If Where Winds Meet is showing a black screen on startup or during gameplay, don’t worry—many players are facing this problem. The game may launch but remain stuck on a black screen, show only audio, freeze on the loading screen, or never display the main menu.

This issue usually happens due to display driver problems, fullscreen optimization bugs, incompatible display settings, corrupted game files, or missing DirectX components.

Below are the most reliable fixes to solve the black screen issue and get the game running properly.

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⚙️ Common Causes of Black Screen in Where Winds Meet

• Outdated or corrupted GPU drivers
• Incorrect in-game resolution
• Fullscreen optimization issues
• Overlay apps covering the display
• Corrupted video settings config
• DirectX or Visual C++ missing files
• GPU is not initializing after startup
• Running the game in HDR mode causing conflict

Let’s fix it step-by-step.

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🧰 Fix 1: Disable Fullscreen Optimizations (Most Effective)

Fullscreen optimizations often cause black screen issues.

Steps:

1. Right-click Where Winds Meet.exe
2. Properties → Compatibility
3. Tick Disable fullscreen optimizations
4. Apply → OK

✅ Result: Removes the black screen before the main menu.

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🎮 Fix 2: Run the Game as Administrator

Sometimes the game fails to access necessary files.

Steps:

1. Right-click the game EXE
2. Properties → Compatibility
3. Tick Run this program as an administrator
4. Apply → OK

✅ Fixes permission-related black screens.

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🔄 Fix 3: Switch to Windowed / Borderless Mode

If the game’s saved resolution is incompatible, it will load with a black screen.

Steps:

1. Go to game config folder:
   Press Windows + R → type %localappdata%
2. Open WhereWindsMeet folder
3. Open Saved\Config\Windows
4. Edit GameUserSettings.ini
5. Change: FullscreenMode=1 to FullscreenMode=0
6. Save and launch game.

✅ Result: Fixes black screen caused by wrong resolution or monitor refresh rate.

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🔄 Fix 4: Verify Game Files (Steam / Epic)

Corrupted files can cause the game to show audio but no display.

Steam:

• Library → Right-click game → Properties
• Installed Files → Verify integrity of game files

Epic:

• Library → Three dots → Verify

✅ Result: Replaces missing or damaged video components.

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🎥 Fix 5: Turn Off HDR (Windows + In-Game)

HDR can cause black screen issues depending on monitor support.

Steps:

Windows Settings → System → Display → turn OFF HDR

Also disable HDR inside the game (if accessible).

✅ Fixes brightness and display initialization issues.

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🚫 Fix 6: Disable All Overlay Apps

Overlay apps can block the game window, causing a black screen.

Turn off:

• Steam Overlay
• Discord Overlay
• Xbox Game Bar
• NVIDIA GeForce Overlay
• MSI Afterburner / RivaTuner
• Overwolf

Steam Overlay:

Settings → In-Game → disable Enable the Steam Overlay

✅ Result: Prevents overlay conflicts on launch.

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📺 Fix 7: Update GPU Drivers

Black screen is extremely common with outdated display drivers.

Download latest:

• NVIDIA GeForce
• AMD Adrenaline
• Intel Arc / UHD

Restart PC after installation.

✅ Result: Fixes display, rendering & DX12 issues.

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💾 Fix 8: Reinstall DirectX & Visual C++ Redistributables

Missing system files can cause the screen to load blank.

Install:

• DirectX End-User Runtime
• Visual C++ 2015–2022 Redistributables

Restart PC.

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🧹 Fix 9: Delete Shader Cache + Config Files

Sometimes corrupted settings cause a permanent black screen.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + R
2. Type: %localappdata%
3. Open WhereWindsMeet
4. Delete these folders:
   • Saved
   • Intermediate

(They regenerate automatically.)

Optional: Reset NVIDIA Shader Cache

NVIDIA Control Panel → Manage 3D Settings → Shader Cache Size → Reset

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🧠 Fix 10: Disable Overclocking

If your GPU or CPU is overclocked, the game may show a black screen without crashing.

Reset all OC tools:

• MSI Afterburner
• Intel XTU
• Ryzen Master
• XMP/DOCP

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🪄 Fix 11: Change Primary Monitor (Multi-Monitor Users)

Some players get a black screen because the game loads on the wrong monitor.

Steps:

Windows + P → Select PC Screen Only
Or unplug secondary monitor and launch again.

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🧱 Fix 12: Reinstall the Game (Last Option)

If nothing else works:

1. Uninstall
2. Delete leftover files from Program Files + LocalAppData
3. Reinstall on SSD

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💡 Additional Tips

• Ensure GPU HDMI / DP cable is properly connected
• Disable G-Sync / FreeSync if causing flickers
• Turn OFF Windows Game Bar & Xbox Services
• Make sure your display is set to 60Hz / 120Hz / 144Hz

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❓ FAQs

Q1: Why do I only hear audio but see a black screen?

Usually caused by incorrect fullscreen settings, HDR conflicts, or bad shader cache.

Q2: Does overlay software cause black screen?

Yes. Discord, Steam, and NVIDIA overlays frequently cause this issue.

Q3: Why does black screen happen after cutscenes?

Corrupted game files or outdated GPU drivers are the main causes.

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🎯 Conclusion

To fix Where Winds Meet black screen, start by disabling fullscreen optimizations, switching to windowed mode, verifying game files, and updating GPU drivers. These steps fix the issue for most players.

If the black screen still remains, deleting shader cache or reinstalling the game usually solves the problem.