VLC Media Player is one of the most popular media players available, known for its versatility and ability to play a wide range of file formats. However, some users have reported an unusual issue where VLC shows two screens, which can be confusing and disrupt the viewing experience. In this article, we will delve into the possible reasons behind this issue and provide step-by-step solutions to resolve it.
Understanding the Issue
When VLC shows two screens, it can manifest in different ways. Some users may see two identical screens playing the same video, while others may see a black screen or a distorted image on the second screen. This issue can occur on both Windows and macOS devices, and it’s not limited to specific versions of VLC.
Possible Causes
There are several reasons why VLC might show two screens. Here are some possible causes:
- Multiple instances of VLC: If multiple instances of VLC are running simultaneously, it can cause the player to display two screens.
- Incorrect video settings: VLC’s video settings can sometimes cause the player to display two screens. This can happen if the video output is set to a specific device or if the aspect ratio is not set correctly.
- Graphics driver issues: Outdated or corrupted graphics drivers can cause VLC to display two screens.
- Hardware acceleration: VLC’s hardware acceleration feature can sometimes cause issues with video playback, including the display of two screens.
Troubleshooting Steps
To resolve the issue of VLC showing two screens, follow these troubleshooting steps:
Step 1: Close Multiple Instances of VLC
If multiple instances of VLC are running, it can cause the player to display two screens. To close multiple instances of VLC, follow these steps:
- Press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys to open the Task Manager (Windows) or Command + Option + Esc keys to open the Force Quit Applications window (macOS).
- Look for VLC Media Player in the list of running applications.
- Select VLC and click on the “End Task” button (Windows) or click on the “Force Quit” button (macOS).
- Repeat this process until all instances of VLC are closed.
Step 2: Adjust Video Settings
VLC’s video settings can sometimes cause the player to display two screens. To adjust video settings, follow these steps:
- Open VLC Media Player and click on the “Tools” menu.
- Select “Preferences” from the drop-down menu.
- In the Preferences window, click on the “Video” tab.
- Under the “Video Settings” section, select the “Output” dropdown menu.
- Select the correct video output device from the list.
- Click on the “Save” button to save the changes.
Step 3: Update Graphics Drivers
Outdated or corrupted graphics drivers can cause VLC to display two screens. To update graphics drivers, follow these steps:
- Press the Windows key + X and select Device Manager (Windows) or click on the Apple menu and select System Preferences (macOS).
- In the Device Manager or System Preferences window, look for the “Display Adapters” or “Graphics” section.
- Right-click on the graphics driver and select “Update driver” (Windows) or click on the “Update” button (macOS).
- Follow the prompts to update the graphics driver.
Step 4: Disable Hardware Acceleration
VLC’s hardware acceleration feature can sometimes cause issues with video playback, including the display of two screens. To disable hardware acceleration, follow these steps:
- Open VLC Media Player and click on the “Tools” menu.
- Select “Preferences” from the drop-down menu.
- In the Preferences window, click on the “Input/Codecs” tab.
- Under the “Hardware-accelerated decoding” section, uncheck the box next to “Use GPU accelerated decoding”.
- Click on the “Save” button to save the changes.
Advanced Solutions
If the troubleshooting steps above do not resolve the issue, you can try the following advanced solutions:
Reset VLC Preferences
Resetting VLC preferences can sometimes resolve issues with video playback. To reset VLC preferences, follow these steps:
- Open VLC Media Player and click on the “Tools” menu.
- Select “Preferences” from the drop-down menu.
- In the Preferences window, click on the “Reset preferences” button.
- Confirm that you want to reset the preferences.
Reinstall VLC
If none of the above solutions work, you can try reinstalling VLC. To reinstall VLC, follow these steps:
- Uninstall VLC Media Player from your device.
- Download the latest version of VLC from the official website.
- Install VLC on your device.
Conclusion
VLC showing two screens can be a frustrating issue, but it can be resolved by following the troubleshooting steps outlined above. By closing multiple instances of VLC, adjusting video settings, updating graphics drivers, and disabling hardware acceleration, you can resolve the issue and enjoy a seamless video playback experience. If the issue persists, you can try resetting VLC preferences or reinstalling VLC.
