How to Fix Snap Layouts Not Working on Windows 11

Facing performance issues with the new Snap Layouts feature?

The great feature that was previously only available in the Microsoft PowerToys has now made it to Windows 11, and users couldn’t have been happier. It takes multi-tasking to another level by allowing you to open several app windows simultaneously using numerous app layouts.

Although people were excited to get their hands on Windows 11 for this feature, there seems to be a bug affecting user experience. There have been many reports of absent or restricted functionality for Snap Layouts in particular.

This may be caused by installing Windows 11 on an incompatible PC. Third-party apps causing background interference may also be the culprit. Whatever the reason, there are several fixes for it. And fortunately, you’ve landed on just the right page.

So let’s get straight to it!

1. Enable Snap Layouts.

The most evident reason why the Snap Layouts feature is not working on your computer might be because it is disabled. There are different ways to enable this exciting new feature in Windows 11. 

To manually enable Snap Layouts from Settings, here’s what you need to do:

1. First, press the Windows key + I on your keyboard simultaneously to enter Windows settings.
   
2. On the left panel, go to the System tab.
   
3. From there, go to Multitasking.

4. Then, turn on the toggle button for Snap Windows.
   
5. Click on the drag down arrow to view the listing, then check the box that says Show snap layouts when I hover over a window’s maximize button. You can further customize by checking off other boxes as you wish.

Snap Layouts should now be enabled successfully. Windows 11 lets you activate the feature using multiple methods. You can either:

• Open the window you’d like to use the Snap Layouts feature with. Move your cursor over the maximize button on the top right corner and select any of the layout options.
  
• Press the Windows key + Z on the keyboard to bring your current window into a layout.

You can now use multiple windows at once using your favorite layout in Snap Layouts. Follow around the same steps mentioned above to disable it if you wish never to use it again.

2. Ensure App Compatibility.

It’s important to know that Windows 11 restricts certain apps from functioning with the Snap Layouts activated. With that, if you’re unable to bring yourself into the multitasking layout, it may be due to the fact that your current app is not compatible with this new feature.

Microsoft has not yet provided a list of apps that utilize this feature. However, you can figure it out on your own without any difficulty.

Here are different ways you can do it if Snap Layouts is not working on Windows 11:

• Try altering the window size of the app in use. If you fail to do so, the app probably lacks compatibility. Such programs often utilize their own control box and limit resizing for optimal performance to prevent objects on the screen from looking too small or too large.
  
• When you notice that your app window doesn’t work with the feature, switch to a different app. If you manage to bring the app into the layout with the same setting as before, then perhaps the previous app wasn’t designed to be compatible.
  
• If an app only shows a limited number of layouts, it is not due to its compatibility rather the screen size and resolution. To fix this, either increase the screen resolution or upgrade your display.
  
  

3. Update Your Software.

The Snap Layouts option is only accessible to users operating Windows 11.  As the version is still in its initial stage, it will take some time to consider user feedback and make improvements accordingly.

Microsoft is surely working on this issue. They release an update every time a bug is removed, so constantly check for any updates. 

Here’s how to do it:

1. Go to the Settings by pressing the Windows key + I.
   
2. From there, scroll down to the Windows Update tab on the left sidebar, then click on it.
   
3. Microsoft will automatically show whether your operating system is up to date. However, you can also do it manually to double-check by clicking on the Check for updates button.

By updating your system to the latest version, the Snap Layouts error will hopefully get fixed!

4. Fix the Firefox Compatibility Error.

Snap Layouts almost always work with default apps such as Microsoft Edge. The users who are Firefox browser fans encounter a problem with getting this new feature to work. Firefox is one of those programs that come with its own control box to manage the window size and its position on the screen.

Snap Layouts not working on Windows 11 is a very common issue that can be easily fixed if you follow the steps below:

1. Open the Firefox app and right-click on the icon with three horizontal bars on the top right corner of the page.
   
2. When the list opens, click on Customize Toolbar.

3. Then, a new window will open with multiple options. On the bottom left of the screen, check the box that says Title Bar.
   
4. Finally, click on Done to save these changes.

5. Restart Firefox for good measure.

By doing this, a Title bar will show up on your browser window. Now, whenever you bring your cursor over the maximize button located at the upper right corner, you’ll be able to select a layout for multitasking.

5. Troubleshoot Your Computer.

Troubleshooting is a systematic technique to locate the cause of any ongoing problem in your device. Then, either the system solves the conflict itself or provides you a set of instructions to do it manually.

Windows 11, similar to all other previous versions, comes with an installed troubleshooter. So when any of the built-in apps or features are not working properly, you can use the troubleshooter to eliminate the root cause.

Here’s how to troubleshoot, when Snap Layouts is not working on Windows 11 :

1. Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I. 
   
2. Search or scroll down on the left panel to find Troubleshoot settings.

3. Next, select Other troubleshooters, and you’ll come across a list of options you can troubleshoot.
   
4. Find Windows Update and click on Run.

After that, simply follow the on-screen directions and check to see if the Snap Layouts is working.

6. Delete Similar Third-Party Apps.

Most people prefer using a third-party app since it offers a wide selection of layouts, flexibility, and ease of use. If you’re using such an app, then chances are that Snap Layouts might not be working due to background traffic.

To fix this issue, you should update the app to its most recent version. If, in any case, the latest version isn’t compatible with the OS, the only option left is to delete that app to get rid of the problem.

This sums up our guide on resolving the problems causing malfunction to the Snap Layouts feature on Windows 11. We hope that one of the many methods mentioned above helped you fix the issue. If you still have any questions, let us know in the comments below. We’ll be more than happy to help you out on the matter.

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