Ethan Brooks
How To Troubleshoot and Fix PEAK Black Screen Issue on PC
How to Fix the PEAK Black Screen Issue on PC
Experiencing a black screen when trying to launch PEAK can feel like hitting a wall. Sometimes, the game just refuses to show anything but a blank, black window — no crash reports, no error messages, just… nothing. Not fun, especially after you’ve put in some effort to get it running. There’s no magic fix that works for everyone immediately, but a combo of the usual tweaks and a few tricks can help get things back on track. Basically, this is about tinkering with graphics APIs, compatibility, settings, and sometimes the registry, to find what finally kicks the black screen into the past.
This isn’t a guarantee to fix it for everyone, but if the black screen is your bugbear, try bouncing through these options. Sometimes you gotta do multiple things, because Windows and GPU drivers love to make troubleshooting a pain. On some setups, the game launches fine after one fix — on others, it’s a mix of all of these. Just keep in mind: patience, and a backup never hurts.
How to Fix PEAK Black Screen — Step-by-Step
Method 1: Force DirectX 12 with Launch Options
If PEAK’s black screen is related to how it handles DirectX, this could help. The game sometimes struggles with certain graphics modes, and forcing it to use DirectX 12 instead of default can fix that.
– Right-click on PEAK in your Steam Library.
– Select Properties.
– In the Launch Options box, enter:
-force-d3d12
– Close out, click Play, see if it loads better.
*Why it helps:* It tells the game explicitly to run with DirectX 12, which might bypass issues caused by default DirectX setup. Sometimes, Windows or GPU driver bugs make the game hang on startup with other modes.
*When it applies:* Usually when the screen is just completely black on launch, but the game’s audio or progress bar might still work.
*What to expect:* On a good day, the game opens normally. Sometimes, this fix doesn’t work — but worth a shot before doing more invasive stuff.
Method 2: Switch to WineD3D with Proton (if on Linux or Steam Play)
If this is a Steam Play or Linux setup, trying to run with WineD3D instead of Vulkan-based DX12 could help.
– In Steam, right-click PEAK, go to Properties.
– Enter in Launch Options:
PROTON_USE_WINED3D=1 %command%
– Launch and see if it’s any better.
*Why it helps:* WineD3D is a basic, more compatible fallback graphics driver for Proton, and sometimes it can handle the game’s graphics better than native or Vulkan modes.
*When it applies:* When other fixes are failing in Linux or Steam Deck environment.
*What to expect:* Better chance of seeing some graphics, but maybe lower performance.
Method 3: Watch That Campfire Crash and Gaze Down
If the game loads but crashes or gets stuck in a loading screen near the campfire area:
– As you approach the Tropics, look down at the ground.
– Keep your gaze downward until you need to climb or activate anything.
– Once you see the ‘Forest Day 2’ load message, slowly turn around.
– Minimize use of Alt + Tab, and try lowering your graphics settings or max FPS to your monitor’s refresh rate (say, 60Hz).
*Why it helps:* This weird trick tricks the game’s loading system and memory into cooperating. Some players report it’s a strange timing issue where the game’s trying to load assets but gets stuck if you look around at the wrong moment.
*When it applies:* When the game starts, but then crashes before gameplay, or hangs on the menu.
*What to expect:* Sometimes it actually lets you get past the loading, but not always — just another patch of the mystery.
Method 4: Check Monitor and Display Settings
Simple but often overlooked — make sure your monitor isn’t on some weird resolution or refresh rate that the game can’t handle.
– Right-click on Desktop > Display Settings.
– Set resolution to 1920×1080 or a standard 2K setting.
– Click Apply, restart PEAK.
*Why it helps:* The game may refuse to display properly if your display is running with an unsupported resolution or exotic refresh rate, causing it to show a blank black screen.
*When it applies:* If the screen is black immediately after launch.
*What to expect:* The game should now at least show something more than a blank window.
Method 5: Add More Launch Options — Fullscreen and Resolution
Sometimes, forcing windowed mode or specific resolution can ‘unstick’ the game.
– In Steam > Properties > Enter:
-screen-fullscreen 0 -screen-width 1920 -screen-height 1080
– Launch the game again.
*Why it helps:* If PEAK is having trouble with fullscreen mode or trying to auto-detect resolution, this forces it into a known good state.
*When it applies:* When the game loads but just stays black, with no splash.
