Search guides

Fix a Windows that has Cortana that will not work

We'll check region settings, permissions, and fix Cortana when it will not work—or point you to Search/Copilot if Cortana is unavailable.

Troubleshooting · Home maintenance
10–20 min
What you'll need
  • Microphone (for voice)
  • Supported region (US, UK, etc.)
Step 1 of 4

Quick triage — pick your path

Get started

Choose the option that matches what you see. You can jump straight to that section.

Show full guide

Steps

Goal: Get Cortana working or use an alternative.

  • Confirm region and permissions support Cortana.
  • Good: Proceed to Restart Cortana.
  • Bad: Set region or allow permissions; Cortana may be unavailable in your region.

Check region and permissions

Goal: Confirm Cortana can run.

  • Settings > Language & region. Check region. Settings > Privacy > Microphone, Speech.
  • Good: Region supported, permissions on. Proceed to Restart Cortana.
  • Bad: Cortana may not be available in your region.

Restart Cortana

Goal: Restart the Cortana process.

  • Task Manager > End Cortana. Let it restart.
  • Good: Cortana works. Bad: Reset Cortana or use Search/Copilot.

When to get help

Cortana is deprecated. Use Search (Win+S) or Copilot (Windows 11) instead. No technician needed.

Verification

  • Cortana responds to voice or text.
  • Or Search/Copilot works as alternative.

Escalation ladder

Work from the device outward. Stop when the problem is fixed.

  1. Region and permissions Set supported region; allow microphone and speech.
  2. Restart Cortana End Cortana in Task Manager; let it restart.
  3. Reset Cortana Settings > Apps > Cortana > Reset.
  4. Use Search or Copilot Cortana deprecated; use Win+S or Copilot.

What to capture if you need help

Before calling support or posting for help, have these ready. It speeds everything up.

  • Region: current Windows region setting
  • Permissions: microphone and speech allowed?
  • Windows version: 10 or 11
  • Steps already tried

Is your region supported and are permissions allowed?

Cortana works only in certain regions.

Settings > Language & region. Check region. Settings > Privacy > Microphone, Speech. Allow access. Good: region OK, permissions on—restart Cortana. Bad: region unsupported—Cortana may not be available.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Does restarting Cortana fix it?

Cortana can crash and need restart.

Task Manager > End Cortana. Let it restart. Good: Cortana works. Bad: reset Cortana or use Search/Copilot.
Question

Cortana working?

Continue

You can change your answer later.

Set region or allow permissions

Set supported region if possible. Allow microphone and speech. Retry Cortana.

Done

Reset Cortana or use Search/Copilot

Settings > Apps > Cortana > Reset. If Cortana deprecated (Windows 11), use Win+S for Search or Copilot.

Done

Reviewed by Blackbox Atlas

Frequently asked questions

Why would Cortana not work?
Region not supported, microphone or speech permissions denied, Cortana disabled, or service crash. Check region and permissions first.
Can I fix Cortana myself?
Yes. Set supported region, allow permissions, restart Cortana. Note: Cortana is deprecated in Windows 11—use Copilot or Search instead.
When should I call a technician for Cortana?
Rarely. Cortana is being phased out. If you need voice assistant, consider Copilot (Windows 11) or third-party alternatives.

Rate this guide

Was this helpful?

Continue to