Struggling with Windows 11 issues? Fix the 10 most common problems—like slow boot, update errors, or crashing apps—with quick, step-by-step solutions.
Windows 11 brings a sleek new interface and improved performance—but let’s be honest, it’s not without its quirks. Whether you're dealing with performance hiccups, weird errors, or unexpected behavior, you're not alone. Below are 10 of the most common issues users run into with Windows 11—and how you can fix them without pulling your hair out.
1. Slow Boot Times
The Problem: Your PC takes forever to start up, even though it's running newer hardware.
The Fix:
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Disable unnecessary startup programs:
Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) → Startup tab → Disable programs you don’t need.
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Turn on Fast Startup:
Go to Control Panel > Power Options > Choose what the power buttons do → Enable Fast Startup.
2. Taskbar Not Working or Missing Features
The Problem: Can’t drag and drop to the taskbar? Missing right-click options?
The Fix:
- Unfortunately, drag-and-drop support was missing in early builds, but it’s been re-added in newer updates. Make sure you’re running the latest version via Settings > Windows Update.
- For missing right-click options, third-party tools like “Start11” can bring back some of the classic functionality.
3. Wi-Fi Keeps Disconnecting
The Problem: Wi-Fi drops randomly or won’t reconnect after sleep.
The Fix:
- Update your network drivers via Device Manager.
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Turn off power saving for the network adapter:
Device Manager > Network Adapters > [Your Wi-Fi Adapter] > Properties > Power Management tab → Uncheck “Allow the computer to turn off this device…”
4. Right-Click Menu is Slow or Limited
The Problem: Right-click menus feel sluggish or missing expected options.
The Fix:
- Microsoft introduced a simplified context menu. To get the full menu, right-click and choose “Show more options” or press Shift + F10.
- For speed, uninstall third-party shell extensions that may be slowing it down.
5. Bluetooth Not Working Properly
The Problem: Devices won’t connect, or Bluetooth disappears altogether.
The Fix:
- Reinstall the Bluetooth driver: Device Manager > Bluetooth > Uninstall device, then restart your PC.
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Run the Bluetooth troubleshooter:
Settings > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters > Bluetooth.
6. File Explorer Freezing or Crashing
The Problem: File Explorer becomes unresponsive, especially during file transfers or large folder access.
The Fix:
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Clear File Explorer history:
Control Panel > File Explorer Options > Clear.
- Disable preview pane and thumbnails if dealing with large folders.
- If the problem persists, restart Windows Explorer via Task Manager.
7. Start Menu Not Opening
The Problem: Clicking the Start button does nothing.
The Fix:
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Restart Windows Explorer:
Ctrl + Shift + Esc > Processes tab > Windows Explorer > Restart.
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Run System File Checker:
Open Command Prompt as admin and type:
sfc /scannow
8. Windows Updates Failing to Install
The Problem: Updates get stuck or fail with vague error messages.
The Fix:
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Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter:
Settings > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters > Windows Update.
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Clear the update cache manually:
:: Stop Windows Update services net stop wuauserv net stop bits :: Delete the update cache rd /s /q %windir%\SoftwareDistribution rd /s /q %windir%\System32\catroot2 :: Start the services again net start wuauserv net start bits
Run these commands in Command Prompt as Administrator. This will clear corrupted update files that may be preventing successful installations. Afterward, try checking for updates again.
9. High RAM or CPU Usage
The Problem: Even when idle, your PC feels hot or sluggish.
The Fix:
- Open Task Manager to identify the culprit. Often it’s “SysMain” or background processes.
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Disable SysMain:
Open Services (search for it), find “SysMain”, right-click > Properties > Disable.
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Consider turning off some visual effects:
System Properties > Advanced > Performance Settings.
10. Compatibility Issues With Older Software
The Problem: Some older apps or games don’t run properly—or at all.
The Fix:
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Use Compatibility Mode:
Right-click the app > Properties > Compatibility tab > Run in compatibility mode for Windows 10 (or older).
- If the app still doesn’t run, try running it inside a Windows 10 virtual machine using Hyper-V or VirtualBox.
FAQs
Why is my Windows 11 PC so slow?
This is often due to unnecessary startup programs or background services. See Point #1 above to fix it.
How do I fix update failures in Windows 11?
Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter or clear the update cache manually (see Point #8).
Is it safe to disable SysMain?
Yes. Disabling SysMain can help improve performance, especially if you're using an SSD. See Point #9.
Final Thoughts
Windows 11 is a solid upgrade overall, but it’s still evolving—and like every OS, it comes with a few rough edges. Hopefully, this list helps you get back to smooth sailing. If you’ve come across other issues or creative fixes, feel free to share them in the comments!
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