Source
r/techsupport•
bubblesfix

Can't select or click on anything in Windows 11

Open | Windows

Last week a really weird issue started to occur. After a while of the computer being turned on every UI element becomes unselectable/unclickable. If I try to open the start menu it immediately closes. Exit buttons for application windows no longer works. Trying to open software with keyboard shortcuts immediately closes them. The only temporary fix is to hard-reset the computer using the physical button (since I no longer can access the restart button in the start menu), but no more than 10 minutes later it starts again.

It's seemingly random and it doesn't need any user input for it to happen. If I turn on the computer, check that explorer works(by opening the start menu and browsing around the file system) and then leave the computer alone for 10 minutes. When I get back the issue has started. It happened two times writing this support ticket, forcing me to borrow a laptop so I could ask this.

I can't get anything similar to show up on Google, so it doesn't seem to be a widespread issue.

Here are two videos of the problem.

Here is what I've ruled out so far

  • Input Hardware problem. I tried a different keyboard and mouse in different usb ports but the problem still persist.

  • Windows update. I rolled back the last 2 weeks of Windows 11 updates to a point in time when I know it didn't happen. Didn't fix it.

  • Malware/virus. I have run both Malwarebytes and the built in Windows scanner but nothing is found after deep scans.

  • SFC Scannow. Doesn't show any corrupt system files

Have anyone ever seen anything similar or have any ideas on how to troubleshoot this? I can't open any software logs as soon as the issue start, all I can do is hard-reset.

Specs Windows 11 build 22621.2134 experience pack 1000.22659.1000.0 MSI Z170 Gaming Pro Carbon | Ryzen 7 5800X3D | 32 GB RAM | Corsair Force MP510

Posted Aug 21, 2023, 1:30 AM UTC

12
AutoModeratorMOD•

Making changes to your system BIOS settings or disk setup can cause you to lose data. Always test your data backups before making changes to your PC.

For more information please see our FAQ thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/techsupport/comments/q2rns5/windows_11_faq_read_this_first/

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AutoModeratorMOD•

If you suspect you may have malware on your computer, or are trying to remove malware from your computer, please see our malware guide

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SWEETJUICYWALRUS•

I've seen weird stuff like this happen when either your disk space is running low or if your disk is failing. Could be worth looking into those things.

1
bubblesfixOP•

Thanks. That's a good lead. I'll try to see if I can run some diagnostics on the drive.

The OS drive is using around 60% of the 500 GB space, however two mirrored storage discs of 4 TB are down to 200 GB left.

1
AutoModeratorMOD•

Making changes to your system BIOS settings or disk setup can cause you to lose data. Always test your data backups before making changes to your PC.

For more information please see our FAQ thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/techsupport/comments/q2rns5/windows_11_faq_read_this_first/

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

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AutoModeratorMOD•

Attempting data recovery without proper knowledge or skills can result in permanent loss in data. Prior to data recovery, it is best to create an image of the failing drive. For important data, it is recommended to send your drive to a data recovery professional. For more data recovery help, please visit r/datarecovery.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

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AutoModeratorMOD•

If you suspect you may have malware on your computer, or are trying to remove malware from your computer, please see our malware guide

Please ignore this message if the advice is not relevant.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

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