how to full screen vrchat desktop

3 min read 01-03-2025

VRChat is an incredibly immersive social VR platform, and experiencing it in fullscreen significantly enhances that immersion. This guide will walk you through several methods to achieve a fullscreen VRChat experience on your desktop, ensuring you get the most out of your virtual adventures.

Understanding Fullscreen Modes in VRChat

Before diving into the how-to, it's important to understand that "fullscreen" in VRChat can mean a couple of things:

Borderless Fullscreen: This mode makes VRChat appear fullscreen, but it technically still runs as a windowed application. This means you can easily alt-tab out, but it might have slight performance differences compared to true fullscreen.
True Fullscreen (Exclusive Fullscreen): This mode dedicates your entire screen solely to VRChat. This generally offers the best performance and the most immersive experience, but it requires you to alt+tab to exit.

Which mode is best for you depends on your system and preferences. Let's explore how to achieve both.

Method 1: Using VRChat's In-Game Settings

The simplest way to enter fullscreen is through VRChat's own settings menu.

Launch VRChat: Start the application as you normally would.
Open the Settings Menu: Usually, this is accessed by clicking the gear icon in the main menu (or a similar icon depending on your VRChat version).
Navigate to Graphics Settings: Look for the graphics or display settings section.
Fullscreen Option: Find the setting that controls the display mode (it might be labeled "Fullscreen," "Windowed," or similar). Select "Fullscreen" (or the equivalent). Some versions might offer "Borderless Windowed" as an option as well. Experiment to find what works best for your setup.
Apply Changes: Save your settings and restart VRChat if necessary.

Method 2: Using Your Graphics Card's Control Panel

Your graphics card's control panel (Nvidia Control Panel or AMD Radeon Software) can sometimes offer additional options for managing fullscreen applications. This might be helpful if the in-game settings aren't sufficient.

Locate Your Control Panel: Search for your graphics card's control panel in your Windows search bar.
Manage 3D Settings: Look for options related to 3D settings, program settings, or application profiles.
Add VRChat: Add VRChat.exe as a program to be managed. You'll need to find the location of the VRChat executable file. This is usually in your Steam or Oculus library.
Adjust Fullscreen Settings: Within the VRChat profile, you might find options for forcing fullscreen or adjusting other display-related settings. Experiment cautiously to avoid unexpected issues.

Method 3: Adjusting Your Monitor's Settings (Less Common)

In rare cases, conflicting monitor settings could interfere with VRChat's fullscreen mode. While unlikely, you can try adjusting your monitor's refresh rate or resolution to see if that resolves any issues. Access these settings through your operating system's display settings.

Troubleshooting Fullscreen Issues

If you're still facing problems achieving fullscreen, try these steps:

Update VRChat: Ensure you're using the latest version of VRChat. Updates often include bug fixes that might resolve fullscreen problems.
Update Graphics Drivers: Outdated graphics drivers are a common cause of display problems. Download and install the latest drivers for your graphics card.
Restart Your Computer: A simple restart can often fix minor glitches.
Check for Conflicts: Make sure no other applications are interfering with VRChat's display mode.
Reinstall VRChat: As a last resort, consider reinstalling VRChat to rule out any corrupted files.

Maximizing VRChat Performance in Fullscreen

For the best VR experience, consider these performance tips:

Close Unnecessary Applications: Shut down background apps to free up system resources.
Adjust Graphics Settings: Lowering the in-game graphics settings can significantly improve performance, especially if your system isn't top-of-the-line.
Upgrade Your Hardware: If your system is struggling, consider upgrading your graphics card, RAM, or CPU.

By following these methods and troubleshooting steps, you should be able to enjoy a smooth and immersive fullscreen VRChat experience on your desktop. Remember to choose the method that works best for your system and preferences. Happy virtual socializing!