How to Exit Big Picture Mode on Steam: A Comprehensive Guide
Steam’s Big Picture Mode is a fantastic feature for gamers who prefer playing on their TVs with a controller. It provides a streamlined, controller-friendly interface, making it easier to navigate your Steam library and launch games from the comfort of your couch. However, there are times when you might want to exit Big Picture Mode and return to the standard Steam desktop client. Whether you’re switching back to mouse and keyboard gaming, troubleshooting issues, or simply prefer the regular interface, knowing how to exit Big Picture Mode is essential.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through several methods to exit Big Picture Mode on Steam, covering various scenarios and potential issues you might encounter. We’ll explore options using the controller, the mouse and keyboard, and even delve into alternative solutions if you’re experiencing difficulties.
## Understanding Big Picture Mode
Before we dive into the exit strategies, let’s briefly understand what Big Picture Mode is and why it’s useful.
* **Controller-Friendly Interface:** The primary purpose of Big Picture Mode is to provide a user-friendly interface that’s easily navigable with a game controller. The large icons, simplified menus, and optimized text size make it ideal for playing on a TV.
* **Full-Screen Experience:** Big Picture Mode runs in full-screen, immersing you in the Steam environment and minimizing distractions.
* **Remote Play Integration:** Big Picture Mode seamlessly integrates with Steam’s Remote Play feature, allowing you to stream games from your desktop PC to other devices, such as a laptop or mobile device connected to your TV.
* **Customization Options:** While simplified, Big Picture Mode still offers customization options, allowing you to adjust settings, browse the Steam store, and manage your friends list.
Now that we have a basic understanding of Big Picture Mode, let’s explore the different ways to exit it.
## Method 1: Exiting with a Controller
The most common and straightforward way to exit Big Picture Mode is by using your controller. Here’s how:
**Steps:**
1. **Navigate to the Power Menu:** Press the Steam button (or the equivalent button on your controller, such as the PlayStation button on a DualShock 4 or the Xbox button on an Xbox controller). This will open the Big Picture Mode overlay menu.
2. **Select the Power Icon:** Using your controller’s directional pad or analog stick, navigate to the power icon. This icon is typically located in the upper-right corner of the overlay menu. The icon usually resembles a power symbol or a gear.
3. **Choose “Exit Big Picture Mode”:** Once you’ve highlighted the power icon, press the action button (usually ‘A’ on an Xbox controller or ‘X’ on a PlayStation controller). A menu will appear with options such as “Exit Big Picture Mode,” “Restart Steam,” and “Shut Down.” Select “Exit Big Picture Mode.”
4. **Confirm Your Choice:** A confirmation prompt might appear asking if you’re sure you want to exit. If it does, select “Yes” or “OK” using your controller.
Steam will now exit Big Picture Mode and return you to the standard desktop client.
**Troubleshooting:**
* **Controller Not Responding:** If your controller isn’t responding, ensure it’s properly connected and charged. Try restarting Steam or your computer. You might also need to check your controller drivers.
* **Power Icon Missing:** In rare cases, the power icon might be missing from the overlay menu. This could be due to a bug or a corrupted configuration file. Try restarting Steam or verifying the integrity of your Steam files (explained later in this guide).
## Method 2: Exiting with a Mouse and Keyboard
If you have a mouse and keyboard connected, you can also exit Big Picture Mode using these peripherals.
**Steps:**
1. **Move the Mouse Cursor:** Move your mouse cursor to the upper-right corner of the screen. This will usually reveal the Big Picture Mode menu bar.
2. **Click the Power Icon:** Locate the power icon in the menu bar. It’s usually represented by a power symbol or a gear. Click on it.
3. **Select “Exit Big Picture Mode”:** A menu will appear with options such as “Exit Big Picture Mode,” “Restart Steam,” and “Shut Down.” Click on “Exit Big Picture Mode.”
4. **Confirm Your Choice:** A confirmation prompt might appear asking if you’re sure you want to exit. If it does, click “Yes” or “OK.”
Steam will now exit Big Picture Mode.
**Troubleshooting:**
* **Menu Bar Not Appearing:** If the menu bar isn’t appearing when you move your mouse to the top-right corner, try pressing the Alt key. This can sometimes force the menu bar to appear. If that doesn’t work, try restarting Steam.
