Want to keep an eye on the weather without jumping between heaps of apps or web pages? Windows 11 actually makes it pretty easy with its built-in weather widget on the taskbar. It’s a handy little feature — but in reality, sometimes it doesn’t show up, or it acts a bit funny. Maybe the widget isn’t updating properly, or you can’t find it at all. That can be a pain, especially if you rely on quick weather info to plan your day.
If you’re fed up with missing out or just want that temperature showing live on your taskbar, here’s a straightforward guide. It covers how to turn on the widget, tweak some settings, and troubleshoot the usual glitches. Because of course, Windows likes to make things a bit trickier than they need to be. But once it’s set up, you’ll have your current weather at a glance — no messing about.
How to Show the Temperature on Your Windows 11 Taskbar
Fix 1: Make sure Widgets are turned on
First up, the basics — if the weather’s not showing, it’s probably because the widget feature isn’t enabled or visible. Right-click on an empty bit of your taskbar. From the menu, select “Taskbar settings”. This opens a window with all sorts of options about what’s visible there.
Scroll down until you see the “Widgets” toggle. If it’s off, flick it to On. Nothing fancy — just a switch. Sometimes, on some setups, it might look like it’s on but isn’t actually working, so turning it off then back on can do the trick.
Fix 2: Check your location settings
The weather widget pulls data based on your location, so if it’s showing the wrong info or nothing at all, that’s probably the issue. Go to Settings > Privacy & security > Location. Ensure Location services are switched on, and your device has the right location set. If you’re using a VPN or similar, that might muck things up. Also, make sure apps are allowed to access your location.
On some setups, turning location off then on again, or restarting your PC, can fix the widget and get it showing the correct weather. A bit quirky, but sometimes Windows just needs that nudge to get everything syncing.
Fix 3: Keep Windows updated
If your Windows 11 isn’t up to date, features like the weather widget can act dodgy. Head to Settings > Windows Update and check for any pending updates. Install them if needed, restart your PC, and see if the widget starts working properly. I’ve seen cases where a small update fixes a stubborn weather display issue. Windows does love to introduce little bugs in new versions, unfortunately.
Fix 4: Reset or re-add the widget
Sometimes, the widget just needs a kick in the guts. If it’s there but acting up, try clicking on the weather widget icon on the taskbar (or open the notification centre and click it). If it’s still not showing the right info, right-click the widget and select “Remove Widget”. Then, click the weather icon again to add it back. This might reset the data link and get things working again.
If clicking the widget doesn’t do anything, try opening Settings, then toggle the widgets off and back on. It’s a bit strange, but it can sort out display glitches.
Fix 5: Restart Windows Explorer
If the toggle is on but nothing shows up, a quick fix is to restart Windows Explorer. Hit Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. Find Windows Explorer in the list, right-click and choose Restart. This refreshes the taskbar and can fix display issues — often without needing a full reboot. Feels a bit clunky, but it’s a lifesaver more times than I can count.
Tips to Get the Temperature Showing on Your Windows 11 Taskbar
- Make sure your location settings are correct — it’s key for accurate weather.
- Adjust widget settings directly — click the weather icon and set units (like Celsius or Fahrenheit).
- If the widget’s stubborn, try rebooting your PC or signing out and back in.
- Keep Windows fully updated; often, it’s just a bug fix waiting to happen.
- If weather info isn’t reliable, try adding a few other widgets — Windows allows you to mix and match.
Common Questions
Why can’t I see the weather widget on my taskbar?
If the toggle’s on and your Windows is up to date but it’s still not showing, it might be a permissions issue or your system update didn’t go smoothly. Sometimes, corporate or managed devices have restrictions on widgets. If that’s the case, check with your admin or check your device policies.
How do I switch the temperature from Fahrenheit to Celsius?
Click on the weather widget to see detailed info, then look for the settings (gear icon). From there, you can change the temperature units. If that’s not available, you might need to update your regional settings under Settings > Time & Language > Language & Region.
Can I move the weather widget to a different spot on the taskbar?
Not really. In Windows 11, widgets are fixed on the right side of the taskbar. You can hide or show them, but moving their position isn’t possible. Sometimes, resizing the taskbar might give you a smidge more room, but that’s about it.
What if the weather shows the wrong location?
Make sure your location permissions are on and your device’s actual location is set correctly in Settings > Privacy & Security > Location. Sometimes, Windows “remembers” an old spot — toggling location settings or resetting permissions can fix that.
Can I add more widgets to the taskbar?
Absolutely. Windows 11 supports multiple widgets, and you can choose which ones show up. Open the widget panel from the taskbar, then hit the `+` button to add more or customize what’s visible.
Summary
- Check that the widget toggle is on in taskbar settings
- Make sure location permissions are set and correct
- Update Windows if you can
- Reset or re-add the weather widget if needed
- Restart Explorer if it’s acting up
Final thoughts
The weather on your taskbar? Most of the time it works alright, but can be a bit flaky. Usually, turning it off then on again, checking your location, or giving Windows a quick restart sorts it out. Not the most elegant fix, but better than constantly opening a weather app. Hopefully, this helps save you some hassle and keeps your day a little brighter, or cooler, depending on what you’re after.