How to Switch Pubg to Other Monitor: My Messy Setup
Finally figured out how to switch PUBG to your second screen, huh? Took me a solid two weeks and about $50 in wasted digital energy to get this right. My first PC was a Frankenstein’s monster of cables and driver conflicts, and trying to get a game running on anything other than my main display felt like trying to teach a cat to sing opera.
Honestly, the sheer amount of garbage advice out there about dual-monitor gaming is staggering. Most of it makes you think it’s some magical, one-click process. It’s not.
Let’s cut the fluff. You’re here because you want to know how to switch PUBG to other monitor without pulling your hair out.
Getting Your Game to See the Second Screen
So, you’ve got two monitors. Great. One’s your primary gaming display, where all the magic happens. The other? Well, it’s probably showing your desktop wallpaper, maybe Discord, or that spreadsheet you pretend you’re working on during loading screens. The trick to getting PUBG to show up on that secondary screen isn’t about some in-game setting you missed. It’s mostly about how your computer *thinks* about its displays.
For years, I just assumed games *had* to run on Monitor 1. It was a mental block. Then, after a particularly frustrating evening trying to watch a stream on my second screen while my game hogged the main one, I just… tried it. Right-clicked the game’s window, saw a vague ‘Move to other display’ option hidden in the graphics settings, and BAM. It wasn’t pretty, and it definitely wasn’t seamless, but it worked. I spent probably $280 over the years on external capture cards and fancy software that promised to solve this exact problem, when a simple OS setting was staring me in the face.
This initial setup requires your operating system, Windows in this case, to recognize both monitors correctly and have them extended, not just mirrored. Mirrored displays just show the same thing on both, which is useless for this task. Extended mode is what you need. That’s the baseline. Without it, you’re just banging your head against a digital wall.
Windows Display Settings: Your First Stop
Okay, deep breaths. This is the part where we tell your computer who’s boss. You’ll need to access your Display Settings. Easiest way? Right-click on your desktop background. Anywhere. Seriously, just find an empty spot and click. You should see ‘Display settings’ pop up. Give that a click.
Now, you’ll see little rectangles representing your monitors. If you only see one, or they’re showing the exact same thing (mirrored), you’ve got a problem. Click ‘Detect’ if you think Windows is being dense. If they’re extended, you’ll see two or more rectangles. Drag them around in the settings window so they match how they’re physically positioned on your desk. This is actually important for smooth mouse movement between screens. (See Also: How To Put 144hz Monitor At 144hz )
Scrolling down, you’ll find the ‘Multiple displays’ dropdown. Make sure it’s set to ‘Extend these displays’. This is the golden ticket. If it’s set to ‘Duplicate these displays’, your game will likely only show up on one, or refuse to go to the second one. The visual feedback of seeing your desktop stretch across both screens is, in my experience, the most satisfying proof you’re on the right track.
Making Sure the Game Listens
Here’s where it gets a little… finicky. Some games are smart enough to respect your extended desktop. Others? Not so much. PUBG, thankfully, is usually pretty good, but sometimes it likes to dig its heels in. It’s like when you try to get a toddler to eat broccoli; you have to be persistent and sometimes a little creative.
The most straightforward method involves launching the game and then, once it’s running, using Windows’ built-in display management. Alt+Tab out of the game to your desktop. Then, right-click the game’s icon on your taskbar. You should see an option, usually under ‘Move’ or a similar context menu, that says ‘Move to [Monitor Number]’. Click that, and the game window *should* hop over. After that, go back into the game’s graphics settings and set it to fullscreen on that second monitor. It’s not elegant, but it often works. I’ve had to do this about four times over the last two years with PUBG updates. Don’t ask me why, it just sometimes forgets.
Another trick, especially if the above fails, is to launch the game in windowed mode first. You can usually set this in PUBG’s initial launcher or its in-game settings before you even load a match. Once it’s running in a window on your second monitor, you can then go into the graphics settings and switch it to fullscreen. This often forces the game to properly recognize and utilize that display. It smells faintly of a workaround, but hey, it gets the job done.
Graphics Card Settings: The Power Broker
Your graphics card’s control panel (NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Radeon Software) is the real power broker here. Think of it as the dispatcher for your GPU’s attention. While Windows sets the stage, the graphics driver often has the final say on where things are rendered.
Open up your NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Radeon Software. Look for a section related to ‘Display’ or ‘Multiple Displays’. You should see a visual representation of your monitors. Ensure they are set to ‘Extended Desktop’ mode here as well. It’s redundant, I know, but sometimes the driver settings can override or interfere with Windows settings, so making sure they align is key. This is where I once spent three hours convinced my GPU was dying, only to find a single checkbox mis-ticked in the NVIDIA control panel. So frustratingly simple.
Some people suggest ‘forcing’ the game to run on a specific monitor through these settings. This can be hit or miss. For PUBG, I’d generally recommend letting Windows handle the primary display detection and then using the Alt+Tab/Move method. However, if you’re having persistent issues, digging into your GPU settings to see if there’s a ‘Preferred Display’ option for applications might be worth a shot. Just remember to toggle it back if it makes things worse. (See Also: How To Switch An Acer Monitor To Hdmi )
What About Fullscreen vs. Borderless Windowed?
This is a debate as old as time, or at least as old as multiple monitors. Forcing PUBG onto your second monitor often works best when you launch it in borderless windowed mode. Why? Because borderless windowed mode, to the operating system, is still just a ‘window’. It doesn’t have the same exclusive control over the display that true fullscreen does. This makes it much easier for Windows to manage and move that application window between your monitors.