* **Mouse Cursor Issues:** If your mouse cursor is behaving erratically or not responding, try restarting your computer. Ensure your mouse drivers are up to date.
## Method 3: Using the Steam Interface (If Accessible)
Sometimes, Big Picture Mode might be partially functional, allowing you to access some elements of the Steam interface. If this is the case, you can try exiting through the settings menu.
**Steps:**
1. **Navigate to the Settings Menu:** In Big Picture Mode, try to navigate to the settings menu. This is usually represented by a gear icon. You might need to use your controller or mouse to access it.
2. **Find the “Interface” or “Display” Section:** Within the settings menu, look for a section related to the interface or display settings. The exact name might vary depending on the Steam version.
3. **Disable Big Picture Mode:** Within the interface or display settings, there should be an option to disable Big Picture Mode. It might be a checkbox or a toggle switch. Disable this option.
4. **Restart Steam (If Prompted):** You might be prompted to restart Steam for the changes to take effect. If so, restart Steam.
Steam should now exit Big Picture Mode.
**Troubleshooting:**
* **Unable to Navigate:** If you’re unable to navigate the settings menu due to controller or mouse issues, try the other methods described in this guide. You might also need to troubleshoot your input devices.
* **Option Not Found:** If you can’t find the option to disable Big Picture Mode in the settings menu, it might be located in a different section or the Steam version might be outdated. Try updating Steam.
## Method 4: Using the Command Line
If you’re comfortable using the command line, you can exit Big Picture Mode by launching Steam with a specific command-line argument.
**Steps:**
1. **Close Steam Completely:** Ensure that Steam is completely closed before proceeding. This includes closing it from the system tray (the area near the clock in the lower-right corner of your screen).
2. **Open the Command Prompt or Terminal:**
* **Windows:** Press the Windows key, type “cmd,” and press Enter to open the Command Prompt.
* **macOS:** Open Finder, go to Applications > Utilities, and double-click on Terminal.
* **Linux:** Open your preferred terminal application.
3. **Navigate to the Steam Installation Directory:** Use the `cd` command to navigate to the directory where Steam is installed. The default installation directory is typically:
* **Windows (32-bit):** `C:\Program Files\Steam`
* **Windows (64-bit):** `C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam`
* **macOS:** `/Applications/Steam.app/Contents/MacOS`
* **Linux:** The location depends on your distribution and installation method. It’s often in `/usr/games/steam` or `~/.local/share/Steam`.
For example, on Windows (64-bit), you would type the following command and press Enter:
cd “C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam”
**Note:** Enclose the directory path in double quotes if it contains spaces.
4. **Launch Steam with the `-no-bigpicture` Argument:** Type the following command and press Enter:
* **Windows:** `steam.exe -no-bigpicture`
* **macOS:** `./steam -no-bigpicture`
* **Linux:** `./steam -no-bigpicture`
This command tells Steam to launch in the standard desktop mode and bypass Big Picture Mode.
**Troubleshooting:**
* **Incorrect Installation Directory:** If you receive an error message saying that the command is not recognized, double-check that you’ve navigated to the correct Steam installation directory.
* **Steam Not Closing Properly:** If Steam doesn’t close completely, the command-line argument might not work. Ensure that Steam is closed from the system tray.
* **Permissions Issues:** On macOS and Linux, you might need to use the `sudo` command to run Steam with administrative privileges. However, be cautious when using `sudo`, as it can have unintended consequences. It’s generally best to avoid using `sudo` unless absolutely necessary.
## Method 5: Editing the Steam Configuration File
For more advanced users, you can directly edit the Steam configuration file to disable Big Picture Mode. This method requires caution, as incorrect modifications to the configuration file can cause Steam to malfunction.
**Steps:**
1. **Close Steam Completely:** Ensure that Steam is completely closed before proceeding.
2. **Locate the `steamui.dll` File:** Navigate to the Steam installation directory and find the `steamui.dll` file. This file is responsible for the Steam user interface, including Big Picture Mode.
The default installation directory is typically:
* **Windows (32-bit):** `C:\Program Files\Steam`
* **Windows (64-bit):** `C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam`
3. **Backup the `steamui.dll` File:** Before making any changes, create a backup copy of the `steamui.dll` file. This will allow you to restore the original file if something goes wrong. Simply copy the file and paste it into the same directory, renaming the copy (e.g., `steamui.dll.bak`).
