The Alt-Tab keyboard shortcut enables users to easily switch between open windows or applications on their computer. However, sometimes this shortcut stops working, and it can be frustrating to navigate between windows using the mouse. In this article, we will discuss some possible solutions to fix the Alt-Tab keyboard shortcut not working on Windows.

Method 1: Check keyboard settings

Firstly, check whether the Alt-Tab shortcut is disabled in the Settings app. To do so, go to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar and turn on the Toggle switch next to ‘Pressing Alt+Tab shows the most recently used’. If it is already enabled, turn it off and then back on again.

Method 2: Restart the Windows Explorer process

If the above method doesn’t fix the issue, try restarting the Windows Explorer process. To do so, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager, go to the Processes tab, and find ‘Windows Explorer’. Then, right-click on it and choose Restart. This will close and restart the Windows Explorer process.

Method 3: Check for malware or virus

Sometimes, malware or viruses can cause issues with keyboard shortcuts. Therefore, it is essential to check your computer for malware or viruses regularly. Run a full system scan using your anti-virus software, and if any malware or viruses are found, remove them.

Method 4: Update the keyboard driver

Outdated or corrupt keyboard drivers can sometimes cause issues with the Alt-Tab shortcut. Therefore, it is crucial to update your keyboard driver regularly. Open the Device Manager, and search for your keyboard driver. Then, right-click on it, and select Update Driver Software. Choose the option to automatically search for updated drivers online.

Method 5: Use an alternative shortcut

If none of the above methods works, you can try using an alternative keyboard shortcut to switch between open windows. The Windows key + Tab keyboard shortcut is an alternative that works similarly to Alt-Tab. Pressing these two keys together will launch the Task View, which displays all open windows. You can then use the arrow keys or click on the window you wish to switch to.