Resolve The Sims 4 Startup Black Screen Issue Quickly

The Sims 4 often faces a common startup problem known as the black screen issue. This occurs when players attempt to launch the game but are met with a blank display. While they can hear background music and see the cursor, gameplay is inaccessible. This frustrating situation typically arises after a significant update to the game or the EA App, where certain mods, configuration files, or drivers may become incompatible with the new version.

Understanding the Black Screen Issue

During startup, the game engine initializes but fails to render the first frame. Several factors can lead to this rendering problem:

• Outdated or broken mods/custom content that conflicts with the latest patch.
• Game folders or cache files redirected to cloud storage services like OneDrive.
• Issues with graphics drivers or DirectX affecting the startup rendering.
• Incorrect full-screen or resolution settings blocking display output.

Despite appearing similar to a crash, this is primarily a software-related issue rather than a hardware malfunction.

Solutions to Fix The Sims 4 Black Screen Issue

1. Disable Mods

Corrupted or outdated mods can hinder the game’s initialization process. Disabling these mods can help ensure proper startup.

1. Close The Sims 4.
2. Open File Explorer and navigate to: Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4.
3. Right-click the Mods folder and select Rename. Change it to Mods_backup.
4. Relaunch the game and see if the black screen issue persists.

2. Switch to Windowed Mode

Display initialization errors may occur if full-screen mode does not match the monitor’s resolution. You can adjust this by running the game in windowed mode.

1. Press Alt + Enter to toggle to windowed mode.
2. Alternatively, open the EA App, go to your Game Library, right-click The Sims 4, and select Game Properties.
3. Under Advanced Launch Options, type: -w, then save and start the game.

3. Repair Game Files

Missing or corrupt game files can also lead to rendering issues. The EA App features a repair tool designed to fix this.

1. Open the EA App and navigate to your Library.
2. Right-click The Sims 4 and choose Manage > Repair.
3. Wait for the process to complete, then restart the game.

4. Use DirectX 9

Some players report better stability using DirectX 9, which can resolve the black screen problem.

1. Open the EA App or Origin, and access your Library.
2. Right-click The Sims 4, select Game Properties > Advanced Launch Options.
3. Enter the command: -dx9 in the launch box, save, and start the game.

5. Check GPU Temperature

Overheating may cause rendering or throttling issues, leading to a black screen. It’s essential to monitor GPU temperature.

• If the GPU temperature exceeds 85°C, consider cleaning the fans.
• Ensure the gaming setup has proper ventilation.
• Reduce in-game graphics settings to help maintain a cooler temperature.

Keeping your GPU within a safe range can significantly improve startup performance in The Sims 4.