Home/Troubleshooting/Won't Launch

StarRupture Won't Launch / Black Screen (PC & Steam)

This page is intentionally "no fluff": start at the top, stop as soon as it works. All steps are launcher/Windows-level fixes that apply to most Steam PC games.

Goal: get you back in-game in under 10 minutes. If it still fails, you'll leave with clean diagnostics (dxdiag + what you tried) to send to support.

1) Quick fixes (do these first)

  1. Restart Steam (fully exit, relaunch), then try again.
  2. Verify game files (Steam):
    Steam → Library → right-click StarRupture → Properties → Installed Files → “Verify integrity…”
  3. Clear Steam Download Cache (you will likely need to sign in again):
    Steam → Settings → Downloads → “Clear download cache”
  4. Remove custom Launch Options (if you set any) and retry:
    Steam → Library → right-click → Properties → General → Launch Options (clear the field)
AdSense placeholder (recommended): between “Quick fixes” and “Drivers/Windows”

2) Drivers + Windows updates (most common “black screen” bucket)

Update GPU drivers (official sources only)

  • NVIDIA: use NVIDIA’s official GeForce driver page (manual download) or its automatic update flow (NVIDIA App).
  • AMD: use AMD’s official drivers page; if needed, use AMD’s Auto-Detect/Install tools or follow the Adrenalin install guide.

Tip: avoid random “driver download” websites. Stick to NVIDIA/AMD official pages.

Install Windows updates

  • Open Settings → Windows Update.
  • Install all pending updates, reboot, then retry the game.

3) Compatibility & permissions (safe to try)

  • Run Program Compatibility Troubleshooter for the game executable if it instantly black-screens or closes.
  • Try “Run as administrator” for Steam (or the game) as a test. If it helps, keep it; if not, revert to normal.

4) Repair common runtime dependencies (VC++ / DirectX)

  • Visual C++ Redistributables: install the latest supported Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable(s) (VS 2015–2022) matching your system (x64 is typical; some games also need x86).
  • DirectX (legacy components): if a game depends on older DirectX components, Microsoft provides the DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer for those legacy libraries.
AdSense placeholder (recommended): after “Dependencies” and before “Network/Firewall”

5) Firewall / security software (do this carefully)

  • Windows Defender Firewall: allow the game app through the firewall only if you trust it. Don’t disable your firewall globally.
  • If your security software quarantined the game executable, restore/allow it using your antivirus UI (avoid downloading “fixed” executables from the internet).

6) Collect diagnostics (so you can actually get help)

If it still won’t launch, do this once and attach it when contacting support:

  • Create a dxdiag report: open dxdiag → check info → click Save All Information.
  • Write down what you tried (e.g., verified files, cleared cache, updated drivers, installed VC++/DirectX, Windows updated).

FAQ (quick answers)

Will “Verify integrity…” delete my save?

In Steam, “Verify integrity…” checks installed game files and re-fetches missing ones; it’s used as a safe first-line troubleshooting step.

Clearing Steam download cache sounds scary—what happens?

It clears Steam’s download cache and typically makes Steam restart and ask you to sign in again. It should not remove your installed games.

Do I need both x64 and x86 Visual C++ packages?

Many PCs are x64, but some games ship 32-bit components. When in doubt, installing both (from Microsoft official packages) is a common, low-risk repair step.

Should I download drivers from third-party “driver sites”?

No—use NVIDIA/AMD official pages or their official update tools (NVIDIA App / AMD Auto-Detect & Adrenalin).

What should I send in a support email?

Your dxdiag report, Windows version, GPU model, and the exact steps you already tried from this page.

Related: Crash Fixes · Start Here