Windows 10: Games losing focus on windows 11

Whenever i try to game any game on windows 11 it randomly keeps losing focus when i left click , i didnt have this issue yesterday but now i do , i factory resetted yesterday because i had some other problems but those were fixed atleast.I recorded a video of how it looks:https://streamable.com/9d5wy4

:)

 

Windows loses focus every 3-5 seconds

This focus issue is making it nearly impossible to type anything continually. Windows loses focus every 3-5 seconds, pausing and not typing what I've typed. I can't live with this- any suggestions?

 

Windows 11 some games and applications flickering when pressing left click in them

Hi

Welcome to Microsoft community.

The issue you're describing, where windows flicker or momentarily lose focus upon left-clicking, is unusual and seems to be isolated to specific applications or games. The fact that it doesn't occur in all games (e.g., Valorant, Factorio, Sea of Thieves) but does in others (e.g., Genshin Impact, The Binding of Isaac, Minecraft) suggests it might be related to how these applications handle window focus or graphical rendering, possibly in conjunction with Windows 11's window management features. Here are some steps and considerations that might help resolve or diagnose the issue further:

For the affected games/applications, try disabling fullscreen optimizations:

• Right-click the executable or shortcut of the problematic game/application and select Properties.
  
• Go to the Compatibility tab.
  
• Check Disable fullscreen optimizations.
  
• Apply the changes and test the game/application again.
  

Since the issue is triggered by left-clicking, it's worth examining mouse drivers and settings:

• If you're using a gaming mouse with its own software, ensure that the software is up to date and try resetting its configuration to defaults.
  
• In Windows 11, go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Mouse and experiment with different settings, including the pointer speed. Sometimes, specific configurations can cause odd behavior.
  

Running the game in compatibility mode for an earlier version of Windows can sometimes resolve issues:

• Right-click on the game's executable or shortcut and select Properties.
  
• Go to the Compatibility tab.
  
• Check Run this program in compatibility mode for: and choose an earlier version of Windows, such as Windows 10.
  
• Apply and test.
  

Overlays from various applications (e.g., Discord, NVIDIA GeForce Experience, Xbox Game Bar) can sometimes interfere with game rendering:

• Try disabling overlays in any gaming-related software you have installed.
  
• Specifically, for Windows 11, try disabling Xbox Game Bar by going to Settings > Gaming > Xbox Game Bar and turning it off.
  

Although you've checked for suspicious processes, there might still be software conflicts:

• Consider performing a clean boot to start Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. If the issue doesn't occur under these conditions, it suggests a background application is the cause.
  
• Temporarily disable non-essential startup applications and services (via Task Manager and System Configuration ( msconfig )) and then gradually re-enable them to identify the potential culprit.
  
  Disclaimer: A “clean boot” starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. It helps to determine whether a background service is interfering with your game or program and to isolate the cause of a problem.
  
  These steps of "clean boot" might look complicated at first glance. However, to avoid any trouble for you, please follow them in order and step-by step so that it will help you get back on track.
  

Adjusting certain display settings might affect the issue:

• Try changing the display mode in the affected games between windowed, borderless windowed, and fullscreen to see if one mode is less problematic.
  
• Adjust the display scaling settings in Windows (Settings > System > Display > Scale and layout) to see if that impacts the behavior.
  

Please feel free to let me know how it goes.

Best regards

Derrick Qian | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

 

Active Window Loses Focus

Without any mouse action or keyboard action, the currently active window loses focus to another program. This happens about once a day. The newly active window is always the same program. Prior to the last few weeks, I've had no problems with this stealing focus program. I've made no changes to this program since last year!
The program that loses focus is frequently, but not always, Google Chrome.
The program the gets focus is always Impact Software Einstime.
Google Chrome "is up to date" Version 75.0.3770.142 (Official Build) (64-bit)
Einstime 4.7.0000
Windows 10.0.17763
Dell Studio XPS 435T/9000

Thanks!