11 Best Fixes Windows 11 Taskbar Icons Missing
Windows 11 is here and so far, it is looking good. But as with any new version of Windows, it comes with its fair share of troubles. Some users have complained about Taskbar icons disappearing on their Windows 11 computer. This is weird because now, how do you launch apps? There is the Start menu but that’s too much effort. Here are some ways to fix Windows 11 Taskbar icons missing error.
Table of Contents
1. Repin Icons
Can you see Windows icon and some other default app icons? Try repinning apps to the Taskbar if the icons are missing for 1-2 specific apps only on Windows 11 Taskbar. To repin an app icon, find the app inWindows Search(press Windows+S) and right-click on the app name to selectPin to taskbaroption.
If you see ‘Unpin from taskbar’ option, it means the app is already pinned. Unpin and then repin to see if that helps.
2. Restart Windows Explorer
Restarting Windows Explorer will close all apps abruptly, so ensure you save all work and close apps first.
1.PressCtrl+Shift+Esckeys on your keyboard to open the Task Manager. It may take a second to launch. FindWindows Explorerunder the Name column,right-clickon it and selectRestartoption.
If you still can’t see app icons in the Taskbar, continue reading.
3. Rebuild Icon Cache
Windows create cache version of app icons. Cache files are lighter weight and allows Windows to load app icons faster. Corrupt cache files can lead to Windows 11 failing to load app icons in the Taskbar. We can rebuild the cache files to solve this issue.
1.PressWindows+Sto open Windows Search menu andtype CMDto find the Command Prompt. Click onRun as administratoroption.
2.Inside the CMD, copy-paste the command below and press Enter. Note that these are three separate commands and need to be executed one by one.
For better understanding, the first line of code will open the right folder where all files are located, the second will locate all hidden icon cache files. They begin with iconcache_ and the third line will delete these files.
3.Reboot your computer once to allow Windows 11 to recreate the icon cache files if not already.
Can you see app icons in Windows 11’s Taskbar now.
Note:You can use Command Prompt, PwerShell, or Terminal here.Terminal is the advanced versionset to replace CMD and also supports PowerShell inside it. Learn more about it.
4. Re-Register Taskbar
This will bind the Taskbar or register it with the OS again. Easy if you follow the instructions.
1.OpenCMD with admin rightslike you did in the previous steps using Windows Search.
2.In the CMD, copy-paste the command below and press Enter to execute it.
If the above returns an error, try this one instead:
3.Now PressWindows + Eto open File Explorer and navigate to this file location:
If you can’t find the folder in question or see an error, may be it is hidden. Click onView > Showand selectHidden items.
Now delete the TileDataLayer file if it exists. If not, closeuncheck Hidden itemsagain and close File Explorer.
4.Reboot the computer to check if you may see Taskbar icons on your Windows 11 computer now.
5. Disk Cleanup Tool
Taskbar app icons are also files and as such they are saved in the disk storage on your Windows 11 computer. Cleaning disk can help fix common errors like Taskbar icons missing on your Windows computer.
1.Press the Windows key to openStart menuand search forDisk Cleanup Tool. SelectRun as administratoroption to open it with admin rights.
2.You will see a pop-up asking you to choose a drive.Select the drivewhere you have installed Windows 11. For most users, that would beC drive. Click onOKto confirm.
3.Go withdefault settingsif you don’t know what options to select. Click onClean up system filesto begin.
Once the process is completed, minimize all windows to check if you can view app icons on Taskbar or is it still missing.
6. Update, Reinstall, or Rollback Display Drivers
Drivers are what connects the display (hardware) with Windows OS (software). It acts as a bridge. A faulty driver or some bug that got installed in a recent update could lead to display errors like missing icons in the Taskbar. I wrote anextensive guide on driverswhere you will learn everything you need to know to fix display driver related issue.
You are looking to work with Display Drivers and Graphics Card driver if you have one installed from Nvidia or AMD in the Device Manager.
7. Delete IconStreams Registry
The Registry Editor allows you to edit system files and make or break key functionality. We would recommend you totake a backup of Registry Editorfirst and only do what is prescribed here.
1.Press theWindowsbutton to open Start menu, search forRegistry Editor, and click onRun as administratorto open it with admin rights.
2.PressCtrl+Fto Find menu in Registry Editor. Search foriconstreamshere.
3.The search results will be displayed in the right window-pane. Selecticonstreamsfile and delete it.
4.Now search forpasticonstreamsand delete that file too.
5.Reboot your Windows 11 computer and these two files will be recreated automatically.
8. Run Microsoft Store Troubleshooter
Every copy of Windows comes a set of troubleshooter built-in to fix common problems. There is one for apps installed via Microsoft Store. If you think the only icons of apps installed using Microsoft Store are missing, try this.
1.PressWindows + Ito open Settings and search forFind and fix problems with Windows Store apps. Click on the same to open a pop-up.
Note:The company hasrenamed Windows Store to Microsoft Store, however, hasn’t updated it everywhere.
2.Click onNextin the pop-up and follow on-screen instructions after that. If the troubleshooter detects a problem, it will try and fix it and notify you of the same.
9. Scan for Malware or Virus
Microsoft Defender has come a long way is now on par with some of the best antivirus apps out there. However, for detecting malware threats, we recommendMalwarebytes. We recommend performing a full scan using both Defender and Malwarebytes or any other antivirus app that you have installed.
10. Update Windows
Whether you are using a stable version of Windows orInsiders Preview, it is possible that a recent version that you installed has broken some features causing issues like missing icons.
If you are on a Insiders build, check to see if there is another update that fixes the widely reported issue. Thatwouldn’t be the first time. To update Windows:
1.PressWindows+Ito open Settings and go toWindows Updatesfrom the sidebar. Click onCheck for updatesbutton to see if there is an update available.
11. Uninstall Updates
Another way to fix missing icons on Windows 11 Taskbar is to uninstall recently installed updates if you feel they are responsible for breaking the Taskbar. To do that:
1.OpenSettingsagain like you did above and go toUpdate history.
2.Scroll to the very bottom of the screen to findUninstall updatesoption. Click on that.
3.You will see a list of recently installed updates. If unsure about which update resulted in missing icons on the Taskbar, we recommendsearching Google and Microsoft Support forums by KB numberto see if anything was reported. Otherwise, uninstall them by date starting from the latest.
Iconic Windows
Windows is an amazing desktop OS which is loved and used by a majority of users around the world. The Taskbar helps us quickly launch our favorite apps, saving clicks and time. Don’t like Windows 11 Taskbar? You canbring back Windows 10 Start menu and Taskbartoo. On the contrary, if the issue is not missing icons butmissing Taskbar, we have covered that too.
Gaurav Bidasaria
Gaurav is an editor here at TechWiser but also contributes as a writer. He has more than 10 years of experience as a writer and has written how-to guides, comparisons, listicles, and in-depth explainers on Windows, Android, web, and cloud apps, and the Apple ecosystem.
He loves tinkering with new gadgets and learning about new happenings in the tech world.
He has previously worked on Guiding Tech, Make Tech Easier, and other prominent tech blogs and has over 1000+ articles that have been read over 50 million times.
