Background Apps Grayed Out on Windows? Here’s What You Can Do!

Isn’t it strange that when you want to clear background apps or switch between them, you find them to be grayed out? The issue is a common occurrence on Windows. Several users have shared how frustrating their experience was to find background apps grayed while trying to interact with them. Some believe the issue appears due to high memory usage, while others doubt the GPU usage and outdated PC drivers.

If you are facing a similar problem, do not worry; we have some of the best fixes. Check out the next section as we unveil ways to fix background apps’ grayed-out issues on Windows!

Ultimate Ways to Fix Background Apps Grayed Out on Windows

Before we begin the fixes, it is really important to try some basic checks, as sometimes that can help you get rid of the issues instantly. Here are the basic things you can try –

• Restart your computer to refresh the memory registers.
• Try closing all the background applications one by one.
• Uninstall and reinstall the apps that appear grayed out.

If the issue persists after trying these basic things, do not worry; we have detailed fixes below.

Fix 1 – Reset Windows Store Cache

If you find that every new app you download tends to turn grey in the background, there is a high chance that it is due to a faulty Windows store cache. Clearing this cache will help you resolve the error easily.

Here’s how you do it –

Step 1- Press Win+R to bring up the run search.

Step 2- Use the command wsreset.exe and hit enter.

Step 3 – The command will reset your Windows Store cache and launch it on your PC.

Close the opened window and restart your PC to make the changes effective instantly. Check the background apps again to find if they are still grayed out.

Fix 2 – Reset Faulty App Data

If clearing the store cache does not help, you can plan and reset the app data for the problematic app. Clearing this data will help you as it will make the app in question brand new for your PC, removing any related issues. Here’s what you need to do -Step 1 – Press Win+I to open System Settings

Step 2 – From the left pane, click on Apps.

Step 3 – Navigate to Installed Apps to find the list of applications installed on your PC.

Step 4 – After spotting the problematic application, click the dots in the corner to find the extended menu. Click on Advanced Options.

Step 5 – In the Advanced Options, scroll down to find the Reset option.

Step 6 –  Click on the Reset button and wait for it to finish the process.

Once the process is complete, restart your computer and relaunch the app to check if you still find background apps grayed out on Windows.

Fix 3 – Update GPU Drivers

While the background app grayed-out issue is associated with the particular app, it is sometimes the result of outdated GPU drivers. The grayed-out display indicates that the Display Adapter is not functioning properly. Hence, the best way to handle the situation is to ensure that these drivers are also updated.

You may wonder why you must finish the update process in the same old and boring way. Well, we will save the hassle for you as all you have to do is use the following three steps –

Step 1 – Download and install the Advanced Driver Updater application from the link below.

Step 2 – Use the Start Scan Now button to initiate a search that will help you find outdated drivers on the PC.

Step 3 – After the scan results are available, click Update All and you are ready!

With Advanced Driver Updater, all the lengthy steps you would need to take while updating drivers manually are eliminated and replaced with these three basic clicks. Download the app today and finish the process instantly to resolve the grayed-out background apps on Windows.

Besides these fixes, you can also reduce memory usage while opening the app in question. This can be done using the Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc).

All these fixes will only work with Windows if you ensure the steps are carried out properly. If you have any questions, reach out to us via the comments section, and we will help you. Background apps grayed out on Windows are common issues but are easily resolvable thanks to these fixes. Try them out, and let us know which worked best for you.

That’s all for this one, good luck!