How to Fix Remote Desktop Taskbar Not Showing In Full Screen?
Remote Desktop taskbar not showing in full screen is a common problem in Windows. This guide explains the causes and gives simple fixes to restore the missing taskbar display.
By Irene / Updated on September 23, 2025
Why the Remote Desktop Taskbar Is Not Showing in Full Screen
When you use Remote Desktop in full screen, the taskbar may sometimes disappear. This usually happens because of the way Windows manages display settings and screen focus. If the taskbar is missing, it can make navigation harder and interrupt your work.
Common Causes of Taskbar Not Showing in Remote Desktop
| Cause | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Taskbar set to auto-hide | If the taskbar is set to hide automatically, it may not appear in a Remote Desktop session. |
| Display not truly full screen | The RDP window may be maximized instead of full screen, which can prevent the taskbar from showing. |
| Resolution mismatch | Different resolutions between the remote PC and your local monitor can cause the taskbar to be hidden or misaligned. |
| Focus issue | Sometimes the Remote Desktop session captures full focus, which hides the taskbar. |
| Multiple monitors | If you use more than one monitor, the taskbar may only appear on the primary screen, leaving it invisible in the RDP window. |
These reasons show that the problem usually comes from display settings, taskbar configuration, or focus conflicts. In the next section, we’ll go through practical steps to fix the Remote Desktop taskbar not showing issue so you can bring it back quickly.
How to Fix the Remote Desktop Taskbar Not Showing In Full Screen or Taskbar?
Fix 1. Toggle Fullscreen Mode
Sometimes when using Remote Desktop in fullscreen mode, the Windows taskbar may disappear or fail to show. This usually happens because Remote Desktop takes over the full screen, and occasionally the system doesn’t properly refresh the display of the taskbar. Toggling fullscreen mode forces the remote session to redraw the screen, which can restore the taskbar to visibility. If you encounter full screen mode not working, you can click to get solutions.
Step 1. Check if your remote desktop is in fullscreen mode.
Step 2. Press Ctrl+Alt+Pause/Break to switch fullscreen mode off and on again. This action refreshes the display and often brings the taskbar back.
Fix 2. Reset the taskbar
Step 1. Press Win + I and then open "Settings".
Step 2. Click on "Personalization".
Step 3. On the left pane, click on “Taskbar”. And then select “Automatically hide the taskbar in desktop mode”.
Fix 3. Change Display Settings
A common reason the taskbar might not show in Remote Desktop fullscreen is a mismatch between the remote and local display settings. If the resolutions don’t align, Windows can struggle to display certain interface elements, including the taskbar. Updating the display settings ensures the remote desktop fits correctly on your screen.
Step 1. On the remote desktop, right-click the desktop and choose “Display settings.”
Step 2. Check the display resolution and confirm it matches your local computer’s resolution.
Step 3. Adjust the resolution if necessary and apply the changes to make the taskbar visible.
Fix 4. Run AnyViewer
If you have tried the previous methods and still can’t see the taskbar in Remote Desktop, using a third-party remote access tool like AnyViewer is a good solution. Many users have reported that the “local taskbar showing on Remote Desktop” or "remote desktop taskbar not showing in full screen" problem cannot always be fixed permanently with standard settings, but AnyViewer solves this issue effectively.
With AnyViewer, you can use fullscreen mode without the local taskbar appearing. It is simple to use with just one click, provides fast and stable connections, and is completely free. AnyViewer works on Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7, as well as Windows Server 2022, 2019, 2016, and 2012 R2. It also supports remote control from iOS or Android devices to a PC. Click the button below to download AnyViewer and enjoy a smooth, hassle-free remote desktop experience.
Step 1. Install and fire up it on the host computer and client computer. Create an AnyViewer account and sign in to the same account on the two computers. Once you've logged in, the device will be assigned to the account automatically.
Step 2. On your local computer, click "Device" and click the computer that you need to control. Then, click "One-click control" and you can get unattended access with one click from one computer to another computer. Apart from that, you are able to only view the screen of the remote computer, lock it, and so on.
✍ Note: If you upgrade to a Professional or Enterprise plan, you can get access in privacy mode and enjoy other privileges, including high-quality image, assigning more devices for one-click secure unattended access, managing the power of more remote computers, etc.
If you don't sign in to the same account on the two computers, you can get access by following these steps:
Step 1. On the remote computer, go to "Settings" and enable “Set my security code” to input the security code.
Step 2. On the client computer, click “Connect”, enter the ID of the host computer, and click “Connect”.
Step 3. To achieve unattended access, choose “Input security code” and type the security code of the host computer. Finally, click “OK” and the remote connection will be established.
After connection, you can access the desktop of the remote computer, view files and run apps on the remote PC.
Conclusion
The Remote Desktop taskbar may not show in fullscreen due to display mismatches, taskbar settings, or focus issues. You can fix this by toggling fullscreen mode, resetting the taskbar, adjusting display settings, or using a reliable tool like AnyViewer. AnyViewer offers fast, stable, and easy remote access, ensuring the taskbar displays correctly and improving your overall remote desktop experience.
