Fix: The Sims 4 Black Screen on Startup (Game Not Loading)

“Black Screen on Startup” in The Sims 4 occurs when the game launches but fails to render the main menu or gameplay window. Players often hear background music or see the mouse cursor, yet the screen remains completely black, preventing them from accessing the game.

This problem usually appears after a major update to either the game or the EA App, when certain configuration files, mods, or drivers become incompatible with the new build. The game process starts normally, but the rendering pipeline breaks before the visual interface can load.

Technically speaking: the game engine initializes but fails to draw its first frame, typically due to:

• Outdated or broken mods/custom content (CC) conflicting with the latest patch.
• Game folders or cache files being redirected to cloud storage (like OneDrive).
• Graphics driver or DirectX issues interrupting startup rendering.
• Incorrect fullscreen or resolution settings blocking display output.

Although it might seem like a crash, this is mostly a software-related problem rather than a hardware malfunction. The following guide lists verified methods that restore The Sims 4 to a working state.

1. Disable Mods

Corrupted or outdated mods can load during startup and interfere with initialization. Disabling them helps ensure no third-party content prevents the game from booting properly.

1. Close The Sims 4.
2. Open File Explorer and navigate to:

   Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4

3. Locate the Mods folder and right-click it, then select Rename.
   
4. Rename the folder to Mods_backup to disable custom content temporarily.
   
5. Relaunch the game and check if the black screen issue is gone.

2. Switch to Windowed Mode

Display initialization errors can occur when fullscreen mode fails to match your monitor’s resolution or refresh rate. Running in windowed mode helps the GPU handle display rendering more safely.

• Press Alt + Enter to instantly switch to windowed mode.

Alternatively:

1. Open the EA App.
2. Go to your Game Library, right-click The Sims 4, and select Game Properties.
3. Under Advanced Launch Options, type the following command:

   -w

   

4. Click Save and launch the game again.

3. Repair Game Files

Missing or damaged files can stop The Sims 4 from rendering properly. The EA App includes a repair tool that automatically detects and replaces corrupt data.

1. Open the EA App and navigate to your Library.
2. Right-click The Sims 4 and choose Manage > Repair.
   
3. Wait for the repair process to complete, then restart the game.

4. Use DirectX 9

Some players experience rendering issues with newer DirectX versions. Forcing the game to run on DirectX 9 offers a simpler and more stable rendering path that can fix the black screen problem.

1. Open the EA App or Origin.
2. Go to your Library, right-click The Sims 4, and select Game Properties > Advanced Launch Options.
3. In the launch box, enter:

   -dx9

   

4. Click Save and start the game again.

5. Check GPU Temperature

Overheating can cause rendering or throttling issues, resulting in a black screen. Monitoring your GPU temperature ensures your hardware stays within safe limits.

If the GPU exceeds 85°C, clean the fans, ensure proper ventilation, or reduce in-game graphics settings. Keeping your GPU cool stabilizes startup performance in The Sims 4.