Many reasons can stop the Alt-Tab keyboard shortcut from working correctly on your computer. Technical glitches, corrupt keyboard drivers, conflicting system settings, etc., are just a few. Below, you will find several troubleshooting tips and methods to fix issues with Alt-Tab not working in Windows 10. Feel free to skip any that don’t apply.
1. Restart Windows Explorer
1. Restart Windows Explorer
In almost all cases where the Alt-Tab shortcut fails to work, you can fix it immediately by restarting the Windows Explorer process.
2. Reboot the Computer
2. Reboot the Computer
If restarting Windows Explorer didn’t help, try rebooting your computer instead. That should take care of any minor technical glitches that cause the Alt-Tab keyboard shortcut to not work correctly.
3. Uninstall/Reinstall Keyboard Device
3. Uninstall/Reinstall Keyboard Device
You can rule out any issues with a corrupt keyboard driver by uninstalling and reinstalling your keyboard via Device Manager.
4. Install Support Software
4. Install Support Software
Did the issue with Alt-Tab start right after using a new keyboard? Check the keyboard manufacturer’s website (Logitech, Dell, HP, etc.) for any specific device drivers or support software. Install them and see if that fixes the issue.
5. Check Keyboard on Another PC
5. Check Keyboard on Another PC
If you continue to have issues with Alt-Tab not working on your computer, it’s best to connect your keyboard to another PC and test out both keys to rule out any hardware-related problems. If there’s nothing wrong, go ahead with the rest of the fixes.
6. Remove Third-Party Alt-Tab Switcher
6. Remove Third-Party Alt-Tab Switcher
Do you have a third-party Alt-Tab program installed on your computer? Despite improving the functionality of the app switcher, it can also break things down. Try removing it from your computer.
7. Enable Peek
7. Enable Peek
Sometimes, Alt-Tab will refuse to switch windows if you’ve disabled Peek in Windows 10. It’s the functionality that allows you to “peek” into the desktop when you drag the cursor to the screen’s lower-right corner. Re-enable it and see if that helps.
8. Update Video Card Drivers
8. Update Video Card Drivers
The Alt-Tab app switcher can stop working if you have any outdated video card drivers on your computer. Try updating them. You can get the latest graphics card drivers by heading over to the Intel, NVIDIA, or AMD websites. Alternatively, you can use a driver updater program to update the video drivers on your computer automatically.
9. Update Windows 10
9. Update Windows 10
If you continue to have issues, you must update Windows 10. That should take care of any known bugs that prevent the Alt-Tab keyboard shortcut from working correctly.
10. Run a Malware Scan
10. Run a Malware Scan
A malicious program can hijack your computer and stop core Windows 10 functionalities from working properly. If you haven’t already, use Windows Security to perform a quick scan for malware now.
11. Run SFC Scan
11. Run SFC Scan
Run the System File Checker (SFC) via the elevated Command Prompt console to scan and fix any corrupted system files on your computer. The SFC scan should take several minutes to complete. Reboot your computer afterward and check if Alt-Tab works without issues.
12. Switch to Old Alt-Tab Viewer
12. Switch to Old Alt-Tab Viewer
Try switching to the older Alt-Tab app switcher (which displays app icons instead of preview thumbnails) and see if that helps.
13. Tweak Multitasking Settings
13. Tweak Multitasking Settings
Do you use multiple desktops in Windows 10? If so, the Alt-Tab app switcher will not reveal open apps across desktops unless you modify the Multitasking settings.
Alt-Tab Your Way Through
Alt-Tab Your Way Through
Most likely, you ended up fixing Alt-Tab straight off the bat by restarting the Windows Explorer process. If not, the other fixes should’ve helped with Alt-Tab not working. If you still have issues, however, you should try resetting Windows 10 to factory settings. That should take care of any corrupt settings or other issues stopping your computer from functioning properly.
