Windows 11 Calendar Not Opening: 5 Quick Fixes to Restore It Instantly

If your Windows 11 Calendar app or the taskbar calendar fly-out doesn’t open when you click the clock, you’re not alone. This issue is common after updates or account configuration changes. Here’s a complete guide with five verified fixes to restore your calendar quickly.

1. Sign In with a Microsoft Account

The Calendar widget relies on your Microsoft account to sync and display events.
If you’re using a local account, switching to a Microsoft account can resolve blank or frozen calendar windows.

How to switch:

1. Press Win + I → open Settings → Accounts → Your info.
2. Click Sign in with a Microsoft account instead.
3. Restart your computer and open the calendar again.

This fix resolves the “Sorry, events from this account cannot be displayed” error seen in local-only profiles.

2. Restart Windows Explorer

The calendar fly-out is part of the Windows Explorer process, and restarting it refreshes all shell UI components.

Steps:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. In the Processes tab, find Windows Explorer.
3. Right-click it and choose Restart.

After restart, click the clock again to test the calendar.

See also: Windows 10 End of Support 2025: How to Stay Secure After October 14

3. Check Taskbar and System Icon Settings

The taskbar’s notification and calendar components can sometimes be disabled automatically after system updates.

Fix it like this:

1. Right-click on an empty taskbar area → select Taskbar settings.
2. Scroll to Notification area → Turn system icons on or off.
3. Ensure Calendar is toggled On (toggle Off → On again if already enabled).

4. Run SFC and DISM Repair Tools

System file corruption is another common reason why calendar components fail to open.

Run these commands in PowerShell (Admin):

sfc /scannow
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Once both scans complete, restart your PC. This will repair damaged system files related to the taskbar and calendar.

5. Update Windows and Drivers

Outdated system or display drivers can break the Calendar widget’s functionality.

Update Windows:

1. Press Win + I → Windows Update.
2. Click Check for updates → install all pending updates.

Update Drivers:

1. Go to Settings → Windows Update → Advanced options → Optional updates.
2. Under Driver updates, select and install all available drivers.

These updates often fix hidden UI bugs introduced in prior builds (especially between 23H2 and 24H2).

Alternate Fixes for Windows 11 Calendar not opening

If the problem persists:

• Reset the Calendar app:
  • Settings → Apps → Installed Apps → Mail and Calendar → Advanced options → Repair or Reset.
• Re-register UWP apps:
  • Run this in PowerShell (Admin):

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

• Check Registry for Disabled Notification Center:
  • Open

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer

If DisableNotificationCenter = 1 → change to 0 and reboot.

How to Avoid This Issue in the Future

To keep the Windows Calendar stable:

• Keep Windows updated regularly.
• Avoid using registry tweak apps.
• Periodically run sfc /scannow.
• Prefer signing in with a Microsoft account for event syncing.
• Switch to the new Outlook for Windows app once the Mail & Calendar app is officially deprecated.

When the Windows 11 Calendar isn’t opening, these five quick steps cover all main causes — from account misconfiguration to file corruption. Start with signing in using a Microsoft account, restart Explorer, and update both Windows and drivers — in most cases, your calendar will open instantly again.