Borderless Windowed Fullscreen Is Not Functioning

2 min read 29-12-2024

Borderless Windowed Fullscreen Is Not Functioning

Many gamers prefer borderless windowed fullscreen mode for its flexibility. It offers the immersive visuals of fullscreen without the complete system isolation, allowing for easy alt-tabbing and access to other applications. However, when this mode malfunctions, it can significantly impact gameplay. This guide will walk you through common causes and solutions for a non-functional borderless windowed fullscreen experience.

Identifying the Problem

Before diving into solutions, accurately pinpoint the issue. Is the game completely fullscreen, showing no taskbar or other windows? Or is it displaying as a windowed mode, despite the settings indicating borderless windowed? Knowing the precise manifestation of the problem will guide your troubleshooting.

Symptoms of a Malfunctioning Borderless Windowed Fullscreen:

Game stuck in true fullscreen: The game occupies the entire screen, preventing access to other applications without completely exiting the game.
Windowed mode despite settings: The game appears in a window, showing borders and allowing other windows to overlap.
Graphical glitches: Visual distortions, flickering, or tearing may occur within the game window.
Performance issues: Frame rate drops or significant lag are experienced, despite otherwise acceptable system specifications.

Common Causes and Solutions

Several factors can contribute to borderless windowed fullscreen problems. Let's address the most frequent culprits:

1. Game-Specific Settings:

Verify in-game settings: Double-check the game's display options. Ensure the "Borderless Windowed," "Windowed (Fullscreen)," or a similar option is correctly selected. Sometimes, a simple restart of the game after adjusting settings is sufficient.
Compatibility modes: If the issue persists, try running the game in a compatibility mode for older versions of Windows. Right-click the game executable, select "Properties," navigate to the "Compatibility" tab, and experiment with different compatibility options.

2. Driver Issues:

Update graphics drivers: Outdated or corrupted graphics drivers are a common source of display problems. Visit the website of your graphics card manufacturer (Nvidia, AMD, or Intel) and download the latest drivers for your specific model.
Reinstall graphics drivers: If updating doesn't resolve the issue, consider reinstalling your graphics drivers completely. Use the manufacturer's provided uninstaller before installing the new drivers.

3. Monitor Configuration:

Refresh rate: Inconsistent refresh rate settings between the game and your monitor can sometimes cause borderless windowed fullscreen to malfunction. Try matching the refresh rates.
Multiple monitors: Issues can arise with multiple monitors. Try disconnecting any secondary monitors to see if this resolves the problem.

4. Background Applications:

Close unnecessary applications: Resource-intensive applications running in the background can compete for system resources, affecting the game's ability to render properly in borderless windowed mode. Close any non-essential programs.

5. System Resource Constraints:

Check system requirements: Ensure your system meets the minimum and recommended specifications for the game. If your hardware is insufficient, it might struggle to maintain stability in borderless windowed fullscreen.

When to Seek Further Assistance

If none of the above solutions work, you may need to explore more advanced troubleshooting steps or seek assistance from online gaming communities or the game's developer. Providing details about your system specifications, operating system, and the game in question can greatly aid in finding a solution.