How to fix black screen issue in DOOM: The Dark Ages
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DOOM: The Dark Ages is finally out for those who have the early access perk. But just as you’d already expect from a new game, this one also has a number of issues that are ruining the gameplay experience of many. Earlier, there were reports about the game crashing and stuttering. Now, it seems like players are also facing the black screen issue.
Black screen issues are extremely frustrating, as you’re unable to access the settings or the main menu. However, there are still a handful of methods that can help get rid of the issue, and we’ll go over them in this guide!
Methods to fix the black screen issue in DOOM: The Dark Ages
Here are some methods you can follow to get rid of the black screen.
Inspect the HDMI or DP cable and ports
Sometimes, the issue isn't with the game itself – it's with the connection between your PC and your monitor. A damaged HDMI or DisplayPort (DP) cable or a loose connection can cause your screen to go black or flicker, especially during game launches when the resolution or refresh rate changes.
- Make sure your cable is fully plugged in on both ends – your PC and your monitor.
- Try using a different HDMI or DP cable to see if that solves the issue.
- Plug the cable into another port on your graphics card, if one is available.
- If you have another monitor, test the game on it.
Make sure your GPU is properly connected to the motherboard
If your graphics card is not seated properly on the motherboard, it can cause a black screen when launching games. This is more common in newly built PCs or after recent upgrades.
- Turn off your PC and unplug it from the power source.
- Open the side panel of your case and carefully check if the GPU is fully inserted into the PCIe slot.
- Ensure that all power cables connected to the GPU are properly plugged in.
- Close the case, plug the PC back in, and try launching the game again.
Power cycle your PC
Sometimes, a simple power cycle can clear out minor software bugs or stuck background processes that could be causing display issues. Power cycling can give your system a fresh start without making any permanent changes. This is different from a regular restart, as it requires you to keep your PC turned off for at least a few minutes.
- Shut down your PC completely.
- Unplug it from the power outlet and wait for at least three minutes.
- Plug it back in and turn on your PC.
- Launch DOOM: The Dark Ages to see if the black screen issue is gone.
Disable HDR
Some players have reported that enabling HDR (High Dynamic Range) triggered the black screen issue in DOOM: The Dark Ages. If this happened after you turned on HDR, you can disable it through Steam without needing to open the game.
- Open Steam and go to your Library.
- Right-click on DOOM: The Dark Ages and select Properties.
- In the General section, find the Launch Options field.
- Type this line into the field: +r_hdrDisplay0
- Close the window and restart the game.
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