All symbols disappeared and Task Manager stopped working
All symbols disappeared and Task Manager stopped working
Over the days everything vanished from my system and installed apps. It was functioning normally, so I didn’t install anything or update. I was traveling with the machine without an internet connection when this started. I also saw the Task Manager crashing immediately when I tried to open it. I’ve tried several fixes: updating drivers, using DDU to display drivers, running SFC Scannow, DISM Repair, clearing the icon cache, and using Disk Cleanup. This Windows 11 installation is only two weeks old, and it’s a brand new laptop I purchased. Mobile setup: ASUS ROG Zephyrus GA401QM-K1139T, CPU AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS, integrated Radeon and RTX 3060. Thank you in advance if anyone can assist or has faced this issue before. LOG.txt
Does it function in safe mode? It serves as a test to confirm if the problem lies with the driver. Certain operations can only be executed in safe mode, unlike other methods. If it’s brand new, contact the manufacturer for guidance. Since it boots Windows, it likely passed the POST test, making software issues more probable than hardware faults. A system refresh might be necessary. You may also want to run a malware scan, as negative results are highly unlikely.
It seems the issue isn’t related to the driver. The installation process might have failed. If safe mode isn’t working, you won’t be able to use the recovery console, which is likely the problem. Removing the affected drive and using a USB stick could help. Backing up essential files is crucial here, since without the console a fresh installation might be necessary. Do you already have any restore points configured?
Creating a new account resolves the issue. If it doesn’t, the problem lies with the icon cache. If that’s the case, Windows itself may be affected.
I don't have any restore points and setting up a new account didn't help at all. Windows is just not reliable—it was a fresh install two weeks ago on a brand-new machine I use for work. Unfortunately, the programs I rely on daily don't function on Linux or macOS, even with virtualization. I might have to reinstall everything because I'm exhausted by the troubleshooting.
Windows operates on countless devices and functions smoothly for the vast majority of users. We lack insight into your specific setup. There are countless factors at play. Usually, the issue lies near the input device where the computer is placed. What I recommend is a clean installation, and if the same problem recurs, repeat the process thoroughly. Common causes of Windows failures include pirated software, registry cleaners, system cleaners, malware, modified system files, DRM issues, poorly written drivers, faulty hardware, or software updates that disrupt stability. These problems cannot be resolved easily without significant manual effort. What was done has been done, regardless of the outcome. Similar concerns apply to Linux as well.