When you’re playing games on Steam, the games randomly minimize to the desktop and won’t go back in. What can cause this issue and what you can do to fix it? Read on to learn the fixes you can try.
There are multiple causes for this issue, so there are multiple fixes. Try the following fixes one by one and see if you can find one that works for you.
Fix 1: Reinstall the graphics card driver
Fix 2: Update the graphics card driver
Fix 3: Run a malware/virus scan
Fix 4: End the TWCU.exe process (if you have)
Fix 5: Disable the application/service causing the issue
Fix 6: Run the game in a specific screen resolution
Fix 1: Reinstall the graphics card driver
Faulty graphics card drivers can cause steam games to randomly minimize. To fix the problem, you can try to reinstall the graphics card driver. To do so:
1) Press Win+R keys to open the Run box.
2) Type “devmgmt.msc” into the Run box and click OK to open the Device Manager.
3) Double-click on the Display adapters category, and right-click on the graphics card device, and then select Uninstall device. Follow the procedure to finish the uninstallation.
4) Once done, restart your computer to allow Windows to reinstall the graphics card driver automatically.
5) Play a Steam game and check to see if the problem persists. If the problem persists, you can try to update the graphics card driver (see Fix 2).
Fix 2: Update the graphics card driver
If reinstalling the graphics card driver doesn’t help, you can consider updating the driver to the latest version.
You can go to the PC manufacturer’s website to download the latest version of graphics card driver. Usually, drivers can be downloaded from the Drivers, Support, or Download section.
Alternatively, you can search “PC model + driver” using your preferred search engine, then you can find the driver download page of your PC directly from the search results.
After updating the driver, restart your computer and check to see if the problem persists.
Fix 3: Run a malware/virus scan
If your computer is infected by malware/virus, the “Steam games keep minimizing” error can occur. You can launch your antivirus or antimalware program to scan your computer and see if there’s any malware/virus hidden on your computer.
If you don’t have an antivirus or antimalware program installed on your computer, you can search on the internet to find one. There’re many free programs out there for you to choose from.
Fix 4: End the TWCU.exe process (if you have)
TWCU.exe is the TP-LINK Wireless Configuration Utility. If you’re using a TP-LINK wireless card, you’ll have this utility on your computer. Usually, this utility is running in the background without your knowledge, which can cause your games to lose focus. In this case, the “Steam games keeps minimizing” issue can occur.
So if you have the TWCU.exe process running in the background, disable it, then the problem should be resolved. Disabling the process won’t stop you from connecting to the internet.
Here’s how to disable TWCU.exe via Task Manager.
1) On your keyboard, press Win+S to open search.
2) Type “task manager” into the search box and then click on Task Manager.
3) Click on the Processes tab and select TWCU.exe, and then click on End task.
If you don’t have TWCU.exe on your computer, you can try Fix 5 and find out other third-party applications causing the problem.
Fix 5: Disable the application/service causing the issue
When you can’t play Steam games in full screen, it could be a third-party application taking focus without your knowledge. You can disable the applications and services running in the background and find out the one causing the problem. To do so:
1) Open Task Manager.
2) Click on the Startup tab and disable all programs.
Play a game and check to see if the problem persists. If the problem is gone, then it’s an application that’s causing the problem. Enable the programs one by one again until you find the application that’s causing the problem. If the problem persists, continue to the next steps.
3) On your keyboard, press Win+R ( the Windows logo key and the R key) at the same time to invoke the Run box.
4) Type “msconfig” into the Run box and click OK to open the System Configuration window.
5) Click on the Services tab and tick Hide all Microsoft services, and then click on Disable all.
6) Click Apply -> OK to save the changes.
7) Play a game and check to see if the problem persists. If the problem is gone, then it’s a non-microsoft service that’s causing the problem. In that case, enable the services one by one until you find the service that’s causing the problem. If the problem persists, try the next fix.
Fix 6: Run the game in a specific screen resolution
To prevent a game from minimizing, you can run the game in the 640*480 screen resolution. Here’s a how to do it:
1) Right-click on the game shortcut and select Properties.
2) Click on the Compatibility tab and tick Run in 640*480 screen resolution.
3) Click Apply -> OK to save the changes.
4) Play a game and check to see if the game keeps minimizing.
Hopefully you find this article helpful. If you have any questions, feel free to drop a comment below. I’ll get back to you ASAP.