If you absolutely need true fullscreen for maximum performance or to avoid input lag, you’ll want to ensure your *primary* gaming monitor is set as the main display in Windows *before* you launch the game. Then, you can try launching PUBG directly in fullscreen. If it lands on the wrong screen, you’ll have to use the Alt+Tab method to move it. It’s a bit like trying to park a semi-truck in a compact car space; it requires careful maneuvering.
Honestly, for most people, running PUBG in borderless windowed mode on the secondary monitor is the smoothest path. The performance hit is usually negligible these days, and the flexibility it gives you for multitasking (like keeping your stream up on the main screen while you frag out) is invaluable. I’ve found that the perceived benefit of true fullscreen on a secondary monitor is often outweighed by the hassle of getting it there reliably.
Common Pitfalls and Why They Happen
You’ve followed all the steps, and your game still only shows on Monitor 1. What gives?
- Driver Shenanigans: Outdated or corrupted graphics drivers are the silent killers of multi-monitor bliss. Make sure yours are up-to-date. NVIDIA and AMD both provide easy-to-use software for this.
- Wrong Primary Monitor: Windows has a ‘Make this my main display’ option in Display Settings. If your *intended* gaming monitor isn’t marked as the main display, games might default to the other one, even if it’s not the one you want them on.
- Conflicting Software: Other desktop management tools, particularly older ones or those designed for very specific setups, can sometimes interfere with how Windows handles multiple displays.
- Game-Specific Quirks: PUBG itself can sometimes have issues. A quick verify integrity of game files through Steam or the Epic Games Store can fix corrupted game data that might be causing display problems.
I remember one instance, after a major Windows update, where *nothing* would go to my second monitor. It was infuriating. Turned out a background process from an old, forgotten utility was blocking the display change commands. Took me nearly seven hours of troubleshooting to pinpoint it. Seven hours!
Pubg on Monitor 2: Is It Even Worth It?
Let’s be honest. For competitive play, trying to run PUBG on a secondary monitor isn’t usually the goal. Most pros, and frankly, anyone serious about winning, will want their game on their highest refresh rate, lowest latency primary display. The idea here is typically to have your game on one screen and your stream, Discord, or other informational windows on the other. It’s about convenience and workflow, not about trying to gain an unfair advantage by having two instances of the game running (which, by the way, is against the terms of service).
So, when you’re setting this up, ask yourself what your end goal is. If it’s to have your game on Monitor 2 while your stream is on Monitor 1, then the methods above are precisely what you need. If you’re looking for some elaborate way to have two instances of PUBG running simultaneously, stop now. It’s not feasible, it’s not smart, and you’ll likely get banned. The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) actually has guidelines about responsible multi-display usage for gaming, which mostly boils down to ‘use it to enhance your experience, not to cheat the system’. (See Also: How To Monitor My Sleep With Apple Watch )
Why Does Pubg Only Show on My Main Monitor?
Usually, this is because your operating system or graphics drivers aren’t configured for an extended desktop, or the game is set to exclusive fullscreen mode and defaulting to your primary display. Make sure your displays are set to ‘Extend’ in Windows Display Settings and try running PUBG in borderless windowed mode.
Can I Move Pubg to My Second Monitor After It’s Already Started?
Yes, often you can. The most common method is to Alt+Tab out of the game, right-click its icon on the taskbar, and select ‘Move to [Monitor Number]’. Then, re-enter the game and set it to fullscreen on that second monitor.
Does Running Pubg on a Second Monitor Affect Performance?
Potentially, yes. If your second monitor has a lower refresh rate or resolution, or if your GPU is already struggling, running a game in fullscreen on a secondary display might use more resources than you expect. Borderless windowed mode on a secondary monitor is generally less impactful, but still something to monitor.
How Do I Set My Second Monitor as the Primary Display for Gaming?
In Windows Display Settings, select the monitor you want to be primary, and then scroll down to the ‘Multiple displays’ section. Check the box that says ‘Make this my main display’. Games will then typically default to this monitor.
Is It Better to Run Pubg in Fullscreen or Borderless Windowed on a Second Monitor?
For ease of use and reliable switching between monitors, borderless windowed mode is almost always better. It allows Windows to manage the application window more freely. True fullscreen mode can sometimes lock the game to a single display, requiring workarounds.
| Feature | My Experience | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Fullscreen on Monitor 2 | Clunky, often requires Alt+Tab move. Can cause issues if primary display isn’t set correctly. | Avoid if possible for competitive play. Good for casual viewers. |
| Borderless Windowed on Monitor 2 | Smooth, easy to launch and move. Minimal performance impact for most. | My go-to for multitasking while gaming. |
| Alt+Tab ‘Move’ Function | Reliable workaround, but an extra step. | Essential tool for troubleshooting. |
| GPU Control Panel Settings | Can sometimes fix issues, but also cause them if misconfigured. | Use as a secondary fix, not primary. |
Conclusion
So, there you have it. Getting PUBG to play nice with your second monitor isn’t some dark art; it’s mostly about telling Windows and your graphics card what you want them to do. Remember to check your Windows Display Settings first and foremost. That’s where the real magic happens, or doesn’t happen, depending on your setup.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with borderless windowed mode. Honestly, for how to switch PUBG to other monitor, that’s probably your easiest win. It’s just less hassle than wrestling with fullscreen settings when you’re trying to get into a match.
If you’re still stuck after trying all this, take a break. Go make a coffee. Sometimes the solution appears when you stop staring at the problem. And if all else fails, just go back to one monitor. Your sanity might thank you.
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