Helldivers 2 Black Screen on Startup: How to Fix

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How to fix blackscreen on launch in Helldivers 2.

If you’re getting a black screen on startup in Helldivers 2, this guide will go through everything you can do to fix it.

Thankfully, the solution is fairly straightforward, as you need to delete the user_settings.config folder from the Helldivers2 game files.

We have also received an alternative solution, from one of our readers, and I am sharing it below so you have more options.

Let’s go through how to do it easily so you can get back to playing.

How to Fix Black Screen in Helldivers 2

How to fix blackscreen on launch in Helldivers 2.

The black screen issue in Helldivers 2 is caused in some cases after changing the graphics settings and relaunching the game. It’s a rare occurrence, but if it happens, you’ll need to reset your graphics settings without opening the game.

If you’re getting a black screen on startup in Helldivers 2, here’s what you must do to fix it:

  1. Open File Explorer and navigate to the following path “C:\Users\”user”\AppData\Roaming\Arrowhead\Helldivers2”
  2. Locate the user_settings.config file
  3. Rename it (to anything random you want, like “test”) or delete it completely
  4. Launch the game

And that’s all! Once you rename or delete this file, the game’s settings will reset to default upon launching it. As a result, you will be able to launch the game normally.

Related: Helldivers 2 server request failed -1 error fix

Just keep in mind that this will reset your settings to default. You can change them again and try restarting to see if the issue occurs again.

To find this folder manually, search %appdata% on the Windows search bar, and find the Arrowhead folder there and the Helldivers 2 folder inside.

Alternative Helldivers 2 Black Screen fix

Our reader Rick has sent us another working solution. Here is what you should do:

Go to browse local files for helldivers2, navigate up two levels to  (Your_steam_library_drive):\steamlibrary\steamapps, find and rename appmanifest_553850.acf to appmanifest_10002018.acf.

Then open that file with Notepad or similar, and change the number in parenthesis to 10002018 as well, save, and launch the game.

You may wind up with the 55380.acf file being re-created, but you should now ALSO have the appmanifest_10002018.acf file.

If the original file recreates AND the game glitches on the next start, simply delete the 553850.acf file before starting the game each time you start it.

Other Solutions

How to fix blackscreen on launch in Helldivers 2.

Alternatively, if this doesn’t work, you can also try disconnecting your controller. This might sound weird, but many users were having issues launching the game solely due to their controller.

A third solution, which also sounds a bit controversial but works, is restarting your router.

If you managed to launch the game but can’t join a lobby, here’s how to fix the “failed to join lobby” error in Helldivers 2.

Wrapping up

To summarize, you can fix the black screen issue in Helldivers 2 by accessing the game’s files and deleting/renaming the user_settings.config file.

Alternatively, disconnect your controller and restart your router. These should get the issue fixed quickly, and you’ll be able to get back in the game.

Which solution worked for you? Are you having any other performance issues so far? Feel free to share your experiences in Helldivers 2 by commenting below.

Now that you’re back in the game, consider optimizing your loadout by checking out our list of the best Stratagems in Helldivers 2.

Harry
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