Google Chrome’s Full Screen Mode is a popular feature that allows users to view web content without distractions from the browser’s user interface elements like the toolbar and menu. However, when this feature malfunctions on operating systems such as Windows, macOS (including recent versions like Sonoma 14.1), or Chrome OS, it can significantly impact the browsing experience. Fortunately, there are several troubleshooting steps users can try to resolve this issue.
How to Fix the Google Chrome Full Screen Is Not Working
If Google Chrome’s full-screen mode is not working, start by pressing F11 on Windows or Fn + F11 on Mac to manually enter full-screen mode. If that doesn’t resolve the issue, disable Hardware Acceleration in Chrome by navigating to
chrome://settings/system, turning it off, and relaunching the browser. Updating Chrome is another essential step—go tochrome://settings/helpand install any available updates to ensure compatibility with your operating system. If the issue persists, enable GPU Rasterization viachrome://flags/#enable-gpu-rasterization, set it to “Enabled,” and restart Chrome. Additionally, turning off all extensions throughchrome://extensions/can help rule out conflicts affecting full-screen functionality.
Fix 1. Update Chrome
As u/omnptnt mentioned, “Hey there! Had the same problem, Chrome was unusable. Go to chrome://settings/help at the part where it shows the Chrome version. Click on the button that says to relaunch to finish installing the update. It should work.”
In my experience, making sure you have the latest version of Chrome is the first step you should take when facing issues like this. Updated versions often include fixes for known problems.
Fix 2. If Updating Doesn’t Work, Try Enabling GPU Rasterization
If updating Chrome doesn’t solve the problem, the next step I suggest is enabling GPU Rasterization. This feature allows Chrome to use your computer’s GPU to render web pages, which can help resolve display issues. To enable it, go to chrome://flags/#enable-gpu-rasterization, click “Enable,” and then relaunch Chrome.
🛑 When should you use this?
- If Chrome full-screen is black or flickering.
- If you have an NVIDIA or AMD GPU with acceleration enabled.
Fix 3. Still Having Issues? Try Turning Off Extensions
If you’re still facing problems after trying the previous solutions, I recommend turning off your extensions one by one to see if one of them is causing the issue. Extensions can sometimes interfere with Chrome’s functionality.
Proof it works: u/challahfrenchtoast suggested, “Praise be I am no longer suffering in silence 🥹 here’s a link to a resolution that I found: https://support.google.com/chrome/thread/239565069/certain-areas-on-my-screen-not-working-on-full-screen?hl=en Update: After ensuring my data has been synced, turning off my extensions resolved the problem.”
🛑 Common Culprit Extensions:
- uBlock Origin, AdGuard (interfere with video playback)
- Dark Reader (CSS conflicts with full-screen mode)
- Google Docs Offline (known bugs with window scaling)
Fix 4. If All Else Fails, Try Disabling Hardware Acceleration
If you’ve tried all of the above and are still having issues, the next step I recommend is disabling hardware acceleration. Hardware acceleration allows Chrome to use your computer’s hardware to perform certain tasks more efficiently, but it can also cause problems in some cases. To disable it, go to chrome://settings/system and toggle off “Use hardware acceleration when available,” then relaunch Chrome.
Fix 5. If Nothing Else Works, Wait For A Chrome Update To Fix The Issue
Sometimes, issues like this are caused by bugs in Chrome itself, and the best thing you can do is wait for an update that addresses the problem. Keep an eye out for new Chrome releases and install them as soon as they’re available.
Proof it works: u/TypicalTim mentioned, “UPDATE 2023.10.31 After updating to Sonoma 14.1 and Chrome 118.0.5.5993.117 the issue is no longer present. I am relieved to report that everything is working fine for the last 2 days after the last 2+ weeks of headaches.”
More Ways to Fix
Fix 6: Keyboard Shortcuts
Let’s start with the easy stuff. I always tell my students to try the keyboard shortcuts first. It’s like having a magic key to unlock full screen mode!
