Alt-Tab is the most commonly used keyboard shortcut that allows users to effortlessly switch between open applications without using the mouse or trackpad.
It is excellent for multitasking and can also close running apps and windows.
In this detailed write-up, we will dive into the Alt-Tab keyboard shortcut not working on Windows PCs, explore the potential causes behind this problem, and deal with the practical troubleshooting steps to resolve it.
Let’s get going!
Also, read: How Many Windows 11 Users Are There?
Why Is Alt-Tab Shortcut Not Working On Windows?
If this Alt-Tab shortcut stops working suddenly or is not working then it becomes frustrating. Since this is a useful keyboard shortcut fixing the alt and tab keys is paramount to enhance productivity.
Many users have reported that it has unexpectedly stopped working for unknown reasons. Those are:
- Hardware Failure
- Third-party Apps
- Driver Issue
- Conflicting Settings
How To Fix Alt-Tab Not Working Properly On Windows 11?
Here is a list of some of the best fixes for situations when the Alt+Tab shortcut stops working on your Windows 11 computer.
1) Perform Clean Boot
If the issue is caused explicitly by third-party software or any other services conflicting with the system, performing a clean boot will be helpful. After performing it, Windows will turn off all the non-essential Microsoft Services and Startup Programs to help identify the actual cause.
Here is how you can perform a Clean Boot:
- Open the Run dialog box by pressing the Windows + R keys and typing “msconfig.”
- Go to the Services tab, check the “Hide all Microsoft services” box, and click “Disable All.”
- Go to the “Startup” tab and click “Open Task Manager”.
- Now, select and click “Disable” for each Startup item.
- Close the Task Manager, return to the System Configuration window, and click “OK”.
- Soon, you will be asked to restart your computer.
- After doing so, check if it is working; if it isn’t, then restart Windows Explorer.
2) Restart Windows Explorer
Refreshing Windows Explorer has reportedly helped users resolve the Alt-Tab not working issue in Windows 11. Doing so will clear out the temporary issues or conflicts that affect the Alt-Tab functionality.
Try out the steps that are outlined below:
- Open Task Manager by right-clicking on the Windows Start menu.
- Look for the “Windows Explorer” under the Processes tab, right-click, and tap “Restart.”
- Now, check whether the keys are working. If not, go to the next troubleshooting step.
3) Switch To The Old Alt +Tab Version
Switching back to the older Alt-Tab can help resolve the issue, so this is how it can be done.
- In the Run dialogue box, enter “regedit” and click “OK” to launch the Registry Editor.
- Now, navigate to the following path “HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer”
- Right-click on the empty portion, hover over “New,” and select DWORD (32-bit) Value.
- Now name the key “AltTabSettings.”
- Double-click on it and modify it.
- Enter “1” under Value Data and click “OK” to save the changes.
- Finally, restart the computer for the changes to come into effect fully.
- If the issue persists, update the keyboard and graphics driver.
4) Update Keyboard And Graphics Driver
An outdated or incompatible keyboard driver is likely to be responsible for the malfunctioning of the Alt-Tab key. Therefore, updating it can help in resolving the issue. Also, if the Graphics Driver is outdated or experiencing compatibility issues, the Alt+Tab may need to be fixed.
Follow the below-mentioned steps to update the graphics driver:
- Open “Device Manager” and expand the “Display Adapters” category.
- Right-click on the graphics card and select “Update driver”.
- Follow the onscreen instructions to search for and install the available updates.
This is how you can update the keyboard driver:
- Open “Device Manager” and expand the “Keyboard” section for viewing the devices under it.
- Right-click on the malfunctioning keyboard and select “Update driver” from the menu.
- Then, select the “Search automatically for drivers” option that appears onscreen and follow the onscreen instructions to finish the process.
5) Run SFC Scan And DISM Scan
SFC scan will detect and repair the corrupted or missing system files that sometimes cause the Alt+Tab to stop working. Therefore, running a SFC scan is essential to resolve the issue. On the other hand, the DISM scan will address the problems related to the Windows image and system components.
