How to Fix Cortana Not Responding on Windows 11: Easy Solutions

Experiencing issues with Cortana not responding or freezing on Windows 11 can be frustrating. Thankfully, most of these issues are easy to resolve using straightforward troubleshooting methods. Follow this detailed guide to troubleshoot and fix your Cortana problems step-by-step.

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Solution 1: Restart Cortana App from Task Manager

Sometimes, simply restarting the Cortana process quickly solves responsiveness issues.

Steps:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
2. Navigate to the Processes or Details tab.
3. Find Cortana among the active applications/processes.
4. Right-click on Cortana, and select "End task".
5. After Cortana is closed completely, open it again by typing Cortana in the search bar and clicking the app to restart it.

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Solution 2: Reset Cortana via Windows Settings

Resetting Cortana helps clear corrupted data or cache causing the issues.

Steps:

1. Click on the Start button and open Settings (Windows Key + I).
2. Select "Apps" and go to the "Installed apps" (or "Apps & features").
3. Scroll down or use the search box to find the Cortana app.
4. Click three dots (…) next to Cortana and select Advanced options.
5. Scroll down and click on "Terminate" first to stop the current session.
6. Next, click on the "Repair" button. Wait until complete.
7. If this doesn’t work, click on "Reset". A confirmation prompt will pop up—click Reset again to confirm.
8. Restart your computer.

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Solution 3: Update Windows 11 and Windows Apps

Updates often contain fixes for known app problems and improved stability.

Steps for Windows Update:

1. Open Settings (Windows key + I).
2. Select "Windows Update" from the sidebar.
3. Click on "Check for updates".
4. Install any available updates, and restart your system once complete.

Steps for Microsoft Store Updates:

1. Open Microsoft Store from the taskbar (Type "Store" in the search bar).
2. Go to the Library icon on the lower-left side.
3. Click "Get updates" to update all Store apps, including Cortana.
4. Restart your computer and check Cortana again.

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Solution 4: Run Windows Troubleshooter for Store Apps

Windows Troubleshooters automatically diagnose and fix common issues.

Steps:

1. Open Settings (Windows Key + I).
2. Select "System" and then scroll down and click on "Troubleshoot".
3. Choose "Other troubleshooters".
4. Find "Windows Store Apps", and click on "Run" to start the troubleshooter.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

After troubleshooting, restart your PC and re-test Cortana.

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Solution 5: Check For Corrupted Files (SFC & DISM Commands)

The SFC and DISM commands can repair corrupted system files affecting Cortana’s performance.

Steps:

1. Type CMD into the Search bar.
2. Select "Run as administrator" from the right panel.

In the Command Prompt window, run these commands one by one:

batch
DISM /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

Wait for it to finish (this may take several minutes).

Afterward, run:

batch
sfc /scannow

Wait until the verification reaches 100%.

Afterwards, restart your computer and check if Cortana works now.

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Solution 6: Reinstall Cortana Manually (Advanced Users)

If the previous methods did not resolve your issue, try reinstalling Cortana using PowerShell:

Steps:

1. Right-click on the Start button, select "Terminal (Admin)" or "Windows PowerShell (Admin)".
2. When PowerShell opens, copy-paste the following command to uninstall Cortana, and press Enter:

powershell
Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.549981C3F5F10 | Remove-AppxPackage

(This specific code may update based on Cortana app version, if not working, proceed carefully.)

1. After removal, reinstall Cortana from the Microsoft Store by opening the Store app, and typing "Cortana" in the search bar.
2. Click on "Get" or "Install" to reinstall.

Restart your PC after reinstalling Cortana.

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Solution 7: Check Cortana Permissions & Privacy Settings

Cortana needs specific permissions to function properly.

Steps:

1. Open Settings (Windows Key + I).
2. Select "Privacy & security".
3. Go through the relevant options such as "Microphone", "Voice activation", "Speech", and "Location".
4. Ensure permissions relevant to Cortana are enabled. For instance, make certain Cortana is allowed access to your microphone and voice activation settings.

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Solution 8: Adjust Region and Language Settings

Incorrect region and language settings can also cause Cortana to malfunction.

Steps:

1. Open Settings (Windows Key + I)
2. Select "Time & language".
3. Click "Language & region".
4. Set your correct region (e.g., United States) in the "Country or region" dropdown.
5. Verify your language and ensure the language pack needed for Cortana is installed.
6. Restart your PC.

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Solution 9: Create New User Profile (Last Resort)

If none of these methods have worked, your user profile may be corrupt. Try creating a new user account:

Steps:

1. Open "Settings" and go to "Accounts" → "Family & Other users".
2. Under Other Users, select "Add account".
3. Follow onscreen instructions to set up a new local or Microsoft account.
4. Log out of your current user account and log into your newly created account to see if Cortana works correctly.

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Additional Tips and Recommendations:

• Check your internet connection: Cortana relies on online services, so ensure your connection is stable.
• Check antivirus software or Firewall settings: Sometimes antivirus software can block Cortana, so ensure it has access rights in your antivirus or firewall.
• Restart your PC regularly: Regular system restarts reduce software issues.

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Conclusion

By following this thorough guide, you should be able to restore service to Cortana quickly and effectively. Most users find solutions from one of the initial methods, but advanced procedures are provided if issues persist. If nothing works, consider seeking official Microsoft support or performing a full system restore or reinstall.

Good luck!