Alex Ruben
How To Resolve TheHunter Call of the Wild Stuck on Loading Screen on PC
Yeah, theHunter: Call of the Wild can be awesome, but get stuck on the loading screen long enough, and it becomes frustrating. Seems like a lot of folks hit a wall with that, especially after a big update or driver change. The thing is, loading problems can stem from all sorts of causes—corrupted files, weird settings, or conflicting software. This list is a collection of fixes that’s helped others (and some that I’ve tried myself). Sometimes, it feels like Windows wants to make troubleshooting as convoluted as possible, but stick with it—you might find the magic fix. Expect to spend some time, but these steps are worth it if you just want to get back in the game.
How to Fix TheHunter Loading Screen Without Losing Your Mind
Adjust Launch Options in Steam
If the game’s hanging during startup, messing with how it launches can help. Weird, but sometimes forcing a windowed mode or borderless window clears up weird loading hiccups. Navigate to Steam, right-click on TheHunter: Call of the Wild, and select Properties. Go to the General tab, find Launch Options, and pop in one of these commands:
/borderless/windowed/fullscreen
Test each one. On some setups, launching in fullscreen causes issues, while borderless works smoothly. On others, the opposite. It’s all about finding what your system prefers. Note: some folks say adding -d3d11 or -windowed as launch options can also help, especially if the game is crashing or stuck.
Disable Unnecessary DLCs and Steam Cloud
This is kinda hit or miss, but conflicting DLCs or Steam Cloud sync issues might throw the game for a loop at load. Head back to Properties > DLC and uncheck some of the extra content—especially those recent expansions or patches. Also, in the same menu, find Steam Cloud and turn it off temporarily. This can stop Steam from syncing potentially corrupted saves or conflicting data during startup. Some users swear by this one because of course, Windows has to make it harder than necessary.
Clear Out Problematic Files
This step involves hunting down some files that might be corrupted or just mismatched after updates. Head to C:\Users\. Before you delete anything, back these files up somewhere else—just in case. Then, delete:
reserveworlddata_adfsteam_autocloud.vdfplayerinformation_adf
This can refresh game data that might be causing the hang. Sometimes, old cache or saved info conflicts with recent game files, leading to endless loading. Different machines behave differently with this step—some see immediate improvements, others don’t—but worth a shot.
Disconnect Controllers and External Devices
If there’s a controller plugged in—USB or Bluetooth—it might be contributing to the problem. The game sometimes freaks out with hardware detection, especially if drivers are wonky. Just disconnect everything non-essential, restart the game, then see if it loads. You can reconnect devices afterwards. This was one of those things I didn’t expect, but it worked on some setups, so worth trying.
Tweak the Configuration Files
If you’re comfortable with text files, locate settings.js in the same directory. Open it with Notepad or any text editor. Find this line: "DisplayFullscreen": 1 and change the value to 0. Basically, this switches the game from fullscreen to windowed mode, which can avoid some driver conflicts. Save the file, close it, then relaunch.
Reset or Delete Settings Folder
If nothing else works, deleting the entire settings folder (same path as above) resets custom configs. Be warned—your custom keybindings or graphics setup will be wiped, but it’s better than being stuck on loading forever. Just rename the folder instead of deleting initially, so you have a backup if needed.
Check for Mod and Driver Issues
If you’ve installed any mods—especially ones not updated for current version—they can cause startup crashes or loading issues. Remove all mods and try again. Also, updating graphics drivers is crucial. Head to [NVIDIA](https://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx?lang=en-us) or [AMD](https://www.amd.com/en/support), download the latest drivers, and do a clean install. Sometimes rolling back to an older driver version that was stable works better, especially if recent updates introduced instability.
Verify Game Files and Update Windows
In Steam, right-click the game, go to Properties > Local Files, then hit Verify Integrity of Game Files. This finds and repairs corrupt or missing files. Also, make sure Windows is patched up—go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. Outdated OS can cause all sorts of weirdness.
Hardware Troubleshooting and System Checks
Disconnect extra peripherals, especially external input devices, for troubleshooting. Overheating hardware or insufficient power can cause load issues; check your temps and power supplies. Increasing virtual memory in Control Panel > System > Advanced System Settings > Settings in the Performance tab, and then under the Advanced tab, click Change for virtual memory, set a larger size if needed.
If all else fails, updating BIOS can help with hardware compatibility, but it’s a bit risky—only do that if you’re comfortable with that process and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
Reinstall as a Last Resort
If nothing else works, uninstall the game completely, delete its folder, then do a clean reinstall. Sometimes, the simplest fix is a fresh start, especially after a tricky update or uninstall that left things in a broken state.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
- Overheating hardware or unstable underclocking? Fix that first.
- Check if your PC meets the minimum specs—no point troubleshooting a game on a potato.
- Look at community forums or the official support pages for recent patches or known bugs.
Wrap-up
Many loading issues boil down to some little conflict or corrupted file — fixing those can often bring the game back to life. Sometimes, it’s just a matter of patience and trying a few different approaches. The steps above have kept me going through a bunch of weird problems, so hopefully, they help you dodge the frustration and get back to hunting. Good luck!
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if the issue persists after following all the steps?
Then, it’s probably time to reach out to the official support team or visit community forums. Sometimes, there’s a bug that needs a patch or specific workaround.
Can I restore my game progress after deleting game data?
If you backed up your save files beforehand, yes. Otherwise, nope—just kind of gotta start over. Backup is always a good idea before messing with files.
Is there any risk in updating my BIOS?
Yep, if not done right, it can brick your motherboard. Follow all instructions carefully, use a stable power source, and don’t rush it. It’s a last-ditch effort for hardware compatibility issues.