If you’ve ever pressed Alt + Tab during an online match on PC, or had a pop-up steal focus at the wrong moment, you know the result: a frozen screen, a disconnect, and a loss on your record. It’s been a known issue since the FIFA 17–20 era, and in our experience it can still happen in EA FC 27.
Why alt-tabbing drops you from a match
Online FC matches keep both players in sync in real time. When the game window loses focus (you alt-tab, minimise, or a notification takes over), the game can stop sending inputs normally, and the server may treat you as disconnected.
EA said this openly back in FIFA 20: disconnects were being caused by notifications and alt-tabbing taking focus away from the game, and its advice was to turn notifications off. At the time EA also pointed to Borderless Windowed mode, which avoided the problem.
For FC 27, EA hasn’t published anything about alt-tab disconnects, either a fix or a warning. Player reports and our own experience say losing focus mid-match is still risky. Treat it as unsafe in online matches (Clubs, Rush, Ultimate Team, Seasons) and fine in menus.
Fix 1: play in Borderless mode
FC 27 has a display mode setting in the game’s display settings. Choose Borderless rather than Fullscreen. Borderless keeps the game running as a window the size of your screen, so switching to another app doesn’t force the game to minimise.
You no longer need third-party “borderless” tools like the ones we recommended in older versions of this guide. The option is built in, and tools that hook into the game window are a needless risk with a kernel-level anti-cheat running.
Fullscreen can feel slightly more responsive on a single monitor, which is why some guides still recommend it. If you never leave the game mid-match, either mode works. If you use a second screen for Discord or a browser, use Borderless.
Fix 2: stop things stealing focus
| Source of pop-ups | What to do |
|---|---|
| Windows notifications | Settings → System → Notifications → Turn on do not disturb automatically → tick “When playing a game” and “When using an app in full-screen mode” |
| Antivirus | Turn on its gaming or silent mode, or schedule updates and scans outside your playing hours |
| EA app / Steam | Turn off in-game notifications and pop-ups you don’t need |
| Discord, overlays, recorders | Disable overlays you don’t use; EA also lists overlays as a common cause of performance problems |
| Windows Update | Set active hours so restarts and prompts don’t land during your Clubs session |
Fix 3: rule out anti-cheat conflicts
FC 27 on PC runs EA Javelin Anticheat at the same time as the game. EA says Javelin errors “usually happen because of corrupted files or conflicting background software”, and it closes the game if it detects blocked tools. That can look like a random crash or a disconnect.
- Update or close hardware utilities. EA keeps a denylist of drivers, including some RGB, fan-control, overclocking and hardware-monitoring tools. Updating them is often enough. If not, close them while you play.
- Remove input-remapping software EA blocks. EA lists reWASD as not allowed. Steam Input and Microsoft PowerToys Keyboard Manager are on EA’s approved list.
- Turn off VPN and proxy software. EA says certain VPN and proxy tools “can cause Javelin to run incorrectly”.
- Read the error number. EA’s Javelin help page has steps for specific codes. For one error caused by unsigned drivers, it suggests enabling Secure Boot.
Fix 4: rule out performance and connection problems
Not every mid-match drop is alt-tab related. EA’s FC 27 PC help suggests working through these in order:
- Lower your target frame rate (for example from 60 to 30fps) to test.
- Lower graphics quality and resolution.
- Close background apps that use CPU, GPU or memory (browsers, overlays, recording tools, extra launchers).
- Make sure your RAM runs in dual-channel mode. EA lists dual-channel memory in FC 27’s requirements.
- Update your GPU drivers.
- Check your Windows power mode, laptop performance mode and GPU control panel.
If the problem is ping, packet loss or disconnects rather than frame rate, see our guide on internet speed and ping for FC 27.
And if everyone gets kicked at the same time, it’s probably not your PC: check EA’s server status first.
Last resort: clean boot
EA support has long suggested a clean boot for PC issues it can’t pin down: Windows starts with only Microsoft services, so you can find out which program is interfering. Follow Microsoft’s official clean boot steps, play a few matches, then turn your startup apps back on one at a time until the problem returns.
Tips
- 01Pause before you tab out. In a private Clubs match, wait until half-time or pause first; never tab out during live play.
- 02Second monitor + Borderless. Keep Discord on the other screen so you never need to alt-tab.
- 03Steam Input over remappers. If you remap a controller on PC, use Steam Input or another tool EA approves.
- 04Note the time and what was open. If it keeps happening, that makes a clean-boot search or an EA support ticket much faster.
FAQ
Does alt-tabbing in FC 27 count as a quit?
If the server sees you as disconnected, yes, it’s handled like any other disconnect. In Clubs 11v11, some matches support Hot Join, so you may be able to rejoin, but another player can take your spot first.
Is Borderless or Fullscreen better for FC 27?
Borderless is safer if you ever switch windows or use a second monitor. Fullscreen can feel slightly snappier on a single screen if you never leave the game.
Why does FC 27 close on PC without an error?
Common causes are software that conflicts with EA Javelin Anticheat, outdated hardware utilities, overlays, or performance problems. Start with EA’s Javelin and PC performance steps above.
Do I still need Borderless Gaming or Fullscreenizer?
No. FC 27 has its own Borderless mode. We no longer recommend tools that hook into the game window.
Sources
Checked on 8 October 2026:
- EA Help: EA Javelin anticheat install and troubleshooting, FC 27 PC performance issues, FC 27 system requirements and The Grounds connection issues (Hot Join)
- EA SPORTS: FC 27 PC Deep Dive (2 Sep 2026)
- Destructoid: Best FC 27 graphics settings (18 Sep 2026)
- TechRaptor: FIFA 20 disconnects caused by notifications, EA says (25 Sep 2019, history)
- Microsoft Support: Notifications and Do Not Disturb in Windows and How to perform a clean boot