How To Fix ‘Windows Spotlight not Working’ Issue in Windows 10

Windows Spotlight not Working in Windows 10

Windows Spotlight not Working: Windows spotlight is a special feature which downloads images from Bing and displays it on the lock screen. It is there in all versions of windows. There is also a feedback system for users that whether they liked the picture or not. It also offers occasionally suggestions on the lock screen.

This is a very popular feature as it displays new image on the lock screen each day. This gives a new look each day whenever sign in But as we know nothing is perfect so sometimes you may experience some problems.

Windows Spotlight not Working in Windows 10

Fix: Windows Spotlight not Working in Windows 10

Image can be stuck on the lock screen or the feature suddenly stops its work. I have come up with lots of solutions to help you to fix Windows Spotlight not Working problem. The solutions are mentioned below:

Read Also:

  1. 0x80070005
  2. Google Play Services Keeps Stopping
  3. Your Windows License Will Expire Soon

Solution 1: Again selecting Spotlight

Before applying any complex solution let us try the basic ones. Re-selecting spotlight is one of those easy solutions. By re-enabling the spotlight, the computer will restart all the process and it will activate spotlight in the settings and configurations again. This will clear all the old memories of spotlight and the Windows Spotlight not Working error can be resolved very easily

Step 1 – Apply the shortcut ‘Windows + S‘ to see the search bar of the start menu. After that search for settings in dialogue box. Then open the settings.

Step 2 – Select the word ‘Personalization‘ in the settings menu. It would be second from top right word.

Step 3 – Select Lock Screen in personalization panel which is present at the left side of screen.

Step 4 – Next step is to select Picture from the drop-down menu in the lock screen and wait for some time till the picture is reviewed properly.

Step 5 – Go back to settings and then come back to the lock screen settings. Click on the drop-down button once again and select Windows Spotlight. Wait for some time till the picture is reviewed properly.

Step 6 – Close settings and then reboot your computer. Check that the spotlight starts working correctly. Always remember that working internet is required for downloading pictures.

Solution 2: Disabling the Proxy Settings

Step 1 – Press ‘Windows + S‘ to open the search bar. Type ‘Proxy‘ in dialogue box and open it.

Step 2 – Select LAN Settings present at near end of Window.

Step 3 – Untick the box “Use a proxy server for your LAN“. Select OK to save.

Step 4 – Check that Spotlight is working or not.

Solution 3: Disabling the metered connection

A setting is present in Wi-Fi or network settings named as “Set as metered connection’. It basically means minimizing the data usage by disabling some of its applications and features. Same case applies to Windows Spotlight because it downloads images regularly. We can try disabling the option of metered connection and check if the Windows Spotlight not Working issue is resolved or not.

Step 1 – Make sure that you are connected to a working internet connection. Apply the shortcut ‘Windows + S‘ to see the search bar of the start menu. Then open the settings

Step 2 – Click on the option ‘Network and Internet‘ from the options in the settings

Step 3 – After opening Network and Internet, Click on “Change connection properties” which is present under Network status

Step 4 – Untick the checkbox of “Set as metered connection” to disable the metered connection. This will remove your network from the category of network flagged as metered connections.

Step 5 – Restart your computer and check that the Windows Spotlight is started working correctly

Solution 4: Removing Mail and Calendar from lock screen

Windows syncs with your live account due to which it fetches information regarding the email and calendar. These things can be shown on your screen and it is already enabled by default.

It is possible that there can be some problem with the synchronization process. That’s why your utilities are not updating and because of this updating error, spotlight may also refuse to load new images.

Lets try disabling these utilities and check again for the Windows Spotlight not Working error:

Step 1 – Apply the shortcut ‘Windows + S‘ to see the search bar of the start menu and type weather in the dialogue box.

Step 2 – After weather has opened, click on the settings present at bottom left of the screen.

Step 3 – Go into general tab and find the setting name ‘Launch Location‘. Make sure that it is set as ‘Default Location‘. Then exit the weather application.

Step 4 – Press ‘Windows + S‘ and search for lock screen, then open it

Step 5 – Click on the mail icon present in the heading ‘Choose apps to show quick status’. Select None at the top. Same process should be done for the calendar. Now uncheck the option ‘Show lock screen background on the sign-in screen’.

Step 6 – Restart your computer and check if spotlight starts working.

Solution 5: Deleting the Spotlight Folder Contents

Deleting all the files of pictures in spotlight and also remaining folders can also give the solution. When all the content is deleted then windows know that the content is missing. So it will update the folder automatically and will download all the remaining files.

