Ethan Brooks
How To Fix Broken Arrow Stuck on Loading Screen on PC
Having trouble with Broken Arrow just not loading or seeming to get stuck on that obnoxious loading screen? Yep, you’re not the only one. Sometimes it’s because of weird interference from antivirus, driver hiccups, or just corrupt game files. This quick-and-dirty guide is meant to help get you back into the cockpit without pulling your hair out. Basically, these are the most common fixes that have worked for others — some stuff you might not think of right away, and a couple steps might surprise you.
How to Fix Broken Arrow Not Loading in Windows
Allow the Game Executable Through Antivirus
This is a classic. Sometimes, antivirus software (especially the really paranoid ones) blocks the game’s startup files without telling you. Check if your antivirus is letting game.exe run freely.
- Open your antivirus program (like Avast, Norton, Bitdefender, whatever).
- Look for an “exceptions” or “allowed apps” section.
- Manually add the game’s executable — usually in your SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\Broken Arrow folder or wherever you installed it — by pointing to
game.exe. - If using Windows Security, head over to Settings > Privacy & Security > Windows Security > Virus & Threat Protection > Manage Ransomware Protection and add it there.
On some setups, this can seem like it’s working, but then? Nope, still stuck. Sometimes, doing a full reboot after setting exceptions helps the game to finally pop open.
Verify Game Files (If You Use Steam)
Corrupted or missing files can make the game balk during load. Steam’s built-in verify tool is your friend here.
- Open Steam.
- Right-click on Broken Arrow, pick Properties.
- Go to Local Files tab and hit Verify Integrity of Game Files.
It’s kinda weird—sometimes this process finds corrupted bits and fixes them, and other times, it has to download entire replacements. But it’s worth a shot.
Toggle Your VPN or Proxy
If you’re running a VPN, it might be messing with the connection, even if it’s not obvious. Try disconnecting it and see if that changes things. Or, on the flip side, some people say connecting through a different VPN server actually helps if the game’s having trouble reaching servers.
- Disable your VPN temporarily, then launch the game.
- If that doesn’t work, try reconnecting via another server—strange, but I’ve seen this trick help on some setups.
Ensure .NET Framework is Enabled
Broken Arrow might rely on certain .NET components. If they’re disabled, it can cause startup glitches. Here’s how to check:
- Search for Turn Windows features on or off in the Start menu.
- Ensure .NET Framework 3.5 (includes .NET 2.0 and 3.5) and .NET Framework 4.8 (or latest) are checked off.
- Hit OK, wait for Windows to apply changes, then restart.
Sometimes this step is the magic fix if the game just refuses to load—don’t ask me why, but it works.
Clear Broken Arrow Data
If all else fails, some local cache or data files might be causing problems. Clearing them forces a fresh start.
- Press Windows + R, type
%localappdata%, hit Enter. - Navigate to
C:\Users\\AppData\LocalLow\SteelBalalaikaStudio\BrokenArrow. - Backup that entire BrokenArrow folder somewhere safe, then delete it.
This step often clears weird corruption or stuck data that prevents the game from launching properly.
Disable Virtual Controller Software
Virtual controller emulators or peripheral software can sometimes cause conflicts. If you’re using HOTAS, pedals, or gaming wheel emulators—try unplugging and shutting down their apps completely. Check your Task Manager and end unnecessary services or background apps related to peripherals like Razer Synapse, MSI Dragon Center, or x360ce.
Stop Overclocking
Overclocked CPU or GPU can make your system unstable, especially in demanding games. Revert all OC settings to stock, close overclocking tools like MSI Afterburner, and give your system a clean test. Sometimes, stability issues are just masked behind those extra MHz.
Switch Power Plan to Power Saver
Windows is kinda weird about this. Going into Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options and switching your plan to Power Saver can help with stability or loading issues. You can switch back later, once you’re in game.
