When something stops working, the cause is usually recent and boring. The checks for how to fix black screen below run from most to least likely, so stop as soon as one helps.
Most advice on this topic assumes you already know half the answer, which is exactly the problem. There is a fast way and a safe way, and they are not the same thing. The difference between a smooth run and a frustrating one usually comes down to preparation, not skill.
The short answer
Verify the files, restart fully, and only then start changing settings — reversing that order is what turns ten minutes into an evening.
If it is still broken
The approach below has been checked against the current version rather than a patch from two years ago. If it broke right after an update, the update is the suspect until proven otherwise. Check whether the service is down before spending an hour on your own machine. Start with the simplest option before touching anything that is hard to reverse.
Most advice on this topic assumes you already know half the answer, which is exactly the problem. Driver updates fix this often enough to be worth trying, and break it often enough to be worth noting first. The community figured most of this out through repetition, and the pattern has held up well.
Fixes that require more patience
If something here stops matching what you see on screen, the game has probably changed a value in an update. If you are short on time, the first section alone is usually enough. A full restart is not the same as closing the window, and the difference matters here.
- Test one change at a time instead of five at once.
- Check the version you are running before following any step-by-step advice.
- Verify or repair the installed files through the launcher.
- Write down what you changed, so you can undo it if the result gets worse.
When it is not your problem at all
Check whether the service is down before spending an hour on your own machine. Most advice on this topic assumes you already know half the answer, which is exactly the problem. People often blame the game when the actual cause is a setting they changed weeks ago. A full restart is not the same as closing the window, and the difference matters here.
If something here stops matching what you see on screen, the game has probably changed a value in an update. Give the first attempt an honest try before deciding the method does not work. The approach below has been checked against the current version rather than a patch from two years ago.
Mistakes worth avoiding
- Following a guide written for an older version and assuming nothing moved.
- Skipping the preparation step because it looks boring, then repeating the hard part four times.
- Trusting a video thumbnail over the actual patch notes.
Frequently asked questions
Will reinstalling fix it?
Sometimes, but it is slow and it hides the cause. Work through the checks above first; reinstalling is worth trying only after they fail.
Could a mod be causing this?
Very likely, if you have any installed. Disable all of them, confirm the problem is gone, then re-enable in batches.
Is there a faster method?
Usually yes, and usually it is riskier. The route above trades a little speed for a much lower chance of having to start over.
That covers how to fix black screen — start with the short answer, and come back to the details only if something goes sideways.