Fix Split Screen feature not working on Windows

Split Screen is convenient for multitasking on Windows computers. You use this feature to compare and copy data between two or more programs or windows at the same time. But what if the feature stops working? The following article will discuss how to troubleshoot Split Screen on Windows.

1. Try some general fixes

Before moving on to more complex fixes, you should try some of the basic ways that can often fix Windows errors as follows.

1. The first step to solving any computer problem is to restart the PC. This usually resolves minor bugs that can cause common problems.
2. There are also some general solutions you can try to fix Windows-specific errors. These include System File Checker and Deployment Image Servicing and Management. Running these utilities will delete corrupted or missing system files and replace them with new files.
3. You can also perform a clean boot to resolve the Split Screen issue. This method starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and programs. If this works, it means that the driver or program you recently installed is causing the problem; uninstall the culprit and try again.
4. If Split Screen still doesn't work, update your graphics driver. Outdated drivers often cause conflicts and lead to issues like Split Screen not working. To do that, see how to update your graphics driver on Windows.

2. Make sure "Snap Windows" is enabled

You may have accidentally disabled the Split Screen feature in your system settings. If so, adjust Windows settings and enable service. Here's how to do it:

1. Right click on Start and select Settings .

2. In the Settings window , select System > Multi - tasking .

3. On the next page, enable Snap windows .

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4, Now click the down arrow key and make sure all check boxes are selected.

After making these changes, close the Settings window and check if it solves the problem.

3. Check display settings

If updating the driver doesn't help, review your display settings. Sometimes, Split Screen issue occurs when the screen resolution is not set correctly. In this situation, adjust the Windows resolution and check if it solves the problem.

To get started, open Windows Settings and navigate to System > Display . In the right pane, scroll down to the Scale & layout section .

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Now click on the Display resolution drop-down menu and adjust the resolution to fit your connected display. Once you've done that, try using Split Screen again.

4. Restart Windows Explorer

If the problem persists, go to Task Manager and restart Windows Explorer. This is an important process in Windows that handles the visual components of the system.

After restarting Windows Explorer, try Split Screen again and see if it works now.

5. Uninstall third-party software

If you have any third-party software or applications that manage Windows or screen layout, uninstall them temporarily. Sometimes these programs interfere with the Windows Split Screen function and cause problems.

To remove those apps from your device, use these instructions:

1. Press Win + S on your keyboard to open Windows Search.
2. Type Control Panel in the search bar and press Enter.
3. In the Control Panel window, set the View by option to Category.
4. Now, click Programs > Programs and Features > Uninstall a program .
5. Locate and right click the app that interferes with the Split Screen.
6. Select Uninstall from the context menu and follow the instructions to complete the process.

Once you're done, try using the Split Screen feature to check if the problem is resolved.

6. Use built-in keyboard shortcuts to Split Screen

Windows has built-in keyboard shortcuts to quickly launch Split Screen. This method is useful if the problem is caused by a minor bug or glitch.

To use Split Screen, press Win + Left Arrow on your keyboard. This makes a window take up most of the left side of the screen. The same applies to Win + Right Arrow , which makes a window take up most of the right side of the screen.

Similarly, press Win + Up Arrow or Down Arrow to bring windows to screen quadrants, allowing you to open 4 windows simultaneously.

Marvin Fry

Update 24 July 2023