Many players encounter a black screen issue in Warframe on PC. The game may open to a black screen on startup, show a black screen with sound, or freeze before reaching the login screen.
In most cases, this problem occurs due to graphics driver issues, DirectX conflicts, corrupted cache, or incorrect display settings. Fortunately, the fixes below help resolve the black screen problem for most players.
Why Warframe Shows Black Screen on PC
Understanding the causes helps you troubleshoot faster.
Common causes include:
- Outdated or corrupted graphics drivers
- Corrupted game cache
- DirectX 12 compatibility issues
- Incorrect resolution or fullscreen settings
- Overlay software conflicts
- GPU driver conflicts
- Outdated Windows version
Because of these issues, the game fails to display properly.
Fix 1: Verify and Optimize Download Cache (Most Important Fix)
Warframeโs launcher has a built-in repair option.
Steps:
- Open Warframe Launcher
- Click Settings (Gear icon)
- Enable:
- Verify
- Optimize Cache
- Click OK
- Wait for completion
Launch the game.
Fix 2: Update Graphics Drivers
Outdated drivers are the main cause of black screen.
Download latest drivers:
- NVIDIA
- AMD
- Intel
Restart your PC.
Fix 3: Disable DirectX 12 and Use DirectX 11
DirectX 12 can cause display issues.
Steps:
- Open Warframe Launcher
- Click Settings
- Turn OFF DirectX 12
- Use DirectX 11
Launch the game.
Fix 4: Run the Game in Windowed Mode
Fullscreen conflicts may cause black screen.
Steps:
- Open Warframe Launcher
- Click Settings
- Set Display Mode to:
- Windowed
OR - Borderless Window
Launch the game.
Fix 5: Disable Overlay Programs
Overlays often cause black screen issues.
Disable:
- Steam Overlay
- Discord Overlay
- NVIDIA Overlay
- Xbox Game Bar
Restart the game.
Fix 6: Run Warframe as Administrator
Permission issues can prevent proper display.
Steps:
- Go to Warframe installation folder
- Right-click Warframe.exe
- Click Run as administrator
Fix 7: Change Screen Resolution
Incorrect resolution can cause black screen.
Steps:
- Right-click Desktop
- Click Display Settings
- Set resolution to recommended value
Launch the game.
Fix 8: Update Windows
Outdated Windows can cause compatibility problems.
Steps:
- Press Windows + I
- Click Windows Update
- Install updates
- Restart PC
Fix 9: Switch to Dedicated GPU (Laptop Users)
Integrated GPU may cause black screen.
Steps:
- Open NVIDIA Control Panel
- Click Manage 3D Settings
- Select Program Settings
- Choose Warframe
- Select High-performance GPU
Apply changes.
Fix 10: Reinstall Warframe (Last Fix)
If nothing works:
Steps:
- Uninstall Warframe
- Restart PC
- Reinstall latest version
Additional Tips
- Install game on SSD
- Close background apps
- Update DirectX
- Restart launcher
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why is Warframe stuck on black screen?
Usually due to GPU drivers, DirectX 12, or corrupted cache.
Does Verify and Optimize Cache fix black screen?
Yes, it fixes corrupted files.
Should I use DirectX 11?
Yes, DirectX 11 is more stable.
Can resolution cause black screen?
Yes, incorrect resolution can cause display issues.
Conclusion
The Warframe black screen on PC issue is usually caused by outdated drivers, DirectX conflicts, or corrupted cache. However, verifying cache, updating drivers, and switching to DirectX 11 will fix the issue for most players.
After applying these fixes, Warframe should run normally without black screen problems.
