Fix Football Manager 26 Black Screen or Not Loading on PC (2025 Guide)

Many players have reported that Football Manager 26 gets stuck on a black screen or fails to load properly when launching. This can happen right after pressing “Play” or during the startup logo screen. Fortunately, this issue can be fixed with a few quick adjustments.

This guide covers all the proven methods to fix black screen, stuck loading, and not responding errors in Football Manager 26 on PC.

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⚙️ Common Causes of the Black Screen Issue

Before applying fixes, let’s look at the most common reasons why Football Manager 26 won’t load:

• Outdated or corrupted GPU drivers
• Display mode conflicts (Fullscreen/Windowed)
• Missing or corrupted game files
• Outdated DirectX or Visual C++ redistributables
• Background apps or overlays interfering
• Incorrect resolution or refresh rate settings
• Missing admin permissions

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🧰 Fix 1: Run the Game as Administrator

Lack of permission can cause Football Manager 26 to hang during startup.

Steps:

1. Navigate to your installation directory: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Football Manager 26
2. Right-click FootballManager26.exe → Properties → Compatibility tab.
3. Check Run this program as an administrator.
4. Click Apply → OK, then relaunch the game.

✅ Result: The game gains necessary access to system files, reducing startup errors.

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🖥️ Fix 2: Disable Fullscreen Optimizations

Fullscreen optimization can sometimes conflict with the game’s display mode, causing a black screen.

Steps:

1. Go to the Football Manager 26 installation folder.
2. Right-click the executable → Properties → Compatibility.
3. Tick Disable fullscreen optimizations.
4. Apply the changes and restart the game.

✅ Result: This can immediately fix black screen or flickering issues.

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🔧 Fix 3: Update Graphics Drivers

Outdated or broken GPU drivers are the #1 reason for black screens.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + X → Device Manager → Display adapters.
2. Right-click your GPU → Update driver → Search automatically.
3. Or, download the latest version directly:
   • NVIDIA Drivers
   • AMD Drivers
   • Intel Drivers

✅ Result: Ensures your GPU is fully compatible with the latest game build.

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🧩 Fix 4: Verify Game Files (Steam or Epic Games)

Corrupted or missing files often cause the game to hang or display a black screen.

Steam:

1. Open Steam → Library.
2. Right-click Football Manager 26 → Properties → Installed Files.
3. Click Verify integrity of game files.

Epic Games:

1. Launch Epic Games Launcher → Library.
2. Click the three dots next to Football Manager 26 → Manage.
3. Choose Verify.

✅ Result: Missing or broken files will be repaired automatically.

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⚡ Fix 5: Disable Overlays and Background Programs

Background tools or overlays may conflict with game rendering.

Steps:

1. Turn off Steam Overlay:
   • Go to Steam → Settings → In-Game → Uncheck Enable the Steam Overlay.
2. Disable Discord Overlay:
   • Go to Discord → Settings → Game Overlay → Toggle off Enable in-game overlay.
3. Close resource-heavy apps like OBS, MSI Afterburner, or GeForce Experience.

✅ Result: Prevents unnecessary conflicts and improves startup stability.

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🔌 Fix 6: Update DirectX and Visual C++ Redistributables

Missing runtime libraries can prevent the game from initializing graphics properly.

Steps:

1. Download DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer.
2. Install Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables (2015–2022) — both x86 and x64 versions.
3. Restart your PC after installation.

✅ Result: Fixes missing or incompatible runtime components.

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🖱️ Fix 7: Change Display Mode and Resolution

Incorrect resolution or fullscreen settings can lock the screen black.

Steps:

1. Press Alt + Enter to switch between Windowed and Fullscreen mode.
2. If the game loads, open Settings → Display and set resolution to Native (Recommended).
3. You can also modify the config file manually in: Documents\Sports Interactive\Football Manager 26\Preferences Set: display_mode=windowed

✅ Result: Restores display visibility and allows normal startup.

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🧱 Fix 8: Reinstall the Game (Last Resort)

If all else fails, a clean reinstall may be required.

Steps:

1. Uninstall Football Manager 26 from Steam or Epic Games.
2. Delete leftover files from: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Football Manager 26 and Documents\Sports Interactive\Football Manager 26
3. Reinstall the game on an SSD.

✅ Result: Removes corrupted files or bad configurations completely.

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💡 Additional Tips

• Keep your Windows version up to date.
• Ensure Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 are enabled in BIOS if the game requires them.
• Temporarily disable antivirus/firewall while launching the game.
• If using an external monitor, ensure the primary display is correctly selected in Windows settings.

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❓ FAQs

Q1: Why is Football Manager 26 stuck on a black screen after launch?
A: Usually because of driver conflicts, fullscreen bugs, or corrupted files.

Q2: Can outdated Windows updates cause this?
A: Yes, missing updates sometimes affect DirectX or GPU compatibility.

Q3: How do I fix it if Alt + Enter doesn’t work?
A: Modify the config file to force windowed mode manually.

Q4: Should I reinstall Visual C++ and DirectX?
A: Yes, both are essential for game rendering and can fix black screen issues.

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🎯 Conclusion

If Football Manager 26 is stuck on a black screen or fails to load, updating your GPU drivers, verifying game files, and disabling overlays will typically resolve the issue. For persistent problems, reinstalling DirectX and adjusting display modes are reliable final steps.

After applying these solutions, the game should launch properly—allowing you to dive back into your managerial career without interruptions.