Learn how to resolve the black screen problem in Assassin's Creed Shadows on PC. Follow our step-by-step guide for a seamless gaming experience.
Encountering a black screen when launching or playing Assassin's Creed Shadows can be a frustrating experience. This guide provides a systematic approach to resolving this issue, covering a wide range of potential causes and solutions.
Fix Assassin's Creed Shadows Black Screen On PC
1. Initial Steps and System Checks:
- Restart Your PC: A simple system restart can often resolve temporary software conflicts.
- Verify Game File Integrity (Steam):
- Right-click Assassin's Creed Shadows in your Steam library.
- Select "Properties," then "Installed Files."
- Click "Verify integrity of game files." This will check and repair any corrupted game files.
- Update Windows: Ensure your operating system is running the latest updates. Go to Settings > Windows Update and check for updates.
- Graphics Driver Update (Clean Install):
- Visit the NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel website (depending on your GPU).
- Download the latest driver for your specific graphics card model.
- During installation, select the "Clean Install" option to remove previous driver files.
- Restart your computer.
2. Application and Compatibility Adjustments:
- Run as Administrator:
- Locate the Assassin's Creed Shadows executable file (usually in the game's installation folder).
- Right-click the executable and select "Run as administrator." This grants the game elevated privileges.
- Compatibility Mode:
- Right-click the game's executable and select "Properties."
- Go to the "Compatibility" tab.
- Experiment with different compatibility modes (e.g., Windows 7, Windows 8) to see if it resolves the issue.
- Startup Options (DirectX):
- In Steam, right-click Assassin's Creed Shadows and select "Properties."
- In the "General" tab, under "Launch Options," try adding different DirectX commands (e.g., -dx11, -dx12).
- Disable Overlays:
- Disable overlays from Steam, NVIDIA GeForce Experience, AMD Radeon Software,Discord, and other applications. These overlays can sometimes interferewith game rendering.
- Antivirus and Firewall Exceptions:
- Add theAssassin's Creed Shadows executable to your antivirus and WindowsFirewall exceptions. This prevents these security programs from blocking the game.
3. Hardware and System Configuration:
- Dedicated Graphics Card:
- Ensure the game is running on your dedicated graphics card, not the integrated one.
- In NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Radeon Software, configure the game to use the high-performance GPU.
- Visual C++ Redistributables:
- Download and install the latest Visual C++ Redistributable packages from theMicrosoft website. Corrupted or missing files can cause issues.
- External Devices:
- Disconnect unnecessary external devices (e.g., extra monitors, peripherals) that might be causing conflicts.
- Virtual Memory:
- Increase virtual memory (page file) to provide more RAM for the game.
- Go to System Properties > Advanced system settings > Performance > Advanced > Virtual memory.
- BIOS Update:
- Update your system BIOS to the latest version. This should be done carefullyand only if you are comfortable with it because a bad BIOS update canbrick a motherboard.
- Game Settings:
- If theblack screen occurs during gameplay, try switching to windowed mode andlowering video settings. This can reduce the load on your system.
4. Advanced Troubleshooting:
- Clean Boot:
- Perform a clean boot to isolate software conflicts.
- In System Configuration (msconfig), disable all non-Microsoft services and startup items.
- Reinstallation:
- As a lastresort, uninstall and reinstall Assassin's Creed Shadows, preferably on a different drive. This can eliminate installation-related issues.
Important Considerations:
- Ensure your system meets the minimum or recommended specifications for Assassin's Creed Shadows.
- Monitor your system's temperatures to rule out overheating issues.
- If the issue persists, consult the official Assassin's Creed Shadows support forums or contact Ubisoft support.
By following these steps, you should be able to effectively troubleshootand resolve black screen issues in Assassin's Creed Shadows.
Platform(s): PlayStation 5 PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Microsoft Windows, Mac OS
Genre(s): Action role-playing
Developer(s): Ubisoft, Ubisoft Montreal, Ubisoft Quebec ·
Release date: March 20, 2025
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