Restore: Language Bar missing in Windows 8.1

Sometimes, even after enabling language bar in your Windows Control Panel, you may find that the Language bar is missing. It may disappear completely and become visible only when UAC prompts to switch to administrator account. The possible reason for this problem could be addition of just a single language as an input language.

Remember, Language bar will be displayed either on taskbar or desktop, only when you select more than one language as input language. Be sure your second language is listed in the input language list. If not you can add it by pressing Add button to add another language.

language listed

If you find that your Language Bar is still missing, here is what you may try.

Language Bar missing

In Windows 7 , open Registry Editor and navigate to the following key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

Check for a string parameter named CTFMon. If it exists, ensure that its path is set to C:\Windows\system32\ctfmon.exe. If not create this String Value. Restart your computer.

Now click on the Language Bar icon that you will now on the taskbar and select Show the Language bar.

To hide the Language bar, select Close the Language bar.

You can also control the behavior of the Language bar via the Contol Panel > Region & Language > Keyboards & Languages tab > Change keyboards > Language bar tab.

Things have changed a bit in Windows 8 and Windows 8.1. While the registry key and method still holds true, when you click on ENG, you will see the following pop up.

language bar windows 8 1

Click on Language preferences. In the left side select Advanced Settings and then Change language bar hot keys. You will see the settings under the Language bar tab.

Language Bar missing

Under the Advanced settings, you will also see a check box for Use the desktop language bar when its available.

Hope the changes made in Windows 8, Windows 8.1 are clear.

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Anand Khanse aka HappyAndyK is an end-user Windows enthusiast, a Microsoft MVP in Windows, since 2006, and the Admin of TheWindowsClub.com. Please create a System Restore Point before trying out any software & be careful about any third-party offers while installing freeware. Add me on Google+.
  • Victor Stejar

    Thanks a lot. The registry workaroud worked for me in Windows 8.1 Single Language.

  • Dark

    Man thanks a lot Your the best worked for me win 8.1.I have been looking for this like 3 days ago.

  • paul

    tried everything and nothing works except in safe mode.

  • ? ??

    Thanks But
    Like you’ve said, theres something different in windows 8, and you can just click that thing and the settings just pop up
    Mine was disappeared and when I “restore” it, it became the older version of language bar like it was in XP,
    do you have any solutions for this? Thanks

  • moneta

    thank you,but still there is a problem i cant solve. i did all the things but after restart i just have the language bar for 1 Sec and then it disappeared again .now i select floating on desktop to see my keyboard languages to have them but can you help me have it on taskbar again? i dont know why it disappeared.i have Windows 8.1 .

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