The Steam Deck is a versatile handheld gaming PC, but like any device, you might sometimes find yourself stuck in fullscreen mode, whether in a game, an application, or the desktop environment. Exiting fullscreen can be as simple as pressing a button or as frustrating as a frozen screen. This guide walks you through all the methods to exit fullscreen on your Deck, covering the default SteamOS Gaming Mode, Desktop Mode, and various scenarios you might encounter. No matter what has you trapped in fullscreen, there’s a way out.
Exiting Fullscreen in Gaming Mode
Gaming Mode is the default interface when you boot your Steam Deck. It is designed for controller-friendly navigation, but you can still find fullscreen applications like games or media players. Here’s how to exit fullscreen in this environment.
Using the Quick Access Menu
The Quick Access Menu is your fastest route. Press the Quick Access button (•••) below the right touchpad or the Steam button to open the overlay. From there, navigate to the Performance tab and look for a Toggle Fullscreen option if available for the current app. Some games also have an Exit Game button here that will close the fullscreen application entirely.
Forcing Closure Through the Steam Button
If the app is unresponsive, hold the Steam button and then press the B button to force quit the current game or application. This sends an Alt+F4 signal to the app, which usually closes it and returns you to the library. If the app is completely frozen, you may need to hold the Power button for ten seconds to force a system restart.
Exiting Fullscreen in Desktop Mode
Desktop Mode on the Steam Deck is a full KDE Plasma environment. Applications here behave like a standard Linux desktop, so exiting fullscreen often involves keyboard shortcuts or window controls.
Using Keyboard Shortcuts
The universal shortcut to toggle fullscreen on most Linux applications is F11. You can press Steam + X to bring up the on-screen keyboard, then tap F11. Alternatively, if you have a physical keyboard connected, simply press F11. Some applications use Ctrl + F or Ctrl + Shift + F instead. VLC Media Player, for example, uses F to toggle fullscreen.
Using the Title Bar and Window Controls
If the application window has a title bar, you can exit fullscreen by pressing the Escape key (via on-screen keyboard or physical keyboard). You can also right-click on the title bar (or long press with the touchscreen) and select Exit Fullscreen or Unmaximize. The standard window controls (minimize, maximize, close) are also available in the top-right corner of most windows.
Using the Touchscreen Gestures
In KDE Plasma, you can swipe down from the top edge of the screen to reveal a global menu that includes window management options. From there, you can unmaximize or close the fullscreen app. If the app covers the entire screen, try a two-finger swipe down from the top edge to exit fullscreen.
Exiting Fullscreen in Specific Applications
Different apps and games have their own methods, and the Steam Deck’s controller mapping can sometimes help.
Games from Steam
Most Steam games map exiting to the Escape key, which you can activate by assigning it to a back grip button via the Controller Configuration (Steam button > Controller Settings). Many games also have an in-game menu accessible with Start or Select that includes a quit option. If the game supports borderless fullscreen mode, you can sometimes press Alt + Tab (Steam button + touchpad) to switch to another window and then close the game normally.
Non-Steam Games and Emulators
For games added as non-Steam shortcuts, the same escape key method works. Emulators like RetroArch use F or a hold of the Start button for several seconds to enter the menu. Check the emulator’s documentation. If you have set up a custom controller layout, you can bind a key combination to exit fullscreen or quit the app.
Web Browsers and Video Players
In browsers like Firefox or Chrome, F11 toggles fullscreen mode. You can also press Esc to exit fullscreen video. On the Steam Deck, you can touch and hold a video and select Exit fullscreen from the context menu. Some sites like YouTube use a double-tap on the video to exit fullscreen, but the Deck’s display often works better with a tap then a swipe down.
What to Do When Nothing Works
If you are completely stuck in fullscreen and none of the above methods work, there are still a few things to try.
Force Restart the Steam Deck
Hold the Power button for about ten seconds until the screen goes black, then press it again to turn the device back on. This is a hard reset and will close all running applications. Use it only as a last resort when the system is unresponsive.
Switch to Desktop Mode
If you are in Gaming Mode and the fullscreen app is stuck, you can press the Steam button, go to Power, and select Switch to Desktop Mode. This will launch the desktop environment, and from there you can use the system tray to close the offending application (right-click its icon and choose Close or Quit).
Connect an External Display and Keyboard
If the screen is locked in fullscreen but the system is still responsive, connecting a USB-C hub with HDMI and a keyboard can give you back control. You can then use keyboard shortcuts like Alt + F4 or Ctrl + Alt + T to open a terminal and kill the process with a command like killall -9 processname.
Preventing Fullscreen Traps
Many fullscreen issues can be avoided with a little setup. In games, opt for borderless windowed mode rather than exclusive fullscreen whenever possible. This allows quicker alt-tabbing and fewer crashes. In Desktop Mode, remember the keyboard shortcuts and perhaps set up a custom chord (like holding a back grip button) to send the Escape or F11 command. For emulators, configure a quit shortcut in the settings before launching a game.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I exit fullscreen if the touchscreen is unresponsive?
Connect a USB-C hub with a mouse, or use the trackpads and triggers as mouse buttons (the right trackpad is a mouse by default in Desktop Mode). You can also try the Steam button + B force quit method in Gaming Mode.
Can I exit fullscreen without closing the app?
Yes, if the app supports windowed mode, use F11 or its specific toggle shortcut. In Desktop Mode, you can often unmaximize the window via the title bar or window controls.
Why does my Steam Deck stay in fullscreen after I close a game?
This could be because the game’s window was set to always-on-top or exclusive fullscreen. Switching to Desktop Mode and then back to Gaming Mode often resolves this.
Is there a universal button to exit fullscreen on the Steam Deck?
No universal physical button exists, but Steam button + B acts as Alt+F4 and will close most fullscreen applications. For toggling fullscreen without closing, you need to use application-specific shortcuts.
What if a game doesn’t respond to Alt+F4?
Some games ignore Alt+F4. In that case, you can bring up the Steam overlay (Steam button) and use Exit Game, or switch to Desktop Mode and kill the process from the system tray or terminal.
