Windows 10 Free Apps

Start Menu and Cortana aren’t working (FIXED)

Lots of users are getting an error message “Critical error – Start Menu and Cortana aren’t working. We will try to fix it, next time you sign in” after upgrading to Windows 10 from Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1.

This message is related to the launch of Start menu and Cortana. Whenever you open Start Menu or Cortana, the following error pops up on your screen:

Critical error – Start Menu and Cortana aren’t working. We will try to fix it, next time you sign in

People have tried a few number of ways to bypass this error message. Using different accounts or creating a new account on Windows has failed properly and the error still remains.

Hence, if you’re also the victim of this issue, this tutorial is helpful for you.

How To Fix Critical Error – Start Menu and Cortana aren’t Working in Windows 10

In order to fix this critical error message, I would recommend you should temporarily disable your Anti-virus, Firewall and Anti-malware programs. Then try the below mentioned suggestions and check if they help you.

Read more: How To Disable Avast Antivirus

Method 1. Reinstall Cortana Using PowerShell

Step 1. Press CTRL + ALT + DELETE buttons at the same time. The Task Manager window opens.

Step 2. Click File > and select Run New Task.

Step 3. Type “powershell” in Run dialog box and click OK.

Make sure you have a check mark beside “Create this task with administrative privileges“.

Step 4. In the Powershell window, copy/paste the following command and press Enter:

Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml”}

Step 5. Wait for the command to finish and then restart your computer.

After restarting your computer, check to see if Cortana and Start Menu are now working as properly.

See also: How To Reinstall Cortana in Windows 10

Method 2. Disable Fast Startup

Step 1. Press Windows Key + R then type powercfg.cpl in Run dialog box. Click OK to open Power Options window.


Step 2. Now, click Choose what the power buttons do.


Step 3. Then click on “Change settings that are currently unavailable” link.


Step 4. Disable Turn On Fast Startup option.


Step 5. Restart your computer and your problem should be resolved.

See following video to take live demonstration of this tutorial:

I hope after the following advice, you would be able to easy to fix Windows 10 Critical error – Start Menu and Cortana aren’t working. Let us know via comments if you still have the problem!

Start Menu and Cortana aren’t working (FIXED)
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