Black Screen Startup Workaround

[Bovril Brigadier]

Good evening ladies and macaroons.

Since this is becoming a hot topic again I thought I would share with you some workarounds for an issue where you load up the game but just before it hits menu you get a black screen. This is assuming that you have positively ruled out that outdated mods are not the issue. It is not an OS issue as it can happen to anyone regardless of what OS you are on.

I have four versions of the fix, each more absurd than the last though I have had these workarounds tested by people who use Steam, GOG, Epic, and one madlad who was crazy enough to buy this game on Windows Store. Going to refer to Galaxy Client for this as I am too lazy to edit my copypaste. You heard me!

Version 1: Run from game folder

Step 1: Locate where you installed the game typically: C:\Program Files (x86)\GalaxyClient\Games\MW5Mercs
Step 2: Run Mechwarrior.exe
Should start but give you an error "api-ms-win-downlevel-kernel32-l1-1-0.dll" just ignore it and it will launch fine.
Anyone who says you need to replace "api-ms-win-downlevel-kernel32-l1-1-0.dll" is talking complete bollocks and should be ignored. All it is telling you is that it can't reach Epic Store.

Pros: Works it appears everytime
Cons: No multiplayer

Version 2: Run from start menu

Step 1: Ensure your chosen client i.e Galaxy is completely 100% shut down (You may need task manager for this)
Step 2: Locate your game via start menu
Step 3: Start the game exe via the start menu
Step 4: At this point your client will ask you to log in, do so
Then is should start normally with full coop options.

Pros: Easiest method for most.
Cons: Not always consistent.

Version 3: Start platform but not game

Step 1: Ensure your chosen client i.e. Galaxy is 100% logged in and connected to the internet.
Step 2: Run the .exe directly from the install directory i.e C:\Program Files (x86)\GalaxyClient\Games\MW5Mercs (You may want to browse local game files for this)
Then is should start normally with full coop options.

Pros: Most consistent method to get online.
Cons: Usually takes the longest.

Version 4: Kill it with fire

If all else fails copy the instructions from Version 2 but as soon as the game launches kill the Galaxy platform. You will need to use task manager for this and be super fast and it may not even work.

Pros: Literally none unless you like suffering.
Cons: Virtually everything about this method.

If all of the above fails then try to find MechWarrior-Win64-Shipping.exe instead of Mechwarrior.exe and try Versions 1 or 2.

If anyone has any other workarounds they wish to share then feel free. Otherwise I would like to dedicate the rest of this thread to Babylon 5 discussion.

[Zamza]

Nice strayed. Someone should sticky the thread along with the common workarounds.

Also, Babylon 5 is underrated.

[Mad Larkin]

Does the first workaround not load mods? I can't seem to see Yet Another Mechlab working when I start it. I also don't see what the difference between 1 and 3 is for this.

[Nooby McNoobnoob]

again thanks for this for helping me getting it working yesterday on the other thread, also anyone getting random UE4 fatal error crashes since latest patch? happens during transtions screens eg had it happen during the space travel cutscene load, or end of mission review load randomly, i have used i think your guide for better perfomance but that hasnt really helped unfortunately. so far im just having to make sure of saving games before doing any of these actions and reloading the game. also already did the verifiy all files.
didnt have any of these problems before the last patch/dlc release

[Bovril Brigadier]

Originally posted by Mad Larkin:

Does the first workaround not load mods? I can't seem to see Yet Another Mechlab working when I start it. I also don't see what the difference between 1 and 3 is for this.

Unless they have online dependencies for whatever reason mods should work fine. Version 1 is offline mode and works consistently. Version 3 is a way to get online but may not be as consistent.

[Valen]

Black Screen:

None of these suggestions worked for me at all. Total waste of time. The only way I was able to get rid of my black screen was replace my monitor... Because I spray painted the screen black.

[FRIENDLY MAN]

I wish this ♥♥♥♥ actually worked. It seems that starting the game is just RNG. How have PGI not fixed this????

