Many Escape the Backrooms players are experiencing a black screen, infinite loading, or the game not displaying anything after launch. You might hear audio or see a loading cursor, but the game never progresses to the main menu.
This problem is usually caused by outdated GPU drivers, DirectX or Visual C++ issues, corrupted game files, or fullscreen display bugs.
In this guide, we’ll go through step-by-step fixes to get Escape the Backrooms running properly on your PC.
⚙️ Common Causes
- Outdated or incompatible graphics drivers
- Corrupted or missing game files
- Display mode conflicts (Fullscreen bugs)
- Overlay apps (Steam, Discord, NVIDIA) interfering
- Missing or outdated DirectX / Visual C++ libraries
- Insufficient permissions or background conflicts
🧰 Fix 1: Run the Game in Windowed Mode
Sometimes, Escape the Backrooms launches in fullscreen and fails to render properly.
Steps:
- Open Steam → Library.
- Right-click Escape the Backrooms → Properties.
- Under Launch Options, enter:
-windowed - Launch the game.
✅ Result: Forces the game to start in windowed mode, often bypassing black screen issues.
🧰 Fix 2: Verify Game Files on Steam
Corrupted or missing files can prevent the game from displaying correctly.
Steps:
- Open Steam → Library.
- Right-click Escape the Backrooms → Properties → Installed Files.
- Click Verify Integrity of Game Files.
- Wait until verification completes, then restart Steam and the game.
✅ Result: Automatically restores broken or missing files that cause black screens.
🧰 Fix 3: Update Graphics Drivers
Outdated or unstable GPU drivers are a common cause of black screen or display issues.
Steps:
- Press Windows + X → Device Manager → Display Adapters.
- Right-click your GPU → Update driver → Search automatically.
- Or manually install the latest drivers from:
- NVIDIA: nvidia.com/Download
- AMD: amd.com/en/support
- Intel: intel.com/download-center
✅ Result: Ensures compatibility with the latest Unreal Engine updates.
🧰 Fix 4: Disable Overlays and Background Apps
Overlays can block the game’s rendering or cause black screens on startup.
Steps:
- Disable overlays:
- Steam Overlay: Steam → Settings → In-Game → Uncheck Enable Steam Overlay.
- Discord Overlay: Discord → Settings → Game Overlay → Turn Off.
- GeForce Experience: Settings → In-Game Overlay → Off.
- Close background programs like MSI Afterburner, OBS, or RivaTuner.
✅ Result: Prevents conflicts between background utilities and Unreal Engine rendering.
🧰 Fix 5: Update or Reinstall DirectX and Visual C++ Redistributables
Broken or missing runtime components can stop the game from loading.
Steps:
- Download and install:
- DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer
- Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables (2015–2022) (both x86 and x64 versions)
- Restart your PC and relaunch the game.
✅ Result: Restores essential system files required by Escape the Backrooms.
🧰 Fix 6: Run the Game as Administrator
Permission issues can prevent rendering or access to graphics resources.
Steps:
- Right-click Escape the Backrooms desktop shortcut or .exe file.
- Select Properties → Compatibility.
- Check Run this program as an administrator → Apply → OK.
- Launch the game again.
✅ Result: Grants the game full access to system resources.
🧰 Fix 7: Delete Configuration Files (Reset Graphics Settings)
If your display settings are corrupted, resetting them can help.
Steps:
- Press Windows + R, type:
%localappdata% - Find the EscapeTheBackrooms folder.
- Delete or rename the Saved folder.
- Relaunch the game — it will regenerate fresh settings.
✅ Result: Fixes resolution and rendering conflicts causing black screens.
🧰 Fix 8: Update Windows
Old or missing system updates may cause compatibility issues.
Steps:
- Press Windows + I → Settings → Windows Update.
- Click Check for updates.
- Install all available updates and restart your PC.
✅ Result: Ensures the latest graphics APIs and drivers are supported.
🧰 Fix 9: Reinstall the Game (Last Resort)
If nothing else works, reinstalling ensures a clean setup.
Steps:
- Uninstall Escape the Backrooms via Steam.
- Delete leftover files from:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\EscapeTheBackrooms - Reinstall on an SSD for faster loading.
✅ Result: Removes corrupted installation data completely.
💡 Additional Tips
- Set your Power Plan to High Performance in Control Panel → Power Options.
- Disable Windows Game Mode and Xbox Game Bar.
- Run Steam as Administrator before launching the game.
- Avoid alt-tabbing during the initial loading screen.
❓ FAQs
Q1: Why does Escape the Backrooms show only a black screen after launching?
A: It’s often due to outdated GPU drivers, fullscreen bugs, or missing DirectX files.
Q2: Can overlays cause the black screen issue?
A: Yes — Steam, Discord, or NVIDIA overlays can interfere with rendering.
Q3: Should I reinstall the game?
A: Only after verifying files and updating drivers. Reinstall as a last resort.
Q4: How can I reset graphics settings manually?
A: Delete the “Saved” folder in the %localappdata%\EscapeTheBackrooms directory.
🎯 Conclusion
If Escape the Backrooms shows a black screen or fails to load, it’s typically caused by driver issues, corrupted files, or display mode conflicts.
By verifying game files, updating GPU drivers, disabling overlays, and resetting graphics settings, you can quickly restore proper display and enjoy smooth gameplay.
Follow these steps carefully — and you’ll be back exploring the eerie hallways of Escape the Backrooms in no time.
