So, if you are someone who is facing issues with the Alt + Tab keyboard shortcut on Windows 11, you have clicked the right article. In this, we are going to provide multiple ways to fix Alt + Tab not working on Windows 11. Hence, stick around till the end to resolve your issue and get that Windows keyboard shortcut working as usual again.
Fix ALT + TAB Keyboard Shortcut Not Working on Windows 11
Fix ALT + TAB Keyboard Shortcut Not Working on Windows 11
Below, you will find various ways you can try when the Alt + Tab shortcut is not working on Windows 11. However, before we move on to the technical resolutions, do make sure that there is no issue with your keyboard itself. Also, check the connection of your keyboard with your computer and make sure it is properly connected to your Windows 11 device. Now that you have checked all the above things, let’s get into the ways to fix the Alt-Tab issue on Windows 11.
1. Check the Alt and Tab Keys on Your Keyboard
The first thing that you would want to check when the Alt + Tab keyboard shortcut stops working on your Windows 11 device is whether or not the individual keys are working on your keyboard or not. Whether you are using a wired keyboard, a Bluetooth one, or the keyboard built into your laptop, if the individual Alt and Tab keys stop working on it, the shortcut will not work. So, before you move on to the software-based fixes listed below, go to this link and check if all the keys on your keyboard are taking input or not. If you find that the Alt or the Tab key is not working on your keyboard, we’d recommend you take it to a service center nearby or contact customer support if it is under warranty.
2. Check for Alt + Tab Configuration on Windows 11
One common issue that might prevent the Alt + Tab function to work is its configuration on Windows 11. It is especially prevalent for those users who use multiple displays and work on different desktops using just one keyboard. In this case, the Alt + Tab keyboard shortcut might not be configured correctly in Windows 11 settings. To check if that is indeed the case:
3. Restart Windows Explorer on Windows 11
The Windows Explorer process, which was previously known as the File Explorer process, is responsible for handling many system operations on Windows 11. If it malfunctions, you might face a few system issues, including the Alt + Tab shortcut not working. In this case, it is best to manually restart the Windows Explorer process from the Task Manager on Windows 11. To do this:
4. Update/ Re-Install Keyboard Drivers
If there is a keyboard function or operation that is not working on Windows 11, the issue might be related to faulty drivers installed on your PC or laptop. So, if the Alt + Tab keyboard shortcut is not working on your Windows 11 device, you can update the keyboard driver on your system. And if that does not work, you can uninstall the driver and re-install it to fix the issue. To update the keyboard driver on your Windows 11 device:
5. Enable Peek for Desktop on Windows 11
If updating and re-installing the keyboard driver on your Windows 11 device did not work, one thing you can try to fix the issue is to check whether the “Peek” option is enabled for your desktop. For those unaware, the Desktop Peek on Windows 11 is a system feature that lets users hover their cursor at the bottom-left corner of the screen to show the home screen. Although it is a visual feature on Windows 11, if it is not enabled, the Alt + Tab keyboard shortcut sometimes tends to malfunction. So, to check if the “Peek for Desktop” option is enabled on your device or not:
6. Use Windows Registry to Switch to the Legacy Alt + Tab Viewer
Now, if none of the above methods worked and you are still stuck with Alt + Tab shortcut not working on Windows 11 issue on your system, the last resort is to use Windows registry edit to switch to the legacy Alt + Tab viewer on your Windows 11 device. However, do keep in mind that tinkering in the Windows registry might negatively affect some Windows operations on your device. So, make you follow the below steps just as they are to avoid mishaps. With that out of the way, let’s now get into the steps to switch to the legacy Alt + Tab viewer on Windows 11 using Windows Registry Edit.
How do I switch tabs on Windows 11?
Switching tabs is not the same as switching open windows on your Windows 11 device. You can switch between windows by using the Alt + Tab shortcut while the shortcuts for switching tabs in web browsers or third-party apps might differ.
Why is the Alt + tab keyboard shortcut not working on my Windows 11 computer?
There can be a number of reasons why the Alt + Tab shortcut might not be working on your device, including faulty keyboard drivers, defective key switches, misconfigured Windows settings, and more.
Can I enable the previous Alt + Tab viewer on my Windows 11 device?
Yes, you can temporarily view the older Alt + Tab viewer that only shows the app icons instead of the entire windows. To view it, press and hold the left Alt key on your keyboard but before pressing the Tab key, press and release the right Alt button on your keyboard. This will bring the classic Alt + Tab viewer on Windows 11.
Final Words
Final Words
So, these are some of the ways you can try when the handy Alt + Tab keyboard shortcut stops working on your Windows 11 device. We hope one of these methods works for you and fixes your issue cause we know how much frustrating it can be when such a nifty keyboard shortcut that we use daily stops working all of a sudden. If one of these does work for you, let us know in the comments.
