How to Fix Windows 11 Widgets Not Working

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Windows 11AppsTroubleshootingFix

The Problem

Clicking Widgets on the taskbar (or Win + W) opens a blank panel, endless spinner, or “Something went wrong.” Widgets rely on Microsoft account sign-in, WebView2, and online feeds—any broken link in that chain fails the board.

Start Menu broken too? Shell problems often overlap—see Start menu not opening and search not working.

Symptoms

  • Widgets icon does nothing or flashes an empty panel.
  • Weather/news tiles never load despite working internet.
  • Widgets worked until an account or region change.

The Fix: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Sign In and Check Region

  1. Settings → Accounts → sign in with a Microsoft account (local-only accounts have limited Widgets features).
  2. Settings → Time & language → Region → set a supported country if you travel often.
  3. Confirm the PC has internet—test a browser page; fix DNS issues if only Microsoft services fail.

Step 2: Update Windows and WebView2

  1. Settings → Windows Update → install all pending updates.
  2. Install Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime from Microsoft if missing (many Widgets errors mention WebView).
  3. Update Microsoft Edge—Widgets embed web content.

Step 3: Repair the Widgets App

  1. Settings → Apps → Installed apps → Widgets (or Windows Web Experience Pack) → Advanced options → Repair, then Reset if needed.
  2. Reboot and press Win + W again.
  3. If Store components are broken, fix Microsoft Store not working first.

Step 4: Enable Widgets in Taskbar Settings

  1. Settings → Personalization → Taskbar → turn Widgets On.
  2. Drag taskbar icons so Widgets is not hidden on small screens.
  3. Settings → Privacy & security → Diagnostics & feedback → optional data may affect feed personalization but not basic load—focus on sign-in first.

Step 5: Reset Network and Clear Cache (Shell)

  1. Run in Terminal (Admin): 
    wsreset.exe
    (Resets Store cache—helps packaged apps.)
  2. Restart Windows Explorer: Task Manager → Windows Explorer → Restart.
  3. Disable VPN or strict firewall temporarily—some block Widgets endpoints.

Step 6: When Widgets Still Fail

  1. Create a new Windows user profile to test—corrupt profiles break shell apps.
  2. Run SFC / DISM if multiple shell features fail together (Start, Search, Widgets).
  3. For taskbar-wide issues, also read taskbar not working and snap layouts not working.