If you’ve ever tried to watch a video in full-screen mode on your computer—such as a YouTube video—only to find that the Windows taskbar remains visible, you’re not alone. This issue is particularly common among users with multi-monitor setups. In this blog post, we’ll explore why this happens and how you can fix it.
Why Does the Taskbar Stay Visible in Full Screen Mode?
The most likely reason for this issue is that you have multiple monitors with different specifications. Windows 10 and later versions have trouble managing multi-monitor setups when the monitors do not have identical specs. This is a well-known issue among streamers and gamers, especially those using OBS.
One of the biggest problems occurs when monitors have different refresh rates. For example:
If your primary monitor has a 240Hz refresh rate but your secondary monitor is only 60Hz, launching a 3D application or playing a video can cause the 240Hz display to drop to 60Hz.
This happens due to a long-standing bug in Windows Desktop Window Manager (DWM) and has existed for years.
Unfortunately, the only way to fully prevent this issue is to use two identical monitors or revert to an older version of Windows (such as Windows 7) with Aero functions disabled.
However, refresh rate mismatches aren’t the only issue—differences in resolution between monitors can also trigger problems. If your secondary display has a lower resolution than your primary display, you may notice the taskbar remains visible when you try to watch a full-screen video.
How to Fix the Taskbar Issue in Windows 11 and Windows 10
Fortunately, there is a simple fix for this problem. Below, we’ll outline the steps to resolve the issue while watching YouTube videos in full-screen mode on Google Chrome. These steps should also work for other applications and Windows versions.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Right-click on the application shortcut
In this case, right-click on the Google Chrome shortcut.
Open Properties
Click on “Properties” from the context menu.
Navigate to the Compatibility tab
Once the Properties window opens, go to the “Compatibility” tab.
Check the Full-Screen Optimization Settings
Ensure that the “Disable Full-Screen Optimizations” option is unchecked. If it’s checked, uncheck it.
Change High DPI Settings
Click on the button labeled “Change High DPI Settings.”
In the new window, check the box that says “Override High DPI Scaling Behavior.”
In the drop-down menu, select either System or System (Enhanced).
The difference between these two options is unclear, but “System” generally works well.
Save Your Settings
Click “OK” to confirm the changes and close the windows.
Make sure to hit “Apply” before exiting the Properties window.
Restart Your PC
To ensure the changes take effect, restart your computer.
After following these steps, your full-screen videos should no longer show the taskbar, allowing for an uninterrupted viewing experience.
Final Thoughts
Windows’ handling of multi-monitor setups is far from perfect, especially when different refresh rates or resolutions are involved. While upgrading to identical monitors is the best long-term solution, adjusting the High DPI settings as outlined above can serve as an effective workaround.
If you found this guide helpful, feel free to share it with others who might be experiencing the same issue!