Sea of Thieves Screen Flickering or Tearing Issue on PC

Sea of Thieves Screen Flickering or Tearing Issue on PC: How to FIX

by

Sea of Thieves Screen Flickering or Tearing Issue on PC: “Sea of Thieves, an engaging action-adventure multiplayer game developed by Rare and published by Microsoft Studios, immerses players in the thrilling world of piracy.

Fans of the genre can fully embrace the pirate lifestyle, embarking on adventures that include sailing ships, engaging in battles, exploring uncharted territories, and collecting treasure.

However, with the game’s recent launch, some players have reported various technical issues, notably the screen flickering and tearing problem on PC.

If you find yourself among those affected by this issue, there’s no need for concern. We have compiled a comprehensive troubleshooting guide designed to assist you in resolving these problems.

Screen flickering, tearing, and freezing have long been common challenges in PC gaming, and players may encounter these issues across different titles. Fortunately, there are effective solutions available that you can explore to enhance your gaming experience.”

Fix: Sea of Thieves Screen Flickering or Tearing Issue on PC

If you’re experiencing screen flickering or tearing while engaging in multiplayer modes, during specific sessions, or at certain checkpoints, it’s essential to first verify the stability of your internet connection.

Issues with in-game graphics settings can also contribute to these problems. Additionally, there have been reports of shimmering screens occurring during cutscenes.

It’s advisable to check the V-Sync settings for Sea of Thieves, as this feature can cause significant issues in certain PC games. To address these challenges, follow the recommended troubleshooting steps one at a time until the issue is resolved.

Let’s explore these solutions without further delay.

1. Enable V-Sync in Nvidia Control Panel

To minimize graphical glitches in Sea of Thieves, it is advisable to enable the Vertical Sync feature via the Nvidia Control Panel. This solution is specifically for those using Nvidia graphics cards.

  • To begin, access the Nvidia Control Panel from your Start menu. If you don’t have it installed, you can download it from the Microsoft Store.
  • Once you’re in the Nvidia Control Panel, navigate to the ‘3D Settings’ section and select ‘Manage 3D settings’. From there, choose ‘Program Settings’ and click on ‘Add’ to find ‘Sea of Thieves’ from the list of installed applications on your computer.
  • If the game doesn’t appear in the list, click on ‘Browse’ and navigate to the location where Sea of Thieves is installed on your hard drive. Locate the Sea of Thieves folder and select the SeaOfThieves.exe file to add it to the list.
  • Next, scroll down to find ‘Vertical sync’. Click on it and set it to ‘On’ to enable V-Sync for Sea of Thieves. This setting will ensure that the game consistently utilizes V-Sync during play.

After making these changes, restart your computer to implement the new settings, then launch the game to see if the graphical issues have been resolved.

2. Try Lowering In-Game Graphics Settings

To begin with, consider adjusting the graphics settings on your PC or console to see if it alleviates the frame drops or stuttering problems.

Disable certain visual features in Sea of Thieves, such as texture quality, shadow effects, v-sync, and anti-aliasing. These modifications can enhance your frame rate and overall gameplay performance, leading to a smoother experience.

3. Update GPU Drivers

If you haven’t yet updated your graphics driver on your Windows computer, it’s important to install the latest version for optimal performance. Follow these steps to check for and install updates:

  • 1. Press the Windows key and the X key simultaneously to access the Quick Link Menu.
  • 2. From the menu, select Device Manager.
  • 3. In the Device Manager window, locate and double-click on Display adapters.
  • 4. Find your dedicated graphics card in the list, right-click on it, and select Update driver.
  • 5. Choose the option to Search automatically for drivers. The system will then look for any available updates.
  • 6. If an update is found, it will download and install automatically.

After the installation is complete, be sure to restart your computer to ensure that all changes take effect.

4. Close Unnecessary Background Tasks

To optimize your PC’s performance, consider shutting down any unnecessary background processes that may be consuming system resources. Ensure that essential applications like Sea of Thieves, Steam, and other vital system functions remain active. Here’s how to manage your background tasks:

  • 1. Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
  • 2. Navigate to the Processes tab and identify the tasks you wish to terminate.
  • 3. Select the desired task and click on “End Task” to close it. Repeat this step for each task individually.
  • 4. To apply the changes, restart your computer.