On Windows or Chrome OS, just hit that F11 key. It’s usually at the top of your keyboard. For my Mac users, it’s a bit fancier – hold down Command and Shift, then tap F. I like to think of it as “Command the Shift to go Full screen!”
Why does this work? Well, these shortcuts are hard-coded into Chrome. They’re like secret handshakes between you and your browser.
Fix 7: Restart Chrome
If the shortcuts don’t work, don’t worry. Sometimes Chrome gets a bit sleepy, just like us after a long day. A quick nap (or in this case, a restart) can do wonders.
Close all your Chrome windows – and I mean all of them! Then open Chrome again. It’s like giving your browser a fresh start to its day.
This works because restarting clears out any temporary hiccups in Chrome’s memory. It’s like when you feel better after a good night’s sleep – Chrome does too!
Fix 8: Check for Conflicting Software
Now, this is where it gets a bit tricky. Sometimes, other programs on your computer can be like nosy neighbors, peeking over the fence and messing with Chrome’s business.
Security software is often the culprit. It’s trying to protect you, but sometimes it goes overboard. If you feel comfortable, try turning it off for a minute. See if Chrome behaves better.
Remember, always turn your security software back on when you’re done! We don’t want to leave the front door open, so to speak.
Fix 9: Reset Chrome Settings
This is our nuclear option. It’s like moving to a new house because you can’t find your keys. Effective, but drastic.
Go to Chrome’s settings (look for the three dots in the top right), find the Advanced section, and hit “Reset settings.”
Warning: this will erase all your Chrome customizations. It’s like starting fresh on a new computer. Sometimes that’s exactly what we need, but it can be a pain to set everything up again. Warning:
This removes custom settings, so you’ll need to reconfigure bookmarks, themes, and saved logins.
Fix 10: Advanced Troubleshooting
If nothing else works, we might need to roll up our sleeves and get our hands dirty. This is where things get technical.
Graphics hardware acceleration can sometimes cause issues. It’s like Chrome is trying to use a fancy sports car engine, but it’s not quite compatible.
Updating your graphics drivers is another option. Think of it as teaching your computer a new language so it can talk to Chrome better.
These steps can vary depending on your computer, so you might need to do some research for your specific setup.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Chrome Full-Screen Issues
1. Why is Chrome full-screen mode not working?
If Chrome’s full-screen mode isn’t working, it could be due to hardware acceleration conflicts, outdated Chrome versions, or extensions interfering with the UI. Try disabling hardware acceleration in chrome://settings/system, updating Chrome via chrome://settings/help, and pressing F11 (Windows) or Fn + F11 (Mac) to manually trigger full-screen mode.
2. How do I fix Chrome not opening in full screen?
If Chrome refuses to launch in full-screen mode, try starting it with the --start-fullscreen flag. Right-click the Chrome shortcut, go to Properties > Target, and add --start-fullscreen at the end. If that doesn’t work, check for conflicting startup settings or run Chrome as an administrator.
3. Why does Chrome exit full-screen mode automatically?
Chrome may exit full-screen mode unexpectedly due to keyboard shortcuts, system notifications, or conflicting background apps. Check if any installed software (like screen recording tools or overlays) is interfering. Also, try using F11 or Alt + Enter to force full-screen mode.
4. Why is Chrome not showing full screen on my monitor?
If Chrome isn’t fitting properly on your screen, it could be due to display scaling settings or GPU compatibility issues. Adjust your scaling in Windows Settings > Display > Scale & Layout, and try updating your GPU drivers.
5. How do I force Chrome to always open in full-screen mode?
To make Chrome launch in full-screen mode by default, modify its shortcut by adding --start-fullscreen or --kiosk to the target path. If that doesn’t work, try using Chrome’s Kiosk mode by running chrome.exe --kiosk in the command prompt.
6. Why is Chrome not going full screen on YouTube or Netflix?
If Chrome won’t go full screen on video sites, an extension, browser cache issue, or DRM setting might be causing the problem. Try disabling extensions, clearing cache via chrome://settings/clearBrowserData, and checking if hardware acceleration is enabled or disabled.
