The primary issue for Ultrawide users in FH5 is the “HUD Stretching” and the “Resolution Reset” bug. In the latest 2026 builds, the game occasionally defaults to 16:9 if it detects a second monitor or a specific Windows display scaling. Editing the XML file allows you to hard-code your native Ultrawide resolution into the engine’s initialization sequence, ensuring the UI elements stay pinned to the corners rather than floating in the middle of the screen.
File Path
The location of the settings file depends on whether you are using the Steam or Xbox/Microsoft Store version.
- Xbox / Microsoft Store:
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Packages\Microsoft.6248011971_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache\Local\UserDeviceData\VideoSettings.xml - Steam:
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Forza Horizon 5\UserDeviceData\VideoSettings.xml
Technical Configuration (The 2026 “Ultrawide-Fix” Template)
Open the file and locate the following nodes. Update the values to match your specific hardware resolution (e.g., 3440x1440p or 5120x1440p).
<VideoConfig>
<ResolutionWidth>3440</ResolutionWidth> <ResolutionHeight>1440</ResolutionHeight> <Fullscreen>1</Fullscreen>
<AspectRatio>2.388</AspectRatio> <UIScale>1.0</UIScale> <MotionBlurQuality>0</MotionBlurQuality> <FieldOfViewOffset>20</FieldOfViewOffset> <HDRMode>1</HDRMode>
<FSRMode>0</FSRMode> </VideoConfig>Parameter Breakdown:
- AspectRatio: Manually setting this value (e.g., 2.388 for 21:9) prevents the game from reverting to 1.777 (16:9) during replay cameras or photo mode.
- UIScale: At 21:9 or 32:9, the default HUD elements can feel too large. Setting this to 0.8 moves the mini-map and tachometer closer to the edges and makes them less intrusive.
- FieldOfViewOffset: This is a “hidden” modifier. Adding a positive value here (up to 50) expands your cockpit view without creating the “fisheye” distortion associated with standard FOV sliders.
- Fullscreen=1: Forcing “Exclusive Fullscreen” in the XML is the only way to ensure Windows 11’s “Auto HDR” and G-Sync/FreeSync engage correctly with Ultrawide monitors.
Strategy for 2026 Ultrawide Stability
- The “Primary Monitor” Fix: If FH5 launches on the wrong screen or in a 16:9 window, ensure your Ultrawide is set as the Primary Display in the Windows Display Settings before launching. The Forza engine “polls” the primary display during the intro cinematic.
- HUD Safe Zone: In the in-game menu, go to Settings > Gameplay > HUD Safe Zone. For Ultrawide displays, set this to the minimum. This forces the UI elements to the extreme edges of your monitor, increasing immersion.
- NVIDIA DLAA / AMD Native AA: In 2026, MSAA is considered “heavy” for Ultrawide resolutions. Use DLAA (NVIDIA) or Native AA (AMD) if your GPU supports it. It provides better edge smoothing on fine details like power lines and fences at high resolutions.
- Resolution Scaling: If you are running 32:9 (5120×1440) and struggling to hit 120+ FPS, set FSR/DLSS to ‘Quality’. At this aspect ratio, the pixel density is high enough that upscaling is almost indistinguishable from native.
Key Performance Comparison (Ultrawide vs. Super Ultrawide)
| Metric | Standard 16:9 | 21:9 Ultrawide | 32:9 Super Ultrawide |
| Field of View | Restricted | +30% View | +70% View |
| Peripheral Awareness | Low | High | Extreme (Side Mirrors Visible) |
| GPU Load (Base) | 100% (Baseline) | ~135% | ~180% |
| Immersion Level | Standard | Excellent | Cockpit-Like |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why are my cutscenes still 16:9?
This is hard-coded into the game’s video files. Developers use 16:9 for cutscenes to ensure cinematic framing. There is currently no stable “fix” that doesn’t break the game’s lighting during these scenes.
Does this affect the “Photo Mode” resolution?
Yes. By forcing the resolution in VideoSettings.xml, your screenshots will be captured at the full Ultrawide width rather than being cropped to 16:9.
What if my resolution isn’t listed in the XML?
You can manually type any resolution into the ResolutionWidth and ResolutionHeight tags. The game will attempt to render whatever you input as long as your GPU driver supports it.
The game feels “stretched” at 32:9.
This is often caused by a low FOV. Increase your Field of View in the in-game settings to at least 80–90 to compensate for the extra horizontal real estate.
Conclusion and Expected Results
By manually locking your AspectRatio and Resolution in the VideoSettings.xml, you are overriding the engine’s tendency to “play it safe” with 16:9 defaults. You can expect perfectly placed HUD elements, consistent Ultrawide rendering in replays, and zero resolution flickering during the transition from the menu to the Mexico map.