Accent color allows the color of certain Windows 11 elements to blend or contrast with the current theme. You can turn on the option to show accent color on the Start Menu and Taskbar in the settings, but sometimes, this option is grayed out.

Luckily, the fix is simple. The option to show accent color is disabled because Windows is currently in Light mode. That means all you have to do is switch Windows to Dark mode, and you’ll be able to enable the option again.

How to Fix Accent Color Grayed Out for the Start Menu and Taskbar on Windows 11

Here’s how to enable the option to display accent color on the Start Menu and Taskbar by turning on Dark mode:

  1. Press Win + I to open the Settings app.
  2. Head to Personalization > Colors. If the dropdown for Choose your mode is set to Light, you’ll also notice that Show accent color on Start and taskbar is grayed out.
    show accent color on start and taskbar disabled on windows 11
  3. Click the Choose your mode dropdown and select Dark.
    switching to dark mode on windows 11
  4. Once Dark mode loads, you’ll notice that Show accent color on Start and taskbar is no longer disabled. Now you can click on the toggle to enable it.
    show accent color on start and taskbar enabled on windows 11

Now the Start Menu and Taskbar can respond to the accent color you choose. And if you want to quickly switch between Light and Dark mode on Windows 11, please read our guide on turning Dark mode on and off with a keyboard shortcut.

Back to Personalizing the Appearance of Windows with Accent Colors

Enabling to show accent color on the Start Menu and Taskbar adds another dimension to your Windows customization. Unfortunately, there’s no other way to enable this option while Windows is in Light mode. But at least now you’re able to use accent colors more effectively to personalize Windows further.