How to Fix Windows 10 Taskbar Won’t Hide: Old Bug Re-appeared

If you’ve been using Windows 10 for a while, you may have encountered a frustrating bug in which the taskbar refuses to hide, especially when working with maximized or full-screen windows. Many users thought this issue was long gone, but it has made a comeback for some, leaving the taskbar visible even when immersed in an app or video.

While this can be incredibly distracting, the good news is that there are several methods for fixing the problem and getting your taskbar to hide as it should.

Common Reasons Why Taskbar Won’t Hide in Fullscreen Mode

Before troubleshooting, it’s essential to understand why the taskbar refuses to hide when using fullscreen apps. 

Here are the most common causes for this issue:

• Misconfigured Taskbar Settings

One of the most common causes is the auto-hide feature being disabled or improperly configured. The taskbar will remain visible without this setting, even in fullscreen applications.

• Background Applications or Notifications

Certain apps or background processes can interfere with the taskbar’s behavior. For instance, apps with persistent notifications can trigger the taskbar to stay visible.

• System Glitches or Bugs

A bug in Windows 10 or a system glitch may also prevent the taskbar from disappearing as it should, even when the auto-hide feature is enabled.

• Pending Notifications or Updates

Pending updates, system alerts, or notifications may keep the taskbar from hiding as Windows tries to display important information.

• Display or Graphics Issues

Incorrect display settings or graphics driver issues can also cause the taskbar to behave incorrectly, especially when using fullscreen apps.

How to Fix Windows 10 Taskbar Won’t Hide

If your taskbar won’t hide in full-screen mode, don’t worry—there are several solutions you can try to fix this issue. Each method addresses a different potential cause for the problem, so you can try them individually until your taskbar behaves appropriately again.

Enable Auto-hide Taskbar Feature

First, ensure the taskbar’s auto-hide feature is turned on. This is the simplest and most effective solution for most users.

Steps to fix:

1. Right-click on the taskbar and select Taskbar Settings.
2. Toggle the Automatically hide the taskbar in desktop mode to On.
3. If you’re using tablet mode, toggle Automatically hide the taskbar in tablet mode to On as well.
4. Close the settings window and check if the toolbar hides correctly when using fullscreen applications.

Check for Interfering Background Apps

Background applications, especially those with notifications or icons, can prevent the taskbar from hiding. To fix this, close or minimize unnecessary apps.

Steps to fix:

1. Close all unneeded applications running in the background.
2. Check if any app has notifications that could be causing the taskbar to stay visible.
3. Disable notifications or temporarily close those apps to see if the toolbar hides as expected.

Restart Windows Explorer

If the taskbar still doesn’t hide, restarting Windows Explorer can often resolve the issue, primarily if the problem is related to system glitches.

Steps to fix:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
2. Scroll down and locate Windows Explorer in the list of processes.
3. Right-click Windows Explorer and select Restart.
4. Check if the taskbar now hides appropriately.

Disable Notifications and Alerts

Sometimes, system notifications or pending updates can cause the taskbar to stay visible. Disabling notifications temporarily can help identify if this is the cause.

Steps to fix:

1. Open Settings and navigate to System > Notifications & Actions.
2. Toggle off Get notifications from apps and other senders.
3. Check if the taskbar hides while using fullscreen apps.

Update Your Graphics Drivers

Outdated or corrupt graphics drivers can cause display issues, including the taskbar not hiding in fullscreen mode. Updating your drivers might resolve the issue.

Steps to fix:

1. Right-click on the Start menu and select Device Manager.
2. Expand the Display Adapters section.
3. Right-click your graphics driver and select Update driver.
4. Follow the prompts to install any available driver updates.
5. Restart your computer and verify if the taskbar is now hidden correctly.

Consider a third-party solution like Fortect to automatically detect and resolve outdated or corrupted drivers.

Fortect is an all-in-one PC optimization tool that includes a built-in driver updater. By installing the premium version, you can enable automatic scanning of all your PC’s drivers to identify outdated or corrupted ones. It updates them quickly and securely in minutes, which can help fix issues like the taskbar not hiding on Windows 10.

You can try the free trial if you need more time to upgrade to the premium version. This version allows you to easily select and update specific drivers manually.

Download and install Fortect now.

Use Keyboard Shortcuts to Hide the Taskbar

While this is more of a workaround than a solution, a keyboard shortcut can temporarily hide the taskbar.

Steps to fix:

1. Press Windows + D to minimize all open windows, hiding the taskbar.
2. Press Windows + D again to restore the windows.

Reset Taskbar Settings to Default

If none of the above solutions work, resetting the taskbar settings to their default state may help resolve any issues.

Steps to fix:

1. Go to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar.
2. Scroll down and click Reset under Taskbar behaviors.
3. Restart your computer and check if the taskbar hides in fullscreen mode.

Once you’re done resetting, set it to automatic hide by doing these steps:

• Open the Settings app.
• Select Personalization from the left menu.
• Scroll down and click the Taskbar at the bottom.
• Expand Taskbar behaviors and check the box to hide the taskbar to enable it automatically.

Conclusion

Some Windows 10 users have resurfaced with the issue of the taskbar not hiding in fullscreen mode, which once seemed like a bug of the past. Luckily, this problem can be fixed with a few simple troubleshooting steps.

Adjusting taskbar settings, updating drivers, or dealing with background apps can get your taskbar back to normal. If the problem persists, consider using a system repair tool to address more profound issues in Windows 10.