Fixing the Windows Taskbar Overlapping Issue: Causes and Solutions
If you’re using Windows 10 or 11 and have noticed that your taskbar is no longer staying on top of open windows, you’re not alone. This issue can be frustrating, especially if you rely on the taskbar for quick navigation. Fortunately, there are a few potential causes and solutions to help resolve this problem.
Common Causes of the Taskbar Overlapping Issue
There are three main reasons why your taskbar might not be appearing correctly. Two of them are related to Windows settings, while the third is associated with NVIDIA’s overlay features.
1. Tablet Mode Interference
Windows has a Tablet Mode feature designed for touchscreen devices, but it can sometimes cause display inconsistencies when enabled on a non-touch device.
Solution:
Open Windows Settings.
Navigate to System > Tablet Mode (or just search for “Tablet Mode”).
Ensure that Tablet Mode is disabled.
If it’s already disabled, try enabling it and then disabling it again to reset the setting.
2. Taskbar Shortcuts Issue
Sometimes, taskbar shortcuts can cause the taskbar to misbehave. This might prevent it from staying on top of windows.
Solution:
Unpin any application shortcuts from the taskbar.
Pin them back again.
This simple action can often resolve the issue without needing to restart Windows Explorer.
3. NVIDIA Overlay Interference
If you run games or full-screen applications in borderless windowed mode, you may experience issues where the taskbar disappears when interacting with it. This problem is primarily caused by the NVIDIA Overlay, particularly when using FPS counters or screen recording features.
Why This Happens:
The NVIDIA Overlay has long been known to interfere with Windows’ taskbar behavior.
When an FPS counter or other HUD elements are enabled in NVIDIA’s overlay, pressing the Windows key will show the taskbar momentarily, but it disappears when selecting another app.
This issue extends to NVIDIA’s screen recording feature as well.
Possible Solutions:
Disable NVIDIA Overlay Completely
Open NVIDIA GeForce Experience or the new NVIDIA App.
Disable the Overlay features.
This will permanently fix the disappearing taskbar issue.
Temporarily Disable the HUD/FPS Counter
Before pressing the Windows key, press Alt + R.
This disables the HUD elements and FPS counter temporarily.
Open the Windows interface, do what you need, then press Alt + R again to re-enable your FPS counter.
Use an Alternative Screen Recording Software
If you use NVIDIA’s screen recording feature, consider switching to software like Bandicam or OBS Studio, which do not cause the same taskbar interference.
Final Thoughts
This taskbar issue has been present for several years, and despite multiple NVIDIA software updates, it remains unresolved. While there is no official fix from NVIDIA, the workarounds mentioned above can help mitigate the problem and restore your taskbar functionality. If you frequently experience this issue, consider adjusting your settings based on your usage needs.