📖 Fullscreen Freakout? Fix Don't Starve Display Drama
Don't Starve Fullscreen
Ultimate Fix & Optimization Guide
Last Updated: June 2025
Covers: Don't Starve & Don't Starve Together
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Introduction
If you've ever struggled with getting Don't Starve or Don't Starve Together to display properly in fullscreen mode, you're not alone. From black screens to resolution mismatches, from refresh rate quirks to multi-monitor headaches, these games can sometimes be as uncompromising with your display as they are with survival.
This comprehensive guide covers all fullscreen issues and solutions across Windows, Mac, Linux, and consoles, for both the original Don't Starve (including all expansions) and Don't Starve Together. Whether you're dealing with a game that refuses to enter fullscreen, displays in the wrong resolution, or causes other visual oddities, we've got you covered.
Don't Starve supports three display modes: Windowed (with borders), Exclusive Fullscreen (takes over the display), and Borderless Windowed (requires workarounds, looks fullscreen but behaves like a window). Each has pros and cons for performance and multi-tasking.
Quick-Start Troubleshooting Guide
Need to fix your fullscreen issues fast? Start with these proven solutions:
Toggle Fullscreen In-Game
Go to Options > Graphics, check "Fullscreen," choose your monitor's native resolution, and click Apply. On PC, you can also try pressing Alt+Enter to toggle.
Apply Resolution Changes Properly
If fullscreen won't stick, try this sequence: turn fullscreen OFF and apply, then enable fullscreen, set desired resolution AND refresh rate, then apply.
Edit Config Files
Locate settings.ini (singleplayer) or client.ini (DST) and set fullscreen = true and appropriate resolution values. This bypasses the UI if it's inaccessible.
Delete Config to Reset
As a last resort, delete settings.ini or client.ini to let the game recreate default settings. You'll lose other preferences but it resolves severe display issues.
Always back up your game configuration files before editing. If editing config files directly, make a copy first so you can revert if something goes wrong.
Common Fullscreen Issues & Fixes
Ultrawide & 4K Support
Don't Starve supports ultrawide (21:9) and 4K displays, but with some caveats:
Ultrawide (21:9) Support
Don't Starve renders properly on ultrawide monitors, showing more horizontal game area (Hor+). This gives a gameplay advantage with more peripheral vision.
Some artwork and menus may have black bars or stretch, but gameplay works well.
FOV Tweak: For better ultrawide experience, you can increase the FOV from the default 35 by using camera mods from the Steam Workshop (like "Camera Tweaks" or "Zoom Out Further").
4K Resolution Support
The game supports 4K resolution (3840×2160), but there's no UI scaling. This means text and interface elements will appear quite small.
Many players prefer running at 1440p on a 4K monitor for better UI readability. If you do this, ensure your GPU scaling is set to "Full Panel" to avoid the corner screen issue.
Mod Tip: Look for HUD scaling mods on the Workshop like "Large HUD" that can increase font sizes and UI elements for better visibility on high resolution displays.
Borderless Window Mode
Don't Starve doesn't have a native borderless window option, but you can achieve this with third-party tools:
Using Borderless Gaming Tools
- Download a tool like WindowedBorderlessGaming (free) or Borderless Gaming (on Steam).
- Launch Don't Starve in windowed mode (make sure fullscreen is unchecked in options).
- Run the borderless tool and add Don't Starve to its list (usually by pressing F3 while the game is focused).
- Configure the tool to remove borders and maximize the window.
- The game should now appear fullscreen but behave like a window (easy alt-tabbing, no refresh rate forcing).
These tools are generally safe to use with Don't Starve and won't trigger any bans. They simply modify the window properties without affecting the game code. Just make sure to download from official sources.
Console Platform Fixes
For console players (PS4/PS5, Xbox, Switch), fullscreen issues usually relate to overscan or UI placement:
PlayStation
Don't Starve runs at fixed resolution on PlayStation (720p/1080p depending on console). If UI elements are cut off at screen edges:
- Press Options button while in-game
- Go to Settings
- Select Adjust Screen Size
- Use D-pad to adjust until all corner markers are visible
Xbox
Similar to PlayStation, Xbox versions have a fixed resolution output. For screen adjustment:
- Use in-game screen calibration if available
- Alternatively, use Xbox system display calibration
- Go to Settings > Display > Calibrate HDTV
- Follow on-screen instructions to ensure UI fits correctly
Nintendo Switch
The Switch version runs at 720p handheld and 1080p docked. If you see black bars or UI issues:
- Go to Switch System Settings
- Select TV Settings
- Choose Adjust Screen Size
- Adjust until the arrows align with the corners of your TV
In handheld mode, the game automatically optimizes for the Switch screen - no adjustment needed.
Config File Tweaks - Advanced Options
When in-game options aren't enough, editing config files directly can solve stubborn display issues.
