Hades II is one of the most anticipated action roguelike titles of 2025. However, many PC players are reporting a frustrating issue: the black screen problem. This bug usually appears either at startup, after the intro cutscene, or while loading into a new area. The game seems to be running in the background, but the display remains stuck on a black screen, making it unplayable.
If you’re experiencing the Hades II black screen on PC, don’t worry—we’ve created this detailed 2025 troubleshooting guide to help you fix it quickly.
Why Does Hades II Black Screen Happen?
There are several reasons behind the black screen issue in Hades II:
- Outdated or corrupted graphics drivers.
- GPU not meeting the minimum requirements.
- Incorrect fullscreen optimization settings.
- Overlays (Steam, Discord, Xbox Game Bar, etc.) interfering.
- Missing or corrupted game files.
- Conflicts with antivirus or Windows Firewall.
- DirectX or Visual C++ redistributable issues.
By carefully following the solutions below, you should be able to get rid of the black screen problem in Hades II and enjoy smooth gameplay.
Quick Fixes for Hades II Black Screen on PC
1. Check System Requirements
Before troubleshooting, make sure your PC meets the minimum specs:
Minimum Requirements
- OS: Windows 10/11 (64-bit)
- Processor: Intel i5-6400 / AMD FX-6300 or better
- RAM: 8 GB
- Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 950 / AMD R9 380
- DirectX: Version 11
- Storage: 20 GB available space
If your hardware doesn’t meet these requirements, the black screen issue will persist no matter what fix you try.
2. Update Your GPU Drivers
Outdated drivers are the most common cause of black screen issues in modern games.
- For NVIDIA users: Open GeForce Experience → Drivers → Check for updates → Install latest driver.
- For AMD users: Open Radeon Software → Updates → Download latest driver.
- For Intel users: Install drivers via Intel Driver & Support Assistant.
After updating, restart your PC and launch Hades II again.
3. Run Hades II as Administrator
Sometimes Windows blocks the game from accessing required resources.
- Right-click
HadesII.exe. - Select Properties → Compatibility tab.
- Check Run this program as administrator.
- Click Apply → OK.
Now launch the game and check if the black screen issue is resolved.
4. Disable Fullscreen Optimizations
Windows fullscreen optimizations may conflict with the game engine.
- Right-click
HadesII.exe. - Go to Properties → Compatibility.
- Check Disable fullscreen optimizations.
- Apply changes.
Run the game again.
5. Verify Integrity of Game Files (Steam / Epic)
Corrupted or missing files can trigger black screen problems.
- Open your Game Launcher (Steam or Epic Games Launcher).
- Go to Library → Hades II → Right-click → Properties → Installed Files → Verify integrity of game files.
- The launcher will check and repair corrupted files.
6. Disable In-Game Overlays
Overlays often cause black screen issues.
- Steam Overlay: Steam → Settings → In-Game → Disable overlay.
- Discord Overlay: User Settings → Game Overlay → Turn off.
- Xbox Game Bar: Windows Settings → Gaming → Disable Xbox Game Bar.
Restart the game after disabling them.
7. Update DirectX and Visual C++ Redistributables
If DirectX 11/12 files are missing or outdated, you may see a black screen.
- Download the latest DirectX End-User Runtime from Microsoft.
- Install Visual C++ Redistributable (x64 & x86) from Microsoft’s official site.
Restart your PC before launching the game again.
8. Adjust Launch Options
Setting custom launch parameters may fix compatibility issues.
- Open Steam → Library → Right-click Hades II → Properties.
- Under Launch Options, enter:
-windowed -noborder
This forces the game to start in borderless windowed mode, which can bypass black screen bugs.
9. Temporarily Disable Antivirus/Firewall
Security programs can block Hades II from loading properly.
- Temporarily disable Windows Defender or your third-party antivirus.
- Try launching the game.
- If it works, add Hades II to the whitelist/exceptions list in your antivirus and firewall settings.
10. Reinstall the Game (Last Resort)
If none of the above fixes work, your game installation may be corrupted beyond repair.
- Uninstall Hades II.
- Delete leftover game files in
DocumentsandAppData. - Reinstall fresh from Steam or Epic Games.
Additional Tips
- Make sure Windows Update is installed.
- Unplug unnecessary USB devices before launching the game.
- Switch to a different monitor or disable multiple displays.
- Lower in-game resolution (if accessible).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Why does Hades II show a black screen but I can hear sound?
This happens when the GPU fails to render the display. Updating your drivers and disabling overlays usually fixes it.
Q2: Will reinstalling the game fix the black screen problem?
Yes, if corrupted files are the root cause, reinstalling will help.
Q3: Does Hades II require DirectX 12?
No, Hades II runs on DirectX 11, but updating DirectX 12 on Windows 10/11 ensures better compatibility.
Q4: Can mods cause the black screen bug?
Yes, mods can conflict with the base game. Remove or disable mods if you encounter black screen issues.
Q5: My PC meets the requirements, but the black screen still happens. What should I do?
Disable overlays, verify files, and try launching in windowed mode. If the issue persists, reinstall the game.
Conclusion
The Hades II black screen issue on PC in 2025 can be frustrating, but most cases are caused by outdated drivers, overlays, or corrupted game files. By following the fixes in this guide, you should be able to resolve the problem and get back into the game.
If nothing works, keep an eye on official patches from Supergiant Games, as they may release hotfixes addressing these stability problems.
