The Taskbar bombs out: Any way to relaunch it?

I'm new to Windows 11.

This happened during my first Windows Update, where the Taskbar bombs out, goes blank, you can't launch anything, etc. During that time, an "Update needs restart" icon appeared and I could restart it because it needed to anyway.

This happened again during normal operation. Anyone experience this? How do you get out of it and restore the Taskbar besides the power button?

Thanks.

Create a new shortcut on your desktop and copy this into the Target field:

Some people had this issue back in Windows 10 and it popped up again last Oct. in one of the insider builds for 11 and Microsoft issued a registry work around for it at that time. However, I would hesitate to use the workaround because one would think MS would have resolved that issue by now. I would first make sure that both your Intel onboard and Geforce drivers are updated. Updates for both were released in May.


You can also follow this guide that the folks over at thewindowsclub made when the issue was happening in Windows 10.
Taskbar icons are invisible, blank or missing in Windows 10

Good point @glasskuter. I actually have not needed to use for quite some time.

In the mean time, another way to do it is start Task Manger. Under processes scroll down and find Windows Explorer, right click choose Restart.

@Scott idea is a good one as well, at least until you get the problem resolved. I have that same shortcut on my desktop for emergencies.

If you are unable to get to your desktop, your can also restart explorer from task manager. Enter Ctrl+Alt+Del. Select task manager.
Click the “Processes” tab in the Task Manager. If you don’t see it, click “More Details” at the bottom of the window to reveal more options.
Find 'Windows Explorer" RIGHT click on it and select restart.