4. **Open the `steamui.dll` File in a Hex Editor:** You’ll need a hex editor to modify the `steamui.dll` file. A hex editor allows you to view and edit the raw binary data of a file. There are several free hex editors available online, such as HxD (for Windows) and Hex Fiend (for macOS).
**Warning:** Editing binary files can be dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing. Make sure you have a backup of the `steamui.dll` file before proceeding.
5. **Search for the Big Picture Mode Configuration:** Within the hex editor, search for the following string:
`-tenfoot`
This string is a command-line argument that tells Steam to launch in Big Picture Mode. We’re going to modify this string to prevent Steam from launching in Big Picture Mode.
6. **Modify the String:** Replace the `-tenfoot` string with a different string of the same length. For example, you can replace it with `-no-bp-`.
**Important:** Ensure that the replacement string is the same length as the original string. Changing the length of the string can corrupt the file.
7. **Save the Modified File:** Save the changes to the `steamui.dll` file.
8. **Launch Steam:** Launch Steam. It should now launch in the standard desktop mode and bypass Big Picture Mode.
**Troubleshooting:**
* **Steam Not Launching:** If Steam doesn’t launch after modifying the `steamui.dll` file, it’s likely that you made an error during the editing process. Restore the backup copy of the `steamui.dll` file and try again.
* **Steam Malfunctioning:** If Steam is malfunctioning after modifying the `steamui.dll` file, it’s also likely that you made an error during the editing process. Restore the backup copy of the `steamui.dll` file.
* **Hex Editor Issues:** If you’re having trouble using the hex editor, consult the documentation for the specific hex editor you’re using.
**Disclaimer:** Editing the `steamui.dll` file is an advanced procedure and should only be attempted by experienced users who are comfortable with hex editing. Incorrect modifications to the file can cause Steam to malfunction. Proceed with caution and make sure you have a backup of the original file before making any changes.
## Method 6: Deleting the `steamui.dll` File
Another, albeit more drastic, method is to simply delete the `steamui.dll` file. Steam will then re-download the file when it restarts, potentially resolving any issues that might be causing Big Picture Mode to launch unexpectedly. This also resets any configurations related to the UI that may have been corrupted.
**Steps:**
1. **Close Steam Completely:** Ensure that Steam is completely closed before proceeding.
2. **Navigate to the Steam Installation Directory:** Navigate to the Steam installation directory. The default location is:
* **Windows (32-bit):** `C:\Program Files\Steam`
* **Windows (64-bit):** `C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam`
3. **Locate the `steamui.dll` File:** Find the `steamui.dll` file within the installation directory.
4. **Delete the `steamui.dll` File:** Right-click on the `steamui.dll` file and select “Delete.” Confirm the deletion if prompted.
5. **Restart Steam:** Launch Steam. Steam will detect the missing `steamui.dll` file and automatically download a fresh copy.
**Troubleshooting:**
* **Steam Fails to Start:** If Steam fails to start, ensure you have proper permissions to write to the Steam installation directory. Check your antivirus software, as it may be blocking Steam from downloading the file.
* **Big Picture Mode Still Launches:** It is rare, but if Steam still launches in Big Picture Mode, one of the other configuration files is forcing it. Try combining this step with other methods, such as the command line `-no-bigpicture` argument, to force the issue.
**Warning:** This method may result in a temporary inconvenience as Steam re-downloads the UI component. Make sure you have a stable internet connection before proceeding.
## Method 7: Steam Client Bootstrapper Reset
If other methods haven’t worked, a more thorough approach is to reset the Steam Client Bootstrapper. This is the component that manages updates and initial loading of the Steam client. Resetting it can help resolve issues that are causing persistent problems with launching or exiting Big Picture Mode.
**Steps:**
1. **Close Steam Completely:** Ensure Steam is fully closed. Check the system tray and use Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc on Windows) or Activity Monitor (on macOS) to terminate any Steam processes.
