What full screen means in OBS screen mirroring
Full screen in OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) means your screen mirroring display takes up your entire monitor, with no taskbar, window borders, or other elements visible. When you mirror your screen in full screen mode, viewers see exactly what you see, edge to edge, and you cannot accidentally click outside the mirrored area.
OBS is free software that captures your screen, camera, or other sources and broadcasts them live or records them. Screen mirroring specifically means OBS is showing your entire desktop or a single window to an audience. Full screen mode is the standard way to do this because it prevents distractions and makes sure nothing gets cut off at the edges.
Key Takeaways
- Full screen mode in OBS hides your taskbar and window decorations so viewers see only the content you are mirroring.
- You enter full screen by right-clicking your preview window in OBS and selecting "Full Screen Projector" or by using the View menu.
- The full screen display appears on whichever monitor you choose, and you control it from OBS on your main screen.
- You can exit full screen by pressing Escape or right-clicking and selecting the exit option.
- Full screen projector mode is different from full screen preview — projector mode is what you show to an audience.
Starting full screen mirroring from the preview window
The fastest way to open full screen mirroring is through the preview panel in OBS. Look at the center of your OBS window where you see a live preview of what you are broadcasting. Right-click directly on that preview image.
A menu will appear with several options. Select Full Screen Projector (Source). OBS will when ready expand your preview to fill one of your monitors in full screen mode. If you have two monitors, OBS will ask you which one to use — choose the one your audience is watching, or the one you want to display on.
Using the View menu to enter full screen
If right-clicking the preview does not work or you prefer menu navigation, you can reach full screen through OBS's top menu bar. Click View at the top of the OBS window.
A dropdown menu will open. Look for an option labeled Full Screen Projector or Projector. Click it, and OBS will show you a submenu with your available monitors. Select the monitor where you want the full screen display to appear. The full screen will open when ready on that monitor.
Choosing which monitor displays full screen
If you have two or more monitors connected to your computer, OBS will let you pick which one shows the full screen mirroring. This is important because you usually want your audience to see one monitor while you control OBS on another.
When you select Full Screen Projector, OBS shows a list of your monitors — typically labeled Monitor 1, Monitor 2, and so on. Choose the monitor that your projector, second screen, or audience display is connected to. Your main OBS window stays on your primary monitor so you can still adjust settings, switch sources, or stop the broadcast.
What you are actually showing in full screen mode
Full screen projector mode displays whatever source you have selected in OBS at that moment. This might be your entire desktop, a single window, your camera, a video file, or an image. The full screen shows only that source — nothing else appears on screen.
If you want to mirror your whole desktop, make sure you have a Display Capture source selected in OBS before you go full screen. If you want to show only one window (like a web browser or document), use a Window Capture source instead. The full screen will display whichever source is active when you press the button.
Exiting full screen and returning to normal view
To close full screen mirroring and return to your normal OBS window, press the Escape key on your keyboard. The full screen will disappear when ready and you will be back to your regular OBS interface.
Alternatively, right-click on the full screen display itself and look for an option to exit or close the projector. Different versions of OBS may word this slightly differently, but the Escape key always works. Your broadcast or recording continues running in the background — closing full screen does not stop your stream.
Troubleshooting full screen that will not open
If full screen projector mode does not appear when you right-click, make sure you are right-clicking directly on the preview image in the center of OBS, not on the window border or a button. The preview is usually a gray or black rectangle showing your current source.
If you have only one monitor, OBS will still open full screen on that same monitor, but you will not be able to see your OBS controls while it is running. Press Escape to close it and return to the OBS window. If full screen still does not work, try updating OBS to the latest version — older versions sometimes have bugs with the projector feature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use full screen projector if I only have one monitor?
Yes, but you will not see your OBS controls while full screen is active. The full screen takes over your entire display. Press Escape to close it and return to OBS. For streaming or presenting with one monitor, many people use windowed mode instead so they can see both the preview and their controls.
Does full screen projector mode stop my broadcast?
No. Full screen projector is only a display mode — it does not affect your stream or recording. You can open and close full screen as many times as you want without interrupting what OBS is broadcasting or saving. Your stream continues running in the background.
What is the difference between full screen projector and full screen preview?
Full screen projector displays your source on a separate monitor or display for an audience to see. Full screen preview just enlarges the preview window within OBS itself. Projector mode is what you use for streaming or presenting to others.
Why does my full screen appear on the wrong monitor?
When you select Full Screen Projector, OBS shows you a list of monitors. You may have selected the wrong one. Close the full screen (press Escape), right-click the preview again, and choose Full Screen Projector. This time, pick the other monitor from the list.
Can I resize the full screen window?
No. Full screen projector mode always fills the entire monitor and cannot be resized or moved. If you need a smaller window, use windowed projector mode instead, which opens a regular window you can drag and resize.