Best 5 Fixes if Windows 11 Language Bar Docked in the Taskbar Greyed Out

The language bar on the taskbar (notification area) is quite important if you use more than one language when typing on a computer. However, some users have complained that the docked in taskbar option is greyed out, making it impossible to set the language bar in the taskbar.

This problem could easily happen after performing a Windows update or other software update. Regardless of what the cause might be, this article will provide some effective steps to troubleshoot this error.

Before trying out more advanced options, we recommend implementing these quick fixes.

• The first step to take is to reboot your PC. Doing this will resolve minor issues and glitches that might be causing this problem.
• Next, ensure that you have multiple languages or keyboards installed.

If the problem persists after trying the steps above, go ahead with our more comprehensive solutions below.

1. Re-install the affected language

An effective way to resolve the language bar docked in the taskbar problem is by re-installing the affected language. This step can help restart the application in a fresh state and remove any glitches causing the error. Follow the steps below to do this.

1. Click Windows + I to open the Settings app, choose the Time & language option, navigate to the Language & region section, click the three dots in the other language section, and select Move up.
   
2. In the confirmation prompt, choose Yes.
3. Now reboot your PC to implement the changes.
4. Once your PC is on, go back to the Language & region settings and choose Add a language.
5. Pick English (United States) from the options displayed, and hit the Next button.
   
6. Ensure to click the checkbox for all components, and hit the Install button.
7. Lastly, reboot your system, navigate to the Language bar options, and click the checkbox for Docked in the taskbar.

2. Disable the desktop language bar

When the Use the desktop language bar when it’s available option is unchecked, the “Docked in the taskbar” option in the Language bar settings is usually grayed out. Therefore, turning off the desktop language bar may help address the issue.

1. Open the Settings app by pressing Windows + I simultaneously, navigate to the Time & language option, and click Typing.
   
2. Next, navigate to the Advanced keyboard settings, and uncheck the box for Use the desktop language bar when it’s available.
   
3. Finally, restart your PC to implement the changes you just made.

3. Install another keyboard

This problem can be resolved by resetting the language bar settings on a new keyboard. Windows will establish a new language bar profile when you install a different keyboard. The “Docked in the taskbar” option will be turned on because this new profile won’t have the same corruptions as the old profile.

1. Open the Settings app by pressing Windows + I together, choose Time & language from the left-hand side, and click on Language & region.
   
2. Click on the three tiny dots on the right-hand side of your screen and choose Langauge options.
   
3. Next, click on the Add a keyboard button next to Installed keyboards and select an option from the list available.
   
4. After doing this, return back to Typing, and choose the Advanced keyboard settings.
   
5. Select the Language bar options.
6. Finally, choose the Docked in the taskbar option, and select OK to save the changes.
   
   

4. Set up another user account

The Windows 11 grayed-out “Docked in the taskbar” option can be brought on by a damaged user profile or an issue with the language bar settings. In order to fix the problem, you should create a new user account with a clean profile by following the steps below.

1. Hold Windows + R to open the Run dialogue, write netplwiz in the text field, and hit Enter.
   
2. In the User Account menu, click the Add button.
   
3. Select Sign in without a Microsoft account, then choose the Local account option.
   
4. In the Add a User menu, enter your new User name and Password, then click Next.
   
5. Now select the new account and choose Properties.
   
   
6. Navigate to the Group Membership tab, click the radio button for Administrator, and select OK.
   
   
7. Lastly, log into the new account and see if the problem has been fixed.

5. Tweak the registry editor

A damaged or missing registry value may be the root of the docked in the taskbar greyed out issue. Windows and other programs’ configuration settings are kept in a database called the registry editor, and by adjusting the registry editor to alter these settings you can potentially resolve the issue.

1. Hold the Windows + R keys simultaneously, type regedit in the text field, and hit Enter.
   
2. In the UAC prompt, select Yes.
3. Next, navigate to the path below.
   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\CTF\LangBar
4. Double-click on ShowStatus, then under the Value data option, input 4, and click OK.
   
5. Reboot your computer and see if the error has been resolved.

Final Thoughts

We have finally come to the end of this guide. If you carefully followed the steps outlined in this article, you should be able to successfully troubleshoot the docked in the taskbar option when it is greyed out and get your system working without any issues.