Finding Your Config Files
Windows
Don't Starve (Single Player):
Don't Starve Together:
Mac
Don't Starve (Single Player):
Don't Starve Together:
Linux
Don't Starve (Single Player):
Don't Starve Together:
Important Config Options
| Config Option | Description |
|---|---|
| fullscreen | Enable fullscreen (true/false) |
| fullscreen_width fullscreen_height |
Resolution for fullscreen mode (e.g., 1920, 1080) |
| windowed_width windowed_height |
Window size in windowed mode |
| refresh_rate | Refresh rate (Hz) for fullscreen (e.g., 60, 144) |
| display_id | Monitor index for fullscreen (0 = primary, 1 = secondary...) |
| window_x window_y |
Window position coordinates (useful if window is off-screen) |
Sample Config File
[graphics] fullscreen = true fullscreen_width = 1920 fullscreen_height = 1080 refresh_rate = 60 display_id = 0 windowed_width = 1280 windowed_height = 720 window_x = 0 window_y = 0
Always make a backup of your config files before editing. Use a plain text editor like Notepad (Windows), TextEdit (Mac), or nano/vim (Linux). If you mess up, simply restore your backup or delete the file entirely - the game will create a new one with defaults.
Don't Starve Config Generator
Use this tool to generate a custom config file based on your setup. Copy the result and paste it into your settings.ini or client.ini file.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why won't Don't Starve Together go fullscreen on my Windows 11 PC?
This is likely due to a settings or compatibility issue. Try the apply sequence (turn off fullscreen, apply, then turn on and set refresh rate, then apply). If that fails, check that your monitor is set to a standard refresh rate (like 60Hz). Windows 11's window manager can sometimes interfere with fullscreen games - try disabling "Fullscreen optimizations" in the compatibility options for the game .exe. As a last resort, edit client.ini manually to set fullscreen = true.
DST always opens on my secondary monitor, not my main - how do I fix that?
Edit client.ini and add or modify the line display_id = 0 under the [graphics] section (0 is primary, 1 is secondary, etc.). If you can't edit the file, launch the game in windowed mode, drag it to your preferred monitor, then try Alt+Enter to fullscreen it there. Alternatively, you can set your preferred monitor as the main display in Windows settings temporarily.
The game's refresh rate is stuck at 60Hz and won't go higher - is DST capped?
Yes, Don't Starve Together's game logic is frame-capped at 60fps by design. However, you can still set a higher refresh rate in the config, which may improve input responsiveness and smoothness, even though the game content won't exceed 60fps. To properly set a higher refresh rate, use the two-step method: disable fullscreen and apply, then enable fullscreen, set your desired refresh (e.g., 144Hz), and apply. Note that as of mid-2024, there was a bug where DST forced monitors to 60Hz when in focus - using borderless window mode can prevent this.
Will using a borderless window tool get me banned or crash my game?
No, using borderless window tools like WindowedBorderlessGaming or Borderless Gaming is completely safe for Don't Starve and Don't Starve Together. These tools simply modify window properties using standard Windows APIs and don't interfere with the game's code. DST doesn't have anti-cheat that would detect or care about window manipulation. Just make sure to download such tools from legitimate sources.
I play on a laptop; how can I ensure the game fullscreens on my dedicated GPU and not the integrated one?
Open your GPU control panel (NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Equivalent), go to Manage 3D Settings, find Don't Starve or DST in the program list, and set it to use the high-performance GPU. On Windows 10/11, you can also use the Graphics Settings panel to assign the game to your high-performance GPU. This ensures when the game goes fullscreen, it's using the proper GPU, which can prevent many black screen and performance issues.
Is there a way to make the HUD bigger on high-res displays? I can't read my hunger value on 4K.
The game doesn't have a native UI scaling option, but you have several workarounds: (1) Lower your resolution to 1080p or 1440p, which makes the UI larger relative to screen size. (2) Look for HUD mods on the Steam Workshop that increase font size or UI scaling - search for terms like "Large HUD" or "UI Scale." (3) If you're on a 4K display and running at 1440p, make sure your GPU settings are set to scale the image to full screen (usually called "Full Panel" scaling mode in GPU settings).
Conclusion
Fullscreen issues in Don't Starve and Don't Starve Together can be frustrating, but as we've seen, there are multiple ways to overcome them. From simple toggles to config file editing, from borderless window tools to console calibration, you now have a complete toolkit for handling any display issue that might arise.
Remember that different systems may require different solutions. If one approach doesn't work, try another. And if you discover a new fix, consider sharing it with the community on the Klei forums or Steam discussions.
Now get back to surviving in fullscreen glory - and don't starve!
If you're still experiencing problems after trying all the solutions in this guide, visit the Klei Forums or Steam Community for Don't Starve. The community is active and helpful, and developers occasionally respond to technical issues.
Guide last updated: June 2025
Covers all Don't Starve versions through the Staying Afloat update