Under the tab, look for the Launch Options input field.
This document walks through systematic steps to fix the error “Cannot set display mode” (or similar display-related errors) when launching Serious Sam 3 (BFE). Follow steps in order. Try launching the game after each step to check whether the issue is resolved.
Steam files can occasionally corrupt during major Windows updates or unexpected system shutdowns. Open your . Right-click on Serious Sam 3: BFE and select Properties . Navigate to the Installed Files (or Local Files) tab.
Paste the following path and press Enter: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\userdata\
The most frequently cited cause is a missing component from the legacy DirectX June 2010 redistributable. An official Serious Sam 3 update acknowledged that the DirectX redistributable was unintentionally left out of some builds, causing this error on fresh installations.
Right-click the file and open it inside a standard text editor application.
While frustrating, this error is almost always fixable. It typically stems from compatibility issues with modern hardware and software—specifically how the game's aging renderer tries to interact with your graphics driver, resolution, or DirectX setup.
+---------------------------------------+ | Steam Library -> Serious Sam 3 | | Right Click -> Properties | +-------------------+-------------------+ | v +---------------------------------------+ | General -> Launch Options | +-------------------+-------------------+ | v +----------------------------+----------------------------+ | | v v +-----------------------------+ +-----------------------------+ | Force Safe Resolution | | Force Windowed Mode | | Code: `-w 1280 -h 720` | | Code: `-windowed` | +-----------------------------+ +-----------------------------+ Open your . Right-click Serious Sam 3: BFE and select Properties .
To narrow down the exact cause for your system, let me know your , monitor resolution , and if you are using multiple screens . I can provide specific steps for your hardware setup. Share public link