Sea of Thieves Stuck on Loading Screen: Experiencing a loading screen freeze in Sea of Thieves is a common problem faced by many players across various devices.
This issue can stem from multiple factors, such as the system not meeting the minimum specifications, outdated drivers, corrupted game files, or network connectivity problems, among others.
In this guide, we aim to help you troubleshoot these potential causes efficiently. Since each player’s experience may vary, it’s important to systematically explore the suggested solutions below.
After attempting all the fixes outlined, you should see improvements, allowing you to enjoy a seamless gaming experience once again.
Sea of Thieves is Stuck on Loading Screen – How to Fix?
To start addressing the issues, players should first verify that their systems meet the minimum recommended specifications. To ensure a smooth gaming experience in Sea of Thieves, it’s essential that players have compatible hardware.
Fix 1 – Check System Requirements for Sea of Thieves
Many players experiencing loading screen errors are using outdated operating systems. If you are on an older version, such as Windows 7 or Windows 8, it is essential to upgrade to the latest stable version of Windows 10.
For Sea of Thieves, Windows 10 is the minimum operating system requirement. Verifying that your system meets these specifications is a crucial first step in resolving loading issues. If your current operating system falls short, an upgrade is highly recommended.
Refer to the table below to determine whether your system is equipped to run Sea of Thieves effectively:
| OS | Windows 10 |
| CPU | Intel i3 processor @2.9 GHz / AMD FX-6300 @3.5 GHz |
| GPU | Nvidia GeForce 650 / AMD Radeon 7750 |
| RAM | 4GB |
| DirectX | V. 11 |
| VRAM | 1GB |
| HDD | 60 GB @5.4K RPM |
If players have systems that meet the above-mentioned specifications and still continue to face the loading screen problem, then check out the other fixes below.
Fix 2 – Update Windows OS
Typically, Windows updates are configured to download automatically, ensuring that they install in the background whenever a new version becomes available. Nonetheless, it’s wise to verify whether the most recent update has been successfully downloaded and installed.
Here’s how to check if the latest update is in place:
- 1. Press the Windows Key + I.
- 2. The Windows Settings menu will open; navigate to Update & Security.
- 3. Click on Check for Updates.
- 4. If an update is available, proceed to install it.
After completing these steps, players should relaunch Sea of Thieves to determine if the loading screen issue persists. If the problem continues, consider exploring the additional troubleshooting solutions provided below.
Fix 3 – Check Display Drivers and Update
Players often encounter issues like loading screen delays or stuttering gameplay due to either a faulty or outdated graphics card. For those with GeForce Experience already installed, the software will automatically check for driver updates. However, if it’s not installed, players will need to manually verify for the latest graphics card updates.
Here’s a guide to ensure your driver is functioning properly and to install any necessary updates:
- 1. Open the Windows Search bar and type in ‘Device Manager.’
- 2. Click on ‘Device Manager’ from the search results.
- 3. Expand the ‘Display Adapters’ section.
- 4. Right-click on your graphics card, whether it’s NVIDIA or Radeon.
- 5. Choose ‘Update Driver’ and then select ‘Search Automatically for Updated Driver Software.’
- 6. Follow the prompts to complete the installation of the latest driver.
If you have updated your display drivers following these steps and are still experiencing loading screen issues, consider exploring additional troubleshooting methods listed below.
Fix 4 – Run Sea of Thieves as Administrator
Players may occasionally encounter issues with the game being stuck on the loading screen, often due to insufficient permissions to run the game properly. Certain functionalities may be restricted for users with limited access, necessitating the need to run the game with Administrator privileges.
To set Sea of Thieves to run as an Administrator, follow these steps:
- 1. Locate the game’s shortcut on your desktop.
- 2. Right-click on the shortcut and choose ‘Properties’ from the context menu.
- 3. In the properties window, navigate to the ‘Compatibility’ tab.
- 4. Check the box that says ‘Run this program as an administrator.’
- 5. Click ‘Apply’ to save your changes, then select ‘OK’ to exit.
