Once Human Black Screen Issue on Startup: How to FIX

Once Human Black Screen Issue on Startup: Once Human is an open-world survival game set in a post-apocalyptic environment, inviting players to traverse a haunting world reshaped by the catastrophic event known as Starfall.

As a meta-human, players possess unique abilities that aid them in overcoming the eerie challenges that arise in this chaotic landscape.

However, like many online gaming experiences, Once Human is not without its issues. Players have reported a range of concerns, including difficulties with server connectivity, performance lags, challenges in joining multiplayer parties, and notably, a persistent black screen issue.

A significant number of PC players have faced the black screen issue upon launching Once Human, regardless of whether they are using Steam or other platforms.

This problem has sparked considerable discussion within the gaming community, as it can abruptly halt gameplay, leaving players stranded on a non-responsive screen. In some instances, this issue even blocks players from accessing the game altogether.

The development team at Starry Studio is aware of the server connectivity challenges, particularly during peak hours when player counts exceed the server’s capacity.

They are currently collaborating with Epic Games to resolve these issues, though implementing a lasting solution may require time. It is important to keep in mind that early-access games like Once Human often experience bugs and glitches, which developers are committed to addressing and improving over time.

Troubleshooting Steps to Resolve Black Screen Problems in Once Human on PC

When encountering a black screen while launching Once Human on your PC, it’s important to recognize that this issue can arise from a variety of sources.

Possible culprits include server outages, interference from third-party software, antivirus programs blocking the game, outdated patches, system malfunctions, corrupted files, and outdated graphics drivers.

Other factors to consider are insufficient administrative rights, conflicts with overlay applications, older versions of Windows, problems with fullscreen settings, and conflicts within the game’s graphics configurations.

If you find yourself dealing with this annoying black screen issue, rest assured that there are several troubleshooting methods you can attempt.

Below, we present a range of practical solutions designed to help you resolve the problem and return to your gaming experience in Once Human. Please follow each step methodically until the issue is fully addressed. Let’s explore these solutions together!

1. Force Close and Relaunch the Game

Before trying any additional troubleshooting methods, it’s advisable to completely close the Once Human game and restart it using the steps outlined below. We recommend that players exit the game and relaunch it to see if the issue persists.

1. Exit the game and the launcher you are currently using.
2. Open the Start menu and select Task Manager.
3. Navigate to the Processes tab and locate the Once Human.exe entry.
4. Click on it and select End Task, then also close the Steam task.
5. Restart your computer to ensure all changes take effect.
6. After rebooting, launch the game again to determine if the issue has been resolved.

2. Restart the PC

If you’re encountering temporary system glitches or problems related to cached data, a manual reboot of your computer is advisable. To refresh your system and restore normal functionality, please follow these steps:

1. Access the Start menu and navigate to the Power options.
2. Select Restart and allow the system to complete the reboot process.
3. After the restart, take a moment to verify if the issue persists.

This procedure can help ensure your computer operates smoothly.

3. Run Once Human as an Administrator

It is likely that your Once Human game application is experiencing conflicts with system administrator permissions, which could lead to various issues. To resolve this, you can follow the steps outlined below to run the game with administrative privileges, ensuring a smoother experience. This adjustment is necessary only once and does not need to be repeated in the future.

1. Right-click on the Once Human.exe file on your computer.
2. Select Properties, then navigate to the Compatibility tab.
3. Check the box that says “Run this program as an administrator.”
4. Click Apply, then OK to confirm your changes.
5. After completing these steps, launch the game again to see if the issue persists.

4. Update the Once Human Game

You can also verify for updates of the Once Human game directly through your Steam client or the Epic Games launcher by following these instructions. An outdated patch can lead to various problems, such as difficulties starting the game or experiencing a black screen on your PC.

For Steam:

1. Launch the Steam client and navigate to your Library.
2. Locate Once Human and right-click on it.
3. Select Properties from the menu.
4. Go to the Updates tab.
5. Under Automatic Updates, choose the option to update this game only when you launch it.
6. Start the Once Human game to see if the issue persists.

For Epic Games:

1. Open the Epic Games launcher and head to your Library.
2. Click on the three dots beside Once Human.
3. Ensure that Auto Update is activated.

