Windows 11 Action Center Not Opening: Best 9 Fixes

As a Windows 11 user, you may have encountered the Action Center not opening. The Action Center is a great way to keep track of system notifications and quickly access settings and essential system functions.

Some quick and easy fixes have been included in this article. Read on to see those fixes and why your Action Center is not opening on your computer as it usually should.

Why is my Action Center not opening on Windows 11?

There may be several reasons you are encountering this issue on your computer. They may include the following:

• Antivirus Software: These antimalware tools can interfere with the Windows Action Center and stop it from opening. So, we recommend only the most compatible antivirus.
• System Files: Damage in the system files can also prevent Windows Action Center from opening. You may need a robust file repairing tool.
• Windows Updates: When Windows is outdated, it can also lead to this issue. The OS is the heart of the software and must be up to the minute.
• Registry Settings: Incorrect registry settings can also cause this frustrating problem.
• Executable file error: There could also be a problem with the Action Center executable file.
• Service center not running: The Action Center service may also not run. This is undoubtedly key to the proper functioning of the center.
• Service disabled: Also, the Center may be disabled in the Windows Settings.

If you are wondering how I reset the Action Center in Windows 11, we will explain it in our solutions below.

How do I fix the Action Center if it is not opening in Windows 11?

1. Update your OS

1.1 Update driver via Settings

1. First, simultaneously hold down the Windows + I keys to open the Settings menu.
   
2. Click on the Windows Update option and the Check for updates button under it to find new updates.
   
3. In the options available, click on Advanced Options. 
   
4. Then, click and open the Optional updates section.
   
5. After that, expand the Driver Updates section and Download and Install all the drivers updates available.
   
6. The driver will begin downloading. Wait for the process to complete.
   
7. Finally, restart your PC.
   

1.2. Update via third-party app

1. Firstly, visit the Driver Easy website on your browser (our third-party app case study).
2. Then download and install Driver Easy.
   
3. Once installation is complete, launch the Driver Easy app and click the Scan Now button to scan your PC and detect drivers that need updating. 
   
4. Finally, select the Update All button to execute the necessary update.
   
5. Let the process run and update complete, then restart your device.

2. Run the System File Checker (SFC)

1. Click the Search icon on the Taskbar and enter cmd in the text field.
2. Select Run as administrator to run the commands as an admin.
   
3. When prompted by the UAC, click Yes to continue.
   
4. Once Command Prompt opens, you should enter the command below and press the Enter key to run the System File Checker tool scan:
   sfc /scannow
   
5. Finally, let the scanning process complete, then restart your computer to implement repairs.

3. Run the DISM tool

1. Press the Windows key and S, enter cmd in the text field, and select Run as administrator.
   
2. Once the Command Prompt opens, enter the commands below and hit Enter after each command:
   DISM /ONLINE /CLEANUP-IMAGE /SCANHEALTH
DISM /ONLINE /CLEANUP-IMAGE /CHECKHEALTH
DISM /ONLINE /CLEANUP-IMAGE /RESTOREHEALTH
Sfc /Scannow
   
3. Wait patiently for each process to complete.
4. Finally, restart your computer system.

4. Re-register Action Center

1. Press the Windows and X keys to open the Quick Link menu.
2. Once it opens, press A or click on Windows PowerShell (Admin) to open the PowerShell work area.
   
3. If a UAC pops up, then click Yes to continue.
4. When the PowerShell window opens, paste the following code below:
   Get-AppxPackage | % { Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppxManifest.xml" -verbose }
   
5. After pasting the code, hit Enter to commence execution.
6. Wait patiently for the process to complete.
7. Finally, restart your computer.

5. Use Local Group Policy Editor

1. Open the Run dialog by pressing the Window + R key combination.
2. Then, enter gpedit.msc and hit Enter to launch the Local Group Policy Editor.
   
3. Then, expand User Configuration, Administrative Templates and click Start Menu and Taskbar.
   
4. On the right pane of the display, double-click on Remove Notifications and Action Center.
   
5. Then, choose the Disabled option and click Apply and OK to save the changes.
   
6. Finally, restart your computer.

6. Perform a system restore

1. Firstly, press the Windows + R key combination to open the Run dialog and type rstrui, then hit Enter
   
2. Click on Choose a different restore point when the System Restore wizard opens.
   
3. Then click on the Next button to continue. 
   
4. On the next window, choose your restore point, then click Next. 
   
5. Allow the process to run and complete.
6. Finally, click Finish when the restore is complete.

7. Tweak Registry Editor

1. Open the Run dialog by pressing the Window + R key combination.
2. Then, enter regedit and hit Enter to launch the Registry Editor.
   
3. If a UAC prompt pops up, then click Yes to continue.
4. When the Registry Editor opens, paste the path below into the address bar and hit Enter:
   Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer
   
5. If an Explorer key does not exist, create it by right-clicking Windows, and select New and Key. The new key name should be Explorer.
6. After that, select the Explorer key, then double-click on the DisableNotificationCenter (REG_DWORD). Set the Value data to 0, then click OK.
   
7. Finally, close the Registry Editor when you’re done and restart PC.

8. Repair Windows Apps

1. Press the Windows and X keys to open the Quick Link menu.
2. Once it opens, click on Windows PowerShell (Admin) to open the PowerShell work area.
   
3. If a UAC pops up, then click Yes to continue.
4. When the PowerShell window opens, paste the following codes below one after the other:
   Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.Windows.ShellExperienceHost | foreach {Add-AppxPackage -register "$($_.InstallLocation)\appxmanifest.xml" -DisableDevelopmentMode}
Get-AppXPackage | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}
   
5. After pasting the codes, hit Enter after each to commence execution.
6. Wait patiently for the process to complete.
7. Finally, restart your computer.

9. Restart File Explorer

1. Press the Windows + S keys to open the Search box and enter Task Manager. Then click on the app to open it.
2. Under Processes, find Windows Explorer and select it. Then click on Restart at the bottom right corner of the screen.
   

Given the nine fixes discussed in this article, you should be able to get your Windows 11 Action Center not opening issue resolved. With commitment and patience, one or more solutions will clear out this trouble as quickly as possible.

However, if the issue persists, it’s best to contact a Microsoft support representative or a professional computer technician to help you further. With their help, you should be able to resolve this issue in no time.