Top 14 Fixes For Task Manager Not Responding Windows

Task Manager is installed on your computer and allows you to see all of the programs.  Also, Applications and processes that are running in the background. Using the Task Manager, you may quickly terminate any task slowing or disrupting your PC’s performance. Troubleshoot Unresponsive Task Manager can be difficult to resolve system problems.

However, this program may have troubles on occasion, such as being unreachable. This monitoring tool becomes unresponsive or refuses to open.

task manager not responding

The problem of Windows Task Manager not responding in Windows 7/8/10 is highly prevalent. It can frequently be found on forums such as Reddit or screenshot websites such as Memes.

What is the use of Task Manager?

One of the essential utilities in Windows 10 is Task Manager. It provides users with information about the general performance of the computer. Also, comprehensive information on the programs and processes currently executing on the computer.

It’s frequently used to force the shutdown of unresponsive software. You may discover that the Task Manager is not working on your Windows 10 computer or that you cannot open it. It can be very aggravating.

How to Launch the Task Manager?

You can open Task Manager in four different ways.

  • To open the Run dialogue box, press Windows + R. Type “taskmgr” in the dialogue box and hit Enter.
TASKMGR
  • Select “Task Manager” from the listing of options accessible by right-clicking on the Windows icon at the end of the left side of the screen.
Windows icon TASK MANAGER
  • CTRL+SHIFT+ESC is a shortcut for Ctrl+Alt+Del. A new screen will appear, with only a few options. To access it, select “Task Manager” from the drop-down menu.
CTRL+SHIFT+ESC
  • Start by typing “Task Manager” into the dialogue box. Right-click on the first result that appears. Choose “Run as administrator” from the menu.
Task Manager" into the dialogue box

Methods To Fix Task Manager Not Responding

  1. Run System File Checker
  2. Run DISM to Repair Windows Image
  3. Enable Task Manager Using Registry
  4. Restore Your System
  5. Sign out /Switch the User Account
  6. Use Group Policy Editor
  7. Update Windows
  8. Windows Powershell to Re-register Task Manager
  9. Open PC in Safe Mode
  10. Scan your PC for viruses
  11. Make sure that Task Manager isn’t disabled
  12. Uninstall Third-Party Apps
  13. Use Third-party Tools
  14. Repair Windows 10 with installation disk

1. Run System File Checker

System File Checker is a Windows application that scans for and restores faulty Windows system files. It can be used to troubleshoot a Task Manager not responding.

  • In the Windows Search Box, type “cmd.”
  • Run the Command Prompt (administrator), right-click on it.
  • Click on “Yes” if the User Account Control prompt opens.
  • After opening the Command Prompt, write “sfc/scannow” and click Enter.
sfc /scannow
  • When the verification percentage reaches 100%. You’ll get a command that says, “Windows Resource Protection successfully fixeD corrupted files.”
  • Details can be seen in the CBS.log file under windir/Logs/CBS/CBS.log.”
  • Restart the computer and see if the Task Manager is working correctly.

It will restore the original state of modified system files and replace the corrupted file version with the proper one. Restart your computer and double-check Task Manager.

2. Run DISM to Repair Windows Image

The Windows 10/8 “Task Manager not responding” correctly. You might try running DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) after performing SFC.

The command-line utility DISM is used to mount and service Windows images. In a.wim file or VHD, you can use it to install, uninstall, configure, and update Windows features. Also, international settings packages and drivers.

  • Command Prompt must run as an administrator.
  • Then, in the pop-out CMD window, type the command line “DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth.”
  • To check for component store corruption, press the Enter key at the end. This procedure could take anywhere from 10 to 15 minutes.
  • If issues are reported, type Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth and press Enter to see if they can be fixed.
  • If this is the case, repair the corruption with DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth.

3. Enable Task Manager Using Registry

The Registry Editor window is a powerful tool. Making changes to data entries, you don’t understand could harm your computer. Take extra precautions and thoroughly follow the directions.

  • To open the Run application, press Windows + R, then type “regedit” in the dialogue box and hit Enter.
regedit
  • Using the left navigation panel in the registry editor, navigate to the following file path:
    • HKEY_CURRENTUSER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
  • You will need to create the System key if it does not exist. After that, we’ll teach you how to establish the full registry.
create the System key
  • From the list of objects, look for “DisableTaskmgr.” Double-click it and type 0 for the value. Select OK.
  • Reboot your device to see if the issue has been resolved.

If you don’t have the registry and the file path only goes as far as Policies, we can attempt creating it and making the necessary modifications.

