Fix Borderless Window Not Working: Troubleshooting Guide

Tired of dealing with fullscreen mode issues or the limitations of windowed mode? Many gamers and PC users prefer borderless window mode for its seamless multitasking capabilities and smoother Alt-Tab experience. However, getting borderless window mode to work perfectly can sometimes be a challenge. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the common problems and solutions to get your games and applications running smoothly in borderless window mode.

Understanding Borderless Window Mode

Before diving into troubleshooting, let's clarify what borderless window mode actually is. It's a display setting that makes a windowed application appear as if it's running in fullscreen, but without the exclusive fullscreen limitations. This means you can quickly switch between applications without the annoying black screen flicker or delay that often occurs when Alt-Tabbing out of a fullscreen game. Borderless window mode offers a great balance between the responsiveness of fullscreen and the multitasking convenience of windowed mode. Understanding its advantages is the first step in appreciating why fixing issues with this mode is so important for many users.

Why Choose Borderless Window Mode?

• Seamless Multitasking: The primary advantage is the ability to Alt-Tab between applications almost instantly. This is crucial for gamers who stream, use multiple monitors, or need to quickly access other applications while playing.
• Smoother Alt-Tabbing: Fullscreen mode often causes a black screen or a delay when switching windows. Borderless window mode eliminates this, providing a much smoother experience.
• Multi-Monitor Compatibility: Borderless window mode works seamlessly with multiple monitors, allowing you to easily move your mouse between screens without the game minimizing.
• Improved Compatibility: Some older games or applications may have issues with true fullscreen mode, while borderless window mode can provide a more stable and compatible experience.

Common Issues and Solutions

If you're struggling to get borderless window mode working, you're not alone. Here are some common issues and their solutions:

1. Game or Application Doesn't Offer Borderless Window Mode

This is the most basic issue. Not all games and applications support borderless window mode. The first step is to check the in-game settings or application options menu. Look for display settings like "Display Mode," "Screen Mode," or "Window Mode." If you see options for "Fullscreen," "Windowed," and "Borderless Windowed," then the feature is supported. If borderless windowed mode isn't listed, you'll need to explore alternative solutions, such as third-party tools or configuration file edits (more on this later).

• Check In-Game Settings: Most modern games offer borderless window mode as a standard display option. Dig through the video or display settings to find it.
• Application Options: Some applications, like media players or creative software, may also have a borderless window mode setting in their preferences.

2. Borderless Window Mode is Selected, But Not Working Correctly

Sometimes, the option is there, but the application doesn't behave as expected. You might experience the game still acting like it's in fullscreen, or the window might not be properly sized. This can be due to a variety of factors, including driver issues, configuration conflicts, or bugs within the application itself. Troubleshooting this often involves a more systematic approach, starting with the simplest solutions and moving towards more technical fixes.

• Verify Resolution and Refresh Rate: Make sure the in-game resolution and refresh rate match your monitor's native settings. Mismatched settings can sometimes cause display issues.
• Restart the Game or Application: A simple restart can often resolve temporary glitches that might be preventing borderless window mode from functioning correctly. Closing the application completely and then reopening it gives the system a chance to reset any conflicting settings or processes.
• Restart Your Computer: If a restart of the application doesn't work, try restarting your computer. This can clear up any system-level issues that might be interfering with the display settings. A fresh restart can often resolve conflicts or bugs that have accumulated over time.

3. Driver Issues

Outdated or corrupted graphics drivers are a common culprit for display problems. Graphics drivers are essential software that allows your operating system to communicate effectively with your graphics card. If these drivers are not up-to-date or if they have become corrupted, you may encounter a variety of issues, including problems with borderless window mode. Keeping your drivers updated is a crucial part of maintaining a stable and efficient system.

• Update Your Graphics Drivers: Visit the website of your GPU manufacturer (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) and download the latest drivers for your graphics card. Be sure to choose the correct drivers for your specific model and operating system. It’s generally recommended to perform a clean installation, which removes the old drivers completely before installing the new ones. This can prevent conflicts and ensure optimal performance.
• Roll Back Drivers (if necessary): If the issue started after a recent driver update, consider rolling back to a previous version. Sometimes, new drivers can introduce bugs or compatibility issues. Rolling back to a stable version can often resolve these problems. You can usually do this through the Device Manager in Windows, by selecting your graphics card, going to the Driver tab, and choosing “Roll Back Driver.”

4. Conflicts with Other Applications

Overlays or other applications that hook into games can sometimes interfere with borderless window mode. Overlays, such as those provided by Discord, Steam, or other gaming platforms, can sometimes conflict with the way a game renders its display. Similarly, third-party applications that are designed to enhance or modify game performance can also cause issues. Identifying and disabling these potential conflicts is an important step in troubleshooting borderless window mode problems.

