How to Fix Language Bar Missing from Taskbar (Windows 10, 8, 7 or Vista)
The "language bar missing from taskbar" issue is a common problem on all Windows versions. In most cases the language bar has disappeared from taskbar after a Windows update or after upgrading Windows to a newer version.
This time the language bar has disappeared after upgrading a Windows 8.1 based computer to Windows 10. To resolve this problem at first, I double checked that the language bar is already enabled from the language options in control panel (Method-1) and then I proceeded to apply a registry hack and the issue was resolved (Method-2).
In this tutorial you 'll find detailed instruction on how to fix the "language bar missing from taskbar" issue on Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7 & Vista.
How to fix: Language Bar has Disappeared on Windows 10/8/7/Vista.
Method 1. Enable Language Bar in Control Panel.
Method 2. Enable Language bar by using Registry.
Method 1. Enable Language Bar from Control Panel.
First, ensure that the Language Bar is enabled.* To do that:
* Notice: Keep in mind that the language bar isn't displayed if you haven't installed more than than one input languages on your system.
- Related Article: How to Add Another Language in Windows 10 or 8-8.1
1. Navigate to Windows Control Panel.
- In Windows 7 or Vista:
- Click Start > Control Panel.
- In Windows 10 or 8, 8.1:
- Right click on Start menu
and select Control Panel.
- Right click on Start menu
2. Change the View by: to Small icons.
3. Select Region and Language. *
* In Windows 10, select Language and continue here.
4A. Windows 7 & Vista: Select the Keyboard and Languages tab and click Change keyboards.
-
- Then select the Language Bar tab and make sure that the "Docked in the taskbar" option is checked.
- Click OK to exit. If the language bar is still missing then proceed to Method-2.
4B. Windows 10, 8.1 & 8
-
- Click Advanced settings.
-
- Check the "Use the desktop language bar when it's available" checkbox and then click Options.
-
- Make sure that the "Docked in the taskbar" option is checked and then click OK. If the language is still missing then proceed to Method-2.
Method 2. Enable Language bar by using Registry.
Important: For preventive purposes, always create a restore point before modifying the registry. If after registry modification, something goes wrong then restore your system to this restore point.
- To create a restore point:
a. Type Create a restore point at the search box and then click on the result.
b. Then click the Create button, to immediately create a restore point.
To Enable the Language bar through Registry:
1. Open Windows Registry Editor. To do that:
1. Press the Windows + R keys to load the Run dialog box.
2. Type regedit and press Enter.
2. At the left pane, navigate to this key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
3. Right click at an empty space at the right pane and select New > String Value.
4. Give at the new value the name: CTFMON.
5. Double click at the newly created value and at the value data box, type:
- C:\Windows\System32\ctfmon.exe
6. Click OK and then close Registry Editor.
7. Restart you computer and you 're done!
That's it! Let me know if this guide has helped you by leaving your comment about your experience. Please like and share this guide to help others.
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Trinity
August 6, 2022 @ 10:39 pm
Had this problem. Didn't feel like messing with the registry, so I just removed the second language from language settings and then added it again. The language bar immediately reappeared.
Michael
February 20, 2022 @ 5:00 pm
Your registry hack did the trick. Once again, I was foolish for checking Microsoft's advice first. When will I ever learn?
bob
September 9, 2021 @ 1:35 pm
Thanks it is work finally
Ainur
April 9, 2021 @ 6:59 pm
Thanks, it worked perfectly!)))
Faruk
January 29, 2021 @ 11:41 am
Registry fix worked. Thank you very much.
Andrew
December 5, 2020 @ 5:58 pm
fantastic~~!!! I had 3~5years cannot change mine language bar, after following the second guide, finally my pc available to show the language bar.
spectre
November 1, 2020 @ 5:01 am
thank you
Andrew
October 3, 2020 @ 7:59 pm
The plan "B" worked for my w7 just fine .
Thank you very much!
Mohamed Ashour
June 10, 2020 @ 8:31 am
The problem is solved.
But, after a few days, it return the same problem randomly.
PLEASE, I NEED FINAL SOLUTION FOR THIS SILLY PROBLEM.
PLEASE HELP ME.
I NEED TO KNOW THE CAUSE OF THIS SILLY PROBLEM.
REGARDS
Xin Dee
July 16, 2021 @ 8:04 am
you might have disable the ctf loader file so you can't switch i found the problem by disabling it with a cleaning software
k.boonsong
April 6, 2020 @ 10:54 am
thank you very much.
Chris
October 29, 2019 @ 9:28 am
Than you !!!
Gonzo
October 14, 2019 @ 8:48 pm
It worked great. This guide is very usefull
. thanks a lot.
LC
September 25, 2019 @ 3:34 am
Thank you so much for your help! It really worked. Thank you again!!!
Naywonni
August 30, 2019 @ 3:09 am
Thanks , Very Useful.
ben
August 13, 2019 @ 6:14 pm
great
Joe
July 17, 2019 @ 7:46 am
The registry fix got the language toolbar back into my taskbar. Thank you for the very clear instructions. Meanwhile, I've learned the shortcut, which is left Alt + Shift. Checking the running processes in the task manager shows ctfmon.exe (CTF Loader) is running now, whereas before the fix, it was not seen int the processes list.
Bobby Zopfan
July 6, 2019 @ 4:48 am
Thanks!!
You solved a very big problem in a very very easy way!!
Great!!!
Megan Duguid
June 28, 2019 @ 5:28 pm
Very useful, and thanks you so much!
Amber
June 8, 2019 @ 5:21 pm
Thanks! I've got it back. QQ
Pariny
March 8, 2019 @ 8:51 am
Thanks ! It works like a charm.
Samuel Johnson
March 1, 2019 @ 2:50 am
Thank you. This worked. The answer supplied at "StackOverflow" did not. Good work!
Neil
January 2, 2019 @ 4:31 am
Thank you so much. I spent days trying to rejuvenate IME after it disappeared suddenly after a Windows update. I was hesitant about using the Registry change, but your clear instructions were easy to follow and IT WORKED perfectly!
Gintautas
October 19, 2018 @ 12:13 pm
Perfect!
saiyang2015@gmail.com
October 9, 2018 @ 6:40 pm
thank you very much. It worked for me in this theory.
DM
August 16, 2018 @ 10:37 am
Helped! Thnx!
Hannah
July 31, 2018 @ 1:35 pm
Wow! This actually worked! I followed a similar tutorial that also had me modify the registry but in a slightly different Manner and it didn't work. This did.
Chris
July 11, 2018 @ 2:01 am
Thank you very much – that was very useful!
Abiir
January 8, 2018 @ 11:52 am
Thanks for the solution
Aang saeful laksana
November 9, 2019 @ 11:45 am
Thank you very much its amazing way. A long time i searched this way. Many years. And Finally i found you. Thank you 3000 x
TM Prasad
October 31, 2017 @ 11:57 am
Very useful