Recently, I opened my VLC player and it was no where on the screen. I could hear sound but there was no video on the screen meaning VLC player was open offscreen somewhere away from the screen. In this post I will show you how to fix this issue and get your VLC player window back to the normal position on your display. VLC player may also go outside screen area if you used an external monitor or a projector and then switched back to your normal screen.

Common keywords for this issue include: “VLC Player missing from view or invisible on screen” – “Where is my VLC Player screen on my laptop?” – “VLC Player open but I can only hear sound” – “VLC Player dragged off view on the screen”, “VLC player opens offscreen”.

FIX VLC Player opens offscreen or away from screen area

1. Open VLC and select it in the taskbar so it is the currently selected application (even though you can’t see it)
2. Let go of the mouse and be careful not to move it until step 6
3. Use the Alt-Spacebar key combination — You should see a new pop up with the options – Restore, Move, Minimize, Maximize. –This pop-up also gives you an idea where your VLC Player is hiding on the screen.
4. If restore option is visible, press “R” or use your keyboard arrow up to select “Restore”. If restore is not available, follow step 5 below
5. Press “M” or use keyboard’s arrow key to select “Move” option
6. Now press the arrow keys (up, down, left or right) to move the VLC window back in view on the screen. I’m pretty sure you already fixed the issue to get the off-screen skinned VLC, but I thought I should share anyways.

[IF YOU ARE USING A VLC SKIN]

• Go into the folder that VLC is downloaded in.
• Go into skins folder.
• Cut and paste the skin you are currently using to another location.
• Open VLC player and it should start in default skin