We run across problems with Windows very often, and one of those problems is that a currently open window could unexpectedly go off the screen entirely and stop being clickable once it has done so. This problem is often brought about by the user moving the window unintentionally, for example, by clicking a hotkey by mistake or by the software itself moving the window unknowingly.
When an application starts up, its window may get stuck off-screen, making it impossible for you to move it or deal with it. There are a variety of causes for this behavior. This behavior may continue even after you reboot your computer, resulting in a very unpleasant experience for you.
After doing some research and putting several potential ideas to the test, we were able to come up with some amazing realistic solutions that were effective for me in resolving the issue.
In just a few minutes, you’ll be able to remedy the issue and know how to move a window that is off-screen on windows 11 by following the instructions in this guide, which will show you several tried-and-true techniques for doing so.
Reasons For The Off-Screen Window Problem
It’s possible that you pressed a hotkey by mistake or that the program itself moved the window unknowingly. Either way, the window is now off-screen. The cause for this occurs if the monitor is configured with a lower resolution than necessary and utilizes many displays at the same time.
This problem may also occur while using portable applications or launching an application from a flash drive.
The presence of an additional monitor or many displays is by far the most typical cause of the off-screen window issue. There are situations when Windows has trouble identifying secondary displays or several monitors altogether. You may address the issue by disconnecting the wires and then reattaching them when it has been resolved.
When you use a computer running Windows, there are situations when the operating system incorrectly determines that you have numerous displays even when you do not. As a result of this issue, a window inside an application will not appear correctly, which results in a problem with the program’s off-screen window.
On a computer running the Windows 11 operating system, repositioning a window such that it is no longer visible on the screen may be accomplished in several useful ways that will be shown in the following part.
So, long story short, there are four reasons why you may face this problem:
- When you have more than a single monitor connected to your computer, when you attempt to expand the screen to second or more monitors, you may run into connection and pairing issues.
- There are occasions when a large number of applications become unresponsive, and it’s possible that you won’t be able to change the window for that program no matter how many times you try.
- The problem could become active if the user presses a certain hotkey at the wrong time.
- It is also possible for this to occur if the monitor that you are using is set to a resolution that is lower than normal.
Let’s get right down to business and examine the many alternatives you have for moving the window that is now off-screen.
How To Move A Window That Is Off Screen On Windows 11
It’s a pretty annoying experience when all of a sudden, the current program window vanishes from the screen and stops responding to clicks.
The remedy is varied depending on if you have more displays or simply one, but it should be possible to resolve the issue in a few simple steps in the vast majority of instances.
There are a variety of approaches you may take to resolve the issue of windows appearing off-screen on your computer that is running Windows 11. Make use of the helpful solutions that have been provided for you below to assist you in resolving the problem. If the first option doesn’t work, you may always try the second.
The following is a list of the procedures that need to be taken to relocate a window in Windows 11 that is off-screen:
1. Use Shift Key Combination
If the window is shown in the Taskbar, you may have success. Follow these instructions to learn how to reposition a window that is currently not visible on your screen:
- Right-clicking a window on the taskbar while holding down the Shift key on the keyboard will bring up the context menu for that window.
- Simply selecting the Move option will bring the window into sight on display.
- Now, you may entirely relocate the window that is off-screen on the desktop by using the Left or Right arrow keys on your keyboard.
In this way, you can easily move the window without any problem. But even if this method doesn’t work for you, you can solve the issue by following the below methods.
2. Use Windows + Arrow Key Combination
If you hold down the Windows key and one of the arrow keys on your keyboard at the same time, you will be able to move the window containing the malfunctioning program.
To move a window that is off-screen on a computer running Windows 11 using the move option, here’s what to do:
- Choose the program or application window that is giving you trouble from the listing on the taskbar.
- To move a window to the right side of the screen, press the Windows key + right arrow key together with the on your keyboard.
- You may move the window to the left side of the screen by pressing the Windows key + left arrow key
- You can put the window at the top of the screen by pressing the Windows key + up arrow key in combination, and you may position it anywhere on the screen by using the right or left arrow key.
- You may set or restore the window at the bottom of the screen by pressing the Windows key + Down arrow key in combination. You can then use the right or left arrow key to position the window wherever at the bottom of the screen.
3. Use the Application Window Menu
Utilizing the options available in the application window menu is still another method for you to resolve the issue with the malfunctioning application window.
To move a window that is off-screen on a Windows 11 computer using the choices available in the application window menu, here’s what to do:
- Choose the program or application window giving you trouble from the listings on the taskbar.
- Simply selecting the Maximize option after pressing the Alt + Space keys simultaneously will maximize the size of your program window on the screen.
- Select Move by pressing Alt + Space once more, or Alt + Space + M if the window is not maximized to move it.
- You may move the window by using any of the arrow keys on your keyboard, dragging it where you want it to go while holding down the left mouse button, or doing it with the mouse itself.
- If the option to move the window is not there in the Window menu, you may enter the application window menu by pressing the Alt key in combination with the Space bar. From there, pick Restore to bring the window back onto the screen.
4. Use Task Manager
On a computer running the Windows 11 operating system, making use of the task manager is an efficient method for recovering an off-screen window.
If you’re using a computer with the Windows 11 operating system and the Windows task manager, follow the instructions below to retrieve an off-screen window:
- Ctrl + Shift + Esc can be used to access the Task Manager.
- You may expand the Task Manager by clicking the More Details button if your task manager window isn’t already stretched.
- Look for the Processes
- To expand an application, right-click on it and pick Expand from the context menu that appears.
- To open the program window, right-click on the application and choose Maximize from the context menu.
And, once you are done completing the step above, your job is done. Your off-screen window will now be shown on your screen. But if the problem is still occurring, then you can always try the below methods.
5. Change Display Resolution
Altering the screen resolution is yet another tried-and-true solution that is successful in resolving the problem of windows appearing off-screen in Windows 11.
You may try adjusting the resolution of your screen to see if the window that is now off-screen can be moved so that it appears on the primary screen.
Changes to the screen resolution may be made by following these procedures on a PC running Windows 11 to fix the issue of windows appearing off-screen:
- Press Win + I to access the Windows Settings Or,
- Open the Start menu by clicking on the Start button. Then, please choose the Settings app from the Pinned applications section and click on it to access it.
- On the left-hand side of the options screen, click the System
- Here on the right-hand side of the window screen, click on the Display
- Locate the Display resolution in the Scale & Layout section of the Interface.
- To change the screen resolution, go to Display resolution choices and make your selection.
- When the prompt window displays on the screen, click the Keep changes option to apply the screen resolution.
When the screen resolution is changed, all open windows will be brought back to the main visual screen.
Reset the screen resolution to your preferred setting after the issue has been resolved.
In this way, you can easily solve the issue without knowing any rocket science.
Conclusion
When an off-screen window appears, it’s either because you accidentally activated a hotkey or because the program moved the window there on its own. Most off-screen windows are caused by secondary or more displays.
If you read this post, you’ll learn how to move a window that is off-screen on windows 11.
Hope this article was useful and educational for you!