Open Broadcaster Software (OBS) screen mirroring in full screen

To open OBS screen mirroring in full screen, start OBS, add a Display Capture or Window Capture source to your scene, then press F11 to enter full-screen preview mode. This shows your mirrored screen at full size without the OBS interface around it. If F11 does not work, you can also right-click the preview window and select "Full Screen Projector (Source)" to display just that source full screen on your monitor.

The method you choose depends on what you want to mirror and where you want it to appear. Display Capture mirrors your entire monitor, while Window Capture mirrors only one open program. Full-screen preview is useful for streaming, recording, or presenting to an audience without showing them the OBS control panel.

Key Takeaways

  • Press F11 while your preview window is active to toggle full-screen mode without leaving OBS.
  • Right-click any source in your scene and select "Full Screen Projector (Source)" to display it full screen on a second monitor or the same monitor.
  • Use Display Capture to mirror your entire screen or Window Capture to mirror only one program window.
  • Full-screen mode hides the OBS menu and controls, showing only the content you are mirroring.

Add a capture source to your scene first

Before you can mirror anything full screen, you need to add a source to your OBS scene. Open OBS and look at the bottom left where it says "Sources." Click the plus icon or right-click in that box and select "Add Source."

Choose Display Capture if you want to mirror your entire monitor screen. Choose Window Capture if you want to mirror only one open program, like a web browser or document. Give the source a name when OBS asks, then click "Create New" and "OK" to add it to your scene. You will see the mirrored content appear in the preview window in the center of OBS.

Use F11 to enter full-screen preview mode

The quickest way to go full screen is to click anywhere in the preview window (the center area showing your mirrored content) and press F11. The OBS menu, controls, and panels disappear, and your mirrored screen fills the entire monitor.

Press F11 again to exit full-screen mode and return to the normal OBS interface. This method works on Windows, Mac, and Linux. If F11 does not work on your system, check whether another program has claimed that keyboard shortcut — some streaming software or window managers override it.

Right-click a source to open full-screen projector

If F11 does not work or you want more control over which monitor displays the full-screen content, right-click your source in the preview window or in the Sources list on the left. A menu will appear with several options.

Select "Full Screen Projector (Source)" from the menu. OBS will open a new full-screen window showing only that source. On a single-monitor setup, this replaces your current display with the mirrored content. On a multi-monitor setup, you can choose which monitor the projector opens on — OBS will ask you to select a display if you have more than one.

To close the full-screen projector, press Escape or right-click and select "Close." You will return to the normal OBS window.

Adjust your source settings if the image looks wrong

If your mirrored content appears stretched, cropped, or positioned incorrectly, you can adjust the source. Right-click the source in the preview or in the Sources list and select "Filters" or "Properties." In the Properties window, you can resize, reposition, or rotate the source to fit your needs.

For Display Capture, make sure you have selected the correct monitor if you have multiple displays. For Window Capture, check that the correct program window is selected in the properties. If the window closes or changes, OBS may lose track of it and show a black screen instead.

Use full-screen mode for streaming or recording

Full-screen mirroring is especially useful when you are streaming to an audience or recording video. You can show your screen to viewers without displaying the OBS control panel, chat windows, or other distracting elements. Set up your scene with the sources you want, press F11 or open the full-screen projector, and start your stream or recording.

Many streamers use a second monitor to run OBS controls while the first monitor displays the full-screen mirrored content. This way you can see chat, adjust settings, and manage your stream while your audience sees only the clean, full-screen view you intended.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I mirror different sources on different monitors at the same time?

Yes. Create multiple sources in your scene, then right-click each one and open a full-screen projector for it. You can open a projector on each monitor independently, so one monitor shows your game while another shows your webcam or a browser window.

Why does my full-screen mirror show a black screen?

The source may not be set up correctly. Check that Display Capture has the right monitor selected, or that Window Capture is pointed at an open program window. If the window closed, OBS loses the source and shows black. Close the full-screen projector, fix the source in OBS, and try again.

Can I resize the full-screen projector window?

No. Full-screen projector mode always fills the entire monitor. If you want a resizable window, use the regular preview in OBS instead, or adjust your source size in the Properties panel before opening the projector.

Does full-screen mode affect my stream or recording?

No. Full-screen preview mode is only what you see on your monitor. Your stream or recording captures whatever is in your scene, regardless of whether you are viewing it full screen or in the normal OBS window.

What is the difference between Display Capture and Window Capture?

Display Capture mirrors your entire monitor, including all open windows and the desktop. Window Capture mirrors only one specific program window. Use Display Capture to show everything on your screen, or Window Capture to show just one program while keeping other windows hidden.