Streamlining Monitor Switches In Overwatch: A Comprehensive Guide

If you want to switch monitors in Overwatch, you can try the following: set your desired monitor as your default, or try putting it in windowed mode, moving it, and putting it back into full screen. You can also try starting in windowed mode, dragging the window to the other monitor, and then going window borderless. Another option is to use a keyboard shortcut like Windows + Shift + (arrow key), where the arrow key is the direction you want the window to move.

Try changing to windowed mode, moving the window, and then returning to fullscreen

If you're having trouble switching monitors in Overwatch, a possible solution is to change the game settings to windowed mode, move the window to your desired monitor, and then revert to fullscreen mode.

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do this:

• Launch Overwatch.
• Open the in-game settings menu.
• Look for the "Display" or "Graphics" settings.
• Change the "Display Mode" or "Fullscreen" option to windowed mode.
• Once you're in windowed mode, drag the game window to your preferred monitor.
• Return to the settings menu and change the display mode back to fullscreen.

By following these steps, you should be able to switch the game to your desired monitor.

It's important to note that some users have reported issues with Overwatch reverting to windowed mode unexpectedly. This issue might be caused by conflicting external software, outdated graphics drivers, or specific monitor settings. If you encounter this problem, you can try some troubleshooting steps, such as updating your graphics drivers, disabling conflicting programs, or adjusting your graphics device optimization settings.

Change your primary monitor

If you want to change your primary monitor, there are a few methods you can try. One method is to set your desired monitor as your default in the graphics settings. This can be done by going into the graphics settings and selecting your preferred monitor at the top of the menu.

Another method is to start Overwatch in windowed mode, then drag the window over to your preferred monitor. From there, you can switch back to fullscreen mode.

Additionally, you can try using a keyboard shortcut to switch monitors. If you're using Windows, you can use the shortcut Windows + Shift + (arrow key) to move the currently focused window to your desired monitor. For example, if you have two monitors side by side and Overwatch is opening on the left monitor, you can use the shortcut Windows + Shift + Right arrow to move it to the right monitor.

It's worth noting that some users have reported that closing any background apps, such as the Teamviewer app, has helped resolve issues with switching monitors in Overwatch.

Find the 'local_config.ini' file and change the DisplayName

To switch monitors in Overwatch, you may need to find and edit the local_config.ini file. This file contains various settings related to graphics, sound, and controls for the game.

Here's a step-by-step guide to locating and modifying the DisplayName in the local_config.ini file:

Locate the local_config.ini file: The file path may vary depending on your operating system and game installation location. Typically, you can find the file in the following locations:

• Windows: C:\Users\[username]\Documents\Overwatch\Settings\Settings_v0.ini
• MacOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Overwatch/Settings/Settings_v0.ini
• Linux: ~/.local/share/Overwatch/Settings/Settings_v0.ini

• Open the file with a text editor: Right-click on the file and select "Open with." Choose a text editor such as Notepad (Windows) or TextEdit (macOS).
• Locate the DisplayName setting: Within the file, look for the section related to graphics or display settings. The DisplayName setting specifies the monitor that Overwatch uses.
• Change the DisplayName value: The DisplayName value is typically the name or identifier of the monitor. You can change it to the name of your preferred monitor. For example, if you want to switch to your ASUS monitor, modify the line to DisplayName = "ASUS Monitor."
• Save the file: After making the desired changes, save the file by pressing Ctrl+S (Windows) or Command+S (macOS).
• Restart Overwatch: Close the game if it's currently running. Relaunch Overwatch, and it should now use the monitor specified in the local_config.ini file.
• Verify the change: Ensure that Overwatch is now running on the correct monitor. If not, double-check the file path, and ensure you have administrator privileges to save the file in that location.

By following these steps, you can manually change the DisplayName in the local_config.ini file to switch monitors in Overwatch. Make sure to back up the file before making any changes, so you can restore it if needed.

Use the Windows + Shift + (arrow key) shortcut to move the window

If you want to switch monitors in Overwatch, you can do so by adjusting your display settings.

To move a window between multiple monitors, you can use the Windows + Shift + (arrow key) shortcut. This method works for both Windows and Overwatch. Here's how:

First, make sure the window you want to move is active. You can do this by clicking on the window or using the keyboard shortcut Alt + Tab.

Once the desired window is active, press Windows + Shift + Left Arrow to move the window to the monitor on your left. Similarly, you can press Windows + Shift + Right Arrow to move the window to the monitor on your right.

For example, let's say you have two monitors, one on your left and one on your right. If you want to move a window from your left monitor to your right monitor, you would press Windows + Shift + Right Arrow. This action will shift the window from your left display to the right one.

It's important to note that this method only works if the window is not fully maximized. If your window is maximized, you'll need to restore it to its original size or enter windowed mode before attempting to move it.

Additionally, you can also adjust your display settings within the Overwatch game. In the Main Menu or Pause Menu, access the Game Options and look for the "Target Display" setting. Here, you can choose which display output you want the game to use. If you only have one output, it will likely be set to "Monitor 1". However, if you have multiple outputs, you can select the desired monitor from the options provided.

Close any background apps

If you're playing Overwatch on a laptop with an attached monitor, and the game is running on your main laptop screen when you want it to be displayed on your monitor, there are several things you can try.

First, close any background apps. This will help ensure that no other applications are interfering with Overwatch's display settings. On a Windows device, you can do this by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager. From there, you can select any unnecessary applications and click "End Task" to close them.

Another option is to go into your graphics settings and choose your monitor as the default display. You can usually access these settings by right-clicking on your desktop and selecting "Display Settings" or "Screen Resolution." From there, you should be able to select your monitor as the primary display.

If that doesn't work, try putting Overwatch into windowed mode, moving the window to your monitor, and then switching back to fullscreen. To do this, open the game and go into the settings menu. Look for an option that says "Fullscreen" or "Display Mode" and change it to "Windowed" or "Windowed Fullscreen." Once you've done that, click back into the game and press Alt + Enter to switch to windowed mode. Then, drag the window over to your monitor. Finally, change the display mode back to fullscreen, and the game should now be displayed on your monitor.

If you're still having issues, try disconnecting any unnecessary peripherals, such as additional monitors or projectors, and then restart the game. This can help to ensure that the game is only trying to output to a single display.

Frequently asked questions