Nothing ruins a full-screen movie or game like the Windows 11 taskbar stubbornly sitting at the bottom of the screen. Normally, full-screen apps cover the taskbar automatically. When it stays visible, it’s usually because an app is asking for attention, Windows Explorer has glitched, or the app isn’t truly in full-screen mode. This guide walks through the fixes, from a 10-second Explorer restart to settings that keep the taskbar out of the way for good.
Quick Answer
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, find Windows Explorer, right-click it, and choose Restart. Then return to your full-screen app. If the taskbar keeps coming back, go to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors and turn off Show flashing on taskbar apps, or turn on Automatically hide the taskbar.
Fix 1: Make Sure the App Is Really Full Screen
- Browsers and File Explorer: Press F11 (or Fn + F11).
- Videos: Click the full-screen button in the player or press F (YouTube and many players). Maximizing the browser window isn’t the same as full screen.
- Games: Choose Fullscreen or Borderless fullscreen in the game’s display settings, or press Alt + Enter.
- Store apps: Press Windows + Shift + Enter.
Fix 2: Restart Windows Explorer
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- On the Processes tab, find Windows Explorer (type “explorer” in the search box at the top if needed).
- Right-click it and choose Restart. The taskbar disappears for a moment and returns.
- Switch back to your full-screen app.
This fixes most cases, since the taskbar is part of Windows Explorer.
Fix 3: Stop Apps From Flashing the Taskbar
When an app wants attention (a new message in a chat app, a download finishing), its taskbar icon flashes, and Windows may show the taskbar over your full-screen content.
- Go to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar.
- Expand Taskbar behaviors.
- Uncheck Show flashing on taskbar apps.
Also click the flashing app once to clear its alert, and consider turning on Do not disturb (in the notification center) while watching or gaming.
Fix 4: Automatically Hide the Taskbar
- Open Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors.
- Check Automatically hide the taskbar.
The taskbar slides away until you move the mouse to the bottom of the screen (or swipe up on a touchscreen). This also gives you a little more screen space everywhere.
Fix 5: Other Things to Check
- Background apps with pop-ups: Close or quit apps in the system tray that show notifications or overlays.
- Multiple monitors: If the taskbar shows on the game’s screen, turn off Show my taskbar on all displays, or set the correct main display.
- Updates and drivers: Install pending Windows updates and update your graphics driver.
- System files: Run sfc /scannow in Terminal (Admin) if the problem happens in every app.
- Browser setting: In some browsers, turning off hardware acceleration or restarting the browser fixes full-screen video glitches.
Summary
- Make sure the app is in true full-screen mode (F11, Alt + Enter, or the player’s button).
- Restart Windows Explorer in Task Manager.
- Turn off Show flashing on taskbar apps.
- Turn on Automatically hide the taskbar for a permanent fix.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.