on the bottom of the screen or the windows button on my keyboard it doesn't work. I don't know what the cause was but it randomly started doing this about a week ago and ive tried pretty much everything that ive seen on google or Youtube to try and fix it. The main fixes that google told me to try was to restart windows explorer through task manager and repair system files in command center but neither worked and its still doing this. I was just wondering how i can get this problem fixed.

Answer 1

This problem is reported lately and may be caused by a Windows Update, if you are unable to access the settings app, you do not have access to many of the available troubleshooting steps.

Start your PC, just as Windows attempts to load (spinning dots), press and hold Power Button for 5 - 10 seconds to perform a Hard Shut Down

Do this twice

On the third start Windows will boot into the Recovery Environment and from there you can access System Repair, Safe Mode, Command Prompt... etc.

Please try each option one at a time, then see if Windows will boot to a stable system.

1

If there is an option to uninstall the latest update, that may be the best option.

2

Go to Troubleshoot - Advanced Option - System Restore

Check to see if you have a restore point you can go back to

Answer 2

Hello patricia smith!

Thank you for reaching out to the Q&A forum.

From what you’ve shared, I understand that you’ve been experiencing multiple issues over the past week: The Settings app is unresponsive and won’t open, and the Windows Start button (both on the taskbar and the keyboard) does not work.

In terms of settings app issue, some other users currently have also experienced a similar issue, and in their cases, it appeared to be associated with a recent Windows update on Windows 11. Uninstalling the update resolved the problem for them.

To better understand your situation and suggest the most appropriate next steps, could you please help clarify the following:

1. Which Windows version and edition are you currently using?

2. If you sign in with another user account, do the Settings app and Windows key work there?

3. Have you recently installed or removed any third‑party Start menu, taskbar, or customization tools?

4. You can also help narrow this down by testing Safe Mode:

• Press Ctrl + Alt + Del
• Select Power, hold Shift, then click Restart
• Choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart
• Press 4 (or F4) for Safe Mode
• Once in Safe Mode, please check whether the Settings app and Windows button work normally.

I look forward to your update so we can decide on the best next steps together!

Sincerely.