How to Fix Widgets Not Working in Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

Widgets are one of the most useful and visually appealing features in Windows 11, providing quick information and easy access to apps. However, sometimes the widget panel may stop working, showing an empty screen, failing to load data, or simply not responding altogether. If you’re experiencing this issue, follow this detailed troubleshooting guide to restore the functionality.

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Before You Start

✅ Ensure your computer has an active internet connection.
✅ Ensure your Windows version is updated regularly. Navigate to Settings → Windows Update→ Check for updates.

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First, make sure that widget visibility is turned on:

1. Right-click on the taskbar and select Taskbar settings.
2. Under the Personalization → Taskbar menu, ensure the toggle for Widgets is set to On.

If it’s already on, try turning it off and then turning it back on. This simple step might solve minor glitches.

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Sometimes the widget panel stops responding due to background processes that are stuck. Restarting the widget task can help resolve this easily:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc simultaneously to open Task Manager.
2. Click on the Processes tab.
3. Scroll to find Windows Widgets (or Widgets.exe) from the provided list.
4. Right-click on this process and select End task.
5. Close Task Manager and click again on the widget icon from your taskbar to restart it.

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Since Widgets are system-integrated, restarting File Explorer also helps refresh your interface and widget panel:

1. Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc).
2. Under the Processes tab, scroll down and find Windows Explorer.
3. Right-click Windows Explorer and select Restart.
4. Wait for your desktop icons and taskbar to automatically reload.
5. Check if widgets are now functioning correctly.

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Widget problems may also occur due to incorrect permission settings:

1. Press Win + I to open Settings.
2. Select Privacy & security → App Permissions.
3. Under the Background apps permissions, make sure Let apps run in the background is turned on.
4. Scroll to find the widget-associated apps (MSN news, weather, calendar) and enable background operation if necessary.

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Widgets rely heavily on Microsoft’s built-in applications:

1. Open the Microsoft Store from the Start menu.
2. Click Library on the lower-left side.
3. Click Get updates to install pending application updates.
4. After completion, restart your computer and verify widget functionality again.

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Your Windows account synchronization might face temporary issues causing widgets to malfunction:

1. Click the Start button and select your account from the Start menu.
2. Choose Sign out from the available options.
3. On the login screen, log back in using your Microsoft account credentials.
4. Open the widgets panel to check if the issue persists.

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System file corruption can also be a culprit behind malfunctioning widgets. Run system file checks and DISM:

1. Click Start, type CMD, and choose Run as administrator.

2. Enter the following command and press Enter. This checks for corrupted files:

   batch
   sfc /scannow

   Wait until it finishes.

3. Next, type this command to repair component store corruption:

   cmd
   DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

   Again, allow it to complete the process (may take several minutes).

4. After completion, Restart your PC and check the widgets again.

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Widgets partially rely on Microsoft Edge WebView2; repairing it can resolve widget issues:

1. Press Win + X and open Apps and Features.
2. Find Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime, select it, then click on Modify.
3. Choose Repair when prompted.
4. Restart your device afterward.

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If none of the above methods have worked, you may reset Widgets from Windows PowerShell:

1. Right-click Start menu, select Terminal (Admin) (or Windows PowerShell (Admin)).

2. Type or paste the command below and press Enter:

   powershell
   Get-AppxPackage MicrosoftWindows.Client.WebExperience* | Reset-AppxPackage

3. Restart your PC after the command execution.

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If you continue experiencing issues, it’s possible you’ve encountered a bug that Microsoft may fix in the next Windows update:

• Go to Settings → Windows Update. Ensure all latest updates and patches are installed.
• Use the built-in Feedback Hub (search via Start menu) to provide feedback to Microsoft about your widget issues. Microsoft frequently addresses problems reported through Feedback Hub in subsequent updates.

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If nothing seems to fix your issue, a system restore back to a previous restore point, or a Windows Reset is the final option:

• Open Settings → System → Recovery.
• Click Reset PC or Advanced startup to initiate the system recovery process.
• Follow the instructions carefully.
• Ensure to back up important files beforehand.

Choose this method as a last resort only, as it removes installed third-party apps and customized settings.

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✅ Closing Tips to Ensure Ongoing Stability:

• Keep Windows 11 regularly updated.
• Regularly clean up and manage installed applications.
• Check regularly for malware or virus infection.
• Backup frequently and use restore points regularly.

If the widgets feature remains malfunctioning even after following all above methods, check if others users report similar issues on Windows forums or Microsoft’s official support platform.

Following this detailed troubleshooting guide should help you fix common Windows 11 widget-related issues.