By keeping your game updated, you can help mitigate startup issues and enhance your gaming experience.

5. Verify and Repair the Game Files

It is quite possible that your game files on PC may become corrupted or lost. If you are facing similar issues, you can follow the instructions below to repair your game files.

For Steam Users:

1. Launch the Steam client and navigate to your Library.
2. Locate the game “Once Human” and right-click on it.
3. Select “Properties” and then click on “Installed Files” from the menu on the left.
4. Choose the option to “Verify integrity of game files.”
5. Allow the verification process to finish.
6. After completion, restart your PC and open the game again.

For Epic Games Users:

1. Open the Epic Games launcher.
2. Head to your Library and find “Once Human.” Click on the three dots next to it.
3. Select “Manage,” then click on “Verify.”
4. Wait for the verification process to complete.

By following these steps, you can restore your game files and resolve any issues you may be experiencing.

6. Update the Graphics Driver

An outdated graphics card driver can occasionally lead to a black screen during startup on your PC. To address this potential issue and eliminate any graphical problems, you can follow these steps to check for updates to your graphics driver:

Steps for Updating Your Graphics Driver:

1. Open the Start menu and type “Device Manager” into the search bar, then select it from the results.
2. In the Device Manager window, locate and double-click on “Display Adapters.”
3. Find your dedicated graphics card in the list, right-click on it, and select “Update Driver.”
4. Choose the option to “Search automatically for drivers.”
5. If an update is available, it will download and install automatically.
6. After the update completes, restart your computer to ensure the changes take effect.

By keeping your graphics driver up to date, you can help prevent issues such as black screens and improve overall system performance.

Manual Update:

In the event that an update for your graphics driver is not accessible, it is advisable to manually upgrade it to the most recent version available for your computer.

To do this, visit the official website of the manufacturer of your graphics card. You will need to locate the most up-to-date driver from the provided resources below and proceed to download it. After downloading, install the driver and restart your computer to complete the process.

7. Disable Overlay Apps

To enhance your gaming experience and resolve potential issues such as black screens, it’s important to disable any third-party overlay applications on your computer. These applications can often run in the background without your knowledge, consuming valuable system resources and potentially hindering overall performance.

Disabling Discord Overlay:

1. Open the Discord application and click on the gear icon located at the bottom of the interface.
2. Navigate to the “Overlay” section under App Settings and toggle on the “Enable in-game overlay” feature.
3. Proceed to the “Games” tab and select “Once Human.”
4. Turn off the “Enable in-game overlay” option.
5. Restart your computer to ensure that the changes take effect.

Disabling Xbox Game Bar:

1. Press the Win+I keys simultaneously to access the Settings menu.
2. Click on “Gaming” and then select “Game Bar.”
3. Disable the option that allows recording game clips, taking screenshots, and broadcasting via the Game Bar.

Disabling Nvidia GeForce Experience Overlay:

1. Launch the Nvidia GeForce Experience application.
2. Go to the “Settings” section.
3. Click on the “General” tab and toggle off the “In-Game Overlay” option.
4. Restart your computer to apply the changes.

Additionally, consider disabling other third-party overlay tools that might interfere with your gaming sessions, such as MSI Afterburner, Rivatuner, RGB control software, and similar programs.

This can help mitigate performance issues and improve your overall gaming experience. After completing these steps, relaunch the game and enjoy smoother gameplay.

8. Check for Windows Updates

To ensure optimal performance of your PC, it’s important to verify and install any pending Windows updates. Outdated versions or specific build numbers can lead to various issues, including problems with program launches and graphical glitches.

Here’s how to check for updates:

1. Access the Start menu and type “Settings” in the search bar, then open the Settings app.
2. Navigate to the “Windows Update” section.
3. Click on “Check for Updates” to see if any updates are available.
4. If updates are found, select “Download and Install” to initiate the update process.
5. After the installation is complete, restart your computer to apply the changes.

By keeping your Windows operating system up to date, you can minimize potential issues and enhance the overall functionality of your programs.

