Fix Windows 11 Widgets Not Working

Windows 11 is the latest Microsoft operating system, offering users new features and improvements over its predecessor, Windows 10. One such feature is Windows 11 Widgets.

Sometimes the Widgets might not work because of several reasons. If that is the case with you, don’t worry. Fortunately, there are various solutions that you can try.

Let’s discuss various fixes that would help you solve the Widgets not working issue on Windows 11 and enhance your experience.

What Is Windows 11 Widgets?

If you have previous experience using Windows 10, you might be acquainted with Live Tiles on the start menu. These Live Tiles display weather updates, news, and images. In Windows 11, widgets offer similar functionality but with a dedicated space that can be accessed by pressing Windows + W. Widgets to display dynamic content from your favorite apps on your PC without cluttering your start menu. You can customize widgets by pinning, unpinning, resizing, and arranging them according to your interests.

Fix 1: Disable and Re-enable Widgets

Sometimes, when you cannot find the widgets menu icon (the blue and white square) on your taskbar, disabling and re-enabling widgets can help resolve the issue. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Right-click on a blank area of your taskbar and select Taskbar settings.
2. In the Taskbar settings menu, find the “Widgets” button.
3. Toggle the Widgets button off, then toggle it back on again.
4. Check to see if the widgets are now working correctly.

This process turns the widgets feature off and back on again, which can help reset the system and fix any issues causing the widget menu icon to disappear from the taskbar.

Fix 2: Reboot Widgets

Restarting the widgets process from the Task Manager may resolve the issue if you are experiencing problems with widgets not loading or seeing blank spaces where widgets should be. Follow these steps:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager on your PC. If the Processes tab is not already selected, click on it to select it.
2. Find the process for widgets and click on the End task button to terminate the process.
3. Try opening the widgets panel again to see if it loads correctly.

Restarting the widgets process forces it to start fresh, which helps resolve any issues preventing widgets from loading correctly. Following these steps, you can quickly troubleshoot and fix problems with Windows 11 widgets.

Fix 3: Sign In to Your Microsoft Account

Certain widgets, such as the calendar, weather, and news, may need to be fixed since they rely on data from your Microsoft account. To fix this problem, you must sign in with your Microsoft account. Here are the steps to do so:

1. Press Windows + I to open the Settings menu.
2. Click on Accounts in the left sidebar.
3. Go to the “Your info” tab.
4. Tap on the Sign in with a Microsoft account instead link and follow the on-screen instructions to sign in with your Microsoft account.

Once you have signed in with your Microsoft account, the widgets that rely on its data should start working correctly. By doing these steps, you can ensure that you have access to all of the features and functionality of Windows 11 widgets.

Fix 4: Make Edge Your Default Browser

Making Microsoft Edge your default browser ensures it is correctly integrated with Windows 11 widgets. This can help prevent issues with widgets that rely on data from the browser, such as news or weather widgets.

Suppose you are experiencing issues with Windows 11 widgets. This issue may be because Microsoft Edge is not set as your default browser. Here are the steps to change your default browser:

1. Go to the Settings menu.
2. Click the “Apps” tab on the left, then select Default apps on the right.
3. Scroll down the app list to find Microsoft Edge and click on it.
4. Click on the Set default button.
5. Furthermore, set Microsoft Edge as the default option for opening various file types and link types in the “Set default file types or link types” section.

Fix 5: Repair Microsoft Edge WebView2

If you have tried the previous fixes and are still experiencing issues with Windows 11 widgets, a corrupt Microsoft Edge WebView2 may be causing the problem. Here’s how to repair it:

1. Press the Windows key + R, type “control,” and press OK to open the Control Panel.
2. Click on the Uninstall a program link under “Programs.”
3. Scroll down the list of installed programs until you locate “Microsoft Edge WebView2.” Right-click on it and select the Change option.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to repair Microsoft Edge WebView2.

After repairing Microsoft Edge WebView2, restart your system and try opening the widgets panel again. This should resolve any issues caused by a corrupt WebView2 and help ensure proper web content rendering in Windows 11 native apps.

Summing Up

Windows 11 widgets are a great way to customize your desktop and stay informed with real-time data. However, if the widgets panel is not loading correctly or you are experiencing other issues, these five fixes should help you troubleshoot and fix any problems with Windows 11 widgets. Through these steps, you can get back up and running with Windows 11

Peter Brown

Peter is an Electrical Engineer whose primary interest is tinkering with his computer. He is passionate about Windows 10 Platform and enjoys writing tips and tutorials about it.