By following these steps, you will permanently grant Administrator privileges to the game. Alternatively, if you prefer to run the game with elevated privileges only on specific occasions, you can do so by right-clicking on the game shortcut and selecting ‘Run as administrator.’
Once you have set the necessary permissions, try launching Sea of Thieves again to see if the loading screen issue persists. If you continue to experience problems, please refer to the additional troubleshooting methods outlined below.
Fix 5 – Reset Sea of Thieves
Many players have successfully resolved the issue of getting stuck on the loading screen by resetting Sea of Thieves to its original default settings. If you’re looking to perform this reset, follow the instructions outlined below:
- 1. Press the Windows Key + i to open the Settings menu.
- 2. Navigate to the ‘Apps’ section.
- 3. Locate ‘Sea of Thieves’ in the application list and select it.
- 4. Click on ‘Advanced Options.’
- 5. Find the ‘Reset’ option and select it.
- 6. Confirm your choice by clicking ‘Reset’ once more when prompted.
This process will restore Sea of Thieves to its factory settings. Should the loading screen issue persist even after the reset, we recommend exploring the additional troubleshooting methods provided below.
Fix 6 – Use VPN to Connect to Sea of Thieves
Players have indicated difficulties in accessing the game, which may stem from regional restrictions or server capacity issues. Utilizing a VPN could potentially alleviate this problem.
Check out some of the best top free VPN’s available:
- Hotspot Shield VPN
- Windscribe
- Tunnelbear
- Hide.me
Many users have successfully launched the game after employing third-party VPN services. Once players finish their gaming session, they can simply disconnect the VPN.
Fix 7 – Change Time/Date
In some instances, an incorrectly configured time or time zone on your device can lead to issues with the loading screen. This often occurs when players attempt to connect to the game and find a discrepancy between the server’s time and their local system time, resulting in potential conflicts. Additionally, for those utilizing VPN services, the mismatch between the location of their IP address and their local time zone can create similar problems. To resolve this, players have the option to disable their VPN or adjust their local system settings to align with the VPN’s time zone.
Here are the steps to modify the time and date settings on your system:
- 1. Press the Windows Key + I to open Settings.
- 2. Navigate to ‘Time & Language’ and toggle on ‘Set Time Automatically.’
- 3. On the left sidebar, click on ‘Region.’
- 4. Ensure that the country and region settings correspond with your actual location.
- 5. Restart your device and try launching the game again.
If the loading screen issue persists even after adjusting the time and date settings, consider exploring the additional solutions provided below.
Fix 8 – Launch Sea of Thieves via Microsoft Store Library
Games that aren’t launched directly from the Microsoft Store may encounter issues. To determine if the loading problem persists, try launching the game from the Store Library.
- 1. Open the Microsoft Store.
- 2. Choose any free app to download and install.
- 3. Go to ‘My Library’.
- 4. Find and select ‘Sea of Thieves’ from your list, then start the game.
By running the game through the Microsoft Store this time, you can see if it functions properly. If the game still fails to launch, consult the final troubleshooting option for the loading screen issue in Sea of Thieves.
Fix 9 – Clear Microsoft Store cache and Reinstall Sea of Thieves
The issue of getting stuck on the loading screen may stem from corrupted cache files created during the installation process. To resolve this, you can clear the cache and reinstall the game, which often rectifies the problem.
Here are the steps to clear the cache and reinstall the game:
- 1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog.
- 2. Type `wsreset.exe` and hit Enter.
- 3. Next, press Windows key + I to access the Settings menu and then select ‘Apps.’
- 4. Locate ‘Sea of Thieves’ in the list and click on it.
- 5. Follow the prompts to uninstall the game.
- 6. After the uninstallation is complete, return to the Microsoft Store to reinstall the game.
- 7. Launch the game once the reinstallation is finished.
If the issue persists after following these steps, players may consider using ‘CCleaner’ as a final solution. This tool can effectively reduce errors and crashes, while also enhancing system performance.
This covers all the methods available to address the loading screen issue in Sea of Thieves.
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