The Alt+ Tab is a useful key combination that users can use to switch between windows. However, sometimes nothing may happen when press the two keys or the windows will appear but at the same instant disappear.

What’s the solution, then?

Well, in this post we’ve shared solutions to resolve the Alt+Tab key combination not working in Windows.

The Alt +Tab not working issue can arise in any Windows OS starting from XP, Windows 7 to Windows 10.

There can different causes for this Alt +Tab not working problem including wrong windows settings, conflict between devices or files or a bad keyboard.

Here we have given eight easy to follow solutions and one of them might work for you. Let’s look at the solutions now.

Solution One – Turn off the PC and unplug peripheral devices and cables

This might be a temporary issue. Turn off the PC and unplug peripheral devices and cables. Also, remove the power cable of monitor and CPU from the power socket. Wait for some time. Plug back the keyboard, mouse, monitor cable in their respective slots in the motherboard. Don’t plug other peripheral devices yet.

Start the PC and see if the Alt+Tab key combination is working. If the issue is not resolved, move to next solution.

Solution Two- Check Keyboard

There is a possibility the problem is in the keyboard. Did you spill any water or liquid on the keyboard? If the answer is “Yes”, you need to replace the keyboard. If the answer is No, you need to ensure the keyboard is in good condition. Use the keyboard with another computer and see if it works perfectly.

Alternatively, you can connect another keyboard to your PC and see if the Alt+Tab key combination works. If you did not find problem with your old keyboard, there is a possibility the keyboard driver is corrupt. In that case, you need to reinstall keyboard driver. Here are the steps to follow.

• Hold down Windows logo key and R simultaneously to invoke Run command window
• In Run command window, type devmgmt.msc and click OK
• In the Device Manager window, go to Keyboards category and expand it
• Right-click on keyboard in the list and click Uninstall device

• Close all windows
• Restart your computer

Windows will install new keyboard drivers after rebooting. If Windows is not able to install keyboard drivers, you have to go to keyboard manufacturer website and download latest keyboard drivers for Windows OS.

If you find the manual keyboard update process lengthy and complicated, you can use a Driver Update Tool to reinstall latest keyboard drivers.

Update Keyboard Drivers Automatically

Automatic driver update tools offer many benefits, the most important ones being:

• You can update device drivers automatically
• The software scans and updates all outdated or missing drivers at one go
• The tool picks the right drivers for your device and operating system, so you won’t have to worry about installing an incorrect driver by mistake
• Automatic driver updates are 100% safe

Driver Updater is one of the best driver update tools out there. Outbyte Driver Updater will give you access to a database of over 1 million drivers. It will regularly scan your PC, suggesting new driver versions to install. Driver Updater contains drivers for a variety of Windows devices. With just one click, you can update drivers in your system.

Step 1
Click here to Install and launch the app

Step 2
Scan all devices

Step 3
Install or update drivers automatically

 

Start Download

 

Solution Three- Change AltTabSettings Registry values

Sometimes registry values change when you install new applications or when you make changes to Windows settings. You need to ensure the AltTabSettings Registry values are OK and they are not causing the problem. If needed, you can also change the AltTabSettings Registry values to make things right. Here are the steps to follow.

• Press Windows logo key and R simultaneously to invoke Run command window
• In Run command window, type regedit and click OK

• In the Registry window, expand the following key

• Computer > HKEY_CURRENT_USER > Software > Microsoft > Windows > CurrentVersion > Explorer.
• Click Explorer in the left-hand column
• In the right-hand column, double-click AltTabSettings

• In the Edit DWORD (32-bit) Value window, set the Value data to 1
• Click OK to save changes
• Close Registry editor window

If there is no AltTabSettings in the Explorer registry key, you have to create one by following steps given below.

• Right-click on Explorer key in the left-hand column
• Click New > DWORD (32-bit) Value

• Set the key name as AltTabSettings and set the Value Data to 1
• Click OK to save changes
• Close Registry editor window

Now check if the Alt+Tab key combination works. If the problem is not resolved, move to next solution.

Solution Four – Update Display adapter drivers

Outdated, incompatible, or corrupt display adapters might be the reason behind Alt+Tab not working.

You can easily update drivers using a Driver Update Tool, which we’ve discussed above. With a few clicks, the software can update your display driver.

This is the best way to update drivers. Although for your reference, we’ve also discussed the manual driver update process below.

Steps to update Display Adapter Drivers manually

• Press Windows logo key and R to bring up Run command window
• In the Run command window, type devmgmt.msc

• In the Device Manager window, go to Display adapter category and expand it

(Note- Write down the display adapter name, you will need it to download drivers)

• Right-click on the Display adapter and click Uninstall device
• Close Device Manager
• Open Internet browser and go to Display adapter manufacturer website and look for driver updates for the Display adapter
• The Driver Downloads section lists 32-bit and 64-bit Display adapter drivers. In the Driver Downloads section, make sure you choose right display adapter drivers. For example, if your computer is running 32-bit Windows, download 32-bit display adapter drivers. If your computer is running 64-bit Windows, download 64-bit display adapter drivers.
• Once the drivers are downloaded, double-click on the exe file and follow on-screen instructions to install latest display adapter drivers.
• If the driver file is in zip format, you need to unzip the contents to one folder and then double-click on the exe file to install drivers

After installing latest graphics adapter drivers, restart your PC and see if the Alt+Tab key combination is working.  If the issue remains unresolved, go to next solution.

Solution Five- Close Sidebar.exe process

(Note- this solution is only applicable to Windows Vista and Windows 7 users)

According to some users, closing sidebar.exe process got their Alt+Tab key combination working again. Sidebar.exe process is related Windows Desktop Gadgets or Windows Sidebar.

There is no harm in disabling the sidebar.exe process and doing it will not affect Windows stability or important functionalities. Here are the steps to follow.

• Press Ctrl + Alt + Del together to launch Task Manager
• In the Task Manager window, click Processes tab
• Locate sidebar.exe process

• Right click on sidebar.exe process and select End task
• Close all windows

Check whether Alt+Tab key combination is working. If the problem is not resolved, go to next solution.

Solution Six- Uninstall Alternate Keyboard

(Note- This solution is applicable only to users using alternate keyboard software like Comfort On-Screen Keyboard Pro)

• Press Windows key and R to launch Run command window
• In Run command window, type appwiz.cpl and click OK
• In the Programs and Features window, locate Comfort On-Screen Keyboard Pro or any other Alternate keyboard software you are using
• Right-click on the Comfort On-Screen Keyboard Pro and click Uninstall
• Wait for the un-installation process to complete
• Close all windows

Use 2-3 applications and see if the Alt+Tab key combination is working. If the Alt+Tab key combination is not working, move to next solution

Solution Seven- Install recommended Windows updates

To keep your Windows running smoothly, you need to install all recommended Windows updates. This is particularly true for Windows 10 users as Microsoft is offering patches and updates very often to fix different bugs in Windows 10 OS. Here are the steps to follow.

• On your keyboard, hold down Windows logo key and I simultaneously to open Settings Window
• In the Settings Window, click Update & Security
• Click Windows updates and look for any pending updates in the right-hand column
• Click Check for updates. Windows will look for any pending updates, download them and install updates automatically
• Wait for the Windows Update process to complete
• Restart your PC

Now check whether Alt+Tab key combination is working. In most case, the Alt+Tab not working would be resolved by one of the solutions given in this post.