Many PC players have reported that The Farmer Was Replaced launches to a black screen or gets stuck on the loading screen. The game may play sound in the background but show no visuals, or it may freeze before reaching the main menu.
This issue usually appears after updates or first-time installation and can be caused by outdated drivers, fullscreen conflicts, resolution mismatches, or corrupted configuration files. Don’t worry — this guide walks you through proven fixes to get your game displaying correctly again.
⚙️ Common Causes of the Black Screen Issue
Before jumping into solutions, let’s review the most common reasons for this problem:
- Outdated or incompatible GPU drivers
- Corrupted or missing game files
- Incorrect resolution or fullscreen settings
- Conflicts with overlays (Steam, Discord, Xbox Game Bar)
- Outdated DirectX or Visual C++ redistributables
- Background software interference or permissions issues
🛠️ Fix 1: Run the Game in Windowed Mode
If the game fails to display visuals on launch, forcing windowed mode often resolves it.
Steps:
- Open Steam → Library
- Right-click The Farmer Was Replaced → Properties
- Under Launch Options, type:
-windowed -noborder - Close the window and launch the game.
✅ Result: Forces windowed mode, bypassing fullscreen conflicts that trigger the black screen.
🛠️ Fix 2: Verify Integrity of Game Files
Corrupted or missing files can cause the game to hang on the loading screen.
Steps:
- Open Steam → Library
- Right-click The Farmer Was Replaced → Properties → Installed Files
- Click Verify Integrity of Game Files
- Wait for Steam to repair any issues, then restart your PC.
✅ Result: Restores essential game files and eliminates data corruption.
🛠️ Fix 3: Update Graphics Drivers
Outdated GPU drivers are one of the most frequent causes of display-related errors.
Steps:
- Identify your GPU manufacturer:
- Download and install the latest version.
- Restart your computer and relaunch the game.
✅ Result: Ensures the latest GPU compatibility with the game engine.
🛠️ Fix 4: Disable Fullscreen Optimization
Windows 10/11 fullscreen optimization sometimes conflicts with Unity-based or Unreal games.
Steps:
- Go to the game installation path, for example:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\The Farmer Was Replaced - Right-click game.exe → Properties → Compatibility
- Check Disable fullscreen optimizations
- Apply → OK → Run the game again.
✅ Result: Prevents Windows from interfering with game rendering.
🛠️ Fix 5: Delete Configuration Files
Sometimes corrupted display settings cause a permanent black screen.
Steps:
- Press Windows + R → type:
%appdata% - Find the folder named The Farmer Was Replaced (or developer name).
- Delete or rename the config or settings.json file.
- Launch the game again — it will generate fresh default configs.
✅ Result: Resets graphics settings and eliminates broken resolution entries.
🛠️ Fix 6: Disable Overlays
Steam, Discord, and NVIDIA GeForce Experience overlays may block rendering during startup.
Steps:
- Steam: Settings → In-Game → Uncheck “Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game.”
- Discord: Settings → Game Overlay → Turn off “Enable in-game overlay.”
- NVIDIA: GeForce Experience → Settings → General → Toggle off “In-Game Overlay.”
✅ Result: Removes overlay conflicts that freeze the display.
🛠️ Fix 7: Update DirectX & Visual C++ Redistributables
Missing or outdated runtime components can stop graphics from initializing.
Steps:
- Download and install:
- Reboot your PC.
✅ Result: Restores essential runtime libraries required by the game.
🛠️ Fix 8: Run as Administrator
Permission conflicts may prevent the game from accessing certain DirectX or shader files.
Steps:
- Right-click game.exe → Properties → Compatibility
- Check Run this program as an administrator
- Apply → OK → Launch again.
✅ Result: Grants full access to resources, avoiding loading failures.
🛠️ Fix 9: Reinstall the Game (Last Resort)
If none of the above fixes work, reinstalling ensures a completely clean setup.
Steps:
- Uninstall The Farmer Was Replaced from Steam.
- Delete any remaining folders in:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\The Farmer Was Replaced - Restart your PC and reinstall the game on an SSD for faster loading.
✅ Result: Removes corrupted files and refreshes all configurations.
💡 Additional Tips
- Keep Windows fully updated.
- Disable third-party antivirus or whitelist the game.
- Avoid using mods or reshade injectors.
- Close all browsers and background apps before launching.
- If on laptop, plug in power and set Power Mode → Best Performance.
❓ FAQs
Q1: Why does the game show a black screen but play sound?
A1: It means the game engine is running but graphics rendering failed — usually due to resolution or driver issues.
Q2: Can overlays really cause the black screen?
A2: Yes. Steam, Discord, or NVIDIA overlays often conflict with startup rendering.
Q3: Does reinstalling fix the loading screen freeze?
A3: Yes, if caused by corrupted or missing files.
Q4: Should I use windowed mode permanently?
A4: It’s safe and often more stable; you can switch back to fullscreen once the issue is gone.
🎯 Conclusion
If The Farmer Was Replaced shows a black screen or gets stuck on the loading screen, the problem is likely linked to display settings, overlays, or outdated components. By running the game in windowed mode, verifying files, updating drivers, and resetting configuration data, you can quickly restore visuals and enjoy smooth gameplay.
🎮 Apply these fixes and return to your farming adventure without any black-screen interruptions!
