Windows 11 Taskbar Peek Not Working? How To Fix It

Since its release in 2021, Microsoft’s Windows 11 operating system has been making waves in the PC and technology community for several reasons.

And while it’s always interesting to have a new iteration of existing software technology, it’s not uncommon to experience stability and performance issues in the first few months of its release.

For example, many users have reported that the helpful Taskbar Peek tool was not working in some instances.

Windows 11 Taskbar Peek might not be working because of issues with system updates, defective taskbar settings, or system file errors. However, you can fix this problem by restarting your PC, updating critical system drivers, or restarting the taskbar service.

The Taskbar Peek button has been a part of the Windows operating system since Windows 10, and it’s a handy feature for anyone who wants to preview opened tabs without closing their current window.

This article contains all the information you need on why the feature might not work and how to fix the problem.

Why is Windows 11 Taskbar Peek not working?

Windows operating systems don’t get iterations quite as often as other devices, so it’s no wonder users were ecstatic about the features the software was bringing to the PC scene—even before the OS was released to the public.

And, as you’d expect with early software releases, there were a few issues with the experience—especially the Taskbar Peek feature. So, who or what’s to blame?

Here are a few reasons Windows 11 Taskbar Peek might not be working on your PC:

• Defective system services.
• Obsolete system.
• Defective system files.
• Insufficient storage space.
• Incorrectly configured taskbar settings.
• Incorrect system updates.
• Incompatible graphics settings.

Let’s quickly examine these issues.

Defective system services

Your computer works because it has all the proper hardware functioning efficiently inside of it.

However, you could experience problems with performance and features if you have issues with software or malfunctioning system services.

This issue can also affect other processes in your PC, typically resulting in lags, freezes, or performance troubles.

Obsolete system

Unsurprisingly, an outdated system can affect software performance and lead to glitches in one or more processes on your PC.

And while this problem can cause the taskbar not to function correctly, it can also cause you to experience issues with installed applications.

Defective system files

As with any outdated system, errors with your system files might be why Windows 11 Taskbar Peek is not working on your PC.

This issue might be a by-product of malware or viruses, but some internal error can cause it with one or more system processes.

You may also have defective system files due to sudden power interruption or a completed system crash.

Insufficient storage space

It might not seem likely, but dwindling storage space can affect the Taskbar Peek.

After all, the amount of space on your hard disk is directly connected to your PC’s performance. Therefore, insufficient storage space can affect system processes and features.

In this case, the problem usually occurs because the cached files take too much disk space and interfere with the taskbar’s processes.

Incorrectly configured Taskbar Settings

Of course, you might simply be dealing with misconfigured system settings. So, the Taskbar Peek might not work on your Windows 11 PC because you’ve somehow turned it off or tampered with it.

In most cases, it’s easy to fix this problem by turning the feature back on. However, you might need to adjust a few other settings in some instances.

Incorrect system updates

Faulty or incorrect system updates are a big deal in computers, typically resulting in crashes, lags, or performance issues.

And one or two incorrect system updates could affect your taskbar processes and cause some features to glitch or disappear.

These incorrect system updates might occur in your drivers, but it’s more likely to be a general Windows update problem if you recently installed or updated your operating system.

Incompatible graphics settings

In some cases, Windows 11 Taskbar Peek might not work because of your general system settings.

Your graphics settings—including resolution and orientation—might not be compatible with the feature.

So, you might need to adjust the system’s visual effects settings to get the service to work.

How to fix Windows 11 Taskbar Peek that’s not working

Fortunately, there’s always more than one way to fix general PC software problems—even though most people’s first reaction to PC issues is panic.

However, the first step in fixing a Taskbar Peek that’s not working on Windows 11 is identifying the problem’s source. Afterward, you can try one or more fixes to get the feature back online.

Here are some ways to fix Windows 11 Taskbar Peek that’s not working on your PC:

• Restart your computer.
• Restart your PC’s taskbar services.
• Update the system’s graphics driver.
• Fix system files.
• Uninstall the most recent windows update.
• Update your windows 11 OS.
• Run a windows system security scan.

You might be familiar with some of these fixes, and they’re also applicable to general issues with the taskbar in Windows 11. So, let’s discuss how you can apply these fixes to your PC.

Restart your computer

Restarting a computer might seem crude, but it’s an excellent method to fix many software problems—especially if it’s a glitch like the one that causes Windows 11 Taskbar Peek not to work.

I recommend you try restarting your computer before trying other fixes.

The problem usually goes away when the PC turns back on, but there’s a chance you might lose ongoing work. So, ensure you save all documents before you restart the PC.

You can restart the PC from the Start menu or simultaneously press the Ctrl, Alt, and Del keys to bring up the windows power menu.

The entire process might take a couple of minutes, but ensure the computer stays plugged in until it comes back.

Alternatively, you could hold down the power button on your PC to completely shut down the computer.

Then, wait about 4 to 6 seconds and press the button again. This process will force the computer to reload all services and processes and is more effective than simply restarting your device.

