How To Fix Taskbar Notifications Icon Not Hiding In Windows 10?

Taskbar notifications are a convenient feature offered by Windows 10. Taskbar notifies users with an icon when they get new notifications. But, once you click it to view the notification, it always disappear and remains hidden until the next time you get notification from your app. So, in this post, let me show you how to fix taskbar notifications not hiding in windows 10?

Do you enjoy working with more screen space? If so, then you will find the Windows 10 taskbar hide option extremely useful. With this feature, your desktop will appear neat and you can enjoy working on a distraction-free desktop.

However, there are instances when the taskbar notification icon does not hide as intended. There are several reasons why this might happen. Fortunately, this issue can be solved by several fixes as we will outline below.

Method 1: Check the Taskbar Auto-Hide Feature

Windows 10 has a taskbar auto-hide feature that hides the taskbar icons. Hence, a possible fix is to ensure that this feature is enabled when working in desktop mode. Here is how:

1. Open Windows 10 settings app by pressing Windows + I key on your keyboard.
2. Go to the Personalization section and click on Taskbar on the left-hand side.
   
3. On the right panel, go to the Automatically hide the taskbar in desktop mode option. Make sure that the toggle is turned On.
   
4. If its disabled, click on the toggle to switch it on. 

You may also want to disable it and then enable it again to check whether the taskbar will hide automatically.

Method 2: Fixing the Issue Through the Task Manager

Another option is to restart the Windows 10 explorer via the task manager. Doing this will help solve a lot of taskbar issues including the taskbar icon not hiding. 

Follow these steps:

1. To open the Task Manager, press the CTRL + Shift + Esc keys. Alternatively, you can find an empty space on the Taskbar and right click on it. Then click on the Task Manager.
2. Below the Processes tab on the top menu of the Task Manager window. Go to the Windows Explorer option and click on it.
3. Now click on the Restart button.
4. Another way to do this is to right click on the Windows Explorer process. Now click on Restart from the context menu. 

Method 3: Check Taskbar Preferences

Although not often, the issue of Taskbar not hiding in Windows 10 can be caused by programs that are within the arrow icon but are not displayed directly on the Taskbar. Here is how to solve this issue:

1. Go to the Windows 10 app Settings and the click on Taskbar under the Personalization area. Alternatively, you can go to the Taskbar and right click on it. Then scroll to the Taskbar settings at the bottom of the context menu.
   
2. Go to Notifications area, go to Select which icons appear on the taskbar, then click on the link and a list of applications will appear.
   
3. Now, turn off the toggle on the Always show all icons in the notification area option. Doing this will hide all notification area icons.
   
4. A small arrow will appear on the taskbar. Click on it to see all hidden icons and figure out which application is causing the issue.

It is advisable to hide programs that you deem unnecessary by clicking on the toggle from this page.

Method 4: Check Group Policy Settings

Another possible cause for this issue is incorrect Group Policy Settings. Hence, you need to fix it. Here is how:

1. Click on the Start button and input gpedit.msc and hit Enter. This will open the Local Group Policy Editor.
2. When this window opens, scroll down to User Configuration and go to Administrative Templates. Now click on Start Menu and Taskbar. 
3. At the Start Menu and Taskbar window on the right panel, find Notifications and then to Lock the Taskbar and make changes based on your preference. This feature lets you set a series of permanent taskbar settings that are irreversible once applied. 
4. You can also tweak the settings of other features that you deem important. 

Summary: Fix Taskbar Notifications Icon Not Hiding in Windows 10

• Open Task Scheduler.
• Disable Notifications and Action Center.
• Restart Windows 10 System.
• Turn Off Action Center Again.

Conclusion

There you go! With these 4 fixes, your taskbar notification icons should be hidden. Each of the solutions have been tested and are effective in resolving the issue of taskbar not hiding in Windows 10.