How to fix Windows Spotlight (Lockscreen) issue

Question

How to fix Windows Spotlight (Lockscreen) issue

Nickson Onsongo 0

My Windows Spotlight is not working on the lockscreen but is working on background. I've tried all the possible fixes but the issue is persistent.

I've been having this issue for a long time now and I need it fixed.

How do I fix it?

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2 answers

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Answer 1

Emma1-N 13,320 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Welcome Nickson Onsongo,

Thanks for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A Forum. I understand Windows Spotlight is working for your desktop background but not on the lock screen, and the issue has persisted despite trying multiple fixes.

Please make sure you already tried the Q&A Assist steps. In addition, please try the following.

Before proceeding, could you please confirm:

Which Windows 11 version are you running (23H2, 24H2, or later)?
Does the lock screen show a static image, a black screen, or the default Windows image when Windows Spotlight is selected?

In the meantime, you can try these steps:

Option 1: Re-register Windows Spotlight

Open Windows Terminal (Admin).
Run: Get-AppxPackage -allusers Microsoft.Windows.ContentDeliveryManager | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}
Restart the PC.

Option 2: Clear the Spotlight cache

Press Win + R and enter: %LocalAppData%\Packages\Microsoft.Windows.ContentDeliveryManager_cw5n1h2txyewy\LocalState
Open both the Assets and Settings folders.
Delete the contents of both folders.
Restart the PC and enable Windows Spotlight again.

Option 3: Repair system files

Open Command Prompt as Administrator
Run: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
After it completes, run: sfc /scannow
Restart the PC

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Emma1-N 13,320 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-09-26T06:52:08.8366667+00:00

Hello Nickson Onsongo,

I just wanted to check if my previous response addressed your question correctly. If there is anything I may have misunderstood, I would truly appreciate it if you could provide a bit more detail to help me better understand your needs.
Nickson Onsongo 0 Reputation points

2026-09-26T09:53:35.03+00:00

Hello @Emma1-N ,My PC is Windows Pro 25H2. The lockscreen is stuck on the default Windows image when I select Spotlight.

I've run the above prompts and it's not working still. At first, under Option 2: Clear the Spotlight cache, I couldn't find the Settings Folder and the Assets one was already empty.

When I moved to Option 3: Repair system files, sfc /scannow, it got stuck at 67.5% for more than an hour, I then pressed Enter a few times and it completed the scan and the feedback was there was all is good.

I'm still stuck here. The issue hasn't been resolved yet. Kindly advise on the next steps.

Thank you
Nickson Onsongo 0 Reputation points

2026-09-26T18:36:55.0033333+00:00

I've repeated the process but it still didn't work
Nickson Onsongo 0 Reputation points

2026-09-27T18:05:45.7533333+00:00

Or could it be an issue with my account? Because this is a different PC and I used the same Microsoft account as my previous PC, which had developed the issue. If that could be the case, what could be the cause and what do I need to do? I really need this issue to be fixed as soon as possible. On the same, I tried to change the account and logged out of this but it still Spotlight wasn't working.
Emma1-N 13,320 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-09-28T23:50:04.77+00:00
Hello Nickson Onsongo,

Thank you for coming back. Please check whether Spotlight is disabled in the Registry.

Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter.

Navigate`` ``to:`` ``HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ContentDeliveryManager

Verify that RotatingLockScreenEnabled is set to 1.

Verify that RotatingLockScreenOverlayEnabled is set to 1.

Restart the PC after making any changes.
Nickson Onsongo 0 Reputation points

2026-09-29T12:13:44.1833333+00:00

I have done this and it was all okay. Not working still
Emma1-N 13,320 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-09-30T02:42:46.0233333+00:00
Hello Nickson Onsongo,

Please try the step: In place repair

In-place upgrade is a process wherein it will upgrade the device to the latest version and repair many issues without deleting any files. Usually, it is used to repair corrupted system files, apps, and even incompatible drivers on the system.

Go to Windows 11 website: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows11

Under Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) select Windows 11 (multi-edition ISO)

Once done downloading the ISO, kindly right-click on ISO then click Mount> then Click Setup.exe

You may be prompted by User Account Control. If so, click on Yes.

In the Install Windows 11 dialog, click Next.

Setup will check your PC and show a license agreement. Click on Accept in the license terms dialog.

Wait for the setup program to check for the available free space.

On the Ready to install page, make sure Keep personal files and apps has been checked.

Then click Install and just follow the prompt.

Windows 11 will restart your device several times and lead you to the lock screen. Depending on the options you set, it will keep all your files, apps, and user accounts.
Nickson Onsongo 0 Reputation points

2026-09-30T17:17:53.3633333+00:00

I've updated it to the latest version but it's still stuck on the default Windows screen
Emma1-N 13,320 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-10-01T04:10:38.2266667+00:00

Hello Nickson Onsongo,
One final question: when the lock screen appears, do you see the "Like what you see?" text in the top-right corner, or is it completely missing?
Nickson Onsongo 0 Reputation points

2026-10-01T12:23:36.8433333+00:00

It is completely missing, just displaying the weather forecast
Emma1-N 13,320 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-10-02T04:43:11.66+00:00
Hello Nickson Onsongo,

I sincerely apologize that the steps I suggested were not able to help you resolve the issue.

For faster and more specialized assistance, I kindly recommend reaching out to Live Chat Support. Support agents are available to help you troubleshoot the issue in real time and provide more in‑depth guidance.

Go to Microsoft Support Contact Us

Search for "Windows Spotlight not working"

Select Contact Support

Sign in with your Microsoft account

Choose Windows

Select Chat with a support agent in your web browser

Disclaimer: Please note that this is a user-to-user support forum. Moderators, contributors including external Microsoft employees cannot directly intervene in Microsoft product features or access back-end systems. Our role is limited to providing technical guidance on reported issues, requests, or ideas.

Answer 2

Try this reset path first:

Go to Settings > Personalization > Lock screen.
Change Personalize your lock screen from Windows spotlight to Picture.
Restart the PC.
Go back to Settings > Personalization > Lock screen and switch it back to Windows spotlight.

If Spotlight is still stuck on the default lock screen image, check these items:

Go to Settings > System > Notifications.
Make sure Get tips and suggestions when using Windows is turned on.
Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
Find Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS).
Confirm it is running and the startup type is Automatic (Delayed Start). If needed, restart the service, then restart Windows.

If the issue continues, verify the lock screen setting itself:

Open Settings > Personalization > Lock screen.
Confirm Personalize your lock screen is set to Windows spotlight.

For managed or multi-device scenarios, Windows Spotlight can also be controlled through policy. Relevant policy settings include AllowWindowsSpotlight and ConfigureWindowsSpotlightOnLockScreen.

Windows Spotlight can show a different image on the lock screen and desktop background every day, and a custom lock screen image can replace the Spotlight image while still allowing tips and suggestions. If a custom lock screen image is being applied by policy, that can prevent the Spotlight lock screen image from appearing.