Restart your PC’s Taskbar Services

However, a system restart can only do so much. The problem might persist even after you’ve restarted the computer or forcibly shut it down.

In that case, you’ll have to get technical and restart the computer’s taskbar services.

Here’s how to restart your PC’s taskbar services:

1. Simultaneously press down the Shift, Ctrl, and Esc keys on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager. You can also right-click on the Start Menu to bring up a menu or simultaneously press the Ctrl, Alt, and Del keys to select the Task Manager.
2. Click on the Processes button in the Task Manager window and click the Windows Explorer button. You might need to scroll down to find the button, but it’s usually pretty easy to locate.
3. Pick the Restart option from the dropdown menu after right-clicking on it to close and restart taskbar services. After selecting Windows Explorer, you can also click the Restart button on the bottom right corner of the Task Manager windows.

Taskbar Peek should start working after you follow the steps above. It’s reasonably easy to perform the process, and it should take about 2 to 3 minutes to complete.

However, ensure your Task Manager window isn’t in compact view, or you might experience some difficulty locating the Processes button.

If it is, click on the More Details tab and continue from step two above.

Update the system’s graphics driver

Your PC’s graphics driver is responsible for several display processes and services—including the Taskbar Peek option.

In Windows 11, outdated drivers can lead to problems with your PC’s display, performance, and even the taskbar. Fortunately, updating graphics drivers is pretty straightforward.

You can update your system’s graphics driver by following these steps:

1. Open the Windows Device Manager by simultaneously pressing down on the Windows and X keys. You can also use Windows Search by typing device management and clicking the Device Manager option.
2. Choose the Processors option in the Device Manager window by selecting the appropriate category and clicking on the item you want to update. The device is usually easy to locate, and you’ll know it’s a graphics device from its name.
3. Select Update Driver from the dropdown menu by right-clicking on the graphics card device. You can also scan the device if you want to, but it’s not compulsory.
4. Choose the Search automatically for updated driver software option to start the update process. The rest of the process is automatic, and Windows will notify you when it’s complete.
5. Restart your PC. It’s essential to restart your PC to ensure the updated settings and drivers start working.

You can also use a professional driver updating tool to help, but ensure it’s a trustworthy service. 

Fix system files

Repairing your computer’s system files might seem like a hassle, but it’s a reasonably straightforward process.

And while you might be concerned about messing things up by manually fixing these files, you can use the built-in Windows System File Checker to get the job done. 

Here’s how to fix system files on your PC:

1. Open the Run dialog box by simultaneously pressing down on the Windows and R keys on your keyboard.
2. Type CMD and click enter to open the Command Prompt window.
3. Type the Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth command into CMD and hit enter.
4. Afterward, type Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press enter.
5. Type sfc /scannow into the window and press the Enter key on your keyboard.
6. Close the CMD window and restart your computer.

The commands you typed out will locate and fix damaged or corrupted system files on your PC. And if they were the problem, Taskbar Peek should be fully operational on your system.

Uninstall the most recent Windows Update

Sometimes, a faulty Windows 11 OS update might be responsible for the Taskbar Peek problem.

In this case, you’ll have to revert to a more stable version of Windows 11 by uninstalling your most recent update.

I recommend you only uninstall if the problem started after you updated the OS.

Here’s how to uninstall the most recent Windows update on your PC:

1. Click on the Start button on the taskbar and open the Settings window.
2. Click on the Windows Update option.
3. Open Update History and click on Uninstall updates under Related settings.
4. Right-click on the last installed update and click Uninstall.
5. Restart your PC.

In some cases, you might need to locate a specific problematic update, but I only recommend doing this if you’re sure of the exact culprit.

Update your Windows 11 OS

Alternatively, you can update your Windows 11 OS to eliminate the problem.

And just like uninstalling the most recent Windows update, updating to the latest OS will remove problematic files from your computer.

So, Taskbar Peek should be operational after the process.

Here’s how to update your Windows 11 OS:

1. Click on the Start button on the taskbar and open the Settings window.
2. Click on the Windows Update option.
3. Click the Check For Updates button.
4. Install the available update.
5. Restart your device.

Afterward, confirm if Taskbar Peek is working on your device.

Run a Windows system security scan

As I mentioned earlier, you might be experiencing issues with your taskbar if you have computer viruses or malware.

So, you’ll need to locate, quarantine, and remove the infected files to fix your computer. Fortunately, Windows Security is robust enough to help you on this front.

Here’s how to run a Windows system security scan:

1. Click on the Start button on the taskbar and open the Settings window.
2. Click on the Privacy & Security option in the menu.
3. Choose the Windows Security option.
4. Select Virus And Threat Protection and then the Quick Scan option.

I don’t always recommend restarting your computer after the scan is done, but you can do it for good measure.

Conclusion

It can be pretty stressful when a tool like the Taskbar Peek stops working on Windows 11.

Thankfully, you can quickly identify and fix the problem.

This article is intended for Windows 11 users, but some parts apply to Windows 10 too.