Clicking windows key in fullscreen makes the PC crash or restart

Understanding and Troubleshooting Windows 11 Crashes During Fullscreen Gaming

Introduction

Many gamers and PC enthusiasts encounter stability issues when running games in fullscreen mode on Windows 11. A common problem includes the system crashing or restarting when clicking the Windows key while a game is in fullscreen. This article explores these issues using a real-user scenario and provides insights into potential causes and solutions.

Case Study: Crashes When Clicking the Windows Key in Fullscreen Mode

User Profile and System Specifications

The affected user operates on Windows 11 Pro with a system comprising:

Graphics Card: AMD RX 580 2048SP
Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 5500
Motherboard: SOYO B450
RAM: 16GB
Power Supply: ASA600W

Observed Behavior

During gameplay sessions in titles like Fortnite and FIFA 25, clicking the Windows key while in fullscreen mode triggers the following sequence:

Immediate or delayed crash upon key press
Game freezes, with screen turning black or displaying thermal-vision-like colors
Game forcibly closes
System may freeze entirely, resulting in an “application hang” error
Occasionally, the entire PC restarts automatically

Additional symptoms include display anomalies such as black patches on the screen following stress tests like Superposition and 3DMark, which can sometimes be remedied by refreshing the display.

Variable Factors and Troubleshooting Steps Attempted

The user reports switching from exclusive fullscreen to borderless fullscreen mode, which mitigates the crashes when clicking Windows key. This suggests that window mode may influence stability.

Software and Driver Configuration

Graphics Driver: Version 24.9.1, installed as a driver-only package (excluding the full Adrenalin suite) for perceived stability
Device Settings: Enabled manual driver installation, disabling automatic manufacturer app downloads
Temperatures: Within normal ranges, indicating adequate cooling

Potential Causes and Diagnostic Insights

Driver-Related Issues
Even stable driver versions can sometimes cause conflicts or crashes, especially when interacting with system UI elements like the Windows key.
Switching to a different driver version, including newer or older releases, might resolve incompatibilities.
Fullscreen Mode Compatibility
Exclusive fullscreen modes interact differently with system shortcuts; borderless windowed modes often provide better stability in this context.
System and Hardware Stability
Hardware defects are less likely given stress test results, but minor GPU anomalies cannot be entirely ruled out.