How to Fix Starfield Black Screen

Welcome, fellow gamers! If you're experiencing the frustrating Starfield black screen issue, fear not! We've got you covered with this comprehensive guide on how to fix it. Follow these steps carefully and get ready to dive back into the captivating world of Starfield in no time!

Step 1: Restart your PC

Sometimes, a simple restart can work wonders. Turn off your computer completely and then power it back on. This basic troubleshooting step often resolves minor software glitches that could be causing the black screen problem.

Step 2: Run Steam as an Administrator

To ensure that Steam has all necessary permissions to run Starfield smoothly, try running it as an administrator. Right-click on the Steam shortcut or executable file and select "Run as administrator" from the options.

Step 3: Update Starfield

Keeping your game up-to-date is crucial for optimal performance. Launch the Steam client, go to your library, right-click on Starfield, and choose "Update" if an update is available. Let Steam do its magic and install any patches or bug fixes that might address the black screen issue.

Step 4: Verify and repair game files

Corrupted or missing game files can often be the culprit behind a black screen problem. In Steam's library, right-click on Starfield again, but this time select "Properties." Go to the "Local Files" tab and click on "Verify Integrity of Game Files." If any issues are found during this process, let Steam repair them automatically.

Step 5: Update the graphics driver

Outdated graphics drivers can lead to compatibility issues with games like Starfield. Visit your graphics card manufacturer's website (e.g., NVIDIA or AMD) and download/install the latest driver for your specific model. Make sure to follow their installation instructions carefully.

Step 6: Set a dedicated graphics card (if applicable)

If you have both an integrated and dedicated graphics card, it's possible that Starfield is not utilizing the more powerful one. Open your graphics card control panel (e.g., NVIDIA Control Panel) and configure it to use the dedicated graphics card for Starfield specifically.

Step 7: Disable full-screen optimizations

Windows' full-screen optimizations feature can sometimes interfere with games. To disable this, right-click on the Starfield executable file or shortcut, select "Properties," go to the "Compatibility" tab, and check the box that says "Disable fullscreen optimizations."

Step 8: Install Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables

Starfield might require certain system files provided by Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables. Download and install the latest version of these redistributables from Microsoft's official website.

Step 9: Whitelist Starfield to the firewall

Firewall settings can block connections needed for games to run smoothly. Make sure Starfield is allowed through your firewall by adding it to the whitelist or exceptions list. Consult your antivirus software or Windows Defender settings for instructions on how to do this.

Step 10: Install the latest Windows Media Pack

Some games rely on specific media codecs that are not included in a standard Windows installation. Visit Microsoft's website and download/install the latest Windows Media Pack relevant to your operating system version.

Step 11: Update Windows

Keeping your operating system updated is essential for optimal compatibility with modern games. Check for any available updates by going to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and selecting "Check for updates." If updates are found, proceed with their installation.

Step 12: Change Starfield graphics settings

In some cases, tweaking certain graphics settings within Starfield itself can help resolve black screen issues. Experiment with different resolutions, display modes (windowed/fullscreen), and other visual options until you find a combination that works best for your system.

Step 13: Run the game in compatibility mode

If Starfield is not playing nicely with your current version of Windows, try running it in compatibility mode. Right-click on the Starfield executable file or shortcut, select "Properties," go to the "Compatibility" tab, and enable compatibility mode for a previous version of Windows that you know worked well with the game.

Step 14: Reinstall Starfield

If none of the above steps have resolved the black screen issue, it might be time to reinstall Starfield. Uninstall the game through Steam, restart your PC, and then reinstall it from scratch. Remember to backup any important save files before doing this.

There you have it! Our friendly guide on how to fix the Starfield black screen problem. We hope these steps have helped you get back into the immersive world of Starfield without any more interruptions. Happy gaming!