This issue commonly arises from an incomplete game installation or complications with the compiling of the game’s shaders, which can hinder proper launch. Additional sources of trouble include conflicts with Steam’s overlay feature, outdated graphics card drivers, or incompatibilities with connected gaming controllers. Some players have successfully resolved the issue by adjusting settings associated with the game’s controller inputs, such as deactivating certain controller configurations within Steam’s settings. For those affected by this black screen problem, it is advisable to attempt launching the game without pressing any buttons during startup, disconnect any superfluous USB devices, and consider running the game in administrator mode. Should these steps fail to remedy the situation, please proceed to the methods below.
1. Run with compatibility mode
Windows provides the option to run programs in compatibility mode for different versions of Windows. Because default settings may contribute to the black screen issue, the initial method to try is running the game in compatibility mode.
2. Disable Steam overlay
Overlay features are a common culprit for crashes or black screen issues. These features run on top of applications and games, consuming substantial system resources, which can result in various problems. Popular applications with overlay features include Discord, Steam, and Nvidia GeForce Experience. If you’re running any of these applications, ensure that their overlay feature is disabled. Since the Steam overlay can cause Granblue Fantasy: Relink to become stuck on a black screen, disabling it is our next recommended step.
3. Close background applications
Insufficient memory due to background applications can result in a black screen or game crashes. It is thus advisable to shut down any unnecessary programs running in the background while gaming.
4. Update GPU driver
Black screen issues can point to GPU driver problems which might be causing Granblue Fantasy: Relink to display a black screen. Updating the GPU driver can resolve corruption and issues caused by outdated software.
5. Verify game files
Verifying the integrity of game files is always recommended for troubleshooting black screen issues, as corrupted files can be the cause. Make sure to verify that all game files are in order. Lastly, if none of the above solutions work, a complete game reinstallation might be necessary to ensure there are no corrupted files causing the issue. Before doing so, ensure that you have the latest versions of DirectX and the Microsoft Visual C++ redistributables.
