New tab opens when Alt+Tabbing or pressing Windows key while YouTube is playing

[woories19]

Preliminary Checks

• I have read and understood the important section above.
• I have searched existing issues and avoided creating duplicates.
• I am not filing an enhancement request.
• I have checked that this issue cannot be reproduced on Mozilla Firefox.
• I have checked that this issue can be reproduced once I removed all my Mods and Custom CSS.

What happened?

A friend encountered an issue in Zen Browser where a new tab opens unexpectedly when switching focus away from the browser while a YouTube video is playing.

This happens specifically when:

• Using Alt + Tab, or

• Clicking / pressing the Windows key to open the Start menu

Instead of simply switching focus, Zen Browser opens a new blank tab.

Expected behavior

Zen Browser should not open a new tab. Focus should switch normally to the selected application or Start menu.

Actual behavior

A new tab opens automatically in Zen Browser after switching focus

Steps to reproduce

1. Open Zen Browser
2. Open a YouTube video in a tab
3. Start playing the video
4. While the video is playing:
5. Press Alt + Tab, or
6. Press the Windows key
7. Switch back to Zen Browser

Screenshots and videos

Version

1.17.15b

What platform are you seeing the problem on?

Windows - x64

What component is this issue related to?

Tabs

Relevant log output if applicable

[woories19]

[Propheticus]

I cannot reproduce this.

Please double-check this is not a mod's or YouTube extension's feature to enable picture-in-picture upon focus loss / app switching.

p.s. you shared your friend's full name in those screenshots. I would not appreciate it if I were them. Consider blurring it.