Is Windows Spotlight not working Windows 11 for you? Discover the causes here and find out how to fix this issue to get Windows Spotlight working on Windows 11.
Windows Spotlight
Windows Spotlight is a native feature that comes pre-installed in both Windows 10 and Windows 11 operating systems. It offers users a unique and visually appealing experience by automatically retrieving and displaying a wide range of stunning images and promotional content sourced from Bing. These captivating visuals are dynamically presented as wallpapers on the lock screen, adding a touch of personalization to the user’s device.
One notable improvement made to the Windows Spotlight feature since 2017 is the inclusion of location information for many of the showcased photographs. This enhancement brings an additional layer of context to the images, allowing users to discover and appreciate the beauty of various locations around the world right from their lock screen.
By incorporating location details, Microsoft aims to provide users with a more immersive and engaging experience, making the Windows Spotlight feature even more captivating and informative.
Windows Spotlight Not Working Windows 11
The Windows Spotlight functionality is an innovative and customizable feature available in both Windows 10 and Windows 11 operating systems. Its primary purpose is to provide users with a visually appealing and personalized experience by automatically retrieving stunning wallpapers from Bing and showcasing them on the Windows Lock screen. This dynamic wallpaper rotation adds a touch of freshness and variety to the user interface.
In a recent update, Microsoft introduced an exciting expansion of the Spotlight feature specifically for the Windows Desktop in Windows 11. This enhancement allows users to enjoy a rotating selection of informative and visually captivating wallpapers directly on their Desktop background, providing an immersive and engaging environment.
However, despite the numerous benefits of the Windows Spotlight feature, some users who have transitioned from the previous Windows 10 platform to Windows 11 have encountered issues with its functionality. Specifically, they have reported instances where the Windows Spotlight feature fails to work as expected on their PCs or laptops.
These reports have prompted users to seek solutions and troubleshoot the problem to regain access to the enticing wallpapers offered by Windows Spotlight. Microsoft is actively investigating and addressing these issues to ensure a seamless and uninterrupted experience for all users.
In conclusion, while the Windows Spotlight feature is a remarkable addition to Windows 10 and Windows 11, it is important for users to be aware of potential challenges and explore available solutions to resolve any issues they may encounter.
Causes for Windows Spotlight not working in Windows 11
There can be several causes for the Windows Spotlight not working issue in Windows 11. Here are some possible reasons:
1. System glitches: Occasionally, system glitches or temporary issues can disrupt the proper functioning of the Windows Spotlight feature.
2. Third-party apps: Certain third-party applications or antivirus programs may interfere with the Windows Spotlight feature, causing it to malfunction.
3. Internet connectivity: As the Windows Spotlight feature relies on an active internet connection to fetch wallpapers and information, any network-related problems can prevent it from working.
4. Misconfigured settings: Incorrect settings related to Windows Spotlight, such as disabled options or incorrect configurations, can lead to the feature not working as intended.
5. Corrupted system files: Corrupted or missing system files can also cause issues with the Windows Spotlight feature.
6. Outdated Windows version: Running an outdated version of Windows 11, particularly beta builds or Insider Preview versions, can introduce bugs or compatibility issues that affect the Windows Spotlight feature.
7. Cached data: Corrupted cache data specific to the Windows Spotlight feature can prevent it from functioning correctly.
It’s important to consider these potential causes when troubleshooting the Windows Spotlight not working issue in Windows 11.
How to Fix Windows Spotlight Not Working Windows 11
In this comprehensive troubleshooting guide, we have compiled a collection of effective solutions to address the issue of Windows Spotlight not working in Windows 11. While some of these fixes are general methods used to resolve system-related issues in Windows 11, others are specifically tailored to resolve the particular problem at hand.
To begin, it is recommended to try each of these solutions on your Windows 11 PC or laptop to determine which one works best for your situation. Now, let’s delve into the fixes for Windows Spotlight not working in Windows 11:
1. Restart Your Windows 11 PC or Laptop:
Start by restarting your Windows 11 device. Although it may seem like a simple step, restarting can be surprisingly effective in resolving system issues. By performing a quick restart, all running applications and background processes are closed, and the RAM is cleared. This action can potentially resolve any conflicts caused by third-party apps or Windows background processes that may be hindering the Windows Spotlight feature. To restart your Windows 11 PC or laptop, access the Power options in the Start menu and select the Restart button. After the restart, check if Windows Spotlight is functioning properly on your device.
2. Check for an Active Internet Connection:
Keep in mind that the Windows Spotlight feature relies on an active internet connection to retrieve wallpapers and information from Bing. If your internet network is down or inactive, the Spotlight feature may cease to function on your Windows PC or laptop. In such cases, you should contact your internet service provider to report the issue and await their resolution. Once your internet connection is restored, restart your Windows 11 device, and Windows Spotlight should start working again.
3. Verify if Windows Spotlight is Enabled in Windows 11:
If a simple restart does not resolve the issue and the Spotlight feature remains inoperable, it is advisable to check whether the feature is actually enabled for your Desktop and Windows Lock screen. Follow these steps to verify the Windows Spotlight settings in Windows 11:
a. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app in Windows 11.
b. Navigate to the Personalization tab on the left sidebar and select Background.
c. Ensure that the “Personalize your background” option is set to Windows Spotlight. If it is not, click the drop-down box and choose Windows Spotlight from the list.
d. Go back to the Personalization menu and click on Lock screen.
e. Set the “Personalize your lock screen” option to Windows Spotlight from the drop-down list.
Once you have confirmed that Windows Spotlight is enabled in Windows 11, restart your device to check if the issue has been resolved.
