New workarounds for blank or disappearing icons in Windows 11 taskbar

We all love Windows 11 for its sleek design and powerful features. But let’s face it, some classic Windows quirks still linger, like the pesky disappearing taskbar icons. This frustrating issue has been haunting users since the OS debuted, with icons vanishing randomly or loading as blanks when switching virtual desktops, waking from sleep, or even opening and closing the laptop lid.

While plenty of workarounds have been suggested over time, including the official one from Microsoft which involves restarting the Windows Explorer process via the Task Manager, these tend to be temporary fixes while others have outrightly ceased working. The problem often resurfaces after a while. However, here are two new user-suggested workarounds that seem to provide a more permanent solution:

1. Disable system animations:

Head to Settings > Accessibility > Visual effects and toggle off Animation effects. This simple tweak has helped some users resolve the disappearing icons issue, and the fix sticks even after a restart.

2. Install ExplorerPatcher:

If the above workaround doesn’t do the trick, this one has to. It was recently shared by a forum user and it is getting traction for having fixes the disappearing taskbar icons for affected Windows 11 users. All you need is installing the ExplorerPatcher app, and here’s how to:

1. Download and install ExplorerPatcher. It will restart Windows Explorer and bring back Windows 10 taskbar, but don’t fret.
2. Launch “Properties (ExplorerPatcher)” from the Start menu.
3. In the Taskbar settings, switch back to the Windows 11 taskbar style if you prefer.

This fix has proven particularly effective for users with multi-monitor setups experiencing icon disappearances when switching virtual desktops, and it seems to hold up on the next restart.

Microsoft hasn’t been idle about this problem. Their first official fix rolled out in August 2021, with subsequent improvements in later updates. But despite their efforts, the issue continues to plague some users. A Microsoft engineer keeping tabs on the ongoing problem encourages users to keep providing feedback to help further refine their fixes.

While awaiting a permanent fix, Microsoft recommends restarting the Windows Explorer process through Task Manager if you encounter disappearing icons. Although not ideal, this temporary solution can quickly bring your icons back, especially if you want nothing to do with installing unofficial programs or disabling animation effects.

Despite the ongoing icon issue, Windows 11 remains a powerful and user-friendly OS. As Microsoft continues to gather feedback and refine their updates, we can hope for a smoother, icon-filled experience in the future. Until then, try these workarounds and share your experiences. After all, your feedback could be the key to helping Microsoft finally squash this persistent bug.