Windows 7: Network icon and time/date missing from System Tray

antares · 08 Oct 2012

Hi, I have an Asus Eeepc Netbook with Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit. I don't see the network icon (for some reason it disappeared) or the time in system tray. I went through the steps outlined here unsuccessfully. Any idea how to fix this? Thanks.
(I checked Device Manager and there are no conflicts, the network adapters are all there and showing no problems).

DanRex · 08 Oct 2012

Hello! Try clicking on the little

icon, and then customize. Then turn on all the notifications & icons you want from there.

Tell me how you get on!
Thanks!

antares · 08 Oct 2012

hi DanRex, thanks for your reply, unfortunately that little icon that you're mentioning is not present either. The only icons that are in the system tray are: Desktop button, Norton Internet Security, Synaptics Touchpad and Remove Hardware. Then there is as usual a vertical line that separates the system tray from the taskbar. Any other clue? Thanks

boohbah · 08 Oct 2012

try restarting explorer.exe

from the task manager.
scroll to explorer.exe click it /end process

then in task manager click file/new task (Run)
then type explorer.exe in the run window

if that fails then try running an sfc scan 3 times

SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker

antares · 08 Oct 2012

Quote: Originally Posted by boohbah

try restarting explorer.exe

from the task manager.
scroll to explorer.exe click it /end process

then in task manager click file/new task (Run)
then type explorer.exe in the run window

if that fails then try running an sfc scan 3 times

SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker

I tried all of the above but the problem persists. SFC did not find any errors. I also ran CHKDSK, found no errors either. I'm lost.

boohbah · 08 Oct 2012

i would be considering a startup repair

Startup Repair

antares · 08 Oct 2012

Quote: Originally Posted by boohbah

i would be considering a startup repair

Startup Repair

I performed the Startup Repair 3 times but it displays "Startup Repair could not detect a problem"...what's next? The feared Win format/clean install?

antares · 09 Oct 2012

I finally "solved" the issue the hard way: Windows clean reinstall. No problems now. However, I wish I knew how to actually solve the issue without having to reinstall everything again.

boohbah · 09 Oct 2012

glad you have it working again, does seem an odd issue that we couldn't troubleshoot it.

i found this and maybe it could have been of help, if it happens again try this first...

How to recover lost/missing system tray icon? [Solved] | Kioskea

chev65 · 09 Oct 2012

Quote: Originally Posted by antares

I finally "solved" the issue the hard way: Windows clean reinstall. No problems now. However, I wish I knew how to actually solve the issue without having to reinstall everything again.

This is easily accomplished with a system image.

Windows 7: Network icon and time/date missing from System Tray

Network icon and time/date missing from System Tray problems?