*What to expect:* Better chances of defaulting into the game window.
Method 6: Tweak the Registry Settings
If the game’s graphics settings got corrupted, resetting them via registry might solve the black screen.
– Hit Windows + R, type `regedit`, press Enter.
– Navigate to:
Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Landcrab\Peak
– Delete all related entries with *Screenmanager* or related graphics settings.
– Close registry editor, launch PEAK again.
*Why it helps:* Sometimes, saved user settings cause problems or mismatched configurations. Clearing them forces the game to regenerate defaults.
*When it applies:* If the game launches but stays black, and you’ve tried other fixes.
*Note:* Always back up registry before deleting anything.
Method 7: Rename the Game Folder
It sounds odd, but renaming or moving the game folder resets some in-game cache or settings.
– Go to:
C:\Users\[YourName]\AppData\LocalLow\LandCrab
– Backup and then rename the PEAK folder, e.g., change to PEAK_backup.
– Relaunch the game.
*Why it helps:* The game might get stuck on corrupted local data. Renaming the folder forces it to regenerate settings and cache files.
*When it applies:* When other methods failed, but the game installs fine.
Method 8: Whitelist in Antivirus & Firewall
It’s bizarre, but some AVs block parts of the game, causing display issues.
– Add PEAK’s executable (probably in Program Files or your custom install folder) to your Antivirus or Firewall exceptions.
– In Windows Security:
– Go to Virus & Threat Protection
– Click Manage Settings
– Scroll to Exclusions and add the game folder or executable.
*Why it helps:* Prevents false positives that block graphics or execution.
*When it applies:* When the game refuses to launch properly or displays a black screen after startup.
Method 9: Run as Administrator & Compatibility Mode
Sometimes, Windows permissions get in the way:
– Right-click on PEAK executable.
– Select Properties > Compatibility.
– Check Run this program as an administrator.
– Also, try selecting Run this program in compatibility mode for Windows 10 or 8.
– Hit Apply, then launch.
*Why it helps:* Bypasses permission issues that might prevent the game from initializing graphics properly.
*When it applies:* After trying everything else with no luck.
Method 10: Verify Files & Update Drivers
It’s basic but crucial.
– Verify game files via Steam.
– Update your GPU drivers—NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel. Download fresh drivers from their official sites.
– Restart your PC.
*Why it helps:* Corrupted files or outdated graphics drivers are common culprits.
*When it applies:* When the black screen persists despite all fixes.
Method 11: Windows Updates & Redistributables
Make sure your system isn’t missing core components:
– Windows Update: Settings > Update & Security > Check for updates.
– Install Visual C++ Redistributables from Microsoft’s site.
– Restart and retry the game.
*Why it helps:* Missing runtime components or Windows bugs can cause startup issues.
Method 12: Adjust Virtual Memory & Overclocking
Advanced, but sometimes needed:
– Increase virtual memory via Advanced System Settings.
– Disable any overclocking. Rest default CPU/GPU settings if overclocked.
– Close background overlays or apps that might interfere.
*Why it helps:* Less resource stress might prevent the game from hanging at startup.
Method 13: Reinstall If All Else Fails
When nothing works, reinstall:
– Uninstall via Steam.
– Delete leftover PEAK folders (make sure to back up save files if needed).
– Reinstall fresh.
*Why it helps:* Removes any corrupted files or settings stuck in a bad state.
—
Summary
- Try forcing DirectX 12 with launch options
- Switch to WineD3D if on Steam Play/Proton
- Adjust in-game graphics and display settings
- Reset registry graphics keys
- Rename game cache folders
- Whitelist game executable in antivirus/firewall
- Run as admin and try compatibility mode
- Verify files and update graphics drivers
- Ensure Windows and redistributables are current
- Adjust virtual memory, disable overclocking
- Reinstall if nothing else works
Wrap-up
Getting PEAK to work on a stubborn black screen can be a pain, but often it’s just a matter of toggling a few settings, updating drivers, or resetting some configs. Some fixes might work on one PC and fail on another, because of all the variables involved — like GPU, OS version, installed software, or even background processes. Usually, following a logical order and trying the simpler tweaks first gets the job done. If not, looping through the more advanced options like registry edits or reinstalling will hopefully clear out whatever conflict was blocking the display. Fingers crossed this helps — just something that worked on multiple machines.