If Fellowship gets stuck on a black screen or fails to load on PC, you’re not the only one facing it. Many players report that the game launches but never displays visuals — only a black screen with or without audio.
This problem often occurs due to corrupted graphics drivers, DirectX issues, fullscreen mode bugs, or overlay conflicts. Don’t worry — this step-by-step guide will help you fix the black screen and loading issues in Fellowship so you can jump back into the game smoothly.
⚙️ Common Causes of Black Screen or Loading Problems
Before you start fixing, here are the most common reasons why Fellowship may show a black screen or fail to load:
- Outdated or corrupted GPU drivers
- Game stuck in fullscreen or wrong resolution
- Conflicts with overlay tools (Steam, Discord, Xbox Game Bar)
- Damaged or missing game files
- DirectX or Visual C++ component issues
- Background apps or antivirus blocking the game
- Missing administrator permissions
🛠️ Fix 1: Run Fellowship as Administrator
Running the game with elevated permissions can fix launch and screen issues caused by access restrictions.
Steps:
- Right-click Fellowship.exe or the game shortcut.
- Select Properties → Compatibility.
- Check Run this program as an administrator.
- Click Apply → OK, then relaunch the game.
✅ Result: Gives Fellowship full access to system files and fixes permission-related loading errors.
🛠️ Fix 2: Update Graphics Drivers
An outdated or buggy GPU driver can easily cause a black screen during startup.
Steps:
- Press Windows + X → Choose Device Manager.
- Expand Display adapters.
- Right-click your GPU → Update driver → Search automatically for drivers.
Or, download directly from:
✅ Result: Ensures your GPU runs the latest optimizations for Fellowship.
🛠️ Fix 3: Verify Integrity of Game Files (Steam)
Missing or corrupted game files are a leading cause of black screen issues.
Steps:
- Open Steam → Go to Library.
- Right-click Fellowship → Select Properties.
- Go to Installed Files → Click Verify integrity of game files.
✅ Result: Restores any missing or damaged game data automatically.
🛠️ Fix 4: Disable Fullscreen Optimizations
Fullscreen mode can sometimes conflict with Windows display scaling, leading to a black screen.
Steps:
- Right-click Fellowship.exe → Select Properties.
- Open the Compatibility tab.
- Check Disable fullscreen optimizations.
- Click Apply → OK.
✅ Result: Forces proper window rendering and prevents fullscreen conflicts.
🛠️ Fix 5: Disable Overlay Applications
Overlays like Steam, Discord, or NVIDIA GeForce Experience may interfere with the game’s rendering.
Steps:
- Steam Overlay:
Steam → Settings → In-Game → Turn off Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game. - Discord Overlay:
Discord → Settings → Game Overlay → Toggle off Enable in-game overlay. - NVIDIA Overlay:
GeForce Experience → Settings → General → Disable In-Game Overlay.
✅ Result: Prevents overlay rendering conflicts and stabilizes startup visuals.
🛠️ Fix 6: Switch to Windowed Mode at Launch
If the game gets stuck in fullscreen mode, forcing it into windowed mode can help.
Steps:
- Open Steam Library.
- Right-click Fellowship → Properties.
- In the Launch Options box, type:
-windowed -noborder - Launch the game.
✅ Result: Bypasses fullscreen rendering errors and displays the game properly.
🛠️ Fix 7: Update DirectX and Visual C++ Redistributables
Corrupted or missing runtime components can prevent the game from loading visuals.
Steps:
- Download and install:
- Restart your PC.
✅ Result: Ensures all dependencies required by Fellowship are correctly installed.
🛠️ Fix 8: Turn Off Windows Game Mode & DVR
Windows Game Mode or Game Bar can sometimes cause FPS drops or startup conflicts.
Steps:
- Press Windows + I → Open Gaming.
- Select Game Mode → Turn it Off.
- Then go to Captures → Turn off Record in the background while playing a game.
✅ Result: Reduces system interruptions and improves game stability.
🛠️ Fix 9: Reinstall Fellowship (Last Resort)
If none of the above methods work, reinstalling can eliminate any remaining corrupted files.
Steps:
- Uninstall Fellowship via Steam or Control Panel.
- Restart your PC.
- Reinstall it on a different drive (preferably SSD).
✅ Result: Provides a fresh, clean installation for optimal performance.
💡 Additional Tips
- Check your DirectX version using
dxdiag. - Avoid using multiple displays during startup.
- Disconnect extra peripherals like controllers or webcams.
- Temporarily disable antivirus or firewall if blocking the game.
- Keep Windows updated for better compatibility.
❓ FAQs
Q1: Why do I get a black screen right after launching Fellowship?
A: It’s usually caused by outdated GPU drivers, fullscreen conflicts, or damaged game files. Try running in windowed mode and updating drivers.
Q2: How do I fix Fellowship stuck on loading screen?
A: Verify game files, disable overlays, and update Visual C++ or DirectX.
Q3: Can antivirus cause black screen issues?
A: Yes, some antivirus software blocks the game’s rendering. Add the game folder to exceptions.
Q4: Will reinstalling Fellowship help?
A: Yes — a clean reinstall often fixes corrupted installations that cause black screens.
🎯 Conclusion
If Fellowship shows a black screen or won’t load on PC, it’s usually related to driver issues, fullscreen conflicts, or damaged files.
By following these steps — from updating drivers and disabling overlays to verifying files and reinstalling dependencies — you’ll fix the issue and get back into the game quickly.
Once resolved, you’ll enjoy a smooth and stable Fellowship experience without black screens or long loading delays.