  • Navigate to
    • HKEY_CURRENTUSER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies
  • Select New > Key from the drop-down menu when you right-click on the Policies.
  • To make the modifications, name the new key “System” and hit Enter.
  • Once in System, pick New > DWORD (32-bit) Value from the right-click menu on the space on the right side of the Window.
  • Set the value of the current DWORD to 0 and name it “DisableTaskMgr.”
  • Save your work and close the editor. For the changes to take result, you may need to reboot your computer.

4. Restore Your System

When installing a new app, driver, or Windows update, use System Restore to create a System restore point. Also, when you manually establish a system restore point. Your files will not be affected by the restoration. It will uninstall any apps, drivers, or updates installed since the restore point was created. To return to a previous restore point:

  • Select the Start button and type the control panel into the search box next to the Start button on the taskbar. Choose Control Panel (Desktop app) from the results.
  • Select Recovery > Open System Restore > Next from the Control Panel’s Recovery menu.
  • Select Next > Finish after selecting the restore point for the affected app, driver, or update.

5. Sign out /Switch the User Account

The Task Manager in any Windows 8 or Windows 10 will not open or reply. You can try to repair it by logging out and then back into your existing account. Also, you can try to make a new user account.

  • Hold down Ctrl + Alt + Delete while selecting Sign out. After that, restart your PC and sign back into your account. Check to see if Task Manager can be correctly opened.
sign out from pc
settings accounts
  • Select Add someone else to this PC under Family & other persons.
  • Then ” don’t have this person’s sign-in information.”
  • Choose the option to add a user who isn’t a Microsoft account user. After that, Windows will ask you for your user name, password, and password hint.
  • Instead, go to Your information and select Sign in with a new user account.
  • To sign in, enter an email address and a password. After that, see if Task Manager is compatible with this account.

6. Use Group Policy Editor

  • By pressing the Windows+R key combination, you can access the Run dialogue box.
  • To run it, write “gpedit.msc” and then click OK.
gpedit.msc
  • User Configuration then Administrative Templates > System > Ctrl+Alt+Del Options is the path to take.
  • Double-click “Remove Task Manager” on the right side of the pane.
  • To modify, check if Not configured or disabled is chosen, press Apply and tab on OK.
  • Leaving the Local Group Policy Editor is a good idea.
  • Check to see if the Task Manager may now be accessed.

7. Update Windows

The Task Manager failing to respond is a very prevalent problem among Windows users. When many people experience the issue, Microsoft may release a new update to address it. You can go there to see if there is a new update available.

  • Select Start from the Start menu > Select System and Security from the Control Panel menu.
  • Under Windows update, select Check for updates.
Update Windows
  • If an update is ready, download it and install it. 
  • Then restart your computer and go to the Task Manager to see what’s going on. You can pass on to the next step if no update is available.

8. Windows Powershell to Re-register Task Manager

Windows PowerShell is a command-line scripting language. It was created with system administration in mind. If the Task Manager in Windows 10 is not responding, you can try re-registering it. To make it, follow the steps below.

  • In the Start search bar, type Windows Powershell. Choose Run as administrator from the context menu when you right-click its name. To confirm the pop-up window, click Yes.
windows powershell (admin)
  • Enter the following code after copying and pasting it:
    • Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml”}
  • Then select Start and Control Panel. Go to “Appearance and Personalization” from the Start menu. The View tab can be found by selecting Folder Options.
view folder options
  • To confirm, select Show hidden files, folders, and drives and click OK.
  • Go to This PC then Local Disk (C:). Users then “your pc name,” and AppData then Local. Remove the “TileDataLayer” folder and reboot your computer.

9. Open PC in Safe Mode

A safe mode is an option for your computer. It allows the computer to run in minimal system mode. Windows load only the most fundamental discs, making it easier for users to notice and solve computer faults. If you can launch Task Manager properly in Safe Mode, malware may be preventing you from doing so.

  • Open the Run box, press the Windows button and the R key at the same time on your keyboard.
  • Click OK after typing MSConfig.
  • Click the Boot tab in the System Configuration window, check the box next to Safe boot, select Network, and click OK.
Open PC in Safe Mode
  • Make sure that all of the files that are presently open have been saved before clicking Restart.
  • Once in Safe Mode, try one of the previously stated methods to open Task Manager.

10. Scan your PC for viruses

When you’re concerned about the security of a particular file or folder, right-click it in File Explorer. Choose Scan with Microsoft Defender.

If you suspect your device has malware or a virus, you should conduct a fast scan right away. It is significantly quicker than scanning all of your files and folders.