This is how you can do an SFC scan:
- Open the elevated Command Prompt Window by typing “cmd” on the Windows Search.
- Enter the following command “sfc/scannow” and press Enter.
- Wait until the entire process is over, then look for the existing issue.
Follow the steps for the DISM scan:
- In the elevated Command Prompt type, the following commands
“DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth”
- Allow the DISM scan to get over, and after it gets over, restart your computer.
- Update Windows if you are still struggling with the Alt-Tab function.
6) Update Windows
Updating Windows to the latest Windows OS can help resolve the issue. Windows updates contain bug fixes and patches known to resolve this issue. It will also wave out the compatibility problems between Windows and other applications or drivers.
Here is how you can update Windows:
- Go to “Settings” and click on “Windows Update”.
- Now, click “Check for Updates,” and if any update is available, click on the “Download Now” option.
- After you have installed the update, restart the PC and check whether the Alt+Tab keys aren’t working.
- Switch to another troubleshooting step if this isn’t working.
7) Disable Sticky Keys
Sticky keys make the keyboard shortcut easier; however, at times, they can conflict with specific keyboard shortcuts, resulting in improper functioning of the alt-tab keys. Therefore, turning off the sticky keys may prove to be a useful one, and here is how you can do it:
- Go to “Settings” and select the “Accessibility” option.
- Tap on “Keyboard,” navigate to the “Sticky Keys” option, and turn off the toggle.
8) Enable Peek
Enabling the Peek option will help the users get a quick preview of the open Windows associated with the application. This also helps to switch to specific Windows without using the Alt+Tab option and provides an alternate way to manage open Windows.
This is how you can enable the Peek in Windows 11:
- Press the Windows+R keys to open the Run dialog box, type “sysdm. cpl” and hit Enter.
- In the following dialogue box, navigate to the “Advanced” tab and select “Settings” under Performance.
- Now, check the “Enable Peek” box and select “Apply” and click on “OK.”
- Follow the next troubleshooting method and try to resolve the issue if it is still prevalent.
9) Run An Anti-Virus Scan
Running an anti-virus scan can be helpful if the problem is due to malware or any other unwanted software.
This is how you can do it:
- First, type “Windows Security” in the Search bar and click on it to open it.
- Navigate to the “Virus and Threat Protection” page and click the “Quick Scan” option.
- If you encounter malware on your system, remove it and check if the issue is fixed.
- If not, disconnect the peripherals.
10) Disconnect Peripherals
Occasionally, the peripherals that are connected to your computer can also cause this issue. Peripherals like keyboards, mice, or game controllers can affect the keyboard shortcuts and interfere with Alt+Tab or other keyboard shortcuts.
So, it is better to disconnect them and then restart the computer later to resolve the issue. Try using another keyboard if you cannot fix this issue.
11) Try Using Another Keyboard
If your present keyboard is malfunctioning, replace your keyboard with a new one and check the problem using the Alt+Tab key. Using a different keyboard might help you get away with this pesky error.
12) Uninstall Recently Added Software
If none of the methods work and you have recently installed any keyboard-related software on your computer, they can alter the keyboard settings.
In this case, uninstalling that program can help you fix the issue. So, uninstall it and check for the persisting problem.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Is Alt+Tab Disabled In Windows 11 By Default?
No, Alt+Tab isn’t disabled in Windows 11 by default. It is the default keyboard shortcut for switching between open applications.
- Does Alt+Tab Work Differently In Windows 11 Compared To Previous Windows Version?
Alt+Tab functionality is the same for all Windows versions, including Windows 11.
- Can Alt+Tab Not Working Be Caused By Low System Resources?
Windows cannot switch between applications smoothly if the computer is running on low resources.
Wrap Up
So, that is how you can resolve the Alt+Tab not working issue on Windows 11 and gain seamless control over your computing experience.
Please write to us in the dedicated section below for future doubts or queries.