Windows 11 Start Menu not working - FIXED

Hey everyone! I wanted to share a solution I discovered regarding a frustrating issue with Windows 11 where the Start Menu fails to function when starting the system. If you've encountered this, you're not alone. It's a common issue that can be resolved with a few steps.

The Start Menu's functionality is deeply tied to the Windows Search service. Essentially, the Start Menu relies on this service to fetch and display content. If, for any reason, the Windows Search service is not running, you won’t be able to access the Start Menu effectively.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to troubleshoot this issue:

1. Check the Windows Search Service: 

   - Press `Windows + R` to open the Run dialog.

   - Type `services.msc` and hit Enter to open the Services window.

   - Look for the "Windows Search" service. Check its status. If it’s not running, try to start it manually by right-clicking and selecting “Start”.

2. Error: 

  In my situation, I encountered an error message stating: “Windows could not start the Windows Search service on Local Computer. Error 1722: The RPC server is unavailable.” At face value, this might lead you to believe there's an issue with the RPC service.

3. Hidden Dependency:

After researching this error, I learned that the problem wasn’t with the RPC service itself. It was running fine. Instead, I discovered that the Windows Search service has an indirect dependency on the Windows Event Log service. If the Event Log service is stopped, the Windows Search service cannot start. 

4. Resolving the Issue: 

To fix the problem, open the Services window and locate the "Windows Event Log" service. Make sure this service is running as well. If it is stopped, right-click it and choose “Start”.

 Once the Windows Event Log service is running, try starting the Windows Search service again. 

5. Restoring  the Start Menu: 

 After performing these two steps, I found that the Start Menu was operational again immediately. It’s a quick fix that saved me a lot of frustration!

This little issue can really throw a wrench in your day, but by understanding the relationships between services in Windows, you can troubleshoot more effectively and get things back to normal. If anyone else has faced this or has additional tips, feel free to share!