After completing these steps, check to see if the screen flickering or tearing issue in Sea of Thieves has been resolved.

5. Check Your Internet Connection

It’s important to verify the internet connection on your PC to ensure it’s functioning properly. Issues such as slow speeds or unstable connectivity can hinder the game’s ability to launch or retrieve data from the server.

To troubleshoot, consider switching from a wired (Ethernet) connection to a wireless (Wi-Fi) one to help identify any potential network issues.

If you’re experiencing problems with your IP address or DNS settings, switching to Google’s DNS can be beneficial.

This may help alleviate connection problems such as rubberbanding, stuttering, or lag, which are often caused by inadequate internet performance.

6. Update Sea of Thieves

An outdated version of a game can lead to various bugs and problems. To ensure a smooth gaming experience in Sea of Thieves, it’s advisable to update your game by following these steps. If there’s a new update available, you’ll want to install the latest patch. Here’s how to do it:

  • 1. Launch the Steam client.
  • 2. Navigate to your Library and select Sea of Thieves from the list on the left.
  • 3. The client will automatically check for any available updates. If an update is found, be sure to click on the “Update” button.
  • 4. The update process may take some time. Once it’s finished, close the Steam client.
  • 5. Finally, restart your PC to implement the changes and then relaunch the game.

This will help ensure your game runs smoothly and is free of issues related to outdated software.

7. Verify Integrity of Game Files

In the event that you encounter problems with your game files, such as corruption or missing components, it’s important to follow a straightforward method to identify and resolve the issue.

To verify your game files on Steam, follow these steps:

  • 1. Open the Steam application and navigate to your Library.
  • 2. Locate Sea of Thieves among your installed games and right-click on it.
  • 3. Select “Properties” from the context menu, then proceed to the “Local Files” tab.
  • 4. Click on “Verify Integrity of Game Files” to initiate the verification process.
  • 5. Please be patient as this process runs to completion.
  • 6. After the verification is finished, restart your computer to ensure all changes take effect.

This method will help ensure that your game files are intact and functioning properly.

8. Set High Performance in Power Options

If your Windows system is currently set to Balanced mode in Power Options, consider switching to High-Performance mode to enhance performance. Keep in mind that this setting may result in increased power consumption or reduced battery life. Here’s how to make the change:

  • 1. Open the Start Menu and type “Control Panel,” then select it from the search results.
  • 2. Navigate to “Hardware and Sound” and then click on “Power Options.”
  • 3. Select the “High Performance” option to activate it.
  • 4. After making these adjustments, be sure to close the window. To fully shut down your computer, click on the Start Menu, navigate to “Power,” and select “Shut Down.”
  • 5. Once your computer has completely powered off, you can turn it back on to enjoy the benefits of the new settings.

9. Set High Priority in Task Manager

To enhance the performance of your game, you can adjust its priority in the Windows Task Manager. This will help ensure that your system allocates the necessary resources for optimal gameplay. Here’s how to do it:

  • 1. Right-click on the Start Menu and choose Task Manager.
  • 2. Navigate to the Processes tab and locate the Sea of Thieves task.
  • 3. Right-click on the Sea of Thieves process and select “Set Priority,” then choose “High.”
  • 4. Close the Task Manager.

After making these adjustments, launch the Sea of Thieves game to see if the crashing issues on your PC have been resolved.

10. Update Windows

Keeping your Windows operating system up to date is crucial for both regular PC users and gamers. Regular updates help minimize system errors, enhance compatibility, and prevent crashes. Furthermore, the latest updates often come with new features, enhancements, and important security fixes. Here’s how you can update your Windows OS:

  • 1. Press the Windows key and the ‘I’ key simultaneously to access the Settings menu.
  • 2. Navigate to the “Update & Security” section and click on it. Then, look for “Check for updates” in the Windows Update area.
  • 3. If an update is available, select the option to download and install it.
  • 4. Be prepared for the update process to take some time.
  • 5. After the installation is complete, restart your computer to finalize the update.

That’s all there is to it! We hope you found this guide useful. If you have any further questions, feel free to leave a comment below.

Sea of Thieves Keep Crashing on Startup on PC: How to FIX

Sea of Thieves Crashing or Not Loading on Xbox One and Series X/S: How to FIX

Leave a Comment