Step 1 – Apply the shortcut ‘Windows + S‘ to see the search bar of the start menu and type settings in the dialogue box.

Step 2 – Select ‘Personalization‘ which is located second from top right

Step 3 – Select ‘Lock Screen‘ which is present at the left side of screen

Step 4 – Then select ‘Picture‘ in the lock screen and wait for some time for the picture to reviewed properly

Step 5 – Quit from the settings and go into the following file location . Replace the word user with your profile’s username:

C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.Windows.ContentDeliveryManager_cw5n1h2txyewy\Settings

Step 6 – If any folder is missing, it means “View hidden items” is not enabled. Click on ‘View’ present in File Explorer and tick the items which says “Hidden items

Step 7 – Delete the contents in this folder and exit.

Step 8 – Now go back to lock screen settings and turn on Windows Spotlight again. Restart the computer and check that issue is resolved.

If above method doesn’t work you can also delete the Assests folder.

Step 1 – After disabling Windows Spotlight in your settings.

Step 2 – Delete all content in assets folder.

Step 3 – At last enable Windows Spotlight again and restart the computer.

Solution 6: Creating a new local account

It is possible that the Windows Spotlight not Working issue can be due to  error in your profile or administrator hasn’t given access. So making a new account is also a good choice.

Step 1 – Press ‘Windows + S‘ and search settings in dialogue box. Click on accounts in it.

Step 2 – Select “Family and other users” present at left side of the window.

Step 3 – After coming in it, select “Add someone else to this PC“.

Step 4 – Windows will guide you for rest of the instructions on how to create a new account. When the new window comes, click on “I don’t have this person’s sign-in information“.

Step 5 – Tap on the option “Add a user without Microsoft“.

Step 6 – Type all the details and choose a smart password.

Step 7 – Repeat the step one.

Step 8 – You will see an option “Sign in with a local account instead” and Sign in with it.

Step 9 – Restart your computer and check if spotlight works correctly. If yes, you can move your personal files and settings.

Step 10 – Now go into Settings followed by accounts. Go into your account and select the option “Sign in with a Microsoft Account“.

Step 11 – Enter your details and sign in.

Solution 7: Running the System Maintenance Troubleshooter

Step 1 – Press ‘Windows + R‘ and type “Control Panel” in the dialogue box and click Enter.

Step 2 – Control panel will be opened. Type “Troubleshoot” in the search box of the control panel in the top right of the window.

Step 3 – Select “Troubleshooting” from list of results obtained.

Step 4 – Click “View all” in the troubleshooting menu. By doing this the windows will populate all the troubleshooters available in your computer.

Step 5 – Find the “System Maintenance” in the list of the options obtained from above and click on it.

Step 6 – Now System Maintenance troubleshooter will be launched. Click on the Advanced located inside the troubleshooter and select the option “Run as administrator“. Tick the box which says “Apply Repairs Automatically“.

Step 7 – Windows will check for the error and notify you if found any. It will also try to repair the errors by itself.

Step 8 – Restart your computer and check if spotlight works correctly.

Solution 8: Again registering Spotlight

If you have tried all the above solutions then the last option is we can try registering in spotlight again. Please don’t try this solution if you haven’t tried the earlier ones. Close all applications.

Step 1 – Press ‘Windows + S‘ and search bar of the start menu will open. Write “Cortana” in the dialogue box and open it

Step 2 – Uncheck all the options in settings menu. It will turn off “Cortana” from the computer.

Step 3 – Press ‘Windows + S‘ and search bar of the start menu will open. Write “lock screen” in the dialogue box and open it.

Step 4 – Select “Picture” in the lock screen and wait till the picture is reviewed properly.

Step 5 – Close settings. Press ‘Windows + S‘ and type “PowerShell“. Click on run as administrator after doing right click on the powershell.

Step 6 – Execute the following list of commands in the powershell and tap enter after each one.

dism /online /cleanup-image /restore health

sfc /scannow

powershell

Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers |Where-Object {$_.InstallLocation -like "*SystemApps*"} | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}

Step 7 – Re-enable the Cortana using same steps as above.

Step 8 – Enable Windows spotlight again by going to the lock screen settings and then selecting Windows Spotlight. Wait for some time till the picture is visible in preview window.

Read Next:

  1. Outlook Keeps Asking for Password
  2. VCRuntime140.dll is Missing
  3. USB Device Descriptor Request Failed
  4. Steam Content File Locked

Conclusion

If all the above methods don’t work you will have to go for alternative of Spotlight like dynamic theme.