Witcher 3 Minimizing to Desktop Fix?

[A Russian Bear]

So my witcher 3 sometimes (seemingly randomly) minimizes to desktop and prevents me from opening it back up. Additionally, the game's audio continues after being minimized, meaning that I don't think it has crashed. This problem bothered me for awhile until I made a connection between the Battle.net desktop app and the minimizing. Whenever I have the app open (not a game) and then I launch W3, it will minimize in the loading screen consistently. However, if I exit battle.net and then launch W3, everything works fine. I searched online and didn't see anyone else with this issue so maybe my findings will help someone else!

Comment below if you have any information you would like to add.

[Rokionu]

I have the same problem with Witcher 3 randomly minimizing to desktop and audio still playing in the background but can't bring the window back up. I've had it for quite a while now several weeks actually. I have to ctrl-alt-del and end the witcher 3 application just to get the game back up and running. It's been very annoying. I don't have Battle.net open though and its not running in background, so I'm not sure what my issue is then.

[Kalil]

Just a random thought - have you tried running the game directly from the .exe instead of via Steam (eg. with Steam not even running)?

[Cowboy Funk]

I had the same issue, it did it 3 times in 2 hours. I was in borderless window, switched to fullscreen and have been playing for 3 hours straight without it happening. If you guys play in borderless window, maybe that's why.

edit: I dont have battle.net opened

[A Russian Bear]

Originally posted by Cowboy Funk:

I had the same issue, it did it 3 times in 2 hours. I was in borderless window, switched to fullscreen and have been playing for 3 hours straight without it happening. If you guys play in borderless window, maybe that's why.

edit: I dont have battle.net opened

I can confirm switching from borderless windowed to fullscreen helps a lot.
*Only had 1 crash in a loading screen in like 14 hours*

[A Russian Bear]

Originally posted by Kalil:

Just a random thought - have you tried running the game directly from the .exe instead of via Steam (eg. with Steam not even running)?

Kalil I haven't tried that, I guess this game is DRM free so you technically shouldn't need steam open right? Maybe ill try this but my issue is sorta already resolved :)

[Kalil]

Originally posted by A Russian Bear:

Originally posted by Kalil:

Just a random thought - have you tried running the game directly from the .exe instead of via Steam (eg. with Steam not even running)?

Kalil I haven't tried that, I guess this game is DRM free so you technically shouldn't need steam open right? Maybe ill try this but my issue is sorta already resolved :)

Good news. Yeah, you don't need Steam open in order to run the game but that would (I think) disable new achievements so it's better that you managed to fix it without that.

[blackwind777]

The "NVIDIA Stramer Service" used by GForceExperience has been identified as an issue, not only in W3 but also in GTA5.

Try this:

Ctrl+Alt+Del --> Taskmanager --> "Services" on top --> then click button "Services local" ( bottom right).
Sort by name, eases to find "NVIDIA Stramer Service".
Right click on it --> Stop.
Right click on it again --> "Properties" --> deactivate --> Save. Done.


cheers

[Kalil]

Originally posted by blackwind777:

The "NVIDIA Stramer Service" used by GForceExperience has been identified as an issue, not only in W3 but also in GTA5.

Try this:

Ctrl+Alt+Del --> Taskmanager --> "Services" on top --> then click button "Services local" ( bottom right).
Sort by name, eases to find "NVIDIA Stramer Service".
Right click on it --> Stop.
Right click on it again --> "Properties" --> deactivate --> Save. Done.


cheers

Good point this. Did it just after release so I don't know if it affects stability. It definitely costs a few frames per second though, even when you aren't using it for anything.

[Tzvi]

i have a similar problem sometimes ill want to alt tab and check the forum for example but its a fight to get back to desktop once your in the game

i need to trick it a bit with CTRL+ALT+DEL then if im lucky i will manage to reach desktop

[Warlord]

Originally posted by Kalil:

Originally posted by blackwind777:

The "NVIDIA Stramer Service" used by GForceExperience has been identified as an issue, not only in W3 but also in GTA5.

Try this:

Ctrl+Alt+Del --> Taskmanager --> "Services" on top --> then click button "Services local" ( bottom right).
Sort by name, eases to find "NVIDIA Stramer Service".
Right click on it --> Stop.
Right click on it again --> "Properties" --> deactivate --> Save. Done.


cheers

Good point this. Did it just after release so I don't know if it affects stability. It definitely costs a few frames per second though, even when you aren't using it for anything.

lol no it doesn't.

#TheNonsensePostedOnSteam

[BDK]

Disable all overlays and/or hooks; Fraps, Raptr, Shadowplay etc.
Head into the config file and set fullscreen to 0.
In the game, enable fullscreen again.

Exit and fire up the game again and see if it works. Certainly did for me.

[Warlord]

Originally posted by BDK:

Disable all overlays and/or hooks; Fraps, Raptr, Shadowplay etc.
Head into the config file and set fullscreen to 0.
In the game, enable fullscreen again.

Exit and fire up the game again and see if it works. Certainly did for me.

lol no

I have sweetfx, MSI, steam overlay ect all running fine with it.

Just like every other game out there.....

[tigerxy]

I have just built a new PC, and I have the problem also with the game minimizing to Desktop,
but unlike others here, the game is still running fine and i am able to just click the icon in task bar and i can continue playing. With my older Alienware 17 (GTX780M graphics) no issue.
on the new Rig with GTX 980 its bothersome. Was thinking it might be, because my Graphics Card is factory overclocked (MSI Gaming G4)
regards

[Graveheart]

I have a GOG version of 3 and mine crashes as soon as I talk to someone and then completely stops running, hoping for a fix.

[Spazfrag]

Originally posted by DarkslayerRoy:

I have a GOG version of 3 and mine crashes as soon as I talk to someone and then completely stops running, hoping for a fix.

This has been happening to people since the first day of release. I wouldn't hold any hope, they either don't know what they are doing or don't care.