Windows 11 Not Working: How to Fix [10 Fixes]

In this guide, we will show you various methods to fix all the issues pertaining to Windows 11 not working along the expected lines. The eleventh iteration of the OS has received a mixed response from the general audiences. While it does behold a slew of intriguing features, however, some of them were really uncalled for.

windows 11 not working

After all, completely tweaking the UI/UX of some of the most used components of the OS doesn’t really make much sense to be fair. From the Start menu to the Taskbar and even the Context menu, each of them has undergone some unwanted changes. On top of it, the OS isn’t free from its fair share of issues either.

windows 11 issues

From system crashes and slowdowns to the PC taking ages to boot up, from apps not functioning along the expected lines to their sudden closures, there are a plethora of issues that users are currently facing with regard to Windows 11 not working. If you are also in the same boat, then this guide will make you aware of numerous methods to address these issues. So without further ado, let’s check them out.

Table of Contents

Fix Windows 11 Not Working

windows 11 not working

It is recommended that you try out each of the below-listed workarounds and then see which one works out for you. So with that in mind, let’s get started.

Use Windows 11 Troubleshooter

Windows comes built-in with quite a few troubleshooting apps that scan for underlying issues and ultimately rectify them. So let’s put it to the test and check out the result.

To begin with, open the Settings menu via Windows+I shortcut keys.
Then select System from the left-hand side and go to Troubleshoot.
Go to the component that is currently not working and click Next to it.
Windows will now diagnose the issue and bring up the required fixes.
Go ahead and implement them if the OS doesn’t do so automatically.

Use SFC

System File Checker is a command-line utility tools that scan for corrupt Windows files and then replace them with their working counterpart. As far as its working methodology is concerned, it replaces the corrupt files with the working ones from the cached directory on your PC. So let’s put this tool to the test and check if it fixes the Windows 11 not working issue.

Head over to the Start Menu, search Command Prompt, and launch it as an admin.
Then copy-paste the below command in the CMD window to open the SFC Tool:
```
sfc /scannow
```
Wait for the scanning to complete. Once done, restart your PC and check the result.

Use DISM

Deployment Image Servicing and Management is also a command-line utility tools that scan for corrupt Windows files and then replace them with their working versions. So where does it differ from the SFC? While the SFC replaces the corrupt files with the working ones from the cached directory on your PC, DISM does so by downloading the working files from the online Microsoft servers. With that said, let’s try out this tool as well and see if it does any good when it comes to resolving the issue.

Head over to the Start Menu, search Command Prompt, and launch it as an admin.
Then copy-paste the below command in the CMD window to open the SFC Tool:
```
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
```
Wait for the scanning to complete. Once done, it is recommended to restart your PC.

Delete Temporary Data

If a lot of temporary data gets accrued over the due course of time, then not only will it conflict with the proper functioning of the application, but it could even end up slowing down the system. Therefore, it is recommended that you delete these temporary data at the earliest and then check out the results. Here’s how it can be done:

Launch Run via Windows+R shortcut keys.
Then type in temp to open the Temp folder.
Now press Ctrl+A to select all the folders.
Finally, hit the Delete key to remove them.

Boot to Safe Mode

In some instances, a third-party app or service might conflict with the proper functioning of the OS. In such cases, your best bet is to boot the PC to Safe Mode, which will disable all such apps, and then diagnose the issue. Here’s how it can be done:

To begin with, press the Windows key to bring up the Start menu.
Now press and hold the Shift key, click the Power icon, and select Restart.
Your PC will now reboot to the Advanced Recovery Environment.
So go to ‘Troubleshoot’ > Advanced options > See more recovery options.
Then select Startup Settings > Restart > Safe Mode. Your PC will reboot to Safe Mode.
Check if the issue has been rectified or not. If it has, then the culprit is a third-party app.
So reboot back to the normal mode and uninstall the recently installed apps, one at a time, until all the bugs have been quashed.

