Solved Dropdown menus not visible in File Explorer

Hi,
I expect I'm being very stupid here and don't know exactly how to describe it, but, when I open File Explorer, in the bar at the top, I have an Up arrow, a Refresh icon and a screen type icon - if I click on the dropdown menu to the right of this, I can't read the options (see screenshot).
I have the same problem with Sort and View on the second bar from the top
What am I doing wrong?

Hi Tombar
I doubt very much you are doing anything wrong.

Do you use any 3rd party tweaks like Explorer Patcher or anything?

Are you proficient enough to run a command prompt (CMD) or Terminal as admin? I’m not sure if it will help but try running the commands at the end of this post.

You can run the SFC or DISM commands from any console, including the command prompt, PowerShell, or Windows Terminal. Open one of these as Admin and type or past the command (SFC first) and press enter, then wait for it to finish.

If it reports problems, run the following command:

DISM /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
This could take a short time and possibly look like it has stalled. Try be patient.

you can copy and paste these commands.


I have to sleep, if you’re not sure how to open any of the above (CMD/Terminal/Powershell) try the command prompt: open the Windows Search and type CMD, right click on the command prompt app and run as admin, use as directed above.

antspants said:

Hi Tombar
I doubt very much you are doing anything wrong.

Do you use any 3rd party tweaks like Explorer Patcher or anything?

Click to expand...

Hi Safron, Thanks for the reply. As far as I know, I'm not using any tweaks. I do have the app Files installed, but not as a replacement for File Explorer. Actually, I don't know how long it's been like this - I just thought I'd play with the new things, like Gallery. it's strange - everything is there in the dropdown list - I can see Home and Gallery text options on the black background of the second bar, but all the rest are white text on a white background - I can go down randomly clicking on the invisible list and bring up the different options. Is there an option I've not found to avoid white text on a white background?

antspants said:

Are you proficient enough to run a command prompt (CMD) or Terminal as admin? I’m not sure if it will help but try running the commands at the end of this post.

You can run the SFC or DISM commands from any console, including the command prompt, PowerShell, or Windows Terminal. Open one of these as Admin and type or past the command (SFC first) and press enter, then wait for it to finish.

If it reports problems, run the following command:

DISM /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
This could take a short time and possibly look like it has stalled. Try be patient.

you can copy and paste these commands.

Code:

SFC /scannow

Code:

DISM /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

I have to sleep, if you’re not sure how to open any of the above (CMD/Terminal/Powershell) try the command prompt: open the Windows Search and type CMD, right click on the command prompt app and run as admin, use as directed above.

Click to expand...

Hi antspants, Thanks for the reply. Tried that and it didn't find anything

In settings>personalization>colors try changing default windows mode to dark and default app mode to light.
If that doesn't work change your theme. see screenshot.

glasskuter said:

In settings>personalization>colors try changing default windows mode to dark and default app mode to light.
If that doesn't work change your theme. see screenshot.

Click to expand...

Hi glasskuter, Thanks for the reply. I already had windows mode as dark and app mode as light. I then went to Themes and found all 4 very pretty and effective, so will play with those. I then went back to "None" and File Explorer drop down menus are all visible again! No idea why, but it works now. Thanks again

Tombar said:

Hi glasskuter, Thanks for the reply. I already had windows mode as dark and app mode as light. I then went to Themes and found all 4 very pretty and effective, so will play with those. I then went back to "None" and File Explorer drop down menus are all visible again! No idea why, but it works now. Thanks again

Click to expand...

You may well be able to keep your custom mode now that it has sorted itself out, I use dark Windows mode and light Apps mode with no issues.