Program is running but can’t see or not visible in Windows 11

Some Windows 11/10 users have reported that after launching a program, it runs but doesn’t show up on the screen. The users can see the program on their Taskbar or the Task Manager, but it is not visible on their desktop screen. This problem may occur in different scenarios, such as outdated graphics drivers, third-party software conflicts, corrupted program installation, etc. Now, if you are facing the same issue, we have covered you. In this post, we will list working fixes that helped affected users resolve the problem where a Program may be running but you can’t see it.

Program is running but can’t see or not visible in Windows 11/10

If you have run a program and it shows on your Taskbar or Task Manager, but it is not visible on your screen, try restarting your Windows 11/10 PC and see if it helps. In case it doesn’t help, you can use the following solutions to fix the problem:

1. Use some generic tips.
2. Maximize or move the program right from the taskbar.
3. Modify your display settings.
4. Use the Show open windows option.
5. Troubleshoot in a clean boot state.
6. Uninstall, then reinstall the program.

1] Use some generic tips

To start with, you can use some generic tips and see if they help. First, you can try using the Windows+Tab hotkey to open Task View on your Windows 11 PC. Now, check if the program in question shows up in the opened Task View. If it does, click on it and then see if the program appears on the screen or not. Additionally, you need to make sure your Windows PC is up-to-date to avoid such problems. Also, update your graphics drivers to their latest version and reboot your computer to check if the problem is fixed.

Another thing you can do is scan your computer for viruses or malware. This problem could be caused by a virus infection in your system. Hence, to fix the problem, you must scan your PC and remove any potential malware.

You can also check if the program is running in your Task Manager. Launch Task Manager using Ctrl+Shift+Esc and check that. If the program is running, close all the instances of that program from Task Manager using the End task button. After that, relaunch the program and check if the problem is resolved.

If these tips don’t work, you can move ahead and use the next fix to resolve the issue.

2] Maximize or move the program right from the taskbar

In case you can see the program on your taskbar but can’t see it on your screen, try maximizing the program right from the taskbar. You can also use the Move option and see if the problem is resolved. This workaround has worked for several affected users and might also help you.

To do that, hover your mouse over the problematic program on your taskbar and then press Shift + right-click on the program. Alternatively, you can also hover the mouse over the program in question and wait until the preview shows up. You can then right-click on the preview. After that, from the appeared context menu, select the Maximize option and check if the program shows up or not. You can also use the Move option and see if the application shows up or not.

If the problem remains the same, you can use the next fix to resolve the issue.

Read: How to move a window, when its Title Bar goes off-screen.

3] Modify your display settings

The next thing you can do is configure certain display settings to fix the issue. Here are the steps to do that:

• Firstly, launch the Settings app using the Windows + I hotkey and move to the System > Display section.
• Now, expand the Multiple displays option and deselect the checkbox called Remember window locations based on monitor connection.
• After that, reboot your computer and check if the problem is resolved or not.

In case you still face the same problem, use the next fix.

Related: Application stays minimized in the Taskbar

4] Use the Show open windows option

You can also try the Show open windows option and see if it works. To do so, right-click on your taskbar and press the Show the desktop option. Then, right-click again on the taskbar and choose the Show open windows option. Repeat this multiple times and see if it helps. If not, we have a few more solutions that you can use, so move ahead.

5] Troubleshoot in a clean boot state

If there are some third-party applications conflicting with the program you are trying to open, you might face this issue. Hence, you can try performing a clean boot and see if the problem is resolved. In a clean boot state, the computer starts with only an essential set of programs and drivers. So, this will eliminate the software conflict which might be causing this problem. Here are the steps to perform a clean boot:

• Firstly, open the Run command box using the Windows + R hotkey, and launch the System Configuration window by entering msconfig in the Open field.
• Next, navigate to the Services tab, tick the Hide all Microsoft services checkbox, press the Disable all button, and click on Apply to save changes.
• After that, go to the Startup tab, hit the Open Task Manager button, and disable all startup programs in the Task Manager window.
• Now, restart your computer and check if the problem is resolved.

If the problem is resolved, you can enable third-party programs and services one by one and analyze which one was causing the issue. Once you find that out, you can temporarily disable the program or uninstall the program from your PC.

Read: Taskbar not visible in Remote Desktop on Windows.

6] Uninstall, then reinstall the program

If none of the above-listed solutions worked, you can remove the problematic program from your computer and then reinstall it. The program might not have been installed completely or correctly, or the installation might have been corrupted. Hence, uninstalling the program and then reinstalling a clean copy of it should help you fix the problem.

To uninstall the program that is appearing on the taskbar but not showing up on the screen, open Settings using Win+I. After that, move to the Apps tab and click on the Installed apps option. Now, look for the program in question and tap on the three-dot menu button. After that, choose the Uninstall option and perform the prompted actions accordingly. When the program is removed, reboot your PC and download the app from its official website. Finally, run the installer and complete the program installation. You should now be able to run the program without this issue.

See: There are no startup items to display in Task Manager.

The program is already running on this computer

If you receive the message “The program is already running on your computer” when you try to open any program, open the Task Manager, search for all related processes, right-click each one, and select End process, one after the other. Having done that, see if you can start the program.

Program is already open on this computer

If you receive Program is already open on this computer message when you try to open a program, you need to open the Task Manager, locate the application process and terminate it. Alternatively, restarting your computer can resolve the issue easily.

How do I get a hidden window back on my screen?

To get a hidden window back on your screen, right-click on your taskbar and select options like Cascade windows or Show windows stacked. You can also press the Alt+Tab hotkey and keep it pressed until you see the hidden window.

Read: Steam says the Game is running but it is not showing

Why is my system showing blank screen?

Blank or black screen issues on Windows PCs are usually caused by corrupted or outdated display drivers. Hence, you must ensure that you are using the latest version of your graphics drivers. It might also be caused by connection issues with your monitor or screen or recent system updates.

Now read: File Explorer not showing files though they exist.