How to Fix Missing Start Menu Icons in Windows 11/10

If you’ve opened your Start menu and found important app icons missing, you’re not alone. This is a common glitch in Windows 10 and 11. Luckily, it’s usually easy to fix. Here’s how to get your Start menu icons back where they belong.

1. Restart Windows Explorer

The quickest fix is often just restarting Windows Explorer.

How to do it:

1. Right-click the taskbar and select Task Manager.
2. Scroll down to Windows Explorer.
3. Right-click it and click Restart.

Your screen may flicker for a moment. Check your Start menu after this—icons often reappear.

2. Reboot Your Computer

Sometimes, all you need is a simple restart. Save your work and restart your computer. This can clear up minor glitches and restore missing icons.

3. Run the System File Checker

Corrupted system files can cause icons to vanish.

To run System File Checker:

1. Type cmd in the search box.
2. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
3. Type sfc /scannow and press Enter.

Wait for the scan to finish. Restart your computer and check the Start menu again.

4. Rebuild the Icon Cache

A corrupt icon cache can make your icons disappear.

To rebuild it:

1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.
2. Type these commands one by one and press Enter after each:
   ie4uinit.exe -show
taskkill /IM explorer.exe /F
DEL /A /Q "%localappdata%\IconCache.db"
shutdown /r
3. Your PC will restart. Afterward, your icons should return.

5. Update Windows

Outdated software can trigger bugs. Make sure Windows is up to date.

How to check:

1. Go to Settings > Windows Update.
2. Click Check for updates and install any available updates.

6. Reinstall Problem Apps

If only certain app icons are missing, try uninstalling and reinstalling those specific apps.

How to do it:

• Right-click the missing app in the Start menu (if it’s listed).
• Select Uninstall.
• Reinstall the app from the Microsoft Store or the developer’s website.

7. Create a New User Profile

If none of the above work, your user profile might be corrupted. Try creating a new account:

1. Go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users.
2. Click Add account and follow the prompts.
3. Log into the new account and check the Start menu.

Final Tips

• Scan for malware: Malware can mess with icons and shortcuts. Run a full system scan with Windows Defender or your antivirus software.
• Reset Start Menu layout: In extreme cases, you can reset the Start menu layout, but you’ll lose any customizations.

Wrapping Up

Missing Start menu icons can be annoying, but they’re usually easy to fix. Try the steps above, and you should be back to normal in no time. If problems persist, consider reaching out to Microsoft Support.

Have another Windows problem? Drop it in the comments, and I’ll help you out!

Mark Vincent

Tech enthusiast and content creator passionate about making technology simple for everyone. I share practical tips, guides, and reviews on the latest in computers, software, and gadgets. Let’s explore the digital world together!