troubleshooting steps Archives

Winsage

August 20, 2026

How to Troubleshoot an Unresponsive Windows 11 Taskbar and Start Button

An unresponsive Taskbar or Start button in Windows 11 can be caused by various issues, including a problematic version of Windows 11 (25h2), frozen Windows Explorer, incomplete or corrupted updates, graphics driver issues, and interference from third-party extensions. To troubleshoot the unresponsiveness, users can try the following steps: 1. Lock the PC using Win + L and then unlock it. 2. Check hardware to ensure no buttons on the mouse or keys on the keyboard are stuck. 3. Restart Windows Explorer via Task Manager by selecting "Windows Explorer" and choosing "Restart Task." 4. Clear notifications by accessing the System Tray and selecting "Clear all" or using the "Do Not Disturb" button. 5. Update Windows by navigating to "Settings," then "Windows Update," and checking for updates. 6. Run SFC and DISM checks by opening Command Prompt as Admin and executing the commands "DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /RestoreHealth" followed by "sfc /scannow," then restart the PC.

Winsage

August 11, 2026

Microsoft releases Windows 11 August 2026 Patch Tuesday update

Microsoft has enhanced its support services for Windows users by introducing a revamped support interface, improved search functionality, an expanded knowledge base, and live chat support. The new interface categorizes support topics for easier navigation, while the search feature provides tailored responses to user queries. The knowledge base has been enriched with more articles and tutorials, and live chat connects users with representatives for real-time assistance. Microsoft is also encouraging community engagement through forums and focusing on accessibility to accommodate users with varying needs.

AppWizard

July 26, 2026

‘We Sincerely Apologise’: Marvel Tokon the Latest Sony Game to Be Busted on PC

The beta testing of Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls on PS5 has been mostly smooth, with minor connectivity issues, while the PC version has faced significant performance complaints from players. Arc System Works has acknowledged these challenges and is investigating them, providing troubleshooting steps such as warming up shaders, disabling frame generation, and turning off anti-cheat features. There are speculations about Sony's involvement in background operations related to the game, but these claims lack concrete evidence. The official launch is approaching, and optimization work for the PC version is necessary, although feedback for the PS5 version remains positive.

AppWizard

July 22, 2026

Facebook Outage Today (July 22): Is Facebook & Messenger Down Today? Hundreds Report Login, Feed & Messaging Issues Across US & UK – Check Services Affected | Facebook & Messenger Downdetector Status

On July 22, Facebook and Messenger users reported accessibility issues starting around 7:50 a.m. Eastern Time, with a notable increase in complaints on Downdetector, indicating disruptions. Users experienced problems such as inability to log in, News Feed failing to load, issues with the app and website access, and Messenger messages not sending. The disruptions affected multiple Meta services, including the Facebook website, mobile application, and login services. Most reports came from the United States and the United Kingdom, with users from other countries also affected. Meta had not confirmed the cause of the outage or provided a restoration timeline. Users were advised to try troubleshooting steps and to wait for updates from Meta.

Winsage

July 19, 2026

Windows 11 Secure Boot is a messy ride on older PCs, and even Microsoft can’t fix it

Microsoft held an OEM Secure Boot Office Hours event with manufacturers like Acer, Asus, Dell, and HP to discuss issues related to the Windows 11 Secure Boot 2023 certificate rollout. Many IT administrators left with unresolved concerns, particularly regarding Secure Boot certificate errors. Participants reported persistent problems, including failures of suggested solutions from official documentation to apply to their hardware configurations. Ed Tittel shared his experience with compliance issues related to CA-2023 certificates, noting that ASUS motherboards sometimes required Secure Boot to be disabled temporarily, while MSI models exhibited erratic behavior. ASRock systems needed manual key resets, and documentation was lacking. Devices from Dell, HP, and Lenovo performed better but still faced staggered rollouts and required multiple reboots for BIOS updates. Specific issues raised included HP's BitLocker recovery loop persisting even with the latest BIOS, challenges with legacy device support from HP, devices showing Secure Boot Status as Unknown, and failures in updating the KEK on HP EliteBooks. Some questions from IT administrators regarding Dell and HP went unanswered during the session. The experiences highlighted a trend of Secure Boot issues across multiple OEMs, not limited to a single vendor. IT administrators are advised to pilot updates on representative hardware, back up BitLocker recovery keys, and consult OEM-specific advisories. The unresolved issues reflect common challenges faced by users, indicating that problems with Secure Boot certificate deployments are widespread across various manufacturers.

