If the dropdown menus are not working in Windows 11/10, it can be frustrating, as it leads to issues such as menus not appearing, menus disappearing too quickly, or menus displaying in unexpected locations. This post will show you how to fix the problem.
Dropdown menus not working in Windows 11/10
If the dropdown menus are not working in Windows 11/10, try the following suggestion to fix the problem:
- Restart File Explorer
- Repair system files
- Update graphics drivers
- Modify the registry to disable AutoSuggest
- Check for peripheral conflicts
- Reinstall Windows using Windows Update
Before you proceed, check for Updates and install them if any are offered and see if it helps.
1] Restart File Explorer
Start by restarting File Explorer. This will help in clearing up temporary glitches affecting dropdown menus and other interface elements.
- Press CTRL + SHIFT + ESC to open Task Manager.
- Next, look for Windows Explorer, right-click on it, and select Restart.
- Wait for a few moments and then check if you are still encountering the same issue.
Read: F5 Refresh key not working in Windows
2] Repair system files
You can consider running sfc /scannow, which scans for and attempts to repair corrupted or missing system files that might be causing the issue.
3] Update graphics drivers
The issue could also be caused due to outdated or incompatible graphics drivers. To fix this, you can try downloading the latest graphics drivers from your computer’s manufacturer’s website and install them.
Alternatively, you can use third-party driver updating tools offered by the OEMs to do this.Manufacturers have also released special driver download software for their brands:
- Dell Update utility will help you download or update Dell Drivers
- Lenovo System Update helps you download Lenovo Drivers, Software, Firmware, Update BIOS.
- AMD users may use AMD Driver Autodetect.
- Intel users may use Intel Driver & Support Assistant.
- HP users can use the bundled HP Support Assistant.
- MyASUS app on ASUS computers.
4] Modify the registry to disable AutoSuggest
Next, you can try modifying the Windows registry to disable the AutoSuggest feature in File Explorer, as this can help in dealing with issues like dropdown menus remaining open, displaying outdated suggestions, or causing other glitches.
- Press Windows Key + R, open RUN, type regedit, and press Enter.
- Navigate to the following path:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
- Right-click on Explorer and select New > Key, and name it AutoComplete.
- Within the AutoComplete key, right-click on the right pane, select New > String Value, and name it AutoSuggest.
- Double-click on AutoSuggest and set its value to No.
- Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer. Then check if you are still encountering the same issue.
5] Check for peripheral conflicts
Sometimes, faulty hardware devices connected to your computer can cause issues like the drop-down menu not working. To diagnose this, disconnect and reconnect your USB devices such as your mouse or keyboard.
Unplug any non-essential USB devices, and test the dropdown menu to see if it works. Try this with all the devices one by one and see if there are any hardware devices possibly causing the issue.
You should also perform a Clean Boot and see if this problem occurs. Try to identify the culprit manually and then disable it.
6] Reinstall Windows using Windows Update
Use Windows Update to reinstall your current Windows 11 version without losing data.
Hope this helps.
Can third-party customization tools or themes affect dropdown menus in Windows 11?
Third-party customisation tools, including custom themes, shell extensions, or UI tweaks, can interfere with dropdown menu behaviour in Windows 11. These tools sometimes override default system settings or conflict with recent updates, leading to visual glitches or UI elements not displaying correctly. If you’re using any such tools, try disabling or uninstalling them to see if the issue is resolved.
Does using multiple monitors affect dropdown menu performance in Windows 11?
Using multiple monitors, especially with differing resolutions or refresh rates, can sometimes cause dropdown menus to appear in unexpected locations or behave erratically. This is often due to display scaling or GPU rendering issues. Try testing the issue on a single monitor setup or adjusting the display settings to match resolution and scaling across screens to identify if the problem is related.
