How to Fix System Tray Icons not showing in Taskbar on Windows 11
The System Tray icons, nestled at the bottom right corner of the taskbar, offer a convenient gateway to system-related functions and applications in Windows. These icons, including Power, Network, Volume, and Clock, furnish quick access to functions such as adjusting the date/time or sound settings. In this guide, we will show you How to Fix System Tray Icons not showing in Taskbar on Windows 11 to remedy this issue and restore the missing icons. Please see How to Hide the Action Center Taskbar Icon In Windows 10, How to hide the Windows 10 Taskbar, and Hide or Remove Search Button from Windows 10 Taskbar.
For instance, the Clock icon presents the current date and time, with the option to modify these settings through a right-click. Similarly, the Volume (Speaker) icon allows users to manipulate the audio level and mute sounds with a mere click.
However, situations may arise where these essential icons vanish from the Windows 11 taskbar. Please see How to Fix Taskbar Icons Missing on Windows 11, and How to Fix: The Local Device Name is Already in Use.
Steps to Fix System Tray Icons Not Showing on Taskbar
Method 1: Enabling System Tray Icons through Taskbar Settings
In Windows 11, the first place to look is the quick settings on the Taskbar. Right-click on any of the available icons (Power, Network, Volume) to bring up the quick settings menu, then click the Pen icon to edit the settings.
Click “Add” to include any missing icons and click “Done” to apply the change.
To add icons not listed in the quick settings, right-click the taskbar and select “Taskbar settings.”
Scroll down and click “Other system tray icons.”
Turn “On” the “Hidden icon menu.” After that, proceed to activate the desired system tray icons by toggling the corresponding switches to “On.”
You can try these steps again to turn app icons on and off as you wish. If that does not work, proceed to the next step.
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Method 2: Resolving via Registry Edits
Should the previous method yield no results, you can attempt rectifying the issue by manipulating the Windows Registry:
Access the Registry Editor by pressing the “Windows key + R” simultaneously, type “regedit,” and press “Enter.”
Navigate to the following path
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\TrayNotifyDelete the “IconStreams” and “PastIconsStream” REG_BINARY values within the right pane.
Close the Registry Editor and press “CTRL + SHIFT + ESC” to open Task Manager. In the Processes tab, locate “Windows Explorer,” right-click it, and choose “Restart.”
After restarting the Windows explorer, the Power, Network, and Volume icons should reappear after a few moments.
If the icons remain absent, proceed to reopen the Registry Editor and expand the “HKEY_USERS” key and navigate to the folder ending with “1001,” then further navigate to:
Computer\HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-3688583971-319086777-1058290069-1001\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\TrayNotifyDelete the “IconStreams” and “PastIconsStream” entries in the right pane. Please see How to change Windows 10 Desktop icon shortcut for fast user switching, and How to Fix Taskbar Icons Missing on Windows 11.
Close the Registry Editor and restart your system.
Method 3: Repairing Windows 11 to Reinstate System Tray Icons
When previous methods fall short, you can attempt repairing Windows system files to address the issue:
Type “cmd” in the search box, select the Command Prompt app, and run it as an administrator.
In the command prompt, type “Dism.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /Restorehealth” and press “Enter” to initiate the component store repair process.
Upon completion, execute the command “SFC /SCANNOW” and press “Enter” to perform an SFC scan.
After the SFC scan, restart your computer.
By following these methods, you can effectively restore the missing Power, Network, Volume, and Clock icons on your Windows 11 taskbar, ensuring a seamless and comprehensive user experience.
I hope you found this blog post helpful on Fix System Tray Icons not showing in Taskbar on Windows 11. Please let me know in the comment section if you have any questions.
