Windows 11 Game Bar Not Working in Full Screen? 9 Ways to Fix It

Xbox Game Bar in Windows 11 lets you open the Game Bar overlay while playing a game, so you can access features such as screen recording, screenshots, performance information, and other gaming controls. However, you may find that Windows 11 Game Bar is not opening in full screen, even when the Windows + G keyboard shortcut is pressed.

This can happen because Game Bar is disabled, the keyboard shortcut is not working, the game does not support the overlay, or Game Bar or related Windows components have encountered a problem. Display settings, permissions, outdated drivers, and conflicts with other overlays can also affect how Game Bar works. In this guide, we’ll explain why Xbox Game Bar may not open while a game is running in full screen and show you practical ways to get it working again in Windows 11.

Why Is Windows 11 Game Bar Not Opening in Full Screen?

Xbox Game Bar normally opens with Windows + G while a supported game or application is running. If nothing happens in full screen, one of several settings or compatibility issues may be responsible.

Common causes include:

• Xbox Game Bar is disabled: Windows may have the Game Bar feature turned off.
• Keyboard shortcut is not working: Another application or keyboard setting may interfere with Windows + G.
• Game Bar permissions or settings: Windows may not allow Game Bar to open or record correctly.
• Game or app compatibility: Some games, especially older titles or those using certain display modes, may not work properly with the Game Bar overlay.
• Fullscreen mode conflicts: Exclusive fullscreen can sometimes behave differently from borderless or windowed modes.
• Gaming Services or Xbox components: Problems with related Windows gaming components can affect Game Bar.
• Outdated graphics drivers or Windows: Driver and system updates can affect overlays and gaming features.
• Another overlay is interfering: Steam, Discord, NVIDIA, AMD, or other overlays can sometimes conflict with Game Bar.

If Game Bar works normally on the Windows desktop but not inside a particular game, the issue is more likely related to the game, its display mode, or an overlay conflict.

Enable Xbox Game Bar in Windows 11

Windows 11 includes a setting that controls whether Xbox Game Bar can be opened while playing games. If it is turned off, pressing Windows + G will not bring up the overlay.

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Select Gaming.
3. Click Xbox Game Bar.
4. Turn on the option that allows you to use Xbox Game Bar with the Xbox button on a controller, if available.
5. If your Windows 11 version shows a separate Game Bar toggle, make sure it is enabled.
6. Start your game again and press Windows + G.

If Game Bar opens after enabling the setting, the problem was caused by the feature being disabled, not by the full-screen game itself.

Check the Windows + G Shortcut

Xbox Game Bar normally opens when you press Windows + G. If the shortcut has been changed, blocked, or intercepted by another application, Game Bar may appear not to work even though the feature itself is enabled.

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Go to Gaming > Xbox Game Bar.
3. Check the available shortcut settings and make sure Game Bar is allowed to open using the controller or keyboard.
4. Start the affected game.
5. Press Windows + G.
6. If nothing happens, press the Windows key by itself to confirm that Windows responds to it.
7. Test Windows + G on the Windows desktop as well.

If Windows + G works on the desktop but not inside the game, the problem is more likely related to the game’s full-screen mode or another overlay. If the Windows key itself does not respond, check whether Game Mode, keyboard software, or a gaming keyboard’s Win-key lock is disabling it.

Switch the Game to Borderless Windowed Mode

Some games do not handle the Xbox Game Bar overlay correctly when running in exclusive full-screen mode. Switching to borderless windowed mode can help determine whether the game’s display mode is preventing the overlay from opening.

1. Open the affected game.
2. Open its Settings or Options menu.
3. Find Display, Graphics, or Video settings.
4. Change Display Mode from Fullscreen to Borderless Windowed or Windowed Borderless.
5. Apply the change and restart the game if required.
6. Press Windows + G while the game is running.

If Game Bar opens in borderless mode but not in exclusive full screen, the game’s full-screen implementation is likely conflicting with the overlay.

You can continue using borderless mode or check the game’s updates and support information for a fix. This can also help confirm that Windows Game Bar itself is working correctly.

Repair or Reset Xbox Game Bar

If Xbox Game Bar’s files or app data have become corrupted, the overlay may fail to open even when the feature is enabled. Windows 11 provides Repair and Reset options for Microsoft Store apps.

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Go to Apps > Installed apps.
3. Search for Xbox Game Bar.
4. Click the three-dot menu next to it and select Advanced options.
5. Click Repair.
6. Start your game and test Windows + G again.
7. If Game Bar still does not open, return to the same screen and click Reset.
8. Restart Windows and test the shortcut again.

Repair attempts to fix the app without removing its data. Reset reinstalls the app’s data and may remove some of its stored settings, so try Repair first.

