If you are a Windows 7 user, you must have had the weather gadget on your desktop at some point. The gadget is quite useful as it gives you live updates on weather conditions in your area, including details like temperature, humidity, and precipitation. Unfortunately, at some point, the gadget may stop working for various reasons, leaving you without this useful feature. That’s where we come in. In this article, we will give you several methods that you can use to fix the weather gadget on Windows 7.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of Fixing Weather Gadget Windows 7
The weather gadget on Windows 7 can be temperamental at times, and you may encounter various problems with it. Some of the most common issues include the gadget failing to update automatically, displaying incorrect weather information, or simply not opening at all. These issues can cause you to lose critical weather updates and information, creating the need for an immediate fix.
Things You Should Prepare for
Before we dive into the methods, there are a few things that you should keep in mind. Firstly, it’s essential to ensure that your PC has an active and stable internet connection as the gadget relies on the internet to update information. Secondly, make sure that your PC’s date and time settings are correct as the gadget uses this information to update weather information. Lastly, some features in Windows 7, such as the UAC, may impact the functionality of the weather gadget, so make sure you have full administrative privileges when carrying out the methods.
Method 1: Reset the Weather Gadget
If your weather gadget is not updating automatically or not showing weather information, resetting it is the first fix to try. Here’s how to do it:
- Right-click on an empty area of your desktop and select Gadgets
- Right-click the weather gadget and click Close
- Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box and type %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows Sidebar\Gadgets
- Delete the Weather.Gadget file
- Restart the weather gadget by right-clicking on the desktop, selecting Gadgets, and double-clicking the weather gadget from the Gadget list.
Pros:
Resetting the gadget is very simple and does not require any third-party tools.
Cons:
This method only works if your issue is with the Widget configuration, and other reasons, such as internet connection issues or Windows updates, cannot be fixed with this method.
Method 2: Restart Windows Desktop Manager
If the Weather Gadget is unresponsive or has stopped updating weather information, restarting the Windows Desktop Manager is a good solution. Follow these steps:
- Open the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc
- Find the Windows Desktop Manager Service in the Processes tab
- Select Windows Desktop Manager and click Restart.
- Close the Task Manager and check if the Weather Gadget is functioning well.
Pros:
This method clears all glitches from the Desktop Manager, and the Gadget functions well because it gets started as per the process.
Cons:
It requires the Windows Desktop Manager Service to be restarted, which may cause the user to lose unsaved data.
Method 3: Re-Register Jscript.dll and Vbscript.dll files
If the Weather Gadget is not functioning because of registry problems with the Jscript.dll and Vbscript.dll files, re-registering these files may be the solution. Here is how to do it:
- Press the Windows key and R simultaneously to open the Run box and type in “CMD”
- Right-click and choose the option to run as “Administrator.”
- Now type in regsvr32 jscript.dll and press Enter
- Then type in regsvr32 vbscript.dll and press Enter again
- Restart your computer and check if the Weather Gadget is working.
Pros:
This method deals with registry errors and is helpful in fixing the issue in a short while.
Cons:
It requires technical knowledge and the execution of a command prompt, which may intimidate some users.
Method 4: Uninstall/ Reinstall Weather Gadget
If none of the above methods works, uninstalling and reinstalling the gadget may fix the problem. Follow these steps:
- Press Windows + R to launch the Run command box, type Control Panel and press Enter.
- Click on Programs and Features and select Turn Windows Features on or off
- Uncheck the Weather option and click OK
- Navigate to C:\Users\your_username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Sidebar\Gadgets\Weather.Gadget, and delete the “Weather.Gadget” file
- Restart your computer and open Windows Features again.
- Check the Weather option, and Windows should reinstall the gadget
- Close the Control Panel and check if the gadget is working.
Pros:
This method is useful when the gadget is severely affected or corrupted with serious malfunctions.
Cons:
The Weather gadget configuration settings may need to reconfigure, as this process is fresh, and you may need to set up the app from the beginning.
Why Can’t I Fix the Weather Gadget on Windows 7?
1. Windows Updates: Sometimes updates can cause the weather gadget to malfunction.
Fix: Check for and apply any available Windows updates.
2. Firewall Settings: The Windows Firewall may be blocking the gadget from updating.
Fix: Ensure the Weather gadget is granted access for the Firewall to work correctly.
3. Internet Connection: The gadget relies on a stable internet connection; if it is not functional, gadget issues can arise.
Fix: Ensure your internet connection is stable and functional.
Additional Tips
1. Consider using a different weather gadget from a trusted developer if the problem persists.
2. Try adjusting the gadget settings, such as the update schedule or location settings, to resolve the issue.
3. Check for any virus or malware that may be interfering with the gadget.
5 FAQs About Fixing the Weather Gadget on Windows 7
Q1: My weather gadget is displaying incorrect information. How can I fix this?
A1: Ensure that your PC’s date and time settings are correct, and check the Weather gadget’s location settings.
Q2: Is it safe to use system files to fix the gadget?
A2: Yes, but make sure to back up your files and registry before making any changes.
Q3: The gadget is not updating automatically. How can I make it update?
A3: Try adjusting the gadget’s update schedule and checking your internet connection’s stability.
Q4: Can I uninstall gadgets that I don’t use?
A4: Yes, go to Control Panel > Programs and Features > Turn Windows Features. Here you can disable or remove other gadgets as well.
Q5: Can the weather gadget affect my PC’s performance?
A5: No. The Weather gadget doesn’t consume many system resources, and as long as it’s functioning well, it will have no effect on computer speed.
In Conclusion
At times, the weather gadget on Windows 7 can be quite frustrating, but with the methods that we have listed above, you should be able to get it back up and running again. Remember to keep your PC’s date and time settings correct, internet connection stable, and ensure that Windows Updates and Firewall settings are correctly configured. Ultimately, even if the methods listed above don’t work, consider using an alternative gadget from a trusted developer.
