Windows Spotlight no longer working

AG 0 Reputation points
2026-10-08T15:59:12.7766667+00:00

Running on desktop PC: - Windows Insider Preview 64-bit, professional Edition, Build 26300.9550, Processor AMD Ryzen 5 9600X, Ram 32Gb my associated windows security system is BitDefender Premium Security (Individual Plan)

New PC build, system running and set up since May this year with no issues..... and was running as I expect and like..using associated tweaks as allowed in Windows System set up.

Windows spotlight was running before but around time of last windows update around end of September (Windows 11, version 26H2) I seem to have lost the ability or control for "windows spotlight" in the Settings> Personalisation > Lock Screen.

Not sure if I had it before, but I note that I do not have in my apps folder I do not have a roaming file

I have run out of ideas of how to get windows spotlight to work again and short of doing a system re-install / recover am not sure which links /files / connections have been damaged and how to restore them.... but I have tried at least 5 different windows OS tools / methods to recover Windows Spotlight and nothing is working.......

--background -----

At present the spotlight feature, when toggled as preview screen shows grey background with the time and date - -in the preview screen is the download circle, but the preview screen does not change. I have tried switching on and off the widgets weather, but that does not show either

In addition the spotlight toggle does not stay on, keeps on reverting to picture

I have tried setting to a picture, turning off tips and tricks and widgets, restarting... and then resetting to windows spotlight

I have tried SFC/Scannow and DISM in command mode --- issues were found and have been fixed, but spotlight does not operate on restart.

I have restarted BITS, WUASERV

What have I attempted to recover Windows Spotlight in last 10 or so days

  1. Via Run command I have interrogated the C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.Windows.ContentDeliveryManager_cw5n1h2txyewy\LocalState\Assets
    1. There is nothing in the folder
    2. Restarting the system.... when operating windows spotlight I have the same preview image as described before

2 Via Terminal Admin I have added the following

Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers ContentDeliveryManager | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}

No red highlights so I am assuming windows spotlight has been acquired

After restart and re toggling windows spotlight all I have is a blank screen with day and date

  1. I have checked for the latest updates for windows and I am up to date even with drivers etc.

I have tried reactivation the get apps package etc in powershell.

I note that in my apps folder I do not have a roaming file4) Via Run I have got to

C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Themes\TranscodedWallpaperCache, and deleted all the files in this folder

After restart, windows spotlight does not work

  1. gpedit.msc checked the User Configuration > Admistrative Templates>Control Panel> Personlization all the options show as 'Not Configured'
Windows Insider program | Apps on Insider preview
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  1. AI answer

    2026-10-08T15:59:44.3066667+00:00

    Given the build and timing described, the most relevant supported causes are:

    1. A recent Insider build issue affecting Windows Spotlight reliability on the lock screen.
    2. A condition where Spotlight cannot refresh its cached content and reverts to a static image.
    3. A policy setting that can force Spotlight-related experiences off.

    Since SFC, DISM, BITS, wuauserv, package re-registration, and switching Picture/Spotlight were already tried, the next supported checks are:

    1. Check whether the build includes a known Spotlight reliability issue or fix
      • Build 26300-series Insider releases include changes specifically to improve reliability for Windows Spotlight on the lock screen.
      • That makes this look more like build-specific behavior than a missing app package.
    2. Clear the Spotlight cache folders completely
      • Warning: this removes cached Spotlight content and forces Windows to download it again.
      • In File Explorer, enable Hidden items.
      • Delete the contents of:
        • %LOCALAPPDATA%\Packages\Microsoft.Windows.ContentDeliveryManager_cw5n1h2txyewy\LocalState\Assets
        • %LOCALAPPDATA%\Packages\Microsoft.Windows.ContentDeliveryManager_cw5n1h2txyewy\Settings
      • Do not delete the folders themselves.
      • Sign out or restart, then set Lock screen back to Windows Spotlight.
      • Expected result: Spotlight should recreate cache files and begin downloading new content.
    3. Verify Spotlight-related policy is not being blocked elsewhere
      • In managed scenarios, Windows Spotlight = Block turns off Windows Spotlight on the lock screen, Windows Tips, Microsoft consumer features, and related features.
      • Windows Spotlight on lock screen = Block stops Spotlight information from showing on the lock screen.
      • Since local Group Policy under Personalization is already Not Configured, also check whether any device management policy is applying a Spotlight restriction.
    4. Re-enable tips/suggestions if disabled
      • Go to Settings > System > Notifications.
      • Ensure Get tips and suggestions when using Windows is enabled.
      • Restart and test Spotlight again.
    5. If the issue started immediately after a specific update, test by removing that update
      • A reported case after KB5065789 showed Spotlight stuck on a solid image, and common repair methods did not resolve it until the update was removed.
      • This is most relevant if the failure began directly after the end-of-September update.
      • Warning: uninstalling an update can remove fixes included in that build.
    6. If Spotlight still reverts to Picture after cache reset and policy checks
      • Submit feedback through Feedback Hub under Desktop Environment > Lock Screen and Spotlight with diagnostic logs.
      • For Insider builds, this is the appropriate path when the behavior appears tied to the current flight.

    About the missing Roaming path noted in the question:

    • The supported Spotlight cache paths in the available guidance are under %LOCALAPPDATA%\Packages\Microsoft.Windows.ContentDeliveryManager_cw5n1h2txyewy\....
    • The absence of a separate roaming location does not, by itself, indicate the Spotlight component is missing.

    Most likely next action order for this case:

    1. Clear both Spotlight cache folders (Assets and Settings).
    2. Re-enable Get tips and suggestions when using Windows.
    3. Reboot and retest.
    4. Check for any Spotlight block policy.
    5. If the problem began with the September Insider update, test uninstalling that update or move to a newer build containing Spotlight reliability fixes.
    6. File Feedback Hub logs if it still fails.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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