Share this article
Improve this guide
Action Center not Opening in Windows 10: Why & How to Fix
Encompassing and surefire solutions to restore the Action Center
15 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
Share this article
Improve this guide
Read our disclosure page to find out how can you help Windows Report sustain the editorial teamRead more
Key notes
Action Centerallows you to see and open important notifications in Windows 10. However, some users report that this important feature is not opening on their PCs.
This takes away the ease of accessing your notifications. Fortunately, there are surefire fixes that can help you solve this problem, and we will show them to you in this guide.
Why can’t I open Action Center in Windows 10?
Below are some of the factors that can cause the Action Center not to open on Windows 10:
What to do if Action Center won’t open in Windows 10
1. Use ShellExView
According to users, sometimes the Action Center not opening issue can be caused by context menu items. To fix this problem, you need to use ShellExView or any other similar application that can edit context menu items.
2. Turn off your computer
You can fix this problem simply by turning off your PC. By defaultWindows 10uses the Fast Startup option that doesn’t fully turn off your PC.
Therefore you need to turn off your PC by holding the power button for several seconds. Turn your PC on again and check if theAction Centeris now opening on Windows 10.
Some users also suggest simply logging off and logging back in to fix this problem. To do that, follow these steps:
After doing that, check if the problem is resolved.
3. Delete Arial Narrow font
Several users reported that the Action Center not opening on Windows 10 issue was caused by the Arial Narrow font. The font file can become corrupted, and that can cause certain Windows components, such asAction Center, to stop working.
To fix the problem, you need to remove the Arial Narrow font.
After deleting the fontAction Centershould start working again without issues. If you need the font, you might have to get it from a working PC and install it again.
4. Use PowerShell
A few users managed to get the Action Center to open on Windows 10 by reinstalling the feature using PowerShell.
This is a powerful and advancedcommand linetool. Therefore, we strongly advise that youcreate a System Restore pointand backup in case anything goes wrong.
5. Download the latest Windows update
You can fix the Action Center not opening on Windows 10 issue by installing the latest Windows updates. Microsoft frequently releases new updates to improve stability and fix certain issues.
In most cases, Windows 10 will automatically install all updates, but you can also check for updates manually.
6. Disable Outlook 2016 notifications
According to users, the issue with Action Center is caused byOutlook 2016. It seems that Outlook notifications are responsible for this problem.
The Outlook notifications will stop appearing after a while and eventually preventAction Centerfrom opening on Windows 10. To fix the issue, you need to disable Outlook 2016 notifications.
7. Scan your C drive
Sometimes, Action Center might stop opening on Windows 10 if your files are corrupted. If that’s the case, the best choice of action would be to scan your C drive.
After the scan is completed, check if the problem is resolved.
8. Start Windows 10 in Safe Mode
A few users reported that they managed to fix the Action Center not opening on Windows 10 problem simply by starting Windows 10 in Safe Mode.
9. Restart Windows Explorer
Alternatively, you can close Windows Explorer and restart it manually. To do that, follow these steps:
Another possible solution to the Action Center not opening on Windows 10 issue is to restart Windows Explorer.
After doing this, check if the problem is resolved. This might not be the permanent solution, so you’ll have to repeat it every time the issue occurs.
10. Use Group Policy Editor
According to a few users, you can fix this issue simply by changing the few options in Group Policy Editor. After that, check if theAction Centeris opening on Windows 10.
There’s also another solution that involves Group Policy Editor. This solution requires changing two values, and you can perform it by following these steps:
After your PC restarts, check if the problem is resolved.
11. Edit your registry
If you can’t open Action Center on Windows 10, you might have to make a few changes to your registry. Modifying the registry can lead to stability issues. Therefore, we advise you to create a backup of your registry, just in case anything goes wrong.
There’s also another registry edit that might help you with this problem. According to users, you need to disable the newAction Centerfrom Registry Editor: To do that, follow these steps:
After making the changes,Action Centershould now open on Windows 10. Users reported that Outlook notifications caused this issue, so be sure to remove them fromAction Center.