7. Why won’t Google Chrome maximize when I click the full-screen button?
If Chrome isn’t maximizing when you click full screen, the issue might be with Windows UI scaling, multiple monitors, or Chrome’s window size cache. Try resetting Chrome’s window size by dragging it to full screen manually, then closing and reopening it.
8. How do I fix Chrome’s full-screen problem on macOS?
For Mac users, Chrome’s full-screen issues could stem from Mission Control settings or macOS’s built-in window management. Try using Cmd + Shift + F instead of the green maximize button, and check if full-screen apps are enabled in System Preferences > Mission Control.
9. What should I do if Chrome only goes full screen in Incognito mode?
If Chrome’s full-screen mode works in Incognito but not in regular browsing, a corrupt user profile or a misbehaving extension might be the cause. Try disabling all extensions and resetting Chrome settings via chrome://settings/reset.
10. Does disabling hardware acceleration help fix Chrome’s full-screen issues?
Yes, disabling hardware acceleration often fixes full-screen problems, especially if you experience black screens, flickering, or partial full-screen mode. Go to chrome://settings/system, toggle off Use hardware acceleration when available, and restart Chrome.
11. Why is Chrome not opening full screen after an update?
Chrome updates sometimes reset settings or introduce UI conflicts. Check if Chrome flags (found at chrome://flags/) were modified and reset them to default. If the problem persists, reinstall Chrome to refresh its configuration.
12. How do I reset Chrome’s full-screen settings?
To reset Chrome’s full-screen settings, go to chrome://settings/reset, select Restore settings to their original defaults, and relaunch Chrome. This will reset all preferences while keeping your bookmarks and passwords intact.
Fix Chrome Full Screen: 30 Smart Solutions
Follow these proven fixes to restore full-screen mode in Chrome:
- Press F11 (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + F (Mac) – Forces full-screen mode.
- Restart Chrome – Close all tabs and reopen.
- Update Chrome – Visit
chrome://settings/helpand check for updates. - Clear Cache & Cookies – Delete temporary files via Chrome settings.
- Disable Extensions – Toggle off all extensions in
chrome://extensions/. - Turn Off Hardware Acceleration – Go to
chrome://settings/systemand disable it. - Reset Chrome Settings – Restore defaults via
chrome://settings/reset. - Update GPU Drivers – Ensure your graphics drivers are up to date.
- Run Chrome as Administrator – Right-click Chrome and select “Run as administrator.”
- Check Windows Display Scaling – Set scaling to 100% under display settings.
- Use Chrome Canary – Install Google’s experimental version to test fixes.
- Scan for Malware – Run a scan to remove potential browser hijackers.
- Create a New Chrome Profile – Isolate issues by testing in a fresh user profile.
- Try Incognito Mode – Check if full-screen works in a private window.
- Adjust Chrome Flags – Enable
chrome://flags/#enable-gpu-rasterizationfor GPU fixes.
If none of these fixes work, update Chrome and restart your system.
Innovative approaches
- Use a virtual machine to isolate Chrome from system issues
- Test with a different user account on your computer
- Use Chrome Remote Desktop for accessing from another device
- Install Chrome on an external drive for a clean environment
- Use a browser extension designed to force full screen mode
- Try different Chrome channels (Beta, Dev) for potential fixes
- Use command line switches to launch Chrome with specific settings
- Adjust your monitor’s refresh rate for display compatibility
- Check for conflicting keyboard mapping software on your system
- Create a script or batch file to launch Chrome in full screen mode
Conclusion
That is it for the blog post today. Today I tried showing you all the ways which are the most proven and working for my Chrome Version 132.0.6834.197 (Official Build) (64-bit) in Windows 11. I also tried the same thing on Windows 10 and recently Windows 7 Ultimate too. It worked out for all of them, and I hope this will work for you too. If you have any queries or if anything worked for you and your PC, then do tell others in the comments. Or if you have any doubts or particularly want to contact us, then here it is, the contact page link.
Have a nice day, and enjoy your Chrome’s full screen.