Winsage

July 14, 2026

Thinking About Installing Windows on Your Steam Machine? Read This First

Valve has released Windows drivers for the Steam Machine, allowing users to replace SteamOS with Windows for greater software flexibility. This transition requires a complete OS overhaul and may result in performance issues due to reliance on generic AMD graphics drivers, as Valve does not provide official support for Windows on the Steam Machine. Users have encountered a hardware issue known as the “Red Bar of Death,” which can often be resolved through power resets and ensuring proper ventilation. The upcoming Steam Frame VR headset is designed to operate independently of a PC, featuring standalone capabilities and enhanced SteamOS integration, but its success will depend on competitive pricing and developer support. The Steam Machine faces challenges such as high pricing, aging hardware, and limited official support, impacting its competitiveness in the gaming market.

Winsage

July 11, 2026

This Windows feature has been eating users’ RAM for years, Microsoft still hasn’t fixed it

Memory leaks have been reported with the Phone Link feature in Windows 11, specifically the Cross Device Service, which is consuming excessive amounts of RAM. Users have noted that this service can use between 15 to 30GB of RAM, leading to significant system slowdowns and reduced internet speeds. Complaints about this issue have been ongoing since early 2023, with users often needing to manually intervene via Task Manager to restore system performance. The Cross Device Service is intended to facilitate features like clipboard sharing and notification syncing but appears to malfunction and enter a loop that increases memory usage. Microsoft has not officially acknowledged the problem, and while generic troubleshooting steps have been suggested, they may not resolve the issue for all users. Disabling the Phone Link feature has been proposed as a potential solution to mitigate memory consumption.

AppWizard

June 3, 2026

Is Lloyds Bank app down? Issues reported by customers

Numerous customers of Lloyds Bank reported technical difficulties accessing the app and online banking shortly after 11:30 AM, receiving an error message indicating technical problems. By 11:42 AM, users expressed their frustration on social media platforms, highlighting issues with both the Lloyds website and app. In response, Lloyds Bank acknowledged the problem and advised users on troubleshooting steps, including checking for app updates and restarting the application or phone. A spokesperson from Lloyds Bank confirmed they were aware of the issues and were working to resolve them.

Winsage

June 2, 2026

How to Fix 007 First Light Not Launching on a Windows PC

Players are experiencing difficulties launching 007 First Light on Windows PCs, with some encountering a flicker when pressing the Play button. Solutions to address this issue include: 1. Setting a high-performance GPU preference for the game. 2. Installing or repairing Visual C++ Redistributable packages. 3. Verifying the integrity of game files in Steam. 4. Updating graphical drivers. 5. Disabling overlays from applications like Steam and Discord. 6. Running Steam or Epic Games with admin rights. 7. Additional troubleshooting steps such as performing a clean boot, reinstalling the game, removing custom launch parameters, temporarily disabling antivirus software, and ensuring Windows 11 is up to date. Players are advised to test the game after each adjustment and may need to submit a support ticket if issues persist.

AppWizard

May 14, 2026

Nuke Your City codes (May 2026)

Nuke Your City codes can be redeemed for rewards in the game. The current code available is "BOOM," which provides 50 playtime points and a crate. To redeem codes, players can launch the game, access the shop, and enter the code in the designated box or click the ABX button. If codes do not work, players should check for correct capitalization and accidental spaces, and ensure the code has not expired. To find more codes, players are encouraged to bookmark the page for updates or check the game's social media and community pages.