How to stop VLC from Opening Direct 3D Output Window

There are certain instances where we see the VLC media player open two windows of it when we open a video file. We see the video on one window and we see Direct 3D output on the other. This happens with certain files or when the settings of the player are changes. In this guide, we show you how you can stop VLC from opening the Direct 3D output window on Windows 11/10.

There are many possible reasons for the VLC to open the Direct 3D output window. With certain video files, there is another layer of cover art or some other text which can be seen in the Direct 3D output window. Also, we might have accidentally enabled the Direct 3D output window with keyboard shortcuts. There are a lot of people who are seeing this Direct 3D output window and feeling vexed. The VLC media player has those settings that can help us enable its features or disable them at any time we feel so. Let’s see how we can stop VLC from opening the Direct 3D output window.

How to stop VLC from opening Direct 3D Output window

There are multiple reasons that lead the VLC to open the Direct 3D output window. We have to make changes putting those in mind and stop the Direct 3D Output window. The following methods can help us.

Resetting Preferences on VLC
Enable Integrate video in interface
Disable Audio Visualizations

Let’s get into the details of each process.

1] Resetting Preferences on VLC

There are chances that the preference of the Direct 3D output window is enabled accidentally. The only way to disable the accidentally enabled setting is to reset all preferences to get VLC to its default settings.

To reset preferences, open the VLC media player and click on Tools in the menu bar and select Preferences or use the Ctrl+P keyboard shortcut.

It will open the Simple Preferences window. At the bottom of the window, click on Reset Preferences to reset all the settings and preferences.

All the settings or preferences will now be set to default. See, if it has stopped VLC from opening Direct 3D output.

2] Enable Integrate video in interface

There is a preference that integrates and plays the layers of a video file in a single window. It has to be enabled to stop Direct 3D output on the VLC media player. To enable it, go to Preferences using the Ctrl+P keyboard shortcut or using the menu bar. On the Simple Preferences window, check the box beside Integrate video in the interface in the Interface Settings.

This will stop Direct 3D output on VLC.

3] Disable Audio Visualizations

If the audio visualizations are enabled, there are chances that you might see a Direct 3D output window on the VLC media player. It is recommended to disable audio visualizations if you want to stop Direct 3D output.

To disable, go to Preferences on the VLC media player and click on the Audio tab in the Simple Preferences window. Then, click on All under Show settings to see all the audio settings on VLC.

Then, select Audio from the list on the sidebar and click on Visualizations. Change the Audio visualization setting to Disable.

These are the ways using which you can disable the Direct 3D output window on the VLC media player.

How do I get rid of direct output in VLC?

You can get rid of direct output in three ways- Resetting preferences, Disabling audio visualizations, and Enabling integrate video in the interface. All these can be done easily via VLC Settings.

How do I stop multiple windows from opening in VLC?

You can stop multiple windows from opening in VLC from the preferences on VLC. Open VLC media player on your PC, Click on Tools in the menu bar, Select Preferences from the options, Scroll down and check the button beside Allow only one instance. Then, click on Save to make the changes apply.