Widgets in Windows 11 can sometimes appear blank, fail to load, or refuse to open. Follow this friendly, step-by-step guide to restore Widgets — includes screenshots, quick fixes and deeper troubleshooting steps.
Estimated reading time: 6–8 minutes
Quick summary — Try these first
- Ensure the Widgets button is enabled on the Taskbar.
- Restart Windows Explorer (Task Manager → Restart).
- Reinstall Edge WebView2 (Evergreen Standalone x86).
- Disable and re-enable your graphics driver, then update Windows & drivers.
- Set Microsoft Edge as your default browser (if problems persist).
Step 1 — Make sure Widgets is enabled
Widgets live on the Windows 11 taskbar. If the icon is hidden, Widgets won’t appear — but enabling it is simple:
- Right‑click the taskbar and choose Taskbar settings.
- Toggle Show Widgets button to On.
After toggling, click the Widgets icon to see if the panel loads correctly. If it’s still blank, move to the next step.
Step 2 — Restart Windows Explorer
Restarting Explorer refreshes the taskbar and often fixes transient widget issues.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Click More details if needed, find Windows Explorer under Processes.
- Select it and click Restart.
Step 3 — Reinstall Edge WebView2 (Evergreen Standalone)
Widgets rely on Microsoft Edge WebView2 to render content. A corrupted WebView2 can cause blank widgets. Reinstalling the Evergreen Standalone x86 package often solves the issue.
- Download the Evergreen Standalone Installer (x86) from Microsoft: Microsoft WebView2.
- Run the installer and follow the prompts. Restart the PC after installation.
Many users report that reinstalling WebView2 fixes widget-related problems. If reinstalling doesn’t help, continue below.
Step 4 — Disable & re-enable your graphics driver
Graphics driver glitches can stop Widgets from rendering. Temporarily disabling and re‑enabling the driver clears these issues.
- Open Device Manager (search from Start menu).
- Expand Display adapters, right‑click your GPU and choose Disable device.
- Wait a few seconds, right‑click and choose Enable device.
- If the problem persists, right‑click → Update driver and follow the prompts.
After updating drivers, restart your PC. Also check Windows Update for any pending system updates.
Step 5 — Make Microsoft Edge the default browser
Although Widgets should work with other defaults, setting Edge as your default browser removes conflicts caused by third‑party browsers or handlers.
- Open Settings → Apps → Default apps.
- Search for Microsoft Edge and set it as the default for HTTP, HTTPS and .html files.
After changing defaults, relaunch Widgets.
Step 6 — Run System File Checker & DISM
Corrupted system files sometimes break UI components. Running SFC and DISM repairs Windows images and files:
Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run:
sfc /scannow
If issues persist, run:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Restart after completion.
Advanced fixes (only if needed)
- Create a new local user account — if Widgets work under the new account, your profile is corrupted.
- Reset your PC (keep files) — last resort when multiple UI components fail.
- Check Event Viewer for errors related to ShellExperienceHost, Widgets or WebView2 to find exact failure causes.
What to try if Widgets still show blank
- Temporarily disable third‑party antivirus/firewall and test Widgets (re-enable afterwards).
- Disable background apps that overlay the taskbar (recording/overlay tools like OBS, Discord overlay).
- Try a Windows Safe Mode boot to see if the issue persists — if not, a startup app is probably at fault.
Wrapping up — quick checklist
- Widgets button enabled in Taskbar settings.
- Windows Explorer restarted.
- Edge WebView2 reinstalled (Evergreen Standalone x86).
- Graphics driver disabled/re-enabled and updated.
- Edge set as default, SFC & DISM run, PC restarted.
If you followed all steps and widgets are still blank, share your Windows build (Settings → System → About) and any error messages from Event Viewer and I’ll help diagnose further.