2. **Navigate to the Steam Installation Directory:** Go to your Steam installation directory. The default locations are:
* **Windows (32-bit):** `C:\Program Files\Steam`
* **Windows (64-bit):** `C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam`
3. **Rename `ClientRegistry.blob`:** Locate the file named `ClientRegistry.blob`. This file stores local Steam configurations. Rename it to `ClientRegistry.blob.old` (or any other name).
4. **Rename `steamclient.dll` and `steamclient64.dll` (if applicable):** Also, locate the `steamclient.dll` and `steamclient64.dll` (if both are present). These are core Steam client files. Rename them to `steamclient.dll.old` and `steamclient64.dll.old` respectively.
5. **Delete the `appcache` Folder:** Locate and delete the folder named `appcache`. This folder contains cached data. Deleting it forces Steam to rebuild the cache, potentially resolving conflicts or corrupted data causing the Big Picture Mode issue.
6. **Restart Steam:** Launch Steam. It will perform an update, re-downloading the necessary components. This process may take some time, depending on your internet connection speed.
**Troubleshooting:**
* **Steam Fails to Update:** Ensure you have an active internet connection. Check firewall or antivirus settings that might be blocking Steam. If problems persist, temporarily disable the firewall or antivirus, then try again. If the update is successful, remember to re-enable them.
* **Persistent Big Picture Mode:** If even after this reset, Steam still launches in Big Picture Mode, review all other methods and ensure you haven’t missed a configuration setting. It is also possible that your hardware or Windows installation itself is influencing Steam.
**Warning:** This method involves deleting and renaming core Steam files. While Steam should automatically recreate these files, proceed with caution and ensure you have a stable internet connection for the re-download process.
## Additional Tips and Considerations
* **Update Steam:** Ensure that you’re running the latest version of Steam. Outdated versions can sometimes have bugs that cause issues with Big Picture Mode.
* **Check Controller Drivers:** Make sure your controller drivers are up to date. Outdated or corrupted drivers can cause input issues that prevent you from exiting Big Picture Mode.
* **Verify Integrity of Game Files:** Sometimes, corrupted game files can interfere with Steam’s functionality. You can verify the integrity of game files by right-clicking on a game in your library, selecting “Properties,” going to the “Local Files” tab, and clicking “Verify integrity of game files.”
* **Restart Your Computer:** A simple restart can often resolve temporary glitches and software conflicts that might be causing issues with Big Picture Mode.
* **Check for Conflicting Software:** Some software, such as overlay programs or custom game launchers, can sometimes interfere with Steam. Try disabling these programs to see if they’re causing the issue.
* **Reinstall Steam:** As a last resort, you can try reinstalling Steam. This will completely remove Steam and all its associated files from your computer. Make sure to back up your game saves before reinstalling.
## Preventing Big Picture Mode from Launching Automatically
If you’re finding that Big Picture Mode keeps launching automatically, even after you’ve exited it, there are a few things you can do to prevent this from happening.
* **Disable Big Picture Mode in Settings:** The easiest way to prevent Big Picture Mode from launching automatically is to disable it in the Steam settings. Go to Steam > Settings > Interface and uncheck the “Start Steam in Big Picture Mode” option.
* **Remove Controller Configuration:** If you’re using a controller with Steam, try removing the controller configuration. This can sometimes prevent Steam from automatically launching in Big Picture Mode when a controller is connected.
* **Check Startup Options:** Check your Steam startup options to see if there’s a command-line argument that’s forcing Steam to launch in Big Picture Mode. You can find the startup options in Steam > Settings > Interface > “Set launch options.”
* **Reinstall Steam:** If all else fails, reinstalling Steam can sometimes resolve issues that are causing Big Picture Mode to launch automatically.
## Conclusion
Exiting Big Picture Mode on Steam is usually a straightforward process, but sometimes, you might encounter unexpected issues. By following the methods outlined in this guide, you should be able to successfully exit Big Picture Mode and return to the standard Steam desktop client. Remember to troubleshoot any issues you encounter and consult the additional tips provided. With a little patience and persistence, you’ll be back to gaming in your preferred environment in no time.
This guide provides you with the most effective and comprehensive ways to exit Big Picture Mode on Steam, covering a broad range of scenarios. Remember to take your time, follow each step carefully, and don’t hesitate to try different methods if one doesn’t work immediately. Enjoy your gaming experience, whether it’s in Big Picture Mode or the regular Steam client!