Many players are reporting that Hollow Knight: Silksong refuses to launch or gets stuck on the loading screen. You might click Play, see a black screen for a few seconds, and then the game closes or freezes.
This issue is quite common and can happen due to corrupted game files, outdated graphics drivers, missing DirectX components, or interference from antivirus software.
Don’t worry — this guide includes proven fixes that can help you get Hollow Knight: Silksong running smoothly again.
⚙️ Common Causes
Here are the most frequent reasons why Hollow Knight: Silksong won’t launch on PC:
- Missing or corrupted game files
- Outdated GPU drivers
- Antivirus or Windows Defender blocking the executable
- Outdated DirectX or Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables
- Background software interference
- Insufficient system permissions
🛠️ Fix 1: Run the Game as Administrator
Running the game with administrative privileges can bypass file access restrictions that stop the game from starting.
Steps:
- Right-click the Hollow Knight: Silksong shortcut or
.exefile. - Select Properties → Compatibility.
- Check Run this program as an administrator.
- Click Apply → OK, then relaunch the game.
✅ Result: Grants the game full system access and prevents permission-related launch issues.
🛠️ Fix 2: Verify Game Files
If some installation files are missing or corrupted, the game won’t boot properly.
Steam:
- Open Steam Library.
- Right-click Hollow Knight: Silksong → Properties → Installed Files.
- Click Verify Integrity of Game Files.
Epic Games:
- Go to Library → Hollow Knight: Silksong.
- Click the three dots (…) → Manage → Verify Files.
✅ Result: Replaces or repairs broken files automatically.
🛠️ Fix 3: Update Your Graphics Drivers
Outdated or buggy GPU drivers can cause launch crashes or black screens.
Steps:
- Press Windows + X → Device Manager.
- Expand Display Adapters.
- Right-click your GPU → Update Driver → Search automatically for drivers.
Or download the latest drivers manually from:
✅ Result: Ensures your GPU is compatible with the latest version of the game.
🛠️ Fix 4: Disable Antivirus or Add Game Folder to Exceptions
Antivirus or firewall software may mistakenly block Silksong’s executable files.
Steps:
- Open your antivirus or Windows Security.
- Go to Virus & threat protection → Manage settings → Add or remove exclusions.
- Add your Hollow Knight: Silksong installation folder as an exclusion.
✅ Result: Prevents security software from interrupting the game launch.
🛠️ Fix 5: Install/Repair DirectX and Visual C++ Redistributables
If your system is missing certain runtime files, the game may fail to initialize.
Steps:
- Download and install the DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer from Microsoft.
- Download and install the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable (2015–2022) for both x86 and x64.
- Restart your PC afterward.
✅ Result: Replaces missing dependencies and ensures proper game engine operation.
🛠️ Fix 6: Close Background Programs
Overlay and recording software can interfere with the game process.
Steps:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- End tasks for Discord, NVIDIA ShadowPlay, OBS, Razer Synapse, or similar apps.
- Relaunch the game.
✅ Result: Prevents software conflicts that block the game from launching.
🛠️ Fix 7: Update Windows
An outdated OS can cause compatibility issues with new games.
Steps:
- Press Windows + I → Settings → Windows Update.
- Click Check for updates.
- Install all available patches and restart your PC.
✅ Result: Updates core system libraries and improves stability.
🛠️ Fix 8: Reinstall the Game (Last Resort)
If all else fails, reinstalling ensures a clean installation without corrupted data.
Steps:
- Uninstall Hollow Knight: Silksong via Steam, Epic Games, or Control Panel.
- Restart your computer.
- Reinstall the game — ideally on an SSD for faster performance.
✅ Result: Eliminates any remaining issues caused by corrupt installation files.
💡 Additional Tips
- Disconnect unnecessary peripherals before launching.
- Avoid launching from an external drive.
- Disable Windows Game Mode and Xbox Game Bar.
- Make sure your DirectX version is 12 or higher (
dxdiagto check).
❓ FAQs
Q1: Why does Hollow Knight: Silksong not launch after clicking Play?
A: Most likely due to missing or corrupted files, outdated GPU drivers, or antivirus interference.
Q2: Can antivirus software stop the game from launching?
A: Yes — temporarily disable it or whitelist the game’s folder.
Q3: What if I get a black screen before the game starts?
A: Update GPU drivers and reinstall DirectX/Visual C++.
Q4: Does reinstalling fix the problem?
A: Yes, it helps when your current game installation is corrupted.
🎯 Conclusion
If Hollow Knight: Silksong fails to launch or gets stuck on the loading screen, it’s usually caused by corrupted files, outdated drivers, or software interference.
Follow the fixes in this guide — from verifying game files to updating drivers and reinstalling runtime packages — to resolve the issue and jump back into Silksong without interruptions.
Once fixed, you’ll be ready to explore Hallownest’s new adventures without any launch issues. 🕹️
