Deadlock Stretched Resolution Guide: Best Res and Setup
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Deadlock is built on Valve’s Source 2 engine, which means you have console and launch-option control over resolution on top of GPU scaling. Stretched res widens hero models and can lighten the GPU load while the game is still being optimized. This guide covers the best values and both the Source 2 and GPU methods so the stretch fills your screen.
Deadlock is in active development, so menus and behavior can shift between patches. Stretched res is a display preference the anti-cheat is fine with — test it against native and keep what feels better.
Best stretched resolutions for Deadlock
| Base resolution | Stretched to | Aspect | Feel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1280 x 960 | 1920 x 1080 | 4:3 | Widest heroes, lightest load |
| 1440 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 | 4:3 | Wide heroes, sharper |
| 1728 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 | 16:10 | Subtle stretch |
1440 x 1080 is the balanced 4:3 pick; 1280 x 960 stretches further and renders the fewest pixels.
Step 1 – Create the custom resolution
NVIDIA
- Open NVIDIA Control Panel → Change resolution → Customize → Create Custom Resolution.
- Enter
1440 x 1080(or1280 x 960) at your refresh rate, test, and save.
AMD
- Open AMD Software → Settings → Display → Custom Resolutions → Create.
- Add your chosen base at your refresh rate and save.
Step 2 – Force full-screen GPU scaling (the key step)
Source 2 will render at the resolution you set, but the GPU still has to stretch that output to the panel or you get black bars.
NVIDIA
- NVIDIA Control Panel → Adjust desktop size and position.
- Scaling mode: Full-screen, Perform scaling on: GPU.
- Tick Override the scaling mode set by games and programs and Apply.
AMD
- AMD Software → Display → GPU Scaling: On, Scaling Mode: Full Panel.
Step 3 – Apply it in Deadlock (Source 2 method)
You have a couple of reliable Source 2 routes:
- Launch options: in Steam, right-click Deadlock → Properties → Launch Options and add
-w 1440 -h 1080(match your custom res). Combine with-fullscreento force fullscreen. - In-game video menu: open Settings → Video, set the display mode to Fullscreen, and select your custom resolution.
- Console: if you have the developer console enabled, you can set the resolution there as well, then confirm the display mode is fullscreen.
Whichever route you use, the stretch only fills the screen once full-screen GPU scaling from Step 2 is active.
If you still get black bars
- The display mode is borderless or windowed — set it to Fullscreen.
- Your
-w/-hlaunch options do not match a resolution your GPU exposes. - NVIDIA scaling is on Aspect ratio, or the Override box is unticked.
- AMD GPU Scaling is off, or Scaling Mode is not Full Panel.
- Your monitor’s OSD scaling is set to Aspect — set it to Full.
Stretched res and Deadlock performance
1440 x 1080 renders fewer pixels than native 1920 x 1080, which can help while Deadlock is still being optimized. Keep input delay low with a clean settings pass: see Best Deadlock Settings for FPS and Low Input Delay.
Related guides
- Best Deadlock Settings for FPS and Low Input Delay
- Deadlock Stuttering Fix
- How To Get Custom Resolution / Stretch Res for Fortnite, Apex Legends, Halo, and any other game
- How to Minimize Input Delay for Competitive Gaming
The best Deadlock stretched resolution is 1440 x 1080 for most players or 1280 x 960 for the widest heroes. Set it through Source 2 launch options or the video menu, force full-screen GPU scaling, and the black bars give way to a clean stretch.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get stretched resolution in Deadlock?
Deadlock runs on Source 2, so you can set resolution via Steam launch options or the in-game console and then force the stretch with GPU scaling. Create a custom resolution like 1440x1080 in NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Software, enable full-screen GPU scaling, then add -w 1440 -h 1080 to Deadlock's launch options or set the resolution in the video menu with Fullscreen selected.
Do Source 2 launch options set stretched resolution in Deadlock?
Launch options like -w and -h set the rendered resolution, but they do not stretch the image by themselves. You still need full-screen GPU scaling enabled so the lower-aspect output fills your panel instead of showing black bars. The launch options plus GPU scaling together produce a true stretched image in Deadlock.
Is stretched resolution bannable in Deadlock?
No. Setting resolution through launch options, the console, or GPU scaling are all standard display methods, not file edits or injections, so Deadlock's anti-cheat does not flag them. These are features Valve and your GPU drivers expose. You are only changing how the game is displayed.
What is the best stretched resolution for Deadlock?
1440x1080 (4:3) gives the widest hero models and a solid pixel reduction, making it the common stretched pick. 1280x960 (4:3) stretches further with the lightest load, and 1728x1080 (16:10) is a gentler option. Deadlock is in active development, so test a couple of values against native and keep the one that feels best.
Why is Deadlock showing black bars instead of stretching?
Black bars mean the GPU is not stretching the output to fill the panel. Make sure the display mode is Fullscreen rather than borderless or windowed. On NVIDIA set scaling to Full-screen on GPU with the Override box ticked; on AMD enable GPU Scaling with Full Panel. Confirm your -w and -h launch options are correct and that your monitor OSD scaling is set to Full.