PC taskbar missing? Learn how to fix it in Windows 10 and 11

The taskbar is a very useful feature on a PC because it helps the user to quickly access numerous applications. However, it can happen that, when turning on the computer or after hours of use, the bar simply disappears for no apparent reason.

We’ve put together some solutions to solve this problem, which can affect computers running Microsoft’s operating system. Below, learn how to fix the taskbar that disappears in Windows 10 and 11.

Restart the device

This is the easiest and quickest step you can take when you encounter different types of bugs on your computer –– and that, of course, also includes the disappearance of the taskbar. Restarting your computer not only closes all the open and running applications in the background, but it also has the ability to fix many systemic errors.

Therefore, if what caused the taskbar to disappear was a software bug, there is a chance that restarting your computer is all you need to do to get your machine back to normal.

Check your taskbar settings

Windows 10 and 11 have a very interesting feature: a setting that automatically hides your computer's taskbar. Sometimes, the system may have activated this feature automatically, or you may have activated it yourself by accident.

To check if this is the case, go to your computer's start menu, go to the settings tab > Personalization > Taskbar > check if the second button is activated; the name of this button is “Automatically hide the taskbar in desktop mode”. If it is, disable it.

Adjust the resolution setting

One of the reasons that can cause the taskbar to disappear is if you have set an inappropriate resolution for your screen. To check this, simply right-click anywhere on the desktop and select the “Display settings” option.

Look for the “Screen Resolution” button and select the system-recommended setting.

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Check if tablet mode is enabled

The Windows personalization system allows some computers and notebooks to be in tablet mode, which can cause your taskbar to disappear in some cases.

To check this, go to Settings > System > Tablet. In the first option, titled “When I sign in”, click the button below and set it to “Never use tablet mode”.

Restart Windows Explorer

The “Windows Explorer” software is responsible for several different functions within the operating system, and one of them is the taskbar. If the application has crashed, it makes sense that you should find it and restart it so that the taskbar can return.

To do this, give the function CTRL + SHIFT + ESC to open the Task Manager. In the “Processes” tab, look for the Windows Explorer button in the list of programs: when you find it, right-click on it and select the “Restart” option.