  • In Windows Security, run a quick scan.
  • Select Start, then Settings, Update & Security, and then OK. Then there’s Windows Security, followed by Virus and Threat Protection.
windows security
  • Select Quick scan under Current threats (or in previous versions of Windows 10, under Threat history, select Scan now).
  • If the scan reveals no problems, but you’re still concerned, you should perform a complete examination of your device.

In Windows Security, do an advanced scan.

  • Choose Start then Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Virus & Threat Protection from the Start menu.
  • Select Scan options under Current threats (or in previous Windows 10, select Run a new advanced scan) under Threat history.
  • Choose one of the following scan options:
    • a complete scan (check files and programs currently running on your device)
    • Scan made to order (scan specific files or folders)
  • Offline scan with Microsoft Defender (run this scan if your device has been, or could potentially be, infected by a virus or malware)
  • Now select Scan.

11. Ensure that Task Manager isn’t disabled

  • Open the Registry Editor program.
  • Navigate to the given key on the left side. 
    • Computer/HKEY/CURRENT_USER/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Policies/System
  • If this key isn’t available, right-click the Policies key and select New > Key from the context menu. Enter System as the new key’s name now.
  • Locate DisableTaskmgr under the System key in the right pane. If this value isn’t present, right-click the right pane and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value from the context menu. As the name of the new DWORD, type DisableTaskmgr.
  • Set Value data to 0 by double-clicking the DisableTaskmgr key. To save your changes, click OK.
  • A system policy may disable your Task Manager in specific instances. It can be a problem, but you should resolve it by making a few registry adjustments.

12. Uninstall Third-Party Apps

When encountering the Task Manager not working problem in Windows 10, uninstalling third-party software may be necessary. Malware can make it impossible to open Task Manager normally.

  • To open the Run box, press the Windows key and the R key at the same time.
  • Click OK after typing “control panel”
  • Alternatively, Scroll down to the Windows System folder after clicking the Start button. Select the Control Panel shortcut after clicking the folder. You can also use the search to look for “Control Panel.”
  • Select the applet for Programs and Features by switching to icon view. Only normal desktop applications are displayed in this window, not Windows Universal apps. 
  • Select the program you wish to remove, then either right-click it and select Uninstall or select Uninstall at the top of the list.

13. Use Third-party Tools

If the problem with Task Manager persists, you may be able to use a third-party solution as a temporary fix. There are many excellent free Task Manager options available, some of which are even more advanced than Task Manager.

If you’re seeking an alternative to Task Management, take a look at our list of the top task management software for Windows. Task Manager is an essential aspect of Windows, and if you’re having issues with it, try some of these remedies.

14. Repair Windows 10 With Installation Disk

If Windows 10 fails to load and instead displays the login screen or the desktop, the first thing you should do is run Startup Repair. Here’s how to do it:

  • Go to the Advanced Startup Options menu in Windows 10. When you turn on your computer, press F11 to access the Windows 10 Advanced Startup Options. A secondary option is to boot from an install disc and select Next, then Repair.
  • Select Troubleshoot after your computer has booted.
  • Select Startup Repair from the menu.
  • Windows will attempt to fix task manager problem for anything from a few seconds to a few minutes. It will also state it can’t fix task manager problems if you don’t have a startup problem.

Conclusion 

I hope one of the methods listed above can assist you in successfully resolving the problem. All there is to know about fixing Windows 10 Task Manager not responding, opening, or working. For any further clarification, follow us on provided social media.

FAQs

How do I restart a program that is not responding?

The first step in resolving the program not responding is to launch the Close Program or Task Manager window. Press the Ctrl + Alt + Del buttons on your keyboard. Once the program is open, select the program that isn’t responding and click the End Task button to end it.

What does not responding mean in Task Manager?

Windows requests a program to take a keystroke or close itself. It is categorized as “Not Responding” if it does not acknowledge the request within a particular amount of time. If the software remains in that state, we refer to it as “hang,” as in “hung up” on something.

Why does the Task Manager stop working?

If Task Manager isn’t operating on your computer, it could be due to file corruption. Your system drive can get corrupted at any time. It results in a variety of issues in Windows. Users recommend doing a chkdsk scan to address this and a variety of other problems.

How do I force close a program without Task Manager?

The Alt + F4 keyboard shortcut is the simplest and fastest way to kill a program on a Windows computer without using Task Manager. You can close a program by clicking it. Hold down the Alt + F4 keys on the keyboard and not releasing them until the application is completed.