
Windows 11 introduced several new features and design changes, including an updated Action Center. The Action Center provides quick access to notifications, settings, and other important functions. However, like any software, it can sometimes encounter issues. If you’re facing problems with the Action Center not opening in Windows 11, don’t worry. This article will guide you through some troubleshooting steps to help you resolve this issue and regain access to your Action Center.
- Restart Your Computer:
Before diving into complex solutions, it’s always a good idea to start with the simplest one. Restarting your computer can resolve various software glitches and restore the functionality of the Action Center. Click on the Start menu, select the Power icon, and choose Restart. - Update Windows:
Ensuring that your Windows 11 operating system is up to date is essential for a smooth user experience. Microsoft regularly releases updates that include bug fixes and performance improvements. To check for updates, click on the Start menu, select Settings (gear icon), navigate to Windows Update, and click on “Check for updates.” If updates are available, install them and restart your computer if prompted. - Run the Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter:
Windows 11 includes built-in troubleshooters to help diagnose and fix common issues. The Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter specifically addresses problems with Windows Store apps, which includes the Action Center. To run this troubleshooter, follow these steps:
- Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
- Select System and then Troubleshoot.
- Click on “Other troubleshooters” and locate “Windows Store Apps” under the Find and fix other problems section.
- Click on “Windows Store Apps” and select “Run the troubleshooter.”
- Follow the on-screen instructions and let the troubleshooter scan for issues. If any problems are detected, it will attempt to fix them automatically.
4. Reset the Action Center Using PowerShell:
If the above steps didn’t resolve the issue, you can try resetting the Action Center using PowerShell. Here’s how:
- Right-click on the Start button and select Windows PowerShell (Admin) from the context menu. If you can’t find it, you can search for PowerShell in the Start menu, right-click on it, and choose Run as administrator.
- In the PowerShell window, type the following command and press Enter:
Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.Windows.ShellExperienceHost | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}
- Wait for the process to complete, and then restart your computer.
5. Create a New User Account:
If the issue persists, creating a new user account can help determine if the problem is specific to your user profile. Here’s how you can create a new user account:
- Press Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
- Select Accounts and navigate to the “Family & other users” tab.
- Under “Other users,” click on “Add account.”
- Follow the on-screen instructions to set up a new user account.
- Log in to the new user account and check if the Action Center opens properly.
6. Tweak Registry Editor
Follow these steps to fix the error using the Registry Editor:
- Open the Run command dialog box.
- Type “regedit” into the Run box and press Enter. This will open the Registry Editor.
- If User Account Control appears on your computer screen, click Yes to continue.
- Copy & paste the following path into the address bar and then press Enter:
Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer
- If there is not an Explorer key, create it by right-clicking on Windows and selecting New > Key. Name the new key “Explorer.”
- Select the Explorer key and double-click on DisableNotificationCenter (DWORD).
- Set the Value to 0 and click OK. This will enable the Action Center.
- Exit out of the Registry Editor when you’re finished.
Once you have followed these steps, you can try opening the Action Center again and see if it works properly now.
7. Use Local Group Policy Editor
- Press the Win + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type gpedit.msc and press Enter to open the Local Group Policy Editor.
- In the left pane, expand User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar.
- Go to the right pane and double-click on Remove Notifications and Action Center.
- Next, select Disabled and then click Apply > OK to save your changes.
- Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
After following these steps, try opening the Action Center again to see if it’s working properly now.
Conclusion:
The Action Center in Windows 11 is a convenient tool for managing notifications and accessing essential functions. If you’re experiencing issues with the Action Center not opening, try the troubleshooting steps outlined in this article. Restarting your computer, updating Windows, running the Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter, resetting the Action Center using PowerShell, or creating a new user account can help resolve the problem. By following these steps, you should be able to regain access to the Action Center and enjoy a smoother Windows