[Zamza]

It took them a long time to fix the AC sound issue, it probably will take them a while to fix your issues sadly. They do have an email for tech support: [e-mail]. Try that and hopefully they'll help you with your issue.

[Bovril Brigadier]

Originally posted by Valen:

Black Screen:

None of these suggestions worked for me at all. Total waste of time. The only way I was able to get rid of my black screen was replace my monitor... Because I spray painted the screen black.

In Valens name, we'll get you some macaroons!

Originally posted by SUPERIOR MAN OF WONGUS WORDS:

I wish this ♥♥♥♥ actually worked. It seems that starting the game is just RNG. How have PGI not fixed this????

They have yet to cut a deal with Mr Morden.

[Telfram]

Thanks, finally got it working

[IceFoxx]

Originally posted by Strayed:

Good evening ladies and macaroons.

Since this is becoming a hot topic again I thought I would share with you some workarounds for an issue where you load up the game but just before it hits menu you get a black screen. This is assuming that you have positively ruled out that outdated mods are not the issue. It is not an OS issue as it can happen to anyone regardless of what OS you are on.

I have four versions of the fix, each more absurd than the last though I have had these workarounds tested by people who use Steam, GOG, Epic, and one madlad who was crazy enough to buy this game on Windows Store. Going to refer to Galaxy Client for this as I am too lazy to edit my copypaste. You heard me!

Version 1: Run from game folder

Step 1: Locate where you installed the game typically: C:\Program Files (x86)\GalaxyClient\Games\MW5Mercs
Step 2: Run Mechwarrior.exe
Should start but give you an error "api-ms-win-downlevel-kernel32-l1-1-0.dll" just ignore it and it will launch fine.
Anyone who says you need to replace "api-ms-win-downlevel-kernel32-l1-1-0.dll" is talking complete bollocks and should be ignored. All it is telling you is that it can't reach Epic Store.

Pros: Works it appears everytime
Cons: No multiplayer

Version 2: Run from start menu

Step 1: Ensure your chosen client i.e Galaxy is completely 100% shut down (You may need task manager for this)
Step 2: Locate your game via start menu
Step 3: Start the game exe via the start menu
Step 4: At this point your client will ask you to log in, do so
Then is should start normally with full coop options.

Pros: Easiest method for most.
Cons: Not always consistent.

Version 3: Start platform but not game

Step 1: Ensure your chosen client i.e. Galaxy is 100% logged in and connected to the internet.
Step 2: Run the .exe directly from the install directory i.e C:\Program Files (x86)\GalaxyClient\Games\MW5Mercs (You may want to browse local game files for this)
Then is should start normally with full coop options.

Pros: Most consistent method to get online.
Cons: Usually takes the longest.

Version 4: Kill it with fire

If all else fails copy the instructions from Version 2 but as soon as the game launches kill the Galaxy platform. You will need to use task manager for this and be super fast and it may not even work.

Pros: Literally none unless you like suffering.
Cons: Virtually everything about this method.

If all of the above fails then try to find MechWarrior-Win64-Shipping.exe instead of Mechwarrior.exe and try Versions 1 or 2.

If anyone has any other workarounds they wish to share then feel free. Otherwise I would like to dedicate the rest of this thread to Babylon 5 discussion.

Thanks man. I gave you an award.
Thats the solution I was looking for hours - and works.
Great Help, Great Job HomeBoy

[Winterfalke]

I'm running from Steam on Win 7, starting from a shortcut in the taskbar to the actual Mechwarrior.exe (option 1) works great for single player. Works with the Heros DLC installed. Have not tried multi yet.

[Bovril Brigadier]

Glad this still works. Option 2-4 should work with coop.

[Xixitron]

Dont working =(

[Xixitron]

I tried a beta version, and it is working!

[hedrah]

If you have the steam client running and start the game from its folder, you can access games for CO-OP via steam's "join game" feature, limited to friends but better than nothing.