Update Xbox Game Bar and Microsoft Store Apps

Xbox Game Bar is distributed through the Microsoft Store, so an outdated or partially updated version can cause problems with the overlay. Updating Game Bar and related Store apps may fix issues that appear after a Windows or game update.

1. Open Microsoft Store.
2. Select Library from the left side.
3. Click Get updates.
4. Allow available updates to download and install.
5. Restart Windows.
6. Launch the affected game and press Windows + G.

Also check Settings > Windows Update and install any available Windows 11 updates.

If Game Bar still does not open after updating, continue with the next fix rather than repeatedly reinstalling the app.

Disable Other Game Overlays

Game Bar may fail to open when another overlay is active at the same time. Gaming platforms and graphics software can add their own overlays for chat, recording, performance monitoring, or screenshots.

Common examples include Steam Overlay, Discord Overlay, NVIDIA Overlay, and AMD Software overlay.

Temporarily disable the overlays you use and test Game Bar again:

1. Close the game.
2. Open the settings for your gaming or graphics software.
3. Disable its in-game overlay feature.
4. Start the game again.
5. Press Windows + G.

If Game Bar starts working, enable the other overlays one at a time to identify the conflict.

You do not necessarily need to leave every other overlay disabled. The goal is to determine whether another overlay is preventing Xbox Game Bar from appearing in full screen.

Repair Gaming Services

Windows 11 uses Gaming Services for several Xbox and gaming features. If the service or its app package is damaged, Xbox Game Bar may not work correctly even when the Game Bar setting is enabled.

First, check whether Gaming Services is installed and up to date:

1. Open Microsoft Store.
2. Search for Gaming Services.
3. If an update is available, install it.
4. Restart your PC.
5. Launch the affected game and press Windows + G.

You can also check Settings > Apps > Installed apps and search for Gaming Services. If Windows provides Advanced options, use Repair first and then Reset if necessary.

Test Game Bar again after restarting Windows. If the overlay still does not open, the next step is to check your graphics driver and Windows updates.

Update Your Graphics Driver

Xbox Game Bar uses Windows graphics components to display its overlay. An outdated, corrupted, or incompatible graphics driver can therefore cause problems when Game Bar tries to open over a full-screen game.

Try updating your graphics driver:

1. Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
2. Expand Display adapters.
3. Right-click your graphics card.
4. Select Update driver.
5. Choose Search automatically for drivers.
6. Install an available driver and restart Windows.
7. Start the game and press Windows + G.

For the latest driver, you can also check the support website or update utility provided by your graphics card manufacturer.

If Game Bar stopped working immediately after a graphics driver update, rolling back the driver may also be worth trying from Device Manager > Display adapters > Properties > Driver > Roll Back Driver, when that option is available.

We have enough fixes now, but one useful system-level step remains: make sure Windows itself is up to date. This is especially relevant if Game Bar stopped opening after a recent game or driver change.

Update Windows 11

Microsoft regularly fixes gaming, graphics, and Xbox-related problems through Windows updates. If Xbox Game Bar suddenly stopped opening in full screen, installing pending Windows 11 updates can resolve compatibility issues.

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Select Windows Update.
3. Click Check for updates.
4. Install any available updates.
5. Restart your PC when prompted.
6. Launch the game and press Windows + G.

If Game Bar stopped working immediately after a specific Windows update, check whether Microsoft has released a newer cumulative update that addresses the issue before considering more advanced troubleshooting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Xbox Game Bar not opening in full screen?

Xbox Game Bar may not open because it is disabled, the Windows + G shortcut is not working, the game is using an incompatible full-screen mode, or another overlay is interfering with Game Bar.

How do I open Game Bar while playing a full-screen game?

Start the game and press Windows + G. If nothing happens, enable Xbox Game Bar in Settings > Gaming > Xbox Game Bar and try switching the game’s display mode to Borderless Windowed.

Why does Windows + G not work in my game?

The shortcut may be blocked by a keyboard or gaming utility, another overlay may be interfering, or the game may not work correctly with Game Bar in its current display mode. Test the shortcut on the Windows desktop and then inside the game to narrow down the problem.

Does Xbox Game Bar work with full-screen games?

Yes, Xbox Game Bar is designed to work with games, including full-screen gaming in supported configurations. However, some games or exclusive full-screen implementations may have compatibility problems with the overlay.

How do I fix Xbox Game Bar when it still won’t open?

Make sure Game Bar is enabled, update Windows and Game Bar, repair or reset the Xbox Game Bar app, disable conflicting overlays, update your graphics driver, and check Gaming Services. Switching the game to borderless windowed mode can also help.