Fix: Epic Games Launcher Black Screen Issue

Don't let a black screen dampen your gaming experience!

Many players are reporting Epic Games Launcher’s black screen issue with a constant blue loading bar. This is causing players to not have access to their games. They have also reported that they are unable to go past the main login screen because of this black screen issue. Another known issue that is caused by the same factors is a blank screen with an options icon in the bottom left.

Epic games launcher stuck on blank screen with gear icon only.
Epic Games Launcher Stuck on Blank Screen with Only Options Icon Visible
Epic games launcher stuck on black screen with loading bar.
Epic Games Launcher Stuck on Black Screen with Loading Bar.

The black screen issue can be due to incorrect resolution, Epic Games servers being offline, or even high DPI settings. Let’s take a look at some of the possible solutions to this problem. Granting Epic Games Launcher administrative privileges can also resolve the black screen issues.

Fix: Epic Games Launcher Black Screen Issue

To resolve your epic games launcher black screen issue then try to

  • Flush the DNS cache.
  • Change your DNS server to Google Public DNS.
  • change DPI Settings.
  • Run the launcher as an administrator.
  • Adjust compatibility mode.
  • Allow the launcher through the firewall.

In case the problem still persists, then try the below potential fixes;

1. Check the Server Status

If you are facing the epic games launcher black screen issue with Windows 10 then the problem is not on your end but rather on Epic Games’ end. This is causing you to not go past the black/blank screen. To check if Epic Games Launcher servers are active follow these steps.

Simply check the Epic Games Launcher server status to resolve your epic games launcher not working issue.

2. Clear Epic Games Launcher Cache

Clearing the web cache for Epic Games Launcher will reset all of its settings. This is an official fix to resolve Epic Games Launcher black screen issue for many users. So the next time you launch it any display-related issues causing the black screen problem should be fixed.

How to Clear Epic Games Cache?

Here’s how to clear the cache of Epic Games Launcher.

  • Make sure all instances of Epic Games Launcher are closed from Task Manager.
  • Press Windows + R and type in “%localappdata%” and click OK. A new window will open up.
Microsoft Run popup
  • Open the Epic Games Launcher folder from here.
  • Open the folder Saved.
  • Delete the Webcache folder.
  • Also, delete the webcache_4147/webcache_4430 folders if they’re present.
  • You will have to log into Epic Games Launcher again.

3. Using a VPN

A user has reported a fix that involves using a VPN to launch Epic Games Launcher. Sometimes the server isn’t allowing you access to Epic Games Launcher.

Use a VPN  to resolve your Epic Game launcher Black Screen Issue

This is why your launcher is stuck on the black screen with constant loading upon launch. You can use any of the best VPN services for this as long as the VPN allows you to select the server you connect to.

  1. Close all instances of Epic Games Launcher from Task Manager.
  2. Launch your desired VPN and connect to a USA/UK server.
  3. Now start up Epic Games Launcher.
  4. When you see the login screen log in as usual.

Disconnect the VPN before you start any game.

If this fix has worked for you then you can uninstall the VPN software safely.

4. Disabling Resolution Scaling For High DPI Settings

According to a Reddit user, the black screen issue in Epic Games Launcher can be fixed by disabling resolution scaling.

Disable Resolution Scaling For High DPI Settings to resolve Epic Games Launcher Black screen issue.

To apply this fix follow the steps mentioned below.

  1. Close all instances of Epic Games Launcher from Task Manager.
  2. Right-click on the shortcut for Epic Games Launcher shortcut on your desktop and open Properties.
  3. Click on the Compatibility Tab.
  4. Put a checkmark next to the Disable display scaling on high DPI settings.

If you don’t see the option Disable display scaling on high DPI settings then you should click on the Change high DPI settings.

Epic games launcher shortcut properties menu.
  1. After clicking on Change high DPI settings.
  2. Check on the Override high DPI scaling behavior.
  3. In Scaling Performed select Application from the drop-down menu.
Epic games launcher DPI settings menu.

5. Disabling Full-Screen Optimization

A user on Epic Dev Community has provided a fix in which disabling the full-screen optimization fixes the stuck-on black screen with a constant blue bar issue.

Disable Full-Screen Optimization to resolve epic games launcher black screen issue

To enable this setting follow the steps below.

  • Right-click on the Epic Games Launcher shortcut and open Properties.
  • Head over to the Compatibility tab.
  • Check the Disable full-screen optimizations.
Epic games launcher compatibility menu for disabling full-screen optimizations.

6. Lower Display Scaling & Screen Resolution

If the epic games launcher not showing anything and you’re facing a blank screen with only the options icon (gear icon) in the bottom left then you should try this fix provided by a Reddit user.

Lower Display Scaling & Screen Resolution to resolve epic games launcher black screen issue

Follow the steps mentioned below to fix this issue

  • Completely shut down Epic Games Launcher
  • Right-click on the Desktop and click on Display settings.
Desktop Display settings.
  • Under the Scale & Layout section change Scale to 100% or 125%.
  • Change the Display resolution to as low as possible.
Screen scale and display resolution change.
  • After you’ve done this restart Epic Games Launcher and it should work now.
  • Once you’ve logged in then you can change the resolution back to normal.

6. Update the GPU Driver

An outdated display driver is a common culprit for the Epic Games launcher black screen issue on Windows 10 on your PC. This can prevent the game from launching. Updating your display driver is an effective solution to this problem. To update the GPU drivers, follow the below steps;

  • Press Win + X on the keyboard and then click on Device Manager and expand Display adapters.
  • Right-click on the graphics card, and click on Update driver.
Update The Graphics Card Driver
  • Choose Search automatically for drivers and update the driver.

In order to update the GPU driver, NVIDIA and AMD do release game-specific updates that you can download and install on your PC. But it takes time and if you are a newbie who doesn’t have skills then you might end up downloading the wrong drivers.

So, we suggest downloading Driver Easy software to update your graphics card driver quickly and efficiently. Unlike the device manager, it can update all drivers with a single click and has a broader database for detecting the latest drivers.

7. Run Compatibility Troubleshooter

Running the compatibility troubleshooter can help you find out the root of the problem and probably fix it. Here’s how to do this:

  • Right-click on the launcher shortcut and select Properties.
  • Select the tab Compatibility and click Run compatibility troubleshooter. (Make sure that you’ve unchecked any boxes under the Compatibility tab.)
  • Once the window Program Compatibility Troubleshooter pops up, click Try recommended settings.
  • Click Test the program and you’ll be directed to the launcher.
  • Go back to the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter window and click Next.
  • f there’s no black screen on the launcher, then congratulations! You can choose Yes, and save these settings for this program. Till then, enjoy your games.
  • If the problem persists, then select No, and try again using different settings.
  • Uncheck the box The program worked in earlier versions of Windows but won’t install or run now. Then check the box The program opens but doesn’t display correctly and click Next.
  • Check the box Error message saying the problem needs to run in 256 colors or 8-bit color mode. Then click Next
  • Check Yes, try again using different settings, and click Next.
  • Click Test the programNext.
  • Click Yes, and save these settings for this program.

Now, the issue is fixed.

8. Reinstall Epic Games Launcher

The above solutions should’ve helped you fix both the black screen with the blue loading bar issue and the blank screen with the gear icon-only problem. In case it did not then you can perform one final fix which is to reinstall the Epic Games Launcher. This will fix either issue you were facing however you may have to download your epic games again.

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