How to Fix Redfall Crashing, Not Launching, Black Screen

Redfall, the highly anticipated open-world first-person shooter game offering a seamless blend of single-player and multiplayer options by Arkane Studios Austin, is now available for PC users. However, some players are experiencing crashing, not launching, and black screen issues when trying to play Redfall. In this article, we will address these problems and provide step-by-step solutions to help you get back into the game.

These issues can be caused by various factors, including hardware or software incompatibilities, outdated drivers, or even background programs interfering with the game. To help you navigate these issues, we have outlined some troubleshooting steps and possible solutions below.

Why is Redfall Crashing or Not Launching?

Several factors can cause Redfall to crash or fail to launch. These include outdated graphics drivers, software conflicts, hardware limitations, or issues with your Windows operating system. Identifying the cause of these problems can be challenging, but with the right approach, you can quickly find a solution.

You might also be interested in a guide on how to fix Redfall Multiplayer Not Working.

How to Troubleshoot Redfall Not Launching, Crashing, Black Screen Issues

Before diving into the specific solutions, it's essential to verify that your PC meets the minimum hardware requirements for Redfall:

• OS: Windows 10 64-bit
• CPU: Intel Core i5-8400 @ 2.80GHz or AMD Ryzen 5 1600
• GPU: AMD RX 580 or Nvidia GTX 1070 / 6 GB VRAM
• Memory: 16 GB RAM
• DirectX: Version 12
• Storage: 100 GB available space (SSD recommended)

If your system meets these requirements, try the following solutions to resolve your issues:

Repair Game Files

Corrupted or missing game files can cause crashes and other issues. To verify the integrity of your game files, follow the instructions specific to your game launcher (Microsoft Store, Steam, or Epic Games Launcher).

Microsoft Store / Game Pass:

1. Launch the Xbox App on your Windows PC.
2. Locate Redfall in your list of games, right-click on it, and select Manage.
3. In the Manage window, go to the Files tab.
4. Click the Verify and Repair button to begin the process.
5. Select Yes when prompted to confirm.
6. After the process is completed, try launching Redfall.

Steam:

1. Go to the Library menu on your Steam client.
2. Right-click on Redfall and select Properties.
3. Open the Local Files tab.
4. Click on the Verify integrity of game files.

Epic Games Launcher:

1. Open the Epic Games Launcher on your PC.
2. Navigate to the Library menu.
3. Find Redfall in your game list and click on the three dots (...) under it.
4. Select Manage from the options.
5. Click on the Verify button to initiate the process.
6. Wait for the verification process to complete.
7. Once finished, restart the Epic Games Launcher and launch Redfall.

Update Your GPU Drivers

Outdated graphics drivers can lead to crashes, black screens, and performance issues. Ensure you have the latest drivers installed for your GPU, whether it's NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel. Follow the steps below for each manufacturer to update your drivers.

NVIDIA:

1. Visit the NVIDIA Driver Downloads page at www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx
2. Choose your GPU model, operating system, and language, then click Search.
3. Download the latest driver version provided in the search results.
4. Run the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
5. Restart your computer once the installation is complete.

AMD:

1. Go to the AMD Driver and Support page at www.amd.com/en/support
2. Locate your GPU model in the list or use the Auto-Detect and Install Radeon Graphics Drivers for Windows tool.
3. Download and install the latest driver version available for your GPU.
4. Restart your PC after the installation is finished.

Intel:

1. Visit the Intel Download Center at https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/download-center/home.html
2. Type your GPU model in the search bar and press Enter or use the Intel Driver & Support Assistant (Intel DSA) for automatic detection.
3. Select your GPU model from the search results and click on the latest driver version.
4. Download the driver installer.
5. Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
6. Restart your PC once the installation is complete.

Check out our epic guide if you don’t know how to uninstall GPU drivers completely using DDU.

Update OS

Keeping your Windows operating system up-to-date can resolve compatibility issues and improve performance. Check for Windows updates by navigating to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.

Install DirectX and Visual C++ Redistributables

Installing or updating DirectX and Visual C++ Redistributable packages can resolve compatibility issues like Redfall crashing on startup and the game won't load on Windows PC. Follow the steps below to install or update these components on your system.

DirectX:

1. Visit the DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer page at www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=35.
2. Click the Download button to get the web installer.
3. Run the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen instructions to install the latest DirectX version compatible with your operating system.
4. Restart your PC once the installation is complete.

Visual C++ Redistributables:

1. Go to the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable latest supported downloads page at https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/cpp/windows/latest-supported-vc-redist
2. Scroll down to the "Visual Studio 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2022" section
3. Then click on X86 and X64.
4. Download the installers for both the x86 and x64 versions of the latest Visual C++ Redistributable packages.
5. Run the downloaded installers one at a time (first x86, then x64) and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
6. Restart your computer after both installations are finished.

Run as Administrator

Missing privileges can also be the main culprit for why Redfall won't launch or crashing at startup on your PC. Granting administrator privileges can resolve certain launch issues. Create a desktop shortcut for Redfall, right-click on it, and choose Run as administrator.