Lower Your System’s Performance Core Ratio
This is a bit off the wall, but some folks swear by using Intel’s Extreme Tuning Utility (download here) to dial down CPU performance temporarily. It’s kind of a tweak for the really stubborn cases where the game refuses to load properly because of CPU quirks.
Update Your Graphics Drivers
Outdated or corrupted GPU drivers are notorious for causing loading glitches. Perform a clean install:
- For NVIDIA, visit NVIDIA Drivers.
- For AMD, check out AMD Drivers.
- Download the latest, run the installer, and choose the “Clean Installation” option when prompted.
On some PCs, this can be what finally kicks the game into gear.
Ensure the Game Uses Your Dedicated Graphics Card
Sometimes, Windows defaults to integrated graphics which can cause load failures, especially if the game is demanding. Go to Graphics Settings > Browse, add your game executable, and set it to High Performance.
Run the Game Directly from Its Folder
No, just launching from the shortcut isn’t always enough. Navigate to the folder where game.exe lives, right-click, and choose Run as Administrator. This bypasses some security blocks that might be stopping the game from initializing properly.
Use Launch Options for DirectX
If it’s still stubborn, try launching it with specific graphics API flags. In your game launcher, go to Properties > Launch Options and add:
-dx11for DirectX 11 or-dx12for DirectX 12.
This can help if the game crashes or gets stuck at load due to graphics API issues.
Update Windows to the Latest Version
Sometimes, a Windows update fixes underlying system bugs that cause game loading issues. Head over to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, then click Check for updates. Make sure everything’s patched.
Install or Repair Visual C++ Redistributables
Broken Arrow might depend on these runtime libraries. Check out the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable downloads. Download both x86 and x64 versions, then install or repair (if they’re already installed). Done right, this often fixes load failures caused by missing components.
Increase Virtual Memory
When your RAM is strained, Windows uses virtual memory as backup. Increasing it can help the game load properly:
- Right-click This PC or My Computer, pick Properties.
- Go to Advanced system settings > Settings under Performance.
- Switch to the Advanced tab, click Change in Virtual Memory.
- Uncheck Automatically manage paging file size….
- Select your installation drive and set a custom size (at least 1.5x your total RAM).
Update BIOS (Last-ditch effort)
If nothing else works, updating your BIOS can sometimes iron out hardware compatibility hurdles. Check your motherboard or laptop maker’s site, download the latest BIOS update, and follow their instructions carefully. Just beware—it’s a risky process if you’re not familiar.
Reinstall the Game
If everything else fails, wiping the game and starting fresh doesn’t hurt. Uninstall it from your client, delete leftover files in the install folder, then reinstall on an SSD if possible. Sometimes, old files or bad settings linger and cause issues.
Extra Tips & Common Troubleshooting
- Check background apps: things like screen recorders or overlays can interfere.
- Make sure your PC meets minimum specs — don’t run it on integrated graphics or a super old CPU.
- Keep an eye on updates, both system and game patches—they sometimes address load problems.
- When in doubt, reaching out to support or forums often uncovers hidden tricks.
Wrap-up
If these steps sound like a hassle, well, they kinda are, but most load issues are fixable with patience. The key is isolating whether it’s driver issues, corrupt files, or software conflicts. Once you get through those calibration points, the game has a better shot at loading smoothly. Fingers crossed this helps someone get back in the atmosphere quicker than expected.
Summary
- Allow game files through antivirus—don’t forget the Windows Security exceptions.
- Verify game files via Steam.
- Disable or change VPN settings if used.
- Make sure .NET Framework is enabled.
- Clear local data from the AppData folder.
- End background apps that might cause conflicts.
- Revert overclocking and switch power plans.
- Update graphics drivers and Windows.
- Set game to run on dedicated GPU, launch as admin.
- Try specific DirectX launch options.
- Adjust virtual memory and BIOS if needed.
- Reinstall if nothing else works.
Final note
Hopefully this shaves off a few hours for someone. It’s all about eliminating the usual suspects. If issues keep cropping up, sometimes it’s just a matter of patience or waiting for official patches. Good luck!