What causes VLC to show two screens?
VLC showing two screens can be caused by a variety of factors, including incorrect video settings, outdated software, or conflicts with other programs. One common reason is the use of the “Direct3D” output mode, which can sometimes cause the video to be displayed in duplicate. Additionally, if the video file itself is corrupted or contains multiple video streams, VLC may display two screens as a result.
Another possible cause is the use of multiple monitors or a multi-display setup. If VLC is set to display video on multiple screens, it may cause the video to be duplicated on a single screen. In some cases, the issue may also be related to the graphics drivers or the computer’s hardware configuration. Identifying the root cause of the issue is essential to resolving the problem.
How do I fix VLC showing two screens?
To fix VLC showing two screens, try adjusting the video settings in the VLC preferences. Go to “Tools” > “Preferences” > “Video” and select the “Output” mode. Try changing the output mode to “OpenGL” or “Windows GDI” to see if it resolves the issue. You can also try disabling the “Direct3D” output mode or adjusting the “Video Device” settings.
If adjusting the video settings does not resolve the issue, try updating VLC to the latest version or reinstalling the software. You can also try resetting VLC’s preferences to their default values by deleting the VLC configuration file. Additionally, ensure that your graphics drivers are up-to-date and that your computer’s hardware configuration is compatible with VLC.
What is the difference between Direct3D and OpenGL output modes in VLC?
The Direct3D and OpenGL output modes in VLC are two different methods of rendering video on the screen. Direct3D is a Microsoft-developed API that is specific to Windows, while OpenGL is a cross-platform API that is widely supported. In general, OpenGL is considered to be more compatible and stable than Direct3D, especially on multi-monitor setups.
However, Direct3D may offer better performance and hardware acceleration on Windows systems. If you are experiencing issues with VLC showing two screens, trying switching between these two output modes to see if it resolves the issue. You can do this by going to “Tools” > “Preferences” > “Video” and selecting the “Output” mode.
Can I prevent VLC from showing two screens in the future?
Yes, you can prevent VLC from showing two screens in the future by adjusting the video settings and ensuring that your computer’s hardware configuration is compatible with VLC. Regularly updating VLC and your graphics drivers can also help prevent the issue from occurring.
Additionally, you can try setting VLC to display video on a single screen by default. To do this, go to “Tools” > “Preferences” > “Video” and select the “Display” settings. You can also try disabling the “Multi-monitor support” option in the VLC preferences to prevent the video from being displayed on multiple screens.
Is VLC showing two screens a common issue?
VLC showing two screens is not a extremely common issue, but it can occur in certain situations. The issue is often related to specific video settings or hardware configurations, and it may not affect all users.
However, the issue is well-documented in VLC’s support forums and knowledge base, and there are several solutions available to resolve the problem. If you are experiencing the issue, you can try the troubleshooting steps outlined in VLC’s documentation or seek help from the VLC community.
Can I use other media players to avoid the issue?
Yes, you can use other media players to avoid the issue of VLC showing two screens. There are several alternative media players available that may not exhibit the same issue, such as Windows Media Player, KMPlayer, or PotPlayer.
However, VLC is a popular and highly-regarded media player that offers many features and advantages. If you prefer to use VLC, you can try troubleshooting the issue or seeking help from the VLC community to resolve the problem. Additionally, VLC is constantly being updated and improved, so the issue may be resolved in a future version.
How do I report the issue to the VLC developers?
If you are experiencing the issue of VLC showing two screens and are unable to resolve it using the troubleshooting steps outlined in VLC’s documentation, you can report the issue to the VLC developers. To do this, go to the VLC bug tracker website and submit a bug report.
When submitting a bug report, be sure to provide as much detail as possible about the issue, including your computer’s hardware configuration, VLC version, and any error messages that may be displayed. This will help the VLC developers to identify and resolve the issue in a future version.