Windows 11 Taskbar Not Hiding in Full-Screen Mode

How to Fix Windows 11 Taskbar Not Hiding in Full-Screen Mode

Is your Windows 11 taskbar refusing to hide when you switch apps or videos to full-screen? That persistent bar can be distracting and ruin your immersive experience. Follow this step-by-step troubleshooting guide to get your taskbar behaving again.

Common Causes

Auto-hide settings not enabled or glitching
Windows Explorer process issues
System notifications or tray icons preventing hiding
Outdated Windows or device drivers
Third-party applications holding focus

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting

1. Verify Auto-Hide Settings

Right-click on the taskbar and select Taskbar settings.
Under Taskbar behaviours, toggle on Automatically hide the taskbar.
Test full-screen mode (e.g., in a browser or video player) to see if the taskbar hides.

2. Restart Windows Explorer

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
Locate Windows Explorer in the Processes tab.
Right-click it and choose Restart.
Check if full-screen hiding is restored.

3. Check System Notifications and Tray Icons

Sometimes a notification bubble or tray icon can force the taskbar to stay visible.

Click the notification icon in the bottom right to clear all alerts.
Right-click unused tray icons and select Hide to reduce clutter.
Re-test full-screen mode.

4. Update Windows and Drivers

Open Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates.
Install any available updates and reboot.
Update graphics drivers via Device Manager or manufacturer’s utility.

5. Disable Conflicting Startup Apps

Open Task Manager and go to the Startup tab.
Disable non-essential apps one by one (e.g., screen recorders, custom dock programs).
Reboot and verify if the issue persists.

6. Check Group Policy and Registry (Advanced)

Proceed carefully and back up your system first.

Use gpedit.msc to ensure no policy is forcing taskbar always on top.
In regedit, navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StuckRects3 and delete or reset deviations.

7. Test in Clean Boot or Safe Mode

Press Windows + R, type msconfig, and enable Selective startup → uncheck third-party services.
Reboot to a clean boot state. If the taskbar hides correctly, re-enable services one at a time to find the culprit.

Additional Tips

Try creating a new Windows user account to rule out profile corruption.
Use System Restore to roll back recent changes if the problem started after an update.
If all else fails, consider an in-place Windows repair via ISO.

Conclusion

By following these steps—from verifying auto-hide settings to checking for software conflicts—you should be able to restore the automatic full-screen hiding behavior of the Windows 11 taskbar. Enjoy your distraction-free gaming, videos, and presentations once again!