The key to achieving full screen mode on Amazon Prime Video depends entirely on your device and browser. Typically, a simple click or tap on the full screen icon located within the video player’s controls is all that’s required, but variations exist, particularly when streaming through web browsers with potential compatibility issues.
Understanding Full Screen Mode on Amazon Prime Video
Achieving full screen viewing on Amazon Prime Video should be a simple process, enhancing your movie and TV show experience. However, device-specific interfaces, browser configurations, and occasional software glitches can sometimes complicate matters. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of how to successfully enter and exit full screen mode across various platforms. Understanding these nuances will allow you to enjoy your favorite content without the frustrating black bars and distractions.
Common Methods for Full Screen Activation
The most straightforward method involves using the full screen icon, typically represented by an expanding square, located at the bottom-right corner of the video player during playback. Clicking or tapping this icon will expand the video to occupy your entire screen. Similarly, pressing the “F” key on your keyboard is a universal shortcut for toggling between windowed and full screen modes, provided the video player window is the active window on your computer. On mobile devices, the icon is similarly located, and tapping it achieves the same result. It’s crucial to ensure that your device or browser is properly configured to allow full screen functionality. This might involve adjusting display settings or updating browser extensions.
Device-Specific Considerations
The approach to activating full screen mode can vary slightly depending on the device being used:
- Smart TVs: Navigate to the video player controls using your TV remote and select the full screen icon. Some TVs might also support a shortcut button on the remote.
- Computers (Web Browser): The “F” key or the full screen icon are the primary methods. Ensure your browser is up-to-date and doesn’t have extensions interfering with video playback.
- Tablets & Smartphones (App): The full screen icon is the most reliable method. Check your device’s display settings to ensure proper orientation and aspect ratio.
- Gaming Consoles (PlayStation, Xbox): The full screen mode is usually enabled by default. If not, check the video player settings within the Amazon Prime Video app.
- Amazon Fire TV Stick/Cube: The remote control features dedicated buttons for video playback, including a play/pause button that reveals the full screen icon.
Troubleshooting Full Screen Issues
Several factors can prevent full screen mode from working correctly:
- Browser Compatibility: Ensure your browser is compatible with Amazon Prime Video and is up-to-date. Outdated browsers can cause playback issues.
- Browser Extensions: Some extensions, especially ad blockers or video downloaders, can interfere with full screen functionality. Try disabling them temporarily to see if that resolves the issue.
- Display Settings: Check your computer’s display settings. An incorrect resolution or scaling setting can prevent videos from displaying correctly in full screen.
- Driver Issues: Outdated graphics drivers can also cause problems. Update your drivers to the latest version available from your graphics card manufacturer.
- DRM (Digital Rights Management): Occasionally, DRM restrictions can prevent full screen playback. This is less common but can occur with certain content.
FAQs: Maximizing Your Viewing Experience
Here are some frequently asked questions about achieving optimal full screen viewing on Amazon Prime Video:
FAQ 1: Why isn’t the full screen icon showing up on my Amazon Prime Video player?
This issue often stems from using an outdated browser or having incompatible browser extensions enabled. Ensure your browser is updated to the latest version. Temporarily disable any browser extensions, especially ad blockers or video downloaders, and then refresh the page. If the icon appears after disabling an extension, you’ve identified the culprit.
FAQ 2: How do I make Amazon Prime Video full screen on my iPhone or iPad?
Within the Amazon Prime Video app, simply tap the full screen icon, located in the lower right-hand corner of the video player during playback. Make sure your device is not locked in portrait mode, and ensure the app has the necessary permissions to access full screen functionality.
FAQ 3: Can I use keyboard shortcuts to enter full screen on Amazon Prime Video on my computer?
Yes, the “F” key is a universal shortcut for toggling between windowed and full screen modes. Make sure the video player window is the active window when you press the “F” key. Alternatively, try double-clicking the video playback area.
FAQ 4: I’m watching on Chrome, and the video is not truly full screen, showing a small border. How can I fix this?
This could be related to Chrome’s settings or extensions. Try clearing your browser cache and cookies. Also, examine your Chrome extensions. Specifically, ad blockers or other video enhancing extensions can sometimes cause this. Disable them temporarily and restart the browser to see if this resolves the issue. Consider resetting Chrome settings to default if the problem persists.
FAQ 5: Why is my Amazon Prime Video quality blurry when I go full screen?
This usually indicates that the video is being streamed at a lower resolution. Amazon Prime Video automatically adjusts the streaming quality based on your internet connection speed. Ensure you have a stable and fast internet connection to allow for higher resolution streaming. You can also manually adjust the video quality settings within the Amazon Prime Video app or website, if available.
FAQ 6: I have multiple monitors. How do I ensure the Amazon Prime Video plays in full screen on the correct monitor?
Drag the browser window or Amazon Prime Video app to the desired monitor before entering full screen mode. Your operating system should remember this setting for future viewing sessions. You can also configure your display settings in your operating system to designate a primary monitor.
FAQ 7: Is there a way to force Amazon Prime Video to always play in full screen mode?
Unfortunately, there’s no built-in setting within Amazon Prime Video to automatically launch videos in full screen mode. Some browser extensions might offer this functionality, but use them with caution as they can sometimes cause other issues.
FAQ 8: I’m using the Amazon Fire TV Stick, and full screen isn’t working properly. What should I do?
First, ensure your Fire TV Stick is running the latest software version. Navigate to Settings > My Fire TV > About > Check for Updates. If an update is available, install it. If that doesn’t work, try restarting the Fire TV Stick by unplugging it for a minute and then plugging it back in.
FAQ 9: Can DRM (Digital Rights Management) affect my ability to watch Amazon Prime Video in full screen?
In rare cases, DRM restrictions might interfere with full screen playback. This is typically related to specific content or regional licensing agreements. If you suspect DRM is the issue, try watching different content to see if the problem persists. If the issue is isolated to certain titles, there might be limited solutions available.
FAQ 10: How do I exit full screen mode on Amazon Prime Video?
The easiest way to exit full screen is by pressing the “Esc” key on your keyboard. Alternatively, you can move your mouse cursor to the top or bottom of the screen (in some browsers), which will reveal the video player controls, including the full screen icon (which will now appear as a shrinking square or “Exit Full Screen” text). Click or tap on this icon to return to windowed mode.
FAQ 11: My video automatically exits full screen after a few seconds. What’s causing this?
This behavior is usually caused by an external program or notification stealing focus from the video player. Close any unnecessary applications running in the background and disable any notifications that might be interrupting the video playback. Ensure your operating system and drivers are up-to-date.
FAQ 12: I’m using the Amazon Prime Video app on my Android tablet, and the video is stretched in full screen. How do I fix the aspect ratio?
Navigate to your Android tablet’s display settings and look for options related to “Aspect Ratio” or “Screen Zoom”. Experiment with different settings to find the one that displays the video correctly without stretching or distortion. Some tablets might also have a built-in setting specifically for video playback.