Games are opening on the wrong monitor on Windows 11/10

If the games are opening on the wrong monitor on Windows 11/10, this article will show you how to fix this issue. Windows 11/10 has a feature that allows users to connect multiple displays to their computer. Sometimes, multiple displays cause problems on a Windows device. If you experience such an issue while launching your games, follow the suggestions provided in this article.

Games are opening on the wrong monitor on Windows 11/10

The following fixes will help you if your games are opening on the wrong monitor on Windows 11/10.

Disconnect and reconnect the second monitor
Change the main display
Use the keyboard shortcuts
Did you open the game on the second monitor the last time?
Update your graphics card driver
Edit the Windowinfo.JSON file (if applicable)
Use Microsoft PowerToys

Let’s see all these fixes in detail.

1] Disconnect and reconnect the second monitor

This is the simplest fix. Disconnect your second monitor, then launch the game. It will be launched on the main monitor. Now, connect the second monitor. Now, close the game and relaunch it. Check if the issue persists.

2] Change the main display

You can also try changing the main display. The following instructions will guide you on this:

Open Windows 11/10 Settings.
Go to System > Display.
Expand the Multiple displays tab.
Select the checkbox that says Make this my main display.

Now, check if the issue persists.

3] Use the keyboard shortcuts

If a program opens on the wrong monitor, you can get it back to the main monitor by using the shortcut keys. Press the Win + Shift + left or right arrow key. This will bring the game to your main or primary monitor.

If this shortcut does not work, press the Alt + Enter keys. This shortcut will switch the game to the windowed mode. Now, you can move it to your main monitor by dragging it with the help of your mouse.

4] Did you open the game on the second monitor the last time?

Have you opened the game on the second monitor the last time? Windows remembers the apps opened on the second monitor. When you open the apps the next time, they will be opened on the same monitor. To fix this issue, bring the game to your main monitor by using the keyboard shortcut, then close it. From now on, the game should be opened on the main monitor.

5] Update your graphics card driver

We also suggest you update your graphics card driver to the latest version. You can do so by downloading the latest version of the graphics card driver from the official website of the manufacturer.

After downloading the latest version of the graphics card driver, install the DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller) tool, and use it to completely remove your graphics card driver from your PC. After uninstalling your graphics card driver, run the installer file of the GPU driver to install it.

You can also use the dedicated app developed by your computer manufacturer or graphics card manufacturer to update your graphics card driver. Some of these apps are:

6] Edit the Windowinfo.JSON file (if applicable)

If you have installed the game, it may have a Windowinfo.JSON file at the installation location. You can edit this file to open your game window on the desired monitor. See if this file is available in your game library or not.

Follow the steps provided below:

Open the Steam Client.
Go to Library.
Right-click on your game and select Manage > Browse local files.

Now, look for the Windowinfo.JSON file. If the file exists, open it in a JSON file editor software and search for the value MONITOR. Change its value to 0, 1, 2, etc., based on the number of monitors you have.

7] Use Microsoft PowerToys

If the issue still occurs, you can use Microsoft PowerToys to fix the problem. Install Microsoft PowerToys and then launch it. After launching the PowerToys, follow the steps provided below:

Select FancyZones from the left side.
Scroll down and locate the Windows section.
Expand the WIndow behavior tab.
Enable the “Move newly created windows to the currently active monitor” checkbox.

After enabling the above option, Windows will move your game to the active window automatically when you launch it.

That’s it. I hope this helps.

How do I make a game open on a specific monitor Windows 11?

You can make a game or an application open on a specific monitor on Windows 11 by using different ways. You can make the targeted monitor the main monitor. Or you can use Microsoft PowerToys to make the games open in the active window.

How do I move a full screen game to another monitor Windows 11?

You can use the keyboard shortcut Win + Shift + left or right arrow key to move the full-screen game to another monitor. I tried this shortcut and it worked for me. If this does not work for you, you have to make your game to windowed mode, then move it to the second monitor. Now, you can make your game to full-screen mode.