So you just launched Helldivers 2, excited to defend democracy, but the game refuses to cooperate. Instead of jumping into the action, you’re stuck staring at a black screen. Frustrating, right? Don’t worry! We’ve got your back with some simple fixes.
Why Does This Happen?
There are a few reasons why Helldivers 2 might be stuck on a black screen:
- Graphics driver issues
- Corrupted game files
- Full-screen mode problems
- Overlay conflicts
- Not enough system resources
Luckily, most of these problems have easy fixes. Let’s go through them one by one.
1. Restart Your Game and PC
It may sound too simple, but sometimes a quick restart can work wonders. Close the game, restart your PC, and launch Helldivers 2 again. If that doesn’t work, move on to the next steps.
2. Update Your Graphics Drivers
Old drivers can cause black screen issues. Make sure your GPU drivers are up to date.
- NVIDIA Users: Open GeForce Experience or download the latest driver from the NVIDIA website.
- AMD Users: Use AMD Adrenalin or grab the latest driver from the AMD website.
Once updated, restart your PC and try launching the game again.
3. Verify Game Files
Corrupted or missing files can lead to black screen issues. Here’s how to check:
- Open Steam
- Go to Library and right-click Helldivers 2
- Select Properties > Installed Files
- Click Verify Integrity of Game Files
Wait for the process to complete and then relaunch the game.
4. Run the Game in Windowed Mode
If your game is stuck in full-screen, try forcing windowed mode:
- Open Steam and go to Helldivers 2
- Right-click, select Properties
- Find the Launch Options box
- Type:
-windowed -noborder
Launch the game and see if it works!
5. Disable Overlays
Overlays from other programs can cause conflicts. Try disabling them:
- Steam Overlay: Open Steam, go to Settings > In-Game, and turn off the overlay.
- Discord Overlay: Open Discord, go to Settings > Game Overlay, and turn it off.
- GeForce Experience Overlay: Open GeForce Experience, go to Settings, and disable the overlay.
Now try running the game again.
6. Close Background Apps
Too many programs running in the background can take up system resources. Close unnecessary applications like Chrome, Discord, or anything else you don’t need. Here’s how:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager
- Find unnecessary apps using high CPU or RAM
- Right-click and select End Task
Then, relaunch Helldivers 2 and see if it starts!
7. Reinstall the Game
If none of the above worked, try reinstalling the game:
- Open Steam
- Go to Library and right-click Helldivers 2
- Click Manage > Uninstall
- Once uninstalled, restart your PC
- Reinstall the game and try launching it again
Final Thoughts
Getting stuck on a black screen is annoying, but these fixes should help you get back into the action. Start with the simple solutions and work your way through the list. If nothing works, keep an eye on the official game forums for updates.
Now, go liberate some planets! Democracy needs you.
