Windows 10 showed a new error after installing it informations KB5003214 for May 2021 Update (21H1), October 2020 Update (20H2), and May 2020 Update (2004).
This optional update corrupts the system tray and more.
This happens to users running the May 2020 Update (2004) or later with KB5003214 installed (optional update).
One of the affected users reported that his taskbar is cluttered and icons are blank or overlapping, especially when the News and Interests feature is enabled.
Some users report that the notification center and the network icon have stopped working after the update. In some cases, users have noticed that the system tray icons began to move randomly, disappear, or hide when the News & Interest taskbar feed function is enabled.
“After installing the cumulative preview update KB5003214, I'm having some problems with the taskbar, mainly the right side icons moving randomly, disappearing or hiding. Tried on one Surface Book 3 and the Alienware M17 R5,” reports one user on the Feedback Hub.
"Uninstalling the update solved the problem."
In other words, those running the latest cumulative update with News & Interests enabled are experiencing issues with the system tray used for appearance application icons.
“After installing KB5003214, my taskbar (lower right the clock, the notification center, the network icon, etc.) crashed. Icons disappeared,” reports one user on Feedback Hub.
The search box also does not appear in the taskbar for some users, while others report problems with the screen scaling, which could be related to a system tray error.
Uninstalling the cumulative update will rid you of system tray problems, but if you want to keep the update for whatever reason, there seems to be a second solution.
Those running the May 2020 Update or later can disable News and Interests from the settings. To disable this feature, right-click on the icon, and select "Disable".
