Windows 11 comes with an enhanced productivity feature known as Snap Layouts, which lets you organize windows and multitask efficiently. However, users often face issues where the Snap Layouts feature stops working abruptly or doesn’t appear at all. In this guide, we will walk you through detailed troubleshooting steps to fix the Snap Layouts issue in Windows 11.
Before You Proceed
Make sure your Windows 11 is up to date:
- Open Settings (Win + I).
- Navigate to Windows Update and click Check for updates.
- Install available updates and restart your PC.
You should also try restarting your computer and see if that quickly resolves the problem. If Snap Layouts still don’t work afterward, follow the detailed instructions below.
Step 1: Ensure Snap Layout is Enabled in Windows Settings
Snap Layout might be disabled accidentally or by another system process. Follow these steps:
- Press
Win + Ito open Settings. - Click on System on the left pane.
- Navigate to Multitasking.
- Under ‘Snap windows’, ensure the toggle is set to On.
- Click on the dropdown arrow next to Snap windows and verify all related sub-options are checked:
- “When I snap a window, show what I can snap next to it”
- “Show snap layouts when I hover over a window’s maximize button”
- “Show snap layouts when I drag a window to the top of my screen”
Once confirmed or re-enabled, try using Snap Layout again.
Step 2: Check Compatibility with Your Apps
Snap Layouts might not appear due to compatibility or limitations with certain applications.
Here’s how to test this:
- Open a common app, such as Microsoft Edge, Windows Explorer, or Notepad. Hover your mouse pointer on the maximize button or press
Win + Z. If Snap Layouts appear, the issue may be limited to certain incompatible apps.
However, if Snap Layouts don’t appear in any application, proceed to the steps below.
Step 3: Restart File Explorer (Windows Explorer)
Sometimes, the Snap Layout functionality breaks due to temporary issues with File Explorer.
To quickly restart Explorer:
- Open the Task Manager by pressing
Ctrl + Shift + Esc. - Under Processes, find the process named Windows Explorer.
- Select Windows Explorer and click on the Restart button at the bottom right.
This action refreshes the taskbar and UI, potentially solving the minor issues causing Snap Layouts not to appear.
Step 4: Adjust the Scaling and Display Resolution
Incorrect screen resolution and scaling can affect Snap Layouts functionality.
- Press
Win + Ito open Settings. - Go to System → Display.
- Under Scale & layout, set:
- Scale to the recommended setting (usually 100-125%).
- Display resolution to ‘Recommended’ settings for your hardware.
- After applying, restart Windows 11 and then test Snap Layout again.
Step 5: Ensure ‘Aero Snap’ Feature is Enabled Using Control Panel
Although Aero Snap is a Windows 10 terminology, Windows 11 still retains similar functionalities. Disabling it can unintentionally disable Snap Layout features.
- Press the
Win + Rkeys to open the Run dialog. - Type
control.exeand press Enter to open Control Panel. - Set the view type to Large icons and choose Ease of Access Center.
- Click on Make the mouse easier to use.
- Under Manage windows, ensure “Prevent windows from being automatically arranged when moved to the edge of the screen” is unchecked.
- Click Apply, then OK.
- Restart your PC and try Snap Layouts again.
Step 6: Check and Update Device Drivers
Outdated or incompatible graphic drivers might cause unexpected UI issues, including Snap Layout problems.
- Press
Win + Xand select Device Manager. - Expand Display adapters.
- Right-click on your display adapter, and click Update driver.
- Choose “Search automatically for drivers” and follow the prompts.
- Restart the computer if an update was installed.
Alternatively, you can visit your GPU manufacturer’s site (Intel, NVIDIA, AMD) directly to get and install the latest drivers manually.
Step 7: Restart the Related Windows Services
Relevant background services, if stopped or hung, may cause Snap Layout not to work.
- Press
Win + R, typeservices.mscand press Enter. - Locate and right-click on the following services and select Restart (If they’re stopped, select Start):
- Desktop Window Manager Session Manager
- Application Frame Host (This can usually be restarted via Task Manager if not visible in Services)
- Close the Services manager and test Snap Layout again.
Step 8: Perform a System File Checker (SFC) and DISM Scan
Corrupted system files might also affect Windows Snap functionality.
- Search and open Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows Terminal (Admin).
- In the command window, type the following commands one at a time, pressing Enter after each:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-image /RestoreHealth
(Wait for the process to finish.)
sfc /scannow
(Wait for completion.)
- Restart your PC after this process concludes and then attempt to use Snap Layout again.
Step 9: Reset or Repair Your PC (Last Resort)
If all above solutions fail, consider resetting or repairing Windows 11, as critical system files may be corrupted beyond simple repair.
- Open Settings (Win + I), go to System → Recovery.
- Under Recovery options, click on Reset PC and choose Keep my files.
- Follow the prompts through the reset process, which reinstalls a fresh system but keeps documents and personal files intact.
Important: Before performing this step, ensure your data is backed up.
Conclusion
The above steps should solve most Snap Layout malfunction issues on Windows 11. Usually, enabling the feature and updating display drivers resolves the problem efficiently. However, if issues persist, repairing or resetting your PC might be required to restore full functionality.
Finally, if nothing is resolved, consider reporting the issue directly to Microsoft through the Feedback Hub in Windows.
Note: Always keep a backup before major troubleshooting steps to prevent unintended data loss.
