Skyrim Special Edition Not Full Screen

If your PC (Steam) copy of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition is not launching after pressing Play, is stuck at the 'Preparing to Launch' text box, or is running in the background but not actually launching, you can try the following troubleshooting steps:

Go with Special Edition. No question about it. “Legendary Edition” is the original base game packaged with the expansions. It is identical to buying the game and expansions separately. I have the same problem, but what's fun is that sometimes when I launch the game gives me the option to toggle off Windowed mode and other times not. Also with full screen it takes about the 400% of my screen, so all I can see is a small corner of the game filling the screen.

Update Your Graphics Card Drivers

Skyrim special edition not full screen

Skyrim is engaged in a bloody civil conflict between the rebel Stormcloaks and soldiers of the Imperial Legion. ArmorNordPlate CuirassGO.nif: Skyrim is in turmoil because the Stormcloaks believe their Nord way of life is at risk, while the Imperials believe Skyrim is a part of the Empire, and must follow its laws and customs. My regular option was set to 16:9 and that has worked fine for everything till now, but the B in Bethesda was cut off when I booted Skyrim up last night. I cycled through the aspect ratios and found once called Just Scan - and that sorted it out fine.

You can download and install latest drivers (based on manufacturer) here:

Run the Game and Steam as Administrator

To run the game as an Administrator:

  1. Right-click The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition in your Steam Library.
  2. Select Propertiesand then the Local Files tab.
  3. Click Browse Local Files.
  4. Locate the game executable (the application).
  5. Right-click it and go to Properties.
  6. Click the Compatibility tab.
  7. Check the Run this program as an administrator box and click Apply.

Once complete, restart Steam and try launching the game again.

To run Steam as an Administrator, find the Steam executable instead (here by default: C:Program Files (x86)Steam) and follow the same process as above.

Skyrim Special Edition Not Full ScreenSpecial


Ensure Your Windows is Updated

To ensure your version of Windows has all the latest updates, you should run Windows Update. You can find it by navigating to your Start menu, selecting All Programs and then selecting Windows Update. Please note that its location may differ based on your version of Windows. If you are having trouble locating it, use the Search programs and files function from the Start menu to find it.
Once you have launched it, allow it to identify, download, and install any required updates and try launching the game again.


Verify Integrity of Game Cache

To ensure the game files are installed correctly, you should verify the files in Steam. To do so:

  1. Open Steam and navigate to your Library.
  2. Right-click on The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition and select Properties.
  3. Select the Local files tab and click Verify integrity of game files...
  4. Steam will verify the game's files. This process may take several minutes.
  5. Once the process is completed, the Check Window will automatically exit.

Please Note: One or more files may fail to verify, in most cases this is normal. These are local configuration files and should not be altered in this process.

Disable Background Applications

Programs running in the background can, in some cases, cause issues when launching new games. Disable any unnecessary programs and try to launch the game again.

Check for Additional Installers

If a game launch is cancelled or interrupted, it is possible that your computer will be missing programs or services that the game needs to run. This could include DirectX, PhysX, C++ components, or Windows Updates.
The Steam platform should run any required installers when the game is initially launched. If this does not occur, you may need to launch them manually.
The installers can usually be found in Skyrim Special Edition's installation folder, found here by default: C:Program Files (x86)SteamSteamAppscommonSkyrim Special Edition.

You can find additional troubleshooting steps on the Steam Support page here.

Full

Here are some of the errors and issues users encountered while playing The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition on PC. Let’s check how to fix The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition errors but before that take a look at the minimum and recommended system requirements for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition as mentioned below.

System Requirements for The Elder Scrolls V Skyrim Special Edition

Minimum

Operating System: Windows 7 64-bit or Windows 8.1 64-bit or Windows 10 64-bit
Processor: Intel i5-750/AMD Phenom II X4-945
Memory: 8 GB RAM
Graphics: NVIDIA GTX470 1GB /AMD HD 7870 2GB
Storage: 12 GB available space

Recommended

Operating System: Windows 7 64-bit or Windows 8.1 64-bit or Windows 10 64-bit
Processor: Intel i5-2400/AMD FX-8320
Memory: 8 GB RAM
Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 780 3GB /AMD R9 290 4GB
Storage: 12 GB available space

How to Fix The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition Errors

Crash on Startup

Update the drivers. You may also try and do a fresh install of the drivers.

Game Stucks on Loading screen

The drivers need to be updated so make sure about that. Next try and run the game exe file as administrator.

Black Screen on Startup Issue in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition

For most users, updating the drivers solved the black screen issue in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition.

Skyrim Special Edition Not Full Screen Windows

Low FPS and Lag issue Fix

In the Task Manager, set the game to high priority.
Then go the Nvidia control panel. Navigate to Manage 3D settings and then set power management mode to Prefer Maximum Performance.

If the above doesn’t work, make the following changes in the skyrimprefs.ini file found at My documents/My games/Game folder/skyrimprefs.ini
bUse64bitsHDRRenderTarget=0 to bUse64bitsHDRRenderTarget=1

Close the applications which you do not need.

Unable to Find the INI File Issue

Try a fresh install of the game after disabling the antivirus.

Error 0xc000007b Fix

Install the latest version of Microsoft Visual C++ and then reboot the PC.

Skyrim Special Edition Not Full Screen Recorder

Game Doesn’t Start

Laptop Not Full Screen

Verify the integrity of Game cache files. Go to the Library section.
Then right-click on the game.
Now select Properties from the menu.
Click of the Local files tab and then click the Verify integrity of game cache.