How to deal with Windows Spotlight errors in Windows 10

Microsoft introduced many aesthetic novelties with Windows 10, and one of the most praised is Windows Spotlight. Windows Spotlight allows your operating system to change the lock screen background before each login. Basically, use Bing to download new and modern covers. Something simple that makes the first impression more pleasant and versatile.

Most users are satisfied with Spotlight, but not everything goes so smoothly every time. That is, even this simplistic feature of Windows 10 occasionally causes problems. To be precise, some users reported that it could not be loaded or that the cover is stuck on an image. Some users decided to disable Spotlight, while others are more interested in troubleshooting. If you like Spotlight and want to solve the urgent problem, please follow the steps below.

Contents index

  • How to deal with Windows Spotlight errors in Windows 10
    • Solution 1 – Check your connection and restart the PC
    • Solution 2: disable Spotlight and re-enable it
    • Solution 3: reset the Spotlight process
    • Solution 4: check if the necessary background applications are running
    • Solution 5: reset your default apps
    • Solution 6: disable PIN login

How to deal with Windows Spotlight errors in Windows 10

Windows Spotlight is a useful feature, but many users reported various problems with Windows Spotlight. Speaking of issues, here are some common issues that users reported:

  • Windows Spotlight Stuck on an Image – According to users, this is one of the most common problems with Windows Spotlight. However, you can fix the problem by temporarily disabling this Spotlight feature.
  • Windows Spotlight Not Showing – If Windows Spotlight isn’t showing, you may be able to resolve the issue simply by resetting the Spotlight process.
  • Windows Spotlight not working on startup – Many users reported that Windows Spotlight is not working on startup. This can occur due to problems with your network connection, so be sure to check.
  • Windows Spotlight images don’t change, they don’t change : According to users, sometimes the image in Windows Spotlight doesn’t change at all. To fix this problem, temporarily set the lock screen to use a static image.
  • Windows Spotlight stopped working – This issue can occur if you are using PIN login on your PC. Just disable PIN login and the problem will be permanently resolved.

 Solution 1 – Check your connection and restart the PC

As we already said, Windows Spotlight depends on your connection as images are exhausted from Bing. Therefore, make sure your connection is correct before continuing. You can check the status of your connection in the lower right corner.

Also, you need to restart your PC if the error occurred and possibly solve this problem. After the reboot, you should see a new background. If that’s not the case, go to the next step.

Solution 2: disable Spotlight and re-enable it

Also, you should perform a standard troubleshooting procedure recommended by any technician who has ever lived. Turn it off and then turn it on. In this case, you can switch to Image or Slideshow and enable Spotlight afterwards. This is what you should do:

  1. Right-click on the desktop and open Personalize .
  2. Open the Lock screen tab . In Background , switch from Windows Spotlight to a Picture or Slideshow .
  3. Click OK and close the window.
  4. Now log out and log in.
  5. Navigate to the lock screen and enable Windows Spotlight again.

Solution 3: reset the Spotlight process

If none of the above solutions were helpful, your best option to resolve your Spotlight issues is to reset it. However, that is not as simple as it sounds. That is, since Spotlight is not a third-party application but a built-in Windows feature, we will need to use alternative ways to fix it. And below is a step by step explanation.

  1. Set Spotlight to a slideshow or image as in the previous solution.
  2. Press Windows + R to open the Run command line.
  3. Copy and paste the following command and press Enter:
    • %USERPROFILE%/AppDataLocalPackagesMicrosoft.Windows.ContentDeliveryManager_cw5n1h2txyewyLocalStateAssets

  4. The windows will open with the list of images used. Delete all files.
  5. Press Windows + R to invoke the Run command line again.
  6. Copy and paste the following command and press Enter:
    • %USERPROFILE%/AppDataLocalPackagesMicrosoft.Windows.ContentDeliveryManager_cw5n1h2txyewySettings
  7. Right click on settings.dat and rename it to settings.dat.bak
  8. Right click on roaming.lock and rename it to roaming.lock.bak
  9. Restart the PC.
  10. Now enable Spotlight one more time.

Also, you can use another workaround to fix this problem.

  1. Set Spotlight to a slideshow or image .
  2. In Windows search, type Windows PowerShell.
  3. Right click Windows PowerShell and Run as administrator .
  4. On the command line, type the following command:
    • Get-AppxPackage -allusers *ContentDeliveryManager* | foreach {Add-AppxPackage “$($_.InstallLocation)appxmanifest.xml” -DisableDevelopmentMode -register }

  5. Restart your computer.
  6. This should restart Windows Spotlight and fix your problem.

Solution 4: check if the necessary background applications are running

For Windows Spotlight to work properly, you must enable certain background applications. If the required applications are not enabled, you may encounter this and other problems. However, you can fix the problem by doing the following:

  1. Press Windows key + I to open the Settings app .
  2. When the Settings app opens , go to the Privacy section .
  3. In the left pane, select Background apps . In the right pane, make sure Microsoft Edge and Settings are set to On .

After making these changes, check if the problem is still there.

Solution 5: reset your default apps

According to users, sometimes problems with Windows Spotlight can arise due to the default settings of the application. If your settings are not correct, you may encounter this and many other problems in some cases. However, you can fix the problem simply by resetting the applications’ default settings to the original values.

This is pretty simple, and you can do it by following these steps:

  1. Open the Settings app and go to the Applications section .
  2. Select Default apps from the menu on the left. Now scroll down the right pane and click the reset button under the Microsoft recommended return option.

After doing that, all your default apps will change to the original settings. Now you just have to restart your PC and check if the problem persists.

Solution 6: disable PIN login

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by Abdullah Sam
I’m a teacher, researcher and writer. I write about study subjects to improve the learning of college and university students. I write top Quality study notes Mostly, Tech, Games, Education, And Solutions/Tips and Tricks. I am a person who helps students to acquire knowledge, competence or virtue.

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