The First Descendant: How to Fix the Black Screen Error

Abu Taher Tamim
By Abu Taher Tamim
5 Min Read
Image Credit: Nexon

Black screen error can happen from time to time in The First Descendant. Here are some fixes for you.

After a long day at school or work, you open your PC to play The First Descendant. But wait—you only see a black screen when you launch the game. This is known as the Black Screen Error.

Having experienced it before, I want to help as many gamers as possible. That’s why I’ve listed some solutions you can try to resolve the problem and get back into the game.

Read More: How To Actually Fix Game Login Failed Error LE:13 In The First Descendant

How to Fix the Black Screen Error in The First Descendant

Let’s fix the Black Screen Error, shall we? Here are some simple steps to fix this issue:

Check Your Internet Connection

First things first, I want you to make sure your internet is working, because a weak or unstable connection can cause the game to show a black screen. Try these quick fixes:

  • Restart your router
  • Use a wired connection instead of Wi-Fi if possible
  • Close other apps that might be using a lot of bandwidth

Update Your Graphics Drivers

Outdated drivers can often cause display problems. Here’s how to update them:

Drivers update for NVIDIA
Image Credit: NVIDIA

For NVIDIA:

  • Open NVIDIA GeForce Experience
  • Click on the “Drivers” tab
  • If an update is available, click “Download”

For AMD:

  • Go to the AMD website
  • Download and install the latest driver for your graphics card

Verify Game Files on Steam

Now, let’s check if all your files are okay:

  • Open Steam
  • Right-click on The First Descendant in your library
  • Select “Properties”
  • Go to “Local Files”
  • Click “Verify integrity of game files”

Disable Overlays

Overlays from apps like Discord or Steam can interfere with the game. Try turning them off:

Disable Overlays in Discord
Image Credit: Discord

For Discord:

  • Open Discord Settings
  • Go to “Game Overlay”
  • Turn off “Enable in-game overlay”

For Steam:

  • Open Steam Settings
  • Go to “In-Game”
  • Uncheck “Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game”

Run the Game in Windowed Mode

Sometimes, running the game in windowed mode can help:

  • Right-click on The First Descendant in your Steam library
  • Select “Properties”
  • In the “Launch Options” box, type: -windowed

Unplug All Controllers

Sometimes, connected controllers can cause display issues. Try this:

  • Unplug all controllers and external devices from your PC
  • Restart the game and see if it works

Adjust Graphics Settings

If your game starts in a resolution your monitor doesn’t support, you might see a black screen. Here’s what to do:

  • Start the game in windowed mode (use the -windowed launch option we mentioned earlier)
  • Lower the graphics settings, especially the resolution

Check for Game Updates and Hotfixes

The developers might have released a fix for the black screen issue:

  • Check The First Descendant’s official website for any recent updates or hotfixes
  • If available, download and install them

Install DirectX and Visual C++ Redistributables

Missing system files can cause display problems. Here’s how to fix that:

  • Download the latest DirectX End-User Runtime from Microsoft’s website
  • Also download and install the latest Visual C++ Redistributables
  • Restart your PC after installation

Use a Friend’s Settings File

This is a unique fix that worked for some players:

  • Ask a friend who can run the game to share their GameUserSettings.ini file
  • Replace your file with theirs (usually found in:
    C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Local\M1\Saved\Config\Windows)
  • Launch the game and see if it works

Reinstall the Game

If nothing else works, try a fresh install:

  • Uninstall The First Descendant from Steam
  • Restart your computer
  • Install the game again

Contact Official Support

If none of these fixes work:

  • Reach out to The First Descendant’s official support channels
  • Provide details about your system and the steps you’ve tried
  • They may have additional solutions or be able to help directly

I’ve included all the possible fixes for the Black Screen Error in The First Descendant. I really hope one of these solutions works for you.

Also check out: 10 Best Tips for The First Descendant: What You Need to Know!

By Abu Taher Tamim Staff Writer
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Abu Taher Tamim is a Staff Writer at GameRiv. He started playing video games when one of his uncles brought him a PS1, after it was launched. Since that day until now, he still play video games. As he loves video games so much, he became a gaming content writer.