How to Fullscreen Call of Duty: World at War

Call of Duty: World at War is a game that many players still love. It’s intense, action-packed, and fun. But sometimes, getting it to run in fullscreen mode can be a hassle. Whether your computer is new or old, I’m here to help you fix that. Let’s go over how you can play this game in fullscreen and troubleshoot any issues along the way.

Why Fullscreen Mode is Important

Fullscreen mode makes gaming better. It uses your whole screen, so you don’t get distracted by other windows or notifications. It also helps your computer focus its power on the game, which can make it run smoother. For a game like Call of Duty: World at War, fullscreen mode helps you see everything clearly and react faster, which is super important in intense battles.

Why Fullscreen Mode Might Not Work

If your game isn’t going fullscreen, there’s usually a reason for it. Here are some common causes:

1. The game is old. It came out in 2008, so it might not automatically work well with newer computers.
2. Wrong settings. The graphics settings in the game might not be set up for fullscreen.
3. Corrupted files. Some of the game’s files could be broken or missing.
4. Driver problems. Outdated graphics drivers or conflicting software might mess things up.

Figuring out what’s causing the problem makes it easier to fix.

Steps to Enable Fullscreen Mode

Let’s go through the steps to get Call of Duty: World at War running in fullscreen.

Step 1: Check the Game Settings

The easiest place to start is in the game itself.

1. Open the game and go to Options.
2. Click on Graphics Settings.
3. Find the Display Mode option and select Fullscreen.
4. Save your changes and restart the game.

If this doesn’t work, don’t worry. There are other fixes you can try.

Step 2: Edit the Configuration File

If changing the settings in the game doesn’t help, you can tweak the configuration file. Here’s how:

1. Find the game’s configuration file. It’s usually in a folder called Activision under Documents or in the game’s installation folder.
2. Look for a file called config.cfg and open it with Notepad.
3. Search for a line that says seta r_fullscreen.
4. Change it to seta r_fullscreen "1". The “1” means fullscreen is on.
5. Save the file and close Notepad.
6. Start the game and see if it worked.

Step 3: Match Your Screen Resolution

Sometimes the problem isn’t the game but your computer’s resolution settings.

1. Right-click on your desktop and select Display Settings.
2. Check your screen’s resolution. It’s under Display Resolution.
3. Make sure it matches the resolution set in the game’s graphics settings.

Restart the game after making these changes.

Step 4: Use Steam Launch Options

If you’re playing the game on Steam, you can add a command to force fullscreen mode.

1. Open Steam and go to your library.
2. Right-click on Call of Duty: World at War and choose Properties.
3. Under the General tab, find the Launch Options field.
4. Type -fullscreen into the box.
5. Close the window and start the game.

This will make the game launch in fullscreen every time.

What to Do If Fullscreen Still Doesn’t Work

If fullscreen mode still isn’t working, here are some extra tips to try:

Update Your Graphics Drivers

Old graphics drivers can cause problems. Go to the website for your graphics card (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel), download the latest drivers, and install them. Restart your computer and try the game again.

Turn Off Overlays

Apps like Steam, Discord, or NVIDIA sometimes put overlays on top of your game. These can interfere with fullscreen mode. Turn them off in the settings of those apps and check if the game works.

Verify the Game Files

If you’re playing on Steam, you can check if the game files are damaged.

1. Right-click on the game in your library and select Properties.
2. Go to the Local Files tab and click Verify Integrity of Game Files.
   Steam will fix any broken or missing files automatically.

Close Background Apps

Other programs running in the background might mess with the game. Open Task Manager, close anything you don’t need, and try again.

Advanced Fixes

If nothing has worked so far, here are a couple of last-resort options:

Reinstall the Game

Sometimes starting fresh is the best option. Uninstall the game, reinstall it, and try setting up fullscreen mode again. Make sure to back up your save files first.

Use Compatibility Mode

This game is old, so it might work better in compatibility mode.

1. Right-click on the game’s shortcut and choose Properties.
2. Go to the Compatibility tab.
3. Check Run this program in compatibility mode for and pick an older version of Windows, like Windows 7.

Try Windowed Borderless Mode

If fullscreen still won’t work, you can use a tool like Borderless Gaming to make the game look fullscreen while running in windowed mode. It’s not the same as true fullscreen, but it gets the job done.

Final Thoughts

Playing Call of Duty: World at War in fullscreen mode makes the game way more enjoyable. It’s more immersive, looks better, and helps you focus. If the game doesn’t go fullscreen at first, try the steps above. Start with the in-game settings, and if those don’t work, adjust the config file or use Steam options.

If you keep having trouble, check your drivers and close other programs. And if nothing works, you can always reinstall the game or try compatibility mode. With a little effort, you’ll be back in action, enjoying the game the way it was meant to be played.