Windows 10 Cortana Not Working: Why the Assistant Stopped Responding and What to Use Instead

You say “Hey Cortana” or click the Cortana button, and nothing happens, or a message says Cortana is no longer supported. When Windows 10 Cortana not working leaves you without voice commands dewaasia or reminders, the cause is usually not a fault on your PC.

Microsoft retired Cortana as a standalone app in Windows. Support for the Cortana app ended in late 2023, and the assistant was removed from many Microsoft services around the same time.

On some PCs, the Cortana button still appears on the taskbar, which makes it look as though something is broken.

The practical answer is to turn the leftovers off and use other tools for the jobs Cortana once did.

The change caught many people by surprise, because the Cortana icon often remained on the taskbar long after the assistant itself had stopped responding.

What Might Be Causing It

Cortana does not respond for these reasons:

• The standalone Cortana app has been retired by Microsoft.
• The app’s services no longer answer requests, even if the icon remains.
• Reminders and lists that relied on Cortana were moved to other Microsoft apps.
• On older Windows 10 versions, microphone or language settings also prevented Cortana from working.

Some business versions of Microsoft 365 still use Cortana-like features within specific apps, but not as a general Windows assistant.

First Steps to Try

Tidy up the taskbar.

1. Right-click the taskbar and untick “Show Cortana button.”
2. Open Settings > Apps, find Cortana, and uninstall it if the option is available.
3. Use the search box for finding files and apps, which works independently of Cortana.
4. Press Windows + H for voice typing in text boxes.
5. Restart the PC.

Removing the button avoids confusion and frees a little taskbar space.

Hiding the button does not affect the search box, which continues to find files, settings, and apps as before.

If the Problem Continues

Replace Cortana’s features.

1. Use Microsoft To Do or the reminders in Outlook for tasks and reminders.
2. Use Alarms & Clock for timers and alarms.
3. Use the search box or Windows + S for quick searches.
4. Use Microsoft Edge or Bing for web questions.
5. If your organisation provides Microsoft Copilot or another assistant, check whether it is available for your account.

Protect Your Data First

Export important reminders or lists before uninstalling apps. Grant microphone access only to apps you trust.

The Bottom Line

Cortana stopped working because Microsoft retired it. Remove the button, use search and voice typing, and move reminders to supported apps.

Spending a few minutes setting up reminders in Microsoft To Do or Outlook gives you a reliable replacement for the tasks Cortana used to handle.