Using Windows 11 Startup Repair

If your PC is taking ages at every boot-up, then you can take the help of Windows’ Startup Repair Tool to diagnose and fix the underlying issue. Here’s how it can be done:

To begin with, press the Windows key to bring up the Start menu.
Now press and hold the Shift key, click the Power icon, > Restart.
Your PC will now reboot to the Advanced Recovery Environment.
So go to ‘Troubleshoot’ > Advanced options > Startup Repair.
Wait till Windows diagnose the issue and implement the fix.
Once done, restart your PC and check if the issue has been fixed or not.

Uninstall Buggy Drivers

Using an older or outdated version of the drivers or if the installed drivers are corrupt, then in both these cases, issues such as Windows 11 not working along the expected lines are on the cards. To address these issues, you’ll have to update the drivers to their latest versions or uninstall and reinstall them [in the case of buggy drivers]. Here’s how all of this could be carried out:

To begin with, right-click on the Windows icon and select Device Manager.
Then click on the “Scan for hardware changes” icon and wait for the scan to complete.
Once the scanning is complete, check out the results. If the issue is still there, then let’s proceed ahead.
Now right-click on the device that is currently causing an issue and select Properties.
Then go to the Driver tab and choose Uninstall Device > Uninstall > Uninstall.
Once done, restart your PC and the drivers will be reinstalled.
If that doesn’t happen, then click on “Scan for hardware changes” and the drivers will then be installed.

Using BootRec Tool

The issue that you are currently facing might also stem out from problems in the Boot Sector, Boot Configuration Data store, and Master Boot Record. Fortunately, you can address all these issues using just a single tool- Microsoft’s Bootrec Command Line Utility. So let’s put it to the test right away and check out the results.

To begin with, press the Windows key to bring up the Start menu.
Now press and hold the Shift key, click the Power icon, and select Restart.
Your PC will now reboot to the Advanced Recovery Environment.
So go to ‘Troubleshoot’ > Advanced options > Command Prompt.
Now type in the below command to launch the BootRec Tool:
```
bootrec.exe
```
Then fix the Master Boot Record via the below command:
```
Bootrec /fixmbr
```
Now type in the following command to repair the Boot sector:
```
Bootrec /fixboot
```
Finally, use the below command to rebuild the Boot Configuration Data:
```
Bootrec /rebuildbcd
```
Now restart your PC and check if it fixes Windows 11 not working issue.

Uninstall Latest Windows 11 Update

In some cases, the latest Windows update might bring in a few bugs and issues along with itself. Therefore, you can consider downgrading to the earlier version and stay on it for a few days or weeks until the Redmond giant releases a patch/new update. Here’s how it can be done:

First off, open the Settings menu via the Windows+I shortcut keys.
Then go to Windows Update > Update History > Uninstall Update.
Select the latest update from the list and click on Uninstall > YES.
Finally, restart your PC. It will then boot to the older OS version.

Restore to Old System Restore Point

If you have taken a backup of the system before the issue first came to light, then you can restore that data using the Windows System Restore Point tool. Here’s how it can be done: [NOTE: there have been a few instances wherein the tool also ends up replacing the current user data with the older one, so keep this point in mind before using this tool].

To begin with, press the Windows key to bring up the Start menu.
Now press and hold the Shift key, click the Power icon > Restart.
Your PC will now reboot to the Advanced Recovery Environment.
Now go to ‘Troubleshoot’ > Advanced options > System Restore.
So proceed with the on-screen instructions to restore the system.

Reset PC

If none of the aforementioned methods worked out in your favor, then your last course of action should be to reset the PC back to its factory default state. In this regard, we will be taking two approaches- first off, we will leave the user data and then check if the issue has been addressed. If it hasn’t then we will have no choice but to perform a reset. But irrespective of the method you end up choosing, please take a backup beforehand.

Launch the Start Menu, search Reset This PC, and open it.
Then click on Reset PC and choose Keep My Files.
Now proceed with the on-screen instructions to carry out the reset.
Check if it rectifies the underlying issue.
If it doesn’t, then this time select Remove Everything [this will remove all your data!].
The process will take some time and the bug will subsequently be ironed out.

That’s it. These were the various methods that should help you fix the issue of Windows 11 not working. If you still have any queries with regard to any of the aforementioned steps, then do let us know in the comments section below. We will get back to you with a solution as soon as possible.

Windows 11 Not Working: How to Fix [10 Fixes]