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9. Disable Fullscreen Optimizations

To prevent the black screen issue with the game, we recommend manually disabling fullscreen optimizations on your PC. Here’s how to do it:

1. Navigate to the directory where the game is installed or open the Start menu.
2. Find the Once Human.exe application and right-click on it.
3. Select ‘Properties‘ from the context menu and then go to the ‘Compatibility‘ tab.
4. In this tab, check the option for ‘Disable fullscreen optimizations.’
5. Click ‘Apply,’ then ‘OK‘ to confirm your changes.

After completing these steps, restart your computer to ensure that the changes take effect.

10. Check the Server Status

If you’re experiencing issues with game startup or encountering a black screen, it’s likely due to problems with server connectivity.

To determine whether there are any ongoing server outages, it’s advisable to check the current status of the Once Human game servers. You can find the server status information here, which will help you confirm if there are any service interruptions.

In the event that the server is down, it may be best to wait a few hours and try reconnecting later. Additionally, keep an eye on the official @OnceHuman_ Twitter account for updates regarding any server downtime or related issues.

If everything appears to be functioning correctly on the server side, you can move on to the next troubleshooting step.

11. Change the In-Game Graphics Settings

To enhance the gaming experience on mid-range PCs while playing Once Human, it is advisable to adjust the graphics settings.

The following steps can help optimize performance and address any graphical glitches you may encounter. This approach is beneficial for achieving smoother gameplay.

Presets: Use custom settings
Screen Mode: Full-Screen
Screen Resolution: The native resolution of the monitor
Max FPS: The native refresh rate of the monitor
VSync: Turn Off
Motion Blur: Low
Anti-Aliasing: TAA (Temporal Anti-Aliasing)
View Distance, Grass Detail, Shadows, Effects Quality: Medium
Texture Quality: High
DLSS: Quality

12. Disable Antivirus Temporarily

To troubleshoot game startup problems or graphical issues such as a black screen, we suggest temporarily disabling your antivirus software. This applies to both Windows Defender and any third-party antivirus programs you might have installed. Often, overly protective antivirus settings can interfere with game performance.

Here’s how to disable Windows Defender’s real-time protection:

1. Press the Win + I keys to access Windows Settings.
2. Select the “Update & Security” option.
3. Navigate to “Windows Security.”
4. Click on “Open Windows Security.”
5. Go to “Virus & Threat Protection.”
6. Find the “Manage Settings” option and click on it.
7. Switch off the “Real-time Protection” toggle.
8. If a User Account Control (UAC) prompt appears, confirm by clicking “Yes.”

Once you’ve completed these steps, launch the Once Human game to see if the black screen issue has been resolved.

For those using third-party antivirus software, please ensure to temporarily disable the real-time protection feature before launching the game.

13. Close Unnecessary Background Tasks

Many PC users have found success in terminating unnecessary background tasks by following these instructions. Occasionally, background processes can lead to various conflicts with active applications or even cause issues like a black screen in games.

1. Open the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
2. Navigate to the Processes tab and identify any third-party tasks that are not needed.
3. Select the unwanted process and click on “End Task” to terminate it.
4. Repeat this process for any additional unnecessary third-party tasks.
5. After you have finished, restart your computer to implement the changes.

By doing this, you can help improve your system’s performance and resolve potential conflicts.

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14. Reinstall the Once Human Game

If the previously mentioned solutions do not resolve your issue, you may want to consider uninstalling and reinstalling the Once Human game on your computer. While we understand that this step may seem unnecessary to many players, it can occasionally help alleviate installation conflicts. Below are the instructions to guide you through the process, particularly for Steam users:

Steps to Uninstall and Reinstall Once Human on Steam:

Open the Steam client on your PC.
Go to Library > Right-click on Once Human.
Now, click on Manage.
Click on Uninstall.
If prompted, ensure to confirm it.
Then follow the on-screen instructions to uninstall the game.
Once done, restart the system to apply changes.
Next, launch the Steam client again.
Reinstall the Once Human game on a different disk drive.
Wait for the game to be installed again.
Finally, restart the computer, and run the game.

By following these steps, you can ensure a fresh installation that may help resolve any lingering issues.

15. Contact Steam Support

Finally, it is advisable to reach out to Steam Support by submitting a support ticket regarding the black screen issue in Once Human. This action will assist the support team or game developers in conducting a more thorough investigation into the problem.

We hope this guide has provided you with valuable assistance. If you have any further questions, feel free to leave a comment below.

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