Windows 10 comes with appropriate keyboard shortcuts to help you navigate the system efficiently. Alt-Tab shortcuts allow you to have a quick overview and easy switching between open Windows.
However, you may press Alt+Tab and your computer will not respond. Otherwise Windows will show open applications for a second or two and then disappear. This means there is a problem with your Alt-Tab.
Here we build Alt-Tab faults and remedies to fix Alt-Tab not working on Windows 10.
Reasons why Alt-Tab fails Windows 10
Before we take remedial action to fix the Alt-Tab issue, let’s understand what is causing the Alt-Tab to fail. Alt-Tab shortcuts are affected by glitches that occur in the system. The most common Alt-Tab failures include:
1. Shortcut Override
Have you installed any apps recently? Some applications override your Alt-Tab shortcut. Hence, the general functionality of the Alt-Tab shortcut.
2. Registry changes
Some applications conflict with system registry options with previous system settings. This makes the Alt-Tab shortcut used to switch between applications unrecognized by your system.
3. Peripherals
Your connected peripherals (such as a mouse, headset, or keyboard) can cause the Alt Tabs shortcut to fail.
4. Windows Explorer Error
Windows Explorer triggers the core functions of the system. If Windows Explorer encounters an error, the general functionality of the system may be disrupted, thus including system shortcuts such as Alt-Tab.
5. Drivers
Drivers are the main operators of your connected peripherals. If your driver is outdated, incompatible, or missing, your system shortcut function may fail.
The failure of the Alt-Tab shortcut can be caused by other bugs in the system. If you’ve ever experienced this challenge, you know how frustrating and inefficient it can be. Now, let’s focus on the process of resolving these glitches.
1. Make sure your keyboard works effectively
Keyboard keys are fragile, and at some point, they may not be pressed properly. First, do a keystroke test to see if the Alt + Tab keys are working by visiting a website that displays and automatically detects the keys you press.
2. Use another Alt key on the keyboard
On your keyboard, there are two Alt keys. If one of the Alt keys does not respond, try using the other Alt key.Otherwise you can try using alt+tags +Esc shortcut. This shortcut may help with general Alt + Tab issues.
3. Reboot Windows Explorer
Restarting Windows Explorer is known for fixing the failed Alt-Tab key.Restart by starting Windows Explorer task manager†
step 1: Right-click space in the taskbar and select task manager† Otherwise you can use Ctrl + Shift + Esc
Step 2: click more details†
Step 3: select and right click Windows Explorer†
Step 4: from context menu, choose restart†
Step 5: Wait for Windows Explorer to restart and check if Alt-Tab restores its functionality.
4. Change the Alt-Tab registry value setting
You can also fix Alt-tab issues by simply changing its registry value. Here’s how:
step 1: To start the run, press Windows+R keys on the keyboard.
Step 2: Once the window opens, enter Registry Editor then click OK†
Step 3: click arrow symbol As you browse Registry Editor, expand it next to the folder name.
Step 4: go HKEY_CURRENT_USER~Software~Microsoft~Windows~CurrentVersion~Explorer†
Step 5: Check if you have a file named AltTab settings (If not, right-click the space and select new ~DWORD (32-bit) valuethen name AltTab settings†
Step 6: double click AltTab settings and change its value data to 1, then click OK†
Step 7: Close Registry Editor and restart your computer to see if the Alt-Tab shortcut works.
5. Update your keyboard drivers
If you do check the keyboard and everything works fine. A driver may be the cause of your current problem. To update keyboard drivers on Windows 10:
step 1: To start the run, press Windows+R keys on the keyboard.
Step 2: enter MSC and click OK†
Step 3: Device Manager will display all running and installed drivers.
Step 4: expansion keyboard by clicking arrow symbol†
Step 5: right click your keyboard and select Update drivers.
Step 6: choose”Find a driver online” and let Windows 10 determine the latest driver compatible with your device.
6. Make sure Peep is enabled
You can also fix Alt-Tab not working by enabling the Peek option. Here’s how:
step 1: click search icon Type on the taskbar Propulsion system settings†
Step 2: click match resultthus opening a new window on the screen.
Step 3: exist performance part, click set up†
Step 4: make sure Enable Peek has a check mark; If not, click empty box place one and click OK†
Step 5: Restart your computer and check if Alt-Tab works.
7. Uninstall third-party keyboard apps
If you use any third-party apps on your keyboard, consider disabling or uninstalling them. Here’s how to do it:
step 1: click Windows button, then select set up Represented by the gear icon.
Step 2: click onepps†
Step 3: search any third-party keyboard may already be installed.
Step 4: click Third-party keyboard apps then click uninstall†
Step 5: follow screen indication Delete the application.
Step 6: Restart your computer and check if Alt-Tab works.
8. Disconnect peripherals
Disconnect all connected peripherals and test the Alt-Tab shortcut after disconnecting each. If the Alt-Tab shortcut starts working after you disconnect any particular device, then you’ll find out why Alt-Tab isn’t working.
in conclusion
If Alt-Tab doesn’t work on your PC, you can use different methods to fix it. You can use any of the methods highlighted above to resolve this issue. Having said that, we have come to the end of this article.