How to Fix a Program Running but Not Showing on Screen

Sometimes, you open a program, and although it appears in the taskbar or Task Manager, it doesn’t show up on your screen. This issue can disrupt your workflow or gaming session, but it’s often caused by hidden windows, display conflicts, or software glitches. Here’s how you can fix it.

Method 1. Maximize or Move the Program from the Taskbar

Program windows can sometimes minimize or position themselves off-screen. Here’s how to retrieve them:

1. Hold Shift and right-click on the program’s icon in the taskbar and select Maximize if available.

2. If Maximize isn’t an option, choose Move and use the arrow keys to reposition the window.

Method 2. Change Display Settings

If you've recently used an external monitor or changed your screen resolution, the program window may be opening off-screen.

1. Press Win + I to launch the Settings app and go to System > Display.

2. Scroll down to Multiple displays and uncheck Remember window locations based on monitor connection.

Method 3. Perform a Clean Boot

Conflicts with background services or startup apps might prevent the window from loading. Here are the steps to perform a clean boot.

1. Press Win + R to open Run dialog, type msconfig, and press Enter.

4. Disable all startup programs, restart your PC, and try opening the program again.

Method 4. Reinstall the Program

If none of the above methods work, the issue might be with the program itself. Try reinstalling it:

1. Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps, select the program in question and click the three-dot menu, choose Uninstall.

2. Restart your computer and reinstall the program from its official website.

Conclusion

If your program is running but not appearing on the screen, these steps should help resolve the issue. Start by maximizing or moving the window, or adjusting display settings. If that doesn’t work, a clean boot or reinstallation should fix the problem.