Diablo 4 is no doubt one of the standout titles of last year, with both longtime fans and newcomers coming back to the game. Also, a new DLC is in the works, so be on the lookout for that. Anyway, suppose this is your first time diving into the realms of Sanctuary or revisiting it and you are getting stuck after selecting your character. Well, you’re not alone. This issue has been encountered by many, which is why you should read this guide for workarounds. to help you fix the problem for good.
First of all, the black screen issue after character selection in Diablo 4 is not a new problem and it has troubled players in the past as well. This issue, as the name suggests, prevents access to the game world after selecting a character. The reasons behind this error are difficult to pinpoint and can stem from various causes. All that aside, let’s now get into the details of whether there is a fix available.
Diablo 4 black screen after character select: How to fix it
Unfortunately, there isn’t a guaranteed fix for the black screen issue in Diablo 4, as the root causes can vary. But that is not all, as we have several potential solutions that might resolve the problem.
Wait for a Few Minutes
Sometimes, the black screen issue can be a temporary glitch that may be gone by itself after a brief period. So, before you try any workaround, simply wait for a few minutes. Luck might favour you and the black screen may be gone after a bit of waiting. After a while, the game will bring up a window stating that it needs to reconnect to the servers. Select the reconnect option, and the issue should be fixed.
Restart the Game and Try Again
If waiting doesn’t resolve the issue, the next step is to restart Diablo 4. This will help clear any temporary errors or bugs that might be affecting the game. To do this, close the game completely and then relaunch it. This can refresh the game’s connection to the servers and resolve any issues related to the game’s loading process. Attempt to select your character again to see if the black screen problem has been resolved.
Check Your Internet Connection
A stable internet connection is a must for smooth gameplay in Diablo 4. If your connection is unstable, it may be the cause of the black screen issue after character selection. So, check your internet connection to make sure it is working properly. You can do this by testing other online activities or running a speed test. If you notice any issues, try resetting your router, using a wired connection, or a different network altogether.
Check for GPU Driver Updates
Outdated or corrupted graphics drivers can cause various issues in games, including the black screen problem. Therefore, check that your GPU drivers are up to date by visiting the manufacturer’s website (such as NVIDIA or AMD) and downloading the latest drivers for your graphics card. Installing these updates can resolve compatibility issues and improve overall game performance. After updating your drivers, restart your PC and try launching the game again.
Check for Server Status
Occasionally, the issue might be related to server problems rather than something on your end. Check the status of Diablo 4’s servers to see if there are any ongoing maintenance activities or outages. You can usually find this information on the official Diablo 4 website, social media channels, or community forums. If server issues are identified, you may need to wait until the servers are back online before you can access the game.
Check for Game Updates
Make sure Diablo 4 is updated to the latest version. Outdated game files can cause issues like the black screen. Open your game launcher, check for updates, and install any available ones. Restart the game afterwards to see if the problem is resolved.
Verify Game Files and Restart
Another potential fix is to verify the integrity of the game files. To do this, open your game launcher (such as Battle.net), find Diablo 4, and select the option to verify or scan the game files. Once the scan is complete, restart your system and try launching the game again.
Load the Shop First
Before selecting your character, try visiting the in-game Shop and wait until Tejal loads all the shop items. Once the items are fully loaded, go back to the character selection screen and attempt to load your character. This workaround has helped a couple of players so do give it a try.
Let the Intro Play
If you’re experiencing the black screen issue, try letting the Blizzard logo intro and all splash screens play out fully without skipping them. On the third restart, this approach worked for one player, allowing them to reach the character selection screen without issues. Also, they had the “bypassgpudrivercheck” command line enabled, but no other changes were made. While this might seem like a fluke, it’s worth a try if other methods haven’t worked.
Create a New Character
Here is another potential workaround that is worth trying! So, try creating a new character and loading it into the game with that character first. Once you’re in the game, log out and then attempt to load the character that previously had the frozen screen.
Switch to World Tier 1
If you’re encountering a black screen after character selection, try changing your difficulty to World Tier 1 before loading into the game. This workaround helped one player get past the black screen, and they were able to switch back to World Tier 2 afterward without any issues. It’s a simple workaround that might get you back into the game quickly.
Clearing Cache on PS5
The black screen issue in Diablo 4 isn’t exclusive to PC; it can happen on PS5 as well. One effective workaround for PS5 players is clearing the console’s cache. To do this,
- Start by turning off the console completely.
- After this, press and hold the power button until you hear a second beep, which takes about 7 seconds, to enter Safe Mode.
- Next, you will have to connect your controller via USB and press the PS button.
- Here, in the Safe Mode, head over to the “Clear Cache and Rebuild Database” option, select “Clear System Software Cache”, and then confirm by selecting “OK”.
- Wait for the process to finish and then restart the game.
For now, these are some workarounds that are likely to solve the black screen after the character selection issue in Diablo 4. We hope that you were able to get back into the game hassle-free. Anyway, keep checking Digistatement regularly for more awesome gaming guides and news like this! Read more: Fields of Mistria Roadmap for 2024: Here’s Everything You Need to Know!
