Action Center won’t Open in Windows 11? Here’s how to fix

Users have been experiencing an issue on the new Windows 11 operating system where the action center does not open. Upon clicking the action center, nothing happens contrary to the normal behavior which brings up the calendar or other options depending on where you have clicked. This can happen sometimes when there is corruption in the Windows apps or when you have the action center disabled on the operating system. Fortunately, there are easy ways using which you can resolve the problem in question and that is what we are going to show you in this article so just follow along.

As it turns out, the action center is a place for users to view all of their notifications that are triggered when they are using the system. On top of that, you can perform actions to keep your system running smoothly. If you have installed Windows 11, you might have noticed that the action center has received an overhaul and it isn’t the same as it was in the previous version. On top of that, you are given fewer options that you can change per your liking via the edit button that is provided. If the action center is not opening, it can usually be if the action center on your system is disabled. However, on top of that, there are other reasons as well. Therefore, let us get started and discuss the potential causes of the issue in more detail before moving on to the solutions.

Corrupted Files — As it turns out, the first reason that you might encounter this problem is when the Windows apps files are corrupted on your system. In such a scenario, you will have to repair the apps using Powershell.
Action Center is disabled — Another reason that the action center may not be opening up when you click on the taskbar is when it is disabled on your computer. If this case is applicable, you will be able to resolve the problem by simply enabling it in the operating system.
Windows Explorer Process — In some cases, the issue can surface when the Windows Explorer process is facing an issue or has bugged out. When this happens, you will have to restart the process to resolve the issue.
Corrupted User Account — Finally, another possible reason can be related to the user account that you are using. The problem can appear when the user account is corrupted in which case you will have to create a new user account.

Now that we have gone through the possible list of causes of the problem mentioned above, we can get started with the different methods that can resolve the issue for you. So, with that said, let us get into it without further ado.

Restart Windows Explorer

As it turns out, the first thing that you should do when you come across this issue is to restart the Windows Explorer process. This is because Windows Explorer is responsible for the file management on your computer and along with that it also manages your desktop. Thus, if it has run into an error, you will be facing some issues in the functionality of your desktop as well.

If this case is applicable, you will be able to fix the problem by simply restarting the Windows Explorer through the Task Manager. To do this, follow the instructions that are given down below:

First of all, right-click on the Windows icon on your taskbar, and then from the menu that appears, click Task Manager.

Opening up Task Manager
Once the Task Manager window is open, look for the Windows Explorer process in the Processes tab.

Looking for Windows Explorer Process
After finding the process, right-click on it, and from the drop-down menu, click the Restart option.

Restarting Windows Explorer Process
Wait for it to restart. Once done, see if the problem has been resolved.

Enable Action Center via Local Group Policy Editor

In some cases, the action center may not be working because it is disabled on your computer. If this case is applicable, you will be able to enable it via the Local Group Policy Editor. To do this, follow the instructions that are given down below:

First of all, open up the Run dialog box by pressing Windows key + R on your keyboard.
In the Run dialog box, type in gpedit.msc and then hit the Enter key.

Opening up Local Group Policy Editor
This will open up the Local Group Policy Editor.

There, locate to the following directory:

User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar

Once you are there, on the right-hand side, scroll down and locate the Remove Notifications and Action Center policy.

Locating Remove Notifications and Action Center Policy
Double click on the policy once you have located it to open it up.
Choose the Disabled option and then click the Apply button.

Editing Remove Notifications and Action Center Policy
Once you have done that, go ahead and restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
After your PC boots up, see if the problem is still there.

Enable Action Center via Windows Registry

Another way you can enable the action center is through the Windows Registry. Windows Registry is responsible for how your computer behaves. Therefore, any unwanted changes can render your computer inoperable. We recommend creating a backup of the Windows Registry before proceeding. The instructions here are pretty simple and if you follow them correctly, no issues will come up.

To start, open up the Run dialog box by pressing Windows key + R.
Then, in the Run dialog box, type in Regedit and hit the Enter key.

Opening up Windows Registry
Once the Windows Registry window is open, paste the following path in the address bar and then hit Enter:
```
Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows
```
Navigating to Appropriate Location
Now, under the Windows key, look if you can find an Explorer key.

Looking for Explorer Key
In case there is no Explorer key, you will have to create it yourself.
To do that, right-click on Windows, and then from the drop-down menu, go to New > Key.

Creating Windows Key
Name this newly created key Explorer.

Renaming the New Key
After that, right-click the Explorer key and from the drop-down menu, choose New > DWORD (32-bit).

Creating Explorer Key
Name this value DisableNotificationCenter.

Renaming the New Key
After you have done that, double click DisableNotificationCenter on the right-hand side and set its value to 0. Click OK.

Changing DisableNotificationCenter Value to 0
Once you have done that, go ahead and restart your computer for the changes to take effect. After your computer boots up, see if the action center is still not working.

Repair Windows Apps

Like we have mentioned above, one of the reasons that the problem occurs is when the Windows apps are corrupted on your computer. In such a scenario, you will have to repair the apps using Powershell on your computer. This is fairly simple to do, just follow the instructions that are given down below:

First of all, open up an elevated Powershell. To do that, search for Powershell in the Start Menu and then right-click on it. Choose Run as administrator from the drop-down menu. Alternatively, you can click on the Run as administrator option on the right-hand side.

Opening up Powershell

Once the Powershell window is open, copy and paste the following commands one at a time to repair the apps:

Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.Windows.ShellExperienceHost | foreach {Add-AppxPackage -register "$($_.InstallLocation)\appxmanifest.xml" -DisableDevelopmentMode}

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

After both of these processes are done, go ahead and restart your computer.
See if the problem persists when your computer boots up.

Create a New User Account

Finally, if none of the solutions mentioned above have fixed the problem for you, then the issue maybe with the user account that you are using. This can happen when the user account files are corrupted and thus certain features do not work.

If this case is applicable, you will have to create a new user account on your system to resolve the problem. This is fairly easy to do, just follow the instructions that are given down below:

First of all, open up the Windows Settings app by pressing Windows key + I on your keyboard.
On the Settings window, click on the Accounts option on the left-hand side.

Windows Settings
Then, on the Accounts screen, click the Family & other users option provided.

Accounts Settings
Now, under Other users, click the Add account option provided.

Adding New User Account
A new window called Microsoft account will open up. Click the I don’t have this person’s sign-in information option.

Creating Local Account
Then, on the next prompt, click the Add a user without a Microsoft account option.
Once you have done that, on the Create a user for this PC screen, provide the account and a password. Click the Next button.

Creating a New User Account
Wait for the new account to be created. Finally, you will have to click Next one more time to finish up.