Alt + Tab is a great shortcut for quickly switching between applications. While it works well in most cases, it can also lead to a black screen sometimes.
If the black screen is interrupting your multitasking, don't worry. Here are some suggested fixes if the Alt + Tab shortcut is not working as expected on Windows.
What Causes the Black Screen After Pressing Alt + Tab on Windows?
Before diving into the solutions, it is essential to understand what causes the black screen issue when you press Alt + Tab.
Here are some of the most common reasons behind the black screen issue:
- Incompatibility with full-screen mode: Some programs may not be compatible with full-screen mode, resulting in a black screen error.
- Outdated GPU Driver: The GPU driver handles most of the graphics work on Windows. If you haven't updated it, you may encounter the black screen issue!
- Overclocking: Overclocking is not bad unless you overdo it. Doing so can harm your GPU and cause problems.
- Gamer Mode: This monitor-specific feature allows you to apply display tweaks to your monitor. However, it can sometimes do more harm than good.
Keeping these factors in mind, let’s explore some solutions to fix the black screen issue.
How to fix the black screen when pressing Alt + Tab on Windows
1. Apply some quick fixes for the display issue on Windows
Since this is a Windows display issue, there are a few quick tricks you should do before you begin.
First, you should update your graphics drivers for Windows to make sure they are up to date.
If that doesn’t work, try reinstalling your GPU drivers completely on Windows.
Finally, double-check the display cables on your PC. Make sure they are plugged in properly and try other cables if possible.
2. Run the application in Windowed or Borderless Windowed mode
One of the main reasons for the black screen issue is an incompatibility between the currently running program and your display settings.
Let's say you're playing a game in full screen mode and switching by pressing Alt + Tab. In this case, the game may not support your current display settings, which conflicts with the Alt + Tab function.
A simple workaround is to run the program in Windowed or Borderless Windowed mode. This mode allows the running program to adapt to your display settings without causing any conflicts.
If you're experiencing the black screen issue when switching from a game running on your PC, simply go to the game's graphics/display/video settings and switch to Windowed or Borderless mode.
3. Adjust Display Settings
Another solution to consider when your PC screen turns black when you press Alt + Tab is to modify the display settings. You should focus primarily on your computer's screen resolution and refresh rate settings.
Here's how you can change your screen resolution and refresh rate on Windows:
1. Open your computer's display settings by pressing Win + I, then navigate to System > Display.
2. Under Display resolution, select the option marked Recommended from the list.
3. Click Advanced display under Related settings.
4. Select a 60 Hz refresh rate from the drop-down list. Note that if you're having trouble with a lower refresh rate, you can try increasing it to see if it makes a difference.
5. Click the Keep changes button to apply your selected values.
After making these adjustments, test the Alt + Tab function to see if it resolved the issue.
4. Undo any overclocking
Overclocking your GPU is a popular way to increase your computer's performance. Overclocking can increase your FPS when playing games and squeeze more power from the same hardware.
If you encounter a black screen immediately after overclocking, it's safe to say that overclocking is the cause of the problem. To fix this, you need to reverse the overclocking process.
Note that there are many different tools for overclocking on the Internet. This article is showing the steps using MSI Afterburner as an example. Follow the steps below to undo an overclock on Windows:
1. Open the tool you used to overclock your computer (in this case, MSI Afterburner).
2. Look for the reset or clear icon on its control panel and click on the corresponding icon. This icon or button will help you reset your PC's overclocking configuration.
3. Restart your PC and the overclocked values will be set to default.
If the above method confuses you, you can do the same through BIOS settings. Read How to Enter the BIOS Menu for instructions. Once you are in BIOS settings, find and click Reset BIOS or Load Optimized Defaults.
5. Turn Off Gamer Mode
Gamer Mode is a feature on some PCs that prioritizes gaming performance over other applications. It offers a number of features, such as higher refresh rates, faster response times, FreeSync, and more.
Some monitors come with proprietary Windows apps or dedicated physical buttons to turn Gamer Mode on or off. While this feature can be beneficial for gamers, it can sometimes create compatibility issues with the operating system, resulting in a black screen.
To turn off Gamer Mode, check for a physical button on the bottom or back of your monitor. Then, navigate to the Gamer Mode settings and turn it off.
In some cases, you may not find a setting specifically called Gamer Mode on your monitor. Instead, your monitor may offer gaming-related adjustments under a different name. We recommend resetting your monitor settings to their default values in such cases.
The Alt + Tab issue may not be a common problem on Windows, but it is certainly solvable. By following the solutions provided above, you should be able to switch between applications seamlessly.
Remember, Alt + Tab is just one of the many shortcuts available to help you improve your workflow on Windows. So don't limit yourself to just a few Windows shortcuts - explore and make the most of them!
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