Reportedly, people have been encountering Windows 11 desktop and taskbar keeps refreshing issue after Windows Update or a Driver Update. Typically, this indicates an issue caused by problematic driver, although some users have reported that the problem is caused by third-party applications.
The funny part of the issue is that it keeps blinking the Taskbar and Desktop on every few seconds. You will not be able to see any icon on the Desktop and the Taskbar will become useless because it keeps refreshing.
Even if you try to open the Task Manager by right-clicking on it, it won’t work. But, when you use Ctrl+ Alt+ Del, you will be able to open Task Manager and will notice a high amount of CPU utilization from Explorer.exe.
It is likely that there is a DLL or program related to UI that becomes crashed and this crashes the File Explorer along with it. To get the fix, we have provided below the best possible fixes. Check them and apply to resolve the issue:
Possible fixes for Windows 11 desktop and taskbar keeps refreshing
Fix 1: Disable Preview of Files on Desktop or remove the files
Some users have problems with the PDF files. The desktop shows a preview of the data in the form of thumbnail and the data of the app is crashing Windows Explorer. As a fix, you should either choose to remove those files from the desktop or disable the Thumbnail preview of files on the desktop. Alternatively, you can hide the desktop icons:
- Right-click on your desktop,
- Click on View,
- Finally, uncheck Show desktop icon,
Fix 2: Clear Icon and Thumbnail Cache
Clear the icon and thumbnail cache if the error continues. Execute the below script in the Powershell command, restart the File Explorer the then and see if this resolves the issue:
taskkill /f /im explorer.exe
cd /d %userprofile%\AppData\Local
attrib -h IconCache.db
del /f IconCache.db
cd /d %userprofile%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer
attrib -h thumbcache_*.db
attrib -h iconcache_*.db
del /f thumbcache_*.db
del /f iconcache_*.db
start explorer
Fix 3: Rollback Graphics Driver update
If windows 11 desktop and taskbar keeps refreshing issue continues, there is a possibility that the Graphic Driver installed is causing the trouble. The best option is uninstall it:
- On the Windows Search, type Device Manager and hit Enter,
- Expand Display adapters,
- Right-click on the adapter and then click Properties,
- Now, under Driver tab, choose Roll Back Driver option.
You will find this option only when the driver has been installed recently. Another way is to go through the OEM website to find the previous version of the driver and install it. If you are using an older driver, you must update your Graphic driver. Use the automatic driver updating tool to update the driver automatically. Here is its direct download link.
Fix 4: Uninstall recently installed software
If you have recently installed any new software related to graphics, you should uninstall it as this new software might be causing the trouble. If after even after uninstalling the problem continues, you should consider using System Restore to revert to the previous state on PC where there was no such issue.
Fix 5: System Restore
To restore system to the previously working condition, follow the below steps:
- Click on Start button on the keyboard, type Control Panel and hit Enter,
- Search for Recovery under Control Panel and select Recovery> Open System Restore> Next,
- Choose the restore point and then select Next> Finish.
Fix 6: Other suggestions
This workaround works for many – create a new folder onto the desktop, copy al the desktop icons into this folder, restart your PC and return all the icons back onto the desktop upon Windows Startup,
- Disable Windows Error Reporting Service using Service Manager,
- Disable the software like Onedrive, Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop and etc,
- Disable IDT Audio Driver using Device Manager,
- Check if Clean Booting system helps.
Conclusion
That’s all! We have provided all possible fixes for windows 11 desktop and taskbar keeps refreshing. Hope so, these fixes are helpful for you in getting the required fix. if the problem continues, we recommend you use PC Repair Tool to check for possible Windows related issues to get their automatic fix.