• Disable Overlays: Try disabling overlays from applications like Discord, Steam, or NVIDIA GeForce Experience. These overlays can sometimes interfere with the game's display settings. To disable an overlay, typically you can find the setting within the application's settings menu. For example, in Discord, you can disable the in-game overlay in the Overlay settings. In Steam, you can find the overlay settings under In-Game settings.
• Close Unnecessary Background Applications: Other applications running in the background might be conflicting with the game. Close any non-essential programs to see if that resolves the issue. This includes programs like web browsers, media players, or any other software that might be using significant system resources. By closing these applications, you can ensure that the game has the necessary resources to run smoothly in borderless window mode.

5. Game Configuration File Errors

Some games store their display settings in configuration files. If these files become corrupted or have incorrect settings, it can prevent borderless window mode from working. Game configuration files are text-based files that store various settings, including display options, key bindings, and graphics settings. These files are typically located in the game's installation directory or in a user-specific folder. If these files become corrupted or contain incorrect settings, it can lead to a variety of issues, including problems with borderless window mode.

• Locate the Game's Configuration File: Search for files with extensions like .ini, .cfg, or .txt in the game's installation directory or in your user documents folder. The exact location and file name will vary depending on the game.
• Edit the Configuration File: Open the file with a text editor (like Notepad) and look for settings related to display mode (e.g., windowed, fullscreen, borderless). Change the settings to force borderless window mode. For example, you might need to change a value from fullscreen = 1 to fullscreen = 0 and set windowed = 2 or borderless = 1. Be sure to save the file after making changes.
• Caution: Be careful when editing configuration files, as incorrect changes can cause the game to malfunction. It's always a good idea to back up the file before making any modifications. If you're unsure about what to change, consult online forums or guides specific to the game you're playing.

6. Windows Display Settings

Your Windows display settings can also affect how borderless window mode functions. Windows display settings, such as scaling and multiple monitor configurations, can sometimes interfere with borderless window mode. If your settings are not correctly configured, you may experience issues like the game not filling the screen properly or not displaying correctly on your monitors. Ensuring that your display settings are properly aligned with your game's requirements is an important step in troubleshooting these issues.

• Check Display Scaling: High DPI scaling settings in Windows can sometimes cause issues with borderless window mode. Try setting the scaling for the game or application to "Application" or disabling display scaling on high DPI settings in the compatibility tab of the application's properties.
• Multiple Monitors: If you're using multiple monitors, make sure your primary monitor is set correctly in Windows display settings. Also, ensure that your game is set to display on the correct monitor in its settings.

7. Using Third-Party Tools

If all else fails, you can try using third-party tools to force borderless window mode. Third-party tools can sometimes offer a workaround for games or applications that do not natively support borderless window mode or that have issues with its implementation. These tools often work by injecting code into the application to modify its behavior or by creating a virtual display that emulates borderless window mode.

• Borderless Gaming: Borderless Gaming is a popular tool that can force borderless window mode on almost any application. It works by hooking into the application's window and removing its borders, effectively creating a borderless window. This can be a useful solution for older games or applications that do not have native support for borderless window mode.
• DisplayFusion: DisplayFusion is a more comprehensive tool that offers a wide range of display management features, including the ability to create custom window configurations and manage multiple monitors. It can also be used to force borderless window mode on applications, providing a more flexible and powerful solution than some simpler tools.

Advanced Troubleshooting

If you've tried the above solutions and are still having trouble, here are some more advanced steps you can take:

1. Clean Boot

A clean boot starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. This can help identify if a background program is interfering with borderless window mode. To perform a clean boot:

• Press Win + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
• Go to the Services tab, check "Hide all Microsoft services," and click "Disable all."
• Go to the Startup tab and click "Open Task Manager."
• Disable all startup items.
• Restart your computer.

If borderless window mode works after a clean boot, you can re-enable services and startup programs one by one to identify the culprit.

2. System File Checker

The System File Checker (SFC) is a utility in Windows that allows users to scan for and restore corrupt Windows system files. Running SFC can help repair any system-level issues that might be affecting borderless window mode.

• Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
• Type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
• Wait for the scan to complete and follow any on-screen instructions.

3. Check for Malware

Malware can sometimes interfere with system processes and cause display issues. Run a full system scan with your antivirus software to ensure your system is clean.

Conclusion

Getting borderless window mode to work can sometimes be a process of trial and error, but by systematically addressing the common issues, you can usually find a solution. From verifying in-game settings and updating drivers to tweaking configuration files and using third-party tools, there are many avenues to explore. By understanding the nuances of borderless window mode and the potential causes of problems, you can enjoy the benefits of seamless multitasking and a smoother gaming experience. Remember to approach troubleshooting methodically and test each solution before moving on to the next. With a bit of patience and persistence, you'll be able to get your games and applications running perfectly in borderless window mode.

For more information on troubleshooting display issues, you can visit Microsoft's support page. This resource provides additional guidance and solutions for a wide range of Windows-related problems.