4. Disable Metered Connection in Windows 11:
If you are using an Ethernet connection and the Metered connection option is enabled on your device, it may lead to the Windows Spotlight not working issue in Windows 11. Some users have reported that the Metered connection setting prevents Spotlight from downloading the necessary media, causing the feature to malfunction. To resolve this, disable the Metered connection option for the Ethernet network in Windows 11:
a. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app in Windows 11.
b. Under the Network & internet tab on the left sidebar, select the Ethernet option.
c. Ensure that the toggle for the Metered connection option is disabled. If it is enabled, click the toggle to disable it.
d. Restart your Windows 11 PC or laptop and check whether Windows Spotlight is functioning properly.
5. Sync the Date and Time in Windows 11:
An incorrect date and time configuration on your Windows 11 PC or laptop can lead to network-based issues, including the Windows Spotlight not working problem. Fortunately, fixing this issue is relatively easy. Follow these steps to sync the date and time onyour Windows 11 device:
a. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app in Windows 11.
b. Under the Time & language tab on the left sidebar, select the Date & time option.
c. Make sure that the “Set time automatically” and “Set time zone automatically” options are enabled.
d. Click the Sync now button to synchronize the date and time on your Windows 11 PC or laptop with Windows servers.
After making this change, check if the Windows Spotlight not working issue has been resolved.
6. Uninstall Third-Party Antivirus Program in Windows 11:
Many users have reported that certain third-party antivirus programs, particularly Bitdefender, can create conflicts with Windows Spotlight and prevent it from functioning properly in Windows 11. If you have any third-party antivirus software installed on your device, it is recommended to uninstall it using the following steps:
a. Press the Windows key + S to open Windows search and search for Control Panel.
b. Click on Control Panel in the search results to open it.
c. Select the “Uninstall a program” option under Programs.
d. Locate the third-party antivirus program installed on your device from the list.
e. Select the program and click the Uninstall button located above the list.
f. Follow the on-screen instructions to remove the antivirus program.
g. Restart your Windows 11 PC or laptop after the uninstallation process is complete.
7. Run SFC Scan in Windows 11:
Apart from misconfigured settings and conflicts with third-party apps, issues with system files can also contribute to the Windows Spotlight not working problem in Windows 11. In such cases, you can utilize the System File Checker (SFC) scan, a command-line tool, to check the system file directory and replace any missing or corrupted system files on your PC or laptop. Follow these steps to run an SFC scan in Windows 11:
a. Press the Windows key + S to open Windows search and search for cmd.
b. Click the “Run as administrator” button for the Command Prompt tool in the search results.
c. Click Yes on the User Account Control prompt that appears.
d. Once the Command Prompt tool opens, type the following command: sfc /scannow
e. Wait for the scan to complete.
f. Restart your Windows 11 PC or laptop.
After the restart, Windows Spotlight should start working on your Windows 11 device.
8. Re-Register Spotlight in Windows 11:
Re-registering the Windows Spotlight feature using the PowerShell tool in Windows 11 can be another effective fix for resolving the issue. Follow these steps:
a. Press the Windows key + S to open Windows search and search for PowerShell.
b. Click the “Run as administrator” button for PowerShell in the search results.
c. Click Yes on the User Account Control prompt.
d. In the PowerShell window, type or copy-paste the following command and press Enter:
Get-AppxPackage -Name Microsoft.Windows.ContentDeliveryManager | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)AppXManifest.xml” -Verbose}
e. After the command execution is complete, restart your Windows 11 PC or laptop.
9. Delete Windows Spotlight Cache in Windows 11:
Corrupted Spotlight cache data can also contribute to the Windows Spotlight feature malfunctioning in Windows 11. To address this, you can use the Command Prompt tool to clear the cache data for Windows Spotlight on your PC or laptop. Follow these steps:
a. Launch the Command Prompt as an administrator (refer to Fix #7 for instructions).
b. Once the Command Prompt
opens, type the following commands one by one and press Enter after each command:
DEL /F /S /Q /A “%USERPROFILE%/AppDataLocalPackagesMicrosoft.Windows.ContentDeliveryManager_cw5n1h2txyewyLocalStateAssets”
DEL /F /S /Q /A “%USERPROFILE%/AppDataLocalPackagesMicrosoft.Windows.ContentDeliveryManager_cw5n1h2txyewySettings”
Note: Do not run the above commands simultaneously in Command Prompt.
c. After the commands execute, close the Command Prompt and open Windows PowerShell as an administrator.
d. In the PowerShell window, type the following command and press Enter to re-register Windows Spotlight in Windows 11:
Get-AppxPackage -allusers *ContentDeliveryManager* | foreach {Add-AppxPackage “$($_.InstallLocation)appxmanifest.xml” -DisableDevelopmentMode -register}
e. Restart your Windows 11 PC or laptop after completing the above step.
10. Update Windows 11:
Running outdated versions of Windows 11, especially if you are a Windows Insider running a beta build, can sometimes cause random bugs or glitches that result in the Windows Spotlight not working issue. To address this, it is recommended to check for the latest available updates for Windows 11 and install them on your PC or laptop. Follow these steps:
a. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app in Windows 11.
b. Go to the Windows Update tab on the left sidebar and click the Check for updates button.
c. Note: Ensure that your PC or laptop is connected to an active internet network during this process.
d. Once the updates are displayed, click the Download and install button to install them on your device.
e. After the updates are installed, restart your Windows 11 PC or laptop.
By following these solutions, you should be able to resolve the Windows Spotlight not working issue on your Windows 11 PC or laptop.
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Categories: General
Source: HIS Education