My partner and I play games together while using voice or video calls. This worked normally for about a year, but after reinstalling Windows 11, games started behaving strangely whenever I'm connected to a call. Clicking the mouse makes the taskbar flash briefly, and after a few seconds of repeated clicks, the game closes or loses focus. In windowed or borderless mode, the cursor can escape onto the desktop and the game may become unresponsive.
The issue happens with several games, including Roblox, Minecraft, Genshin Impact, League of Legends, Project Zomboid, and Stardew Valley. It occurs with multiple calling applications, including voice-only calls, so it doesn't seem limited to video chat or one particular program. It never happens when I'm playing without being in a call, and changing virtual desktops didn't help. My graphics drivers and Logitech headset software are up to date, and reinstalling Windows did not solve it. What could be causing this and how can I troubleshoot it?
4 Answers
Since it affects every game but only while a call is active, first check whether something running alongside the call is stealing focus. Try disabling hardware acceleration and any in-game overlay features in the calling app, then test with the Logitech software completely closed. Also try a call with the headset and its software disconnected. If the problem disappears, the headset driver or companion application is probably involved.
It may also be worth testing whether recording causes the same behavior. Run a local OBS recording without being on a call, then try OBS during a call. If recording alone triggers it, investigate capture settings, GPU acceleration, and graphics drivers. If only calls trigger it, focus on the calling app, audio driver, headset software, and their overlays rather than reinstalling Windows again.
Make sure the taskbar isn’t set to auto-hide, and try turning off any taskbar or fullscreen optimization settings that might be interacting with the games. Updating the graphics driver is also sensible, although an up-to-date driver doesn’t rule out a conflict with an overlay or background utility.
The taskbar flashing suggests Windows is briefly receiving focus instead of the game, rather than this being a game-specific problem. Check for applications that create overlays, notifications, or pop-up windows, such as the calling app, Logitech utilities, antivirus software, cloud-sync tools, and GPU overlays. Disable overlays and notifications one at a time, and use a clean boot if necessary to identify the program stealing focus.
The headset is wireless, and I had already updated its drivers and Logitech software. I’ll test with the software closed and without the headset to see whether that changes anything.