Windows 10: Windows Start->Power button not working

The Start menu software power button, which usually brings up the options to Sleep, Restart or Shut Down, does nothing when clicked. The buttons on the same panel Settings, Pictures, Files, MS Account all work fine. This persists through computer restarts and Windows Explorer restarts. This doesn't seem to be correlated with a Windows Update. Currently, the only way to control my computer's power state is Windows+R "shutdown -x" commands. Computer information:Windows 10 Version 22H2 for x64 KB5046613I'd love to post a picture but the forum is throwing an error whichever way I try lol.

:)

 

Start Button displaying but not working


The start button was working until there was a forced reboot (power failure). Then left click (normal click) over the start button does absolutely nothing. Right click brings up a menu but "programs" and also "settings" are missing and not included on this list. Search or Task View buttons do not work either with "normal" click. Does anyone have any suggestion or fixes?
Thank you in advance *Huh
Sue

 

Windows 10 power button not working

Hi

Welcome to Microsoft community.

If your physical power button is not responding when your computer is running despite being able to turn on the laptop, it seems like a setting or software issue. You've done well to update your chipset driver, BIOS, and Windows.

Here are a few more steps you can try:

1. Check Power Button Settings:
   
   • Right-click the Start button and select "Power Options".
     
   • Click on "Choose what the power button does" on the left side of the window.
     
   • Make sure the "When I press the power button" option is set to "Shut down" or "Sleep" based on your preference.
     
   • Click "Save changes".
     
2. Turn off Fast Startup:
   
   • Go to Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options > System Settings.
     
   • Click on "Change settings that are currently unavailable".
     
   • Under "Shutdown settings", uncheck the box that says "Turn on fast startup".
     
   • Click "Save changes" and restart your PC.
     
3. Run the Power Troubleshooter:
   
   • Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters.
     
   • Find and run the "Power" troubleshooter.
     
4. Try a Different Power Plan:
   
   • Go to Power Options (as in step 1).
     
   • Try using a different power plan like "Balanced" or "High performance".
     
5. Reset Power Plans to Default:
   
   • Open Command Prompt as an administrator (right-click on Start button > Command Prompt (Admin)).
     
   • Type powercfg –restoredefaultschemes then press enter.
     
   • Restart your PC.
     

Please let me know if you need any further assistance. Thank you.

Best regards

Derrick Qian | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

 

Start Button Not Working?


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