Fix for When Clock, Volume, Power or Network Icons are Missing and Grayed Out in Windows Vista
So you notice you are missing icons in the System Tray, like the clock or volume icons, and then you realize that you simply can't enable them because the checkboxes are grayed out. So what do you do?
The problem exists because system policies were set that probably shouldn't be, but either way your icons are missing:
Normally you can re-enable the items by right-clicking on the Taskbar, choosing properties and going to the Notification Area tab:
But they are grayed out… what's up with that?
Note: I'm assuming you already did the normal Windows fix-it technique of rebooting, and the problem still exists.
Fix for Notification Icons are Missing and Checkboxes are Grayed Out
You can solve all of these problems by looking in two separate places in the registry, and then deleting a bunch of keys in each location. We'll detail all of the keys here, but you can skip down a bit for a downloadable registry hack file.
Open up regedit.exe through the start menu search or run box, and then browse down to the following key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
If you see any of the following key names in the right-hand pane, delete them:
- NoTrayItemsDisplay
- HideClock
- HideSCAPower
- HideSCAVolume
- NoAutoTrayNotify
- HideSCANetwork
After deleting the values in that pane, browse to the following key and then repeat the process:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
You'll have to logout and then back in, and then most likely go back into taskbar properties and re-check the boxes for each.
Download Registry Hack
Just download, extract, and double-click on RestoreMyTrayIconsPlease.reg to enter the information into the registry.
Download RestoreMyTrayIconsPlease Registry Hack
What if the Volume Icon Still Doesn't Work?
Over the last year, many people have reported a related problem to me: They just have no volume icon… and also no sound.
If you encounter this problem, you should immediately open Device Manager and make sure that there are no exclamation points next to your sound card, because the problem is likely that your sound card driver isn't working.
If there are exclamation points, or the sound card is missing and there are a bunch of "Unknown devices", you usually need to reload the sound card driver from the manufacturer, but sometimes you can right-click on the device and choose to "Update Driver".
Note: I've also run into this issue with Toshiba and Acer laptops, the solution for those usually being a BIOS update.
If you still have problems, head over to our forum and ask your question over there.
Important Note: Numerous people have reported to me that this problem happens much less after installing Service Pack 1, so you should probably make sure you are all patched up as well.
In case of grayed out or missing system icons it is mostly enough to open the Task Manager, end the explorer process and run it again
(new task, run, explorer). All four system icons will reappear!
Pls check it!
That's a good point, I updated the article to mention this is for when rebooting doesn't fix the problem.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
What we all really want to know is, where did you get the Super Mario wallpapers?
@Matt
Seems like every other article I end up getting that same question… I got it from here:
http://desktopgaming.com/display.php?file_id=35
Thank you for the tip.
It's a shame, this is the kind of tip I would expect for the Linux OS, not a commercial OS.
Hey, can this (or something similar) work for windows xp?
Every once in a while, XP has been removing the volume control icon in my taskbar. I've had to go to sounds in the control panel (where the box to place an icon in the taskbar is still checked but no icon shows up) uncheck the box, click apply and then recheck it and click apply to have it reappear.
I've tried rebooting and everything else in the book, but it still disappears (and not because its inactive, I have it set to always show)….any help is appreciated!
Does this fix missing icons in the control panel in Vista as well? My printer on my hp laptop stop working. Go into my control panel and that icon is missing.
I did this and it messed up my machine but good. I didn't even have Explorer folder under Policies. I had to go back and delete those registry entries to get my CPU to stop being pegged at 100%.
I found that the process described here has worked for me:
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto.....ows-vista/
Useful tip, yet it highlights another of those niggly little things that conspire to stop me falling in love with Vista. In XP the network tray icon gave a reasonably clear indication of network activity. The Vista version is far less distinct. Probably a case of too many graphic designers and not enough software engineers.
@Geek - re: your note about SP1 causing this to happen less.
I prefer an icon-free deskop and use the quick launch bar, so I usually only have the (My)Computer icon up in the corner. Having just installed SP1 I notice that that, too, has disappeared! I don't really care, but would be interested to know if anyone else has seen this.
Thank you so so much. It was driving me nuts, the ending the explorer and restarting it worked. You guys are great! thank you!