After doing that, disable Outlook notifications and removeUseActionCenterExperienceDWORD from the registry.
12. Run Disk Cleanup
Sometimes temporary or leftover files can cause issues with Windows 10. A few users reported that they solved the issue by removing old and temporary files.
After the process, try to openAction Centeron Windows 10 and check if the problem is resolved.
13. Use the Advanced SystemCare tool
Some users managed to fix theAction Centernot opening on Windows 10 issue simply by using theAdvanced SystemCare tool. This application has a small tool called SmartDefragthat can optimize applications.
A few users reported that using the Smart Defrag feature in the Advanced SystemCare tool fixed the problem for them, so you might want to try using this application.
14. Remove problematic applications
Sometimes third-party applications can cause problems with Action Center. Users reported thatAkami NetSessioncaused this problem on their PC. If you have this application installed, we strongly suggest you remove it.
Keep in mind that other applications can also cause this problem to occur. You might have to remove additional applications to fix this problem.
Several users reported that removingDropboxand Apple applications fixed the issue for them, so be sure to try that as well.
15. Use SFC and DISM scan
If the issue persists, you might need to run a DISM scan. To do that, follow these steps:
If Action Center is not opening on your Windows 10 PC, that might be because core Windows components are corrupted or damaged. If that’s the case, you might have to use an SFC scan to fix the problem.
16. Switch to High Contrast theme
A few users reported that you could fix the Action Center problem by switching to the High Contrast theme. This is a simple solution, but it might work for some users, so try it out.
17. Rename the Usrclass file
According to a few users, you might be able to fix the problem withAction Centersimply by renaming the Usrclass file. Keep in mind that this solution will remove all tiles from Start Menu.
In addition, this solution will change your theme to a High Contrast theme, so you’ll have to revert it to the original. To change the Usrclass file, you need to create a new administrator account, as shown above.
After switching to a new account, you need to find the Usrclass file on your old account. To do that, follow these steps:
After doing that, the issue should be completely resolved, and everything should start working again. If that doesn’t work, you might want to move all your files and switch to the new account.
18. Set Taskbar to the auto-hide mode
If Action Center is not opening on Windows 10, you might be able to fix it simply by enabling auto-hide mode. Should this restore normalcy, you can disable auto-hide options and check if the Action Center still works.
19. Disable and enable Action Center
According to users, disabling and enabling Action Center from the Settings app can sometimes fix this problem.
20. Disable certain startup items
According to users, sometimes demanding startup items can prevent Action Center from opening on Windows 10. To fix the problem, you might want to try disabling those items.
If the issue persists after doing this, you might want to disable all startup applications and check if that solves the problem.
21. Perform System Restore
According to users, you might be able to fix this problem simply by performing a System Restore.
- Perform an in-place upgrade
If you still have issues withAction Center, you might have to perform an in-place upgrade. You need to downloadWindows 10 ISO filefrom Microsoft’s website to do that. After doing that, mount the ISO file and runsetup.exe.
Follow the instructions on the screen to perform an upgrade. Keep in mind that performing in-place upgrades can remove some of your files. Therefore, we advise you to create a backup.
The in-place upgrade also allows you to keep your files, so be sure to select this option during the installation.
Action Centeris a major part ofWindows 10, but if it’s not opening on your PC, try some of our solutions.
If you are facing other issues, like theAction Center shortcut missing on Windows 10, check our detailed guide to fix it.
Feel free to let us know the solution that helped you fix this issue in the comments below.
More about the topics:windows 10
Milan Stanojevic
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Milan has been enthusiastic about technology ever since his childhood days, and this led him to take interest in all PC-related technologies. He’s a PC enthusiast and he spends most of his time learning about computers and technology.
Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s one of the Troubleshooting experts in our worldwide team, specializing in Windows errors & software issues.
User forum
3 messages
Sort by:LatestOldestMost Votes
Comment*
Name*
Email*
Commenting as.Not you?
Save information for future comments
Comment
Δ
Milan Stanojevic
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s specialized in Windows errors & software issues.
