Why is Taskbar Showing Full-screen? How to Fix it

Fri-Mar-2024
19

Introduction: The taskbar in Windows serves as a vital navigation tool, providing quick access to running applications, system notifications, and essential functions. However, users may encounter instances where the taskbar appears in full-screen mode, obscuring the content and disrupting the user experience. This issue can occur due to various reasons, including incorrect settings, software glitches, or conflicts with third-party applications. In this article, we’ll explore the common causes of the taskbar showing full-screen and provide effective solutions to fix it, restoring the taskbar to its normal state.

Causes of Taskbar Showing Full-screen:

  1. Auto-hide Feature Enabled: The auto-hide feature, designed to automatically hide the taskbar when not in use, may malfunction and cause the taskbar to remain hidden in full-screen mode.
  2. Incorrect Settings: Changes to taskbar settings or system configurations may inadvertently trigger the taskbar to display in full-screen mode.
  3. Software Glitches: Software glitches or bugs in the Windows operating system can lead to unexpected behavior, including the taskbar appearing in full-screen mode.
  4. Third-Party Applications: Certain third-party applications or utilities may interfere with the taskbar’s functionality, causing it to display in full-screen unintentionally.

How to Fix Taskbar Showing Full-screen:

Method 1: Disable Auto-hide Feature

  1. Right-click on the taskbar and select “Taskbar settings.”
  2. In the Taskbar settings window, locate the “Automatically hide the taskbar in desktop mode” option.
  3. Ensure that the toggle switch next to this option is turned off.
  4. Repeat the same process for the option “Automatically hide the taskbar in tablet mode” if applicable.

Method 2: Restart Windows Explorer

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. Under the Processes tab, locate “Windows Explorer.”
  3. Right-click on “Windows Explorer” and select “Restart.”
  4. This will refresh the Windows Explorer process and may resolve any taskbar-related issues.

Method 3: Check Taskbar Settings

  1. Right-click on the taskbar and select “Taskbar settings.”
  2. Review the taskbar settings and ensure that none of the options are configured to display the taskbar in full-screen mode.
  3. Make any necessary adjustments to the taskbar settings and apply the changes.

Method 4: Run System File Checker (SFC)

  1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
  2. Type the command sfc /scannow and press Enter.
  3. Allow the System File Checker (SFC) tool to scan and repair any corrupted system files.
  4. Restart your computer after the scan is complete.

Conclusion:

The taskbar showing full-screen in Windows can be an unexpected and disruptive issue for users. By understanding the common causes and implementing the solutions outlined in this article, users can effectively troubleshoot and resolve this problem. Whether it’s disabling the auto-hide feature, restarting Windows Explorer, checking taskbar settings, or running the System File Checker, these methods provide users with the necessary tools to fix the taskbar showing full-screen and restore normal functionality to their Windows system.