9 Moonlight Stream Keyboard Shortcuts
If you use Moonlight for remote game streaming, these shortcut keys are the fastest way to control the session without opening menus mid-game. I’m listing the most useful Moonlight Stream shortcuts first (quick list), then I’ll break them into categories like session control, fullscreen/view, and mouse/input so you can find what you need in seconds.
Moonlight Stream Shortcuts (Quick List)
Use these when you’re already in a streaming session:
- Quit streaming session (game keeps running on host PC): Ctrl + Alt + Shift + Q
- Toggle mouse & keyboard capture: Ctrl + Alt + Shift + Z
- Toggle fullscreen / windowed: Ctrl + Alt + Shift + X
- Open performance stats overlay: Ctrl + Alt + Shift + S
- Toggle mouse mode (pointer capture / direct control): Ctrl + Alt + Shift + M
- Type clipboard text on the host: Ctrl + Alt + Shift + V
- Minimize stream window: Ctrl + Alt + Shift + D
- Toggle local cursor display (remote desktop mouse mode): Ctrl + Alt + Shift + C
- Lock mouse pointer to video area: Ctrl + Alt + Shift + L
Tip: These shortcuts work best when the Moonlight window is focused (clicked/active).
What is Moonlight Stream & Why Use Shortcuts?
Moonlight Stream is a remote game streaming tool that lets you play PC games from another device with very low latency. Instead of opening menus during gameplay, keyboard shortcuts help you quickly switch fullscreen, control mouse capture, or exit a session without interrupting the host PC.
If you frequently stream games or use Moonlight as a remote desktop, learning these shortcuts makes navigation faster and reduces input delay caused by manual clicks.
Moonlight Stream Session Control Shortcuts
These shortcuts help you control the streaming session itself without closing the game on your host PC. They’re useful when you want to quickly exit, minimize, or manage the stream while keeping everything running remotely.
| Action | Moonlight Stream Controls |
|---|---|
| Quit the streaming session (leave game running on host PC) | Ctrl + Alt + Shift + Q |
| Minimize the stream window | Ctrl + Alt + Shift + D |
Mouse & Keyboard Control Shortcuts in Moonlight
These Moonlight Stream shortcuts help you manage mouse behavior, cursor control, and keyboard input while streaming. They’re especially useful when switching between gaming mode and remote desktop mode.
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Toggle mouse and keyboard capture | Ctrl + Alt + Shift + Z |
| Toggle mouse mode (pointer capture or direct control) | Ctrl + Alt + Shift + M |
| Toggle local cursor display in remote desktop mouse mode | Ctrl + Alt + Shift + C |
| Toggle locking the mouse pointer to the video area | Ctrl + Alt + Shift + L |
Fullscreen & Display Mode Shortcuts
These Moonlight Stream shortcuts help you quickly change how the stream appears on your screen. Whether you want to switch to fullscreen gaming or monitor performance stats like latency and FPS, these shortcuts save time during active sessions.
| Action | Moonlight Stream Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Toggle between full-screen and windowed mode | Ctrl + Alt + Shift + X |
| Open performance stats overlay | Ctrl + Alt + Shift + S |
Clipboard & Productivity Shortcuts
These Moonlight Stream shortcuts are useful when you use Moonlight as a remote desktop instead of just gaming. They help you quickly send text or commands from your local device to the host PC without manually typing everything again.
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Type clipboard text on the host PC | Ctrl + Alt + Shift + V |
Moonlight Stream Shortcuts Not Working? (Common Fixes)
If Moonlight Stream shortcuts are not responding, the issue is usually related to focus, overlays, or keyboard conflicts rather than the app itself. Try these quick fixes before changing any advanced settings.
Make Sure the Moonlight Window Is Active
Shortcuts only work when the Moonlight streaming window is selected. Click inside the stream once to ensure keyboard input is captured.
Disable Conflicting Overlays
Apps like Steam Overlay, Discord Overlay, NVIDIA GeForce Experience, or screen recorders may block certain key combinations. Temporarily disable overlays and test again.
Check Keyboard Layout & Modifier Keys
Some international keyboard layouts may remap Ctrl, Alt, or Shift keys differently. Switching to a standard keyboard layout can fix shortcut detection issues.
Remote Desktop Mouse Mode Conflicts
If mouse shortcuts don’t work, toggle mouse capture (Ctrl + Alt + Shift + Z) or switch mouse mode (Ctrl + Alt + Shift + M) to reset input behavior.
Try Running Moonlight in Fullscreen Mode
Certain windowed setups or multi-monitor configurations can prevent shortcut detection. Switching to fullscreen often resolves this quickly.
FAQs About Moonlight Stream Shortcuts
he shortcut to quit a Moonlight streaming session without closing the game on the host PC is Ctrl + Alt + Shift + Q. This safely disconnects your device while keeping the game running remotely.
Press Ctrl + Alt + Shift + X to switch between fullscreen and windowed mode. This helps when you need to access other apps without stopping the stream.
Use Ctrl + Alt + Shift + S to open the performance stats overlay. It displays real-time information such as latency, bitrate, and frame rate during streaming.
Shortcuts may fail if the Moonlight window is not active, overlays are blocking key inputs, or your keyboard layout conflicts with modifier keys. Clicking inside the stream window or disabling overlays usually fixes the issue.
Yes. Press Ctrl + Alt + Shift + V to type clipboard text directly on the host computer, which is useful for remote desktop tasks and logging into apps.
Moonlight Stream shortcuts make remote gaming and desktop streaming much smoother once you get used to them. Instead of opening menus or adjusting settings manually, these keyboard combinations let you switch fullscreen, control mouse capture, check performance stats, or exit a session instantly.
If you regularly stream games using Moonlight, saving a few of these shortcuts can reduce interruptions and help you stay focused on gameplay. I recommend bookmarking this guide or downloading the PDF cheat sheet so you always have the shortcuts handy while streaming.
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