If ARC Raiders launches but shows only a black screen or doesn’t display properly, you’re certainly not alone. Many players have encountered this frustrating issue where the audio plays in the background, but no visuals appear. In some cases, the game may even freeze entirely during startup or after the intro logo.
This display problem often occurs due to outdated GPU drivers, corrupted graphics settings, missing DirectX components, or fullscreen optimization conflicts. However, the good news is that several proven fixes can help you get ARC Raiders running smoothly again.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through each solution step-by-step so you can resolve the black screen or display issues and get back into the action quickly.
⚙️ Common Causes
Before applying fixes, it helps to know what commonly triggers black screen or display errors in ARC Raiders.
Possible Causes Include:
- Outdated or corrupted graphics drivers
- Incorrect display or resolution settings
- Damaged or missing game files
- DirectX or Visual C++ component errors
- Conflicts with fullscreen optimizations
- Overlays or background apps interfering with the display
Fix 1: Run ARC Raiders as Administrator
Sometimes, the game fails to access essential system resources due to permission limits. Therefore, running it as an administrator can often fix the issue.
Steps:
- Right-click the ARC Raiders shortcut or
.exefile. - Select Properties → Compatibility.
- Check Run this program as an administrator.
- Click Apply → OK, and relaunch the game.
✅ Result: Grants the game full access to required resources and prevents startup conflicts.
Fix 2: Update Graphics Drivers
Outdated or incompatible GPU drivers are one of the most common reasons behind black screen errors. Updating them ensures your system can render ARC Raiders correctly.
Steps:
- Press Windows + X → Device Manager → Display Adapters.
- Right-click your GPU → Update Driver → Search automatically.
- Alternatively, download the latest driver directly from:
✅ Result: Improves GPU stability and eliminates rendering issues that cause black screens.
Fix 3: Verify Integrity of Game Files
If certain game files are missing or corrupted, ARC Raiders might fail to load visuals properly. Verifying the game files ensures all essential data is intact.
Steam Steps:
- Open Steam → Library.
- Right-click ARC Raiders → Properties → Installed Files.
- Click Verify Integrity of Game Files.
✅ Result: Automatically replaces any damaged or missing files to restore stability.
Fix 4: Disable Fullscreen Optimizations
Fullscreen optimizations can sometimes cause display conflicts, especially on Windows 10 and 11. Disabling this feature can resolve black screen problems immediately.
Steps:
- Right-click on the game’s
.exefile → Properties. - Go to the Compatibility tab.
- Check Disable fullscreen optimizations.
- Click Apply → OK and relaunch the game.
✅ Result: Prevents display conflicts and improves compatibility with Windows rendering systems.
Fix 5: Reinstall or Repair DirectX and Visual C++ Redistributables
If your system lacks the correct runtime libraries, ARC Raiders may fail to display properly. Repairing or reinstalling these components can fix that.
Steps:
- Download DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer from Microsoft.
- Install Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables (2015–2022) for both x86 and x64.
- Restart your PC afterward.
✅ Result: Restores critical system libraries that the game depends on.
Fix 6: Change Display Mode (Windowed / Borderless)
In some cases, ARC Raiders may struggle to launch in fullscreen mode. Switching to windowed or borderless window mode can often fix the black screen.
Steps:
- Launch ARC Raiders and press Alt + Enter to toggle display mode.
- If the black screen persists, open the configuration file (if available) and set the display mode manually to “Windowed.”
✅ Result: Forces proper rendering without resolution mismatches or fullscreen bugs.
Fix 7: Close Background Applications
Overlay tools and background apps can interfere with ARC Raiders’ graphics initialization. Therefore, it’s best to disable them before launching.
Steps:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- End unnecessary apps like Discord, GeForce Experience, OBS, or MSI Afterburner.
- Relaunch the game afterward.
✅ Result: Eliminates potential conflicts and ensures smoother startup performance.
Fix 8: Update Windows
Outdated system files or missing updates can also affect DirectX rendering and cause black screens.
Steps:
- Press Windows + I → Settings → Windows Update.
- Click Check for Updates and install all available patches.
- Restart your PC once updates are complete.
✅ Result: Ensures system compatibility with modern game engines and APIs.
💡 Additional Tips
- Disconnect secondary monitors before launching.
- Disable Windows Game Mode temporarily.
- Keep your GPU temperature under control (<85°C).
- Set your primary monitor as the default display in Windows settings.
- Run your game launcher as Administrator.
❓ FAQs
Q1: Why does ARC Raiders show only a black screen?
A: It’s often due to driver incompatibility, corrupted game files, or fullscreen mode conflicts.
Q2: Will updating my GPU driver fix this issue?
A: Yes, outdated drivers frequently cause black screen or crash problems.
Q3: The game plays audio but no video — what should I do?
A: Try pressing Alt + Enter to switch display modes, or update DirectX components.
Q4: Does reinstalling the game help?
A: Yes, reinstalling ensures all missing or corrupted files are replaced with fresh versions.
🎯 Conclusion
If ARC Raiders shows a black screen or fails to display visuals, it’s typically caused by outdated drivers, fullscreen optimization bugs, or missing DirectX components.
By following this guide — verifying game files, updating your GPU, disabling fullscreen optimizations, and repairing DirectX — you can quickly restore normal display functionality.
Once resolved, you’ll be able to enjoy ARC Raiders in full graphical glory without any black screen interruptions.