Disable Background Programs

Background programs (e.g., MSI Afterburner, RivaTuner) can interfere with Redfall, causing issues such as not launching, crashing, black screens, and crashes to desktop (CTD).

Disabling unnecessary background programs can free up resources and prevent conflicts that may lead to crashes during gameplay, startup, or loading screens. Follow these steps to disable background programs before try to play Redfall:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
2. Go to the Processes tab (or Details tab on Windows 10).
3. Look for any non-essential applications running in the background, such as web browsers, or third-party utilities.
4. Click on each non-essential application and click the End Task or End Process button to close it. Be cautious not to close any critical system processes.
5. Close the Task Manager and launch Redfall.

Disable Xbox Game Bar, Discord, Steam, and NVIDIA Overlays

Also, overlays can help resolve crashing at launch, crashing during gameplay, and other problems in Redfall. You can temporarily disable overlay features in some applications that may interfere with Redfall:

• Xbox Game Bar: Go to Start > Settings > Gaming > Xbox Game Bar and toggle off the switch for "Enable Xbox Game Bar..."
• Discord Overlay: Open Discord, go to User Settings > Game Overlay, and disable "Enable in-game overlay."
• Steam Overlay: Open Steam, click on Steam > Settings > In-Game, and uncheck "Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game."
• NVIDIA Overlay: Open NVIDIA GeForce Experience, click on the gear icon for Settings, then go to the General tab and turn off "In-Game Overlay."

Add Exclusions in Antivirus

Your antivirus software might mistakenly flag Redfall as a threat. Add an exclusion for the game in your antivirus settings to prevent interference.

Change Your PC Name and Create New Windows User

Sometimes, specific characters in your computer or Windows username can cause Redfall to experience issues like not launching, or crashing on startup.

Changing your PC name and creating a new Windows user account can help resolve these problems. Follow the steps below to change your PC name and create a new user account.

Change Your PC Name:

1. Press Win + X and select System from the menu.
2. In the System window, click on Rename this PC under "PC name."
3. Enter a new name for your PC, avoiding special characters that might cause issues with Redfall.
4. Click Next and follow the on-screen instructions.
5. Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Create a New Windows User Account:

1. Press Win + I to open Settings.
2. Go to Accounts > Family & other users.
3. Click on Add someone else to this PC under "Other users."
4. Select I don't have this person's sign-in information.
5. Choose Add a user without a Microsoft account.
6. Enter a new username, avoiding any special characters that might conflict with Redfall. Complete the required fields and click Next.
7. Log out of your current account and sign in with the new user account you created.
8. Launch Redfall and check if the issues persist.

Update BIOS and Enable AES

Updating your BIOS and enabling Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) support in your BIOS settings can improve system stability and fix crashes with weird error codes in Redfall. Refer to your motherboard manufacturer's instructions for updating the BIOS and enabling AES.

Lower Graphics Settings

High graphics settings can cause crashes on systems that don't meet the recommended requirements. Lower the graphics settings in Redfall's options menu and turn off VSync to improve stability.

Tweak NVIDIA Control Panel Settings

Tweaking settings in the NVIDIA Control Panel can help resolve crashing issues in Redfall. By adjusting specific options, you can optimize the game's performance and potentially fix issues. Follow the steps below to tweak your NVIDIA Control Panel settings:

1. Right-click on your desktop and select NVIDIA Control Panel.
2. In the left-hand pane, click on Manage 3D settings under "3D Settings."
3. Click on the Program Settings tab.
4. Click the Add button and locate Redfall's executable file (Redfall.exe) in the list of programs or browse to its installation folder.
5. Once Redfall is selected, modify the following settings:
   • Max Frame Rate: Set this to "60" to limit the game's frame rate and reduce the load on your GPU.
   • Preferred Refresh Rate: Choose "Highest Available" to ensure your monitor uses its highest refresh rate.
   • Vertical Sync: Turn this on to synchronize your game's frame rate with your monitor's refresh rate, which can help prevent screen tearing and reduce stuttering.
6. Click Apply to save the changes.
7. Close the NVIDIA Control Panel and launch Redfall to check if the issues are resolved.

Undoubtedly, by tweaking the NVIDIA Control Panel settings, you can optimize Redfall's performance and potentially fix issues related to crashing during gameplay, CTD, and crashing during loading screens. Make sure to monitor your game's performance and adjust the settings as needed to find the best balance between visual quality and performance.

Reinstall the Game

If all else fails, reinstalling the game can resolve lingering issues in Redfall.

Conclusion: Redfall Crashing, Not Launching, Black Screen Fix

Crashing, not launching, and black screen issues can be frustrating, but with patience and the right troubleshooting approach, you can get back into the action in Redfall. Remember to keep your system up-to-date, check for software conflicts, and make the necessary adjustments to your settings. By following these steps, you should be able to overcome most problems and enjoy the immersive experience that Redfall has to offer.

If you're also experiencing low FPS issues while playing Redfall, don't worry – we've got you covered! Check out our troubleshooting guide on Redfall Low FPS fixes to improve your game's performance and enjoy a smoother gaming experience. Don't let low frame rates hold you back from enjoying the thrilling world of Redfall to the fullest!