Black Screen after hitting play

Kreeth · March 2015

Just updated the patcher and now when I hit play I get stuck at a black screen with my cursor loading forever. Any idea what to do?

ZOS_MollyH · March 2015

Hi @Kreeth !

This can sometimes be caused by a missing UserSettings.txt file. While it should automatically generate the first time you enter the game, some players get stuck at a black screen like you have described and need to manually create one.

The instructions are behind the spoiler tag to avoid a big wall of text here. If you're still unable to launch the game after creating this file, please be sure to contact our support team and one of our agents will reach out to you directly!

Please navigate to My Documents and look for the Elder Scrolls Online folder. Inside will be either live if you're playing on the US Megaserver, or liveeu if you're playing on the EU Megaserver.

Once inside this folder, please right click and choose 'New' then 'Text Document'. Name the file 'UserSettings', making sure to capitalize the U and the S. If you have file extensions enabled (so you see .jpg after a picture etc.) please make sure to call it 'UserSettings.txt'. If you do not see the .txt on other text files in the folder, you do not have this option enabled.
Once you have created the file, please open it and copy and paste the settings below into the file:

SET MouseRawInput "1"
SET MouseSensitivityFirstPerson "0.50000000"
SET MouseSensitivityThirdPerson "1.00000000"
SET MouseSmoothing "0"
SET InvertMouseWheel "1"
SET InvertMouseY "1"
SET InvertMouseX "1"
SET MULTI_GPU_CHECK "1"
SET DisableFXPrecaching "1"
SET CachedRLREnabled "0"
SET CachedReflectionResolution "0"
SET CachedShadowFiltering "3"
SET ScreenshotFormat "BMP"
SET PregameGammaCheckEnabled "0"
SET HardwareCheckEnabled.2 "0"
SET SUB_SAMPLING "1"
SET REFLECTION_QUALITY_v3 "0"
SET PARTICLE_DENSITY "0"
SET HIGH_RESOLUTION_SHADOWS "0"
SET SHADOWS "1"
SET GAMMA_ADJUSTMENT "100"
SET VIEW_DISTANCE "0.60000002"
SET GPUSmoothingFrames "10"
SET MIP_LOAD_SKIP_LEVELS "1"
SET RAIN_WETNESS "0"
SET LENS_FLARE "1"
SET GOD_RAYS_v2 "0"
SET ANTI_ALIASING_v2 "0"
SET AMBIENT_OCCLUSION "0"
SET COLOR_GRADING_v1 "0"
SET BLOOM "0"
SET DEPTH_OF_FIELD "0"
SET COLOR_CORRECTION "1"
SET SOFT_ALPHA "0"
SET DISTORTION "0"
SET CHARACTER_LIGHTING "0"
SET DIFFUSE_2_MAPS "0"
SET DETAIL_MAPS "0"
SET NORMAL_MAPS "1"
SET SPECULAR_MAPS "0"
SET CLUTTER_2D "0"
SET SIMPLE_SHADERS "1"
SET WATER_FOAM "0"
SET VSYNC "1"
SET MAX_ANISOTROPY "0"
SET PreferMaximizedWindow "0"
SET PreferExclusiveFullscreen "0"
SET FULLSCREEN_v5 "0"
SET FullscreenHeight "0"
SET FullscreenWidth "0"
SET WindowedHeight "768"
SET WindowedWidth "1024"
SET SOUND_ENABLED "0"
SET FOOTSTEPS_VOLUME "50.00000000"
SET FOOTSTEPS_ENABLED "1"
SET SPEAKER_SETUP "0"
SET BACKGROUND_AUDIO "0"
SET VO_VOLUME "70.00000000"
SET VO_ENABLED "1"
SET UI_VOLUME "70.00000000"
SET UI_ENABLED "1"
SET AMBIENT_VOLUME "70.00000000"
SET AMBIENT_ENABLED "1"
SET SFX_VOLUME "70.00000000"
SET SFX_ENABLED "1"
SET MUSIC_VOLUME "70.00000000"
SET MUSIC_ENABLED "1"
SET AUDIO_VOLUME "0.00000000"
SET AUDIO_ENABLED "1"
SET TooltipFilter "-1"
SET TooltipNumOptions "2"
SET EffectsLookupViaBinarySearch "1"
SET Language.2 "en"
SET GraphicsDriver.7 "D3D11"
SET PatchDataPath "game:/GameData/"
SET CacheDataPath "machine:/Cache/"
SET GameCameraFirstPerson "0"
SET DirectionalDamageIndictorVisibleInThirdPerson "0"
SET CameraFramingTransitionEnabled "1"
SET SkipPregameVideos "1"
SET HasPlayedPregameVideo "1"
SET RangedKillCamera "0"
SET PlayerKillCamera "1"
SET LastMonsterKillCamera "1"
SET MinFrameTime.2 "0.01000000"
SET ParticlesEnabled "1"
SET RequestedNumJobThreads "0"
SET RequestedNumWorkerThreads "0"
SET FreeUnusedGrannyFileSections.2 "0"
SET IsTrustedMachine "1"
SET RememberAccountName "0"
SET AccountName ""
SET CustomUIScale "1.00000000"
SET UseCustomUIScale.2 "0"
SET RollDodgeDoubleTapEnabled "1"
SET RollDodgeDoubleTapTimeWindow.2 "185"
SET MonsterTellsEnabled "1"
SET CameraZoomDistancesSynced "1"
SET SiegeCameraZoomDistance "6.00000000"
SET WeaponsOutCameraZoomDistance "10.00000000"
SET WeaponsSheathedCameraZoomDistance "10.00000000"
SET LanguageDirectory.2 "game:/EsoUI"
SET MaxNetworkWriteBuffer "10485760"
SET MaxNetworkReadBuffer "10485760"

Once you've copied the above into a text file, without space above or below, save it. When you press Play, the game should now load correctly!

Kreeth · March 2015

ZOS_MollyH wrote: »

Hi @Kreeth !

This can sometimes be caused by a missing UserSettings.txt file. While it should automatically generate the first time you enter the game, some players get stuck at a black screen like you have described and need to manually create one.

The instructions are behind the spoiler tag to avoid a big wall of text here. If you're still unable to launch the game after creating this file, please be sure to contact our support team and one of our agents will reach out to you directly!

Please navigate to My Documents and look for the Elder Scrolls Online folder. Inside will be either live if you're playing on the US Megaserver, or liveeu if you're playing on the EU Megaserver.

Once inside this folder, please right click and choose 'New' then 'Text Document'. Name the file 'UserSettings', making sure to capitalize the U and the S. If you have file extensions enabled (so you see .jpg after a picture etc.) please make sure to call it 'UserSettings.txt'. If you do not see the .txt on other text files in the folder, you do not have this option enabled.
Once you have created the file, please open it and copy and paste the settings below into the file:

SET MouseRawInput "1"
SET MouseSensitivityFirstPerson "0.50000000"
SET MouseSensitivityThirdPerson "1.00000000"
SET MouseSmoothing "0"
SET InvertMouseWheel "1"
SET InvertMouseY "1"
SET InvertMouseX "1"
SET MULTI_GPU_CHECK "1"
SET DisableFXPrecaching "1"
SET CachedRLREnabled "0"
SET CachedReflectionResolution "0"
SET CachedShadowFiltering "3"
SET ScreenshotFormat "BMP"
SET PregameGammaCheckEnabled "0"
SET HardwareCheckEnabled.2 "0"
SET SUB_SAMPLING "1"
SET REFLECTION_QUALITY_v3 "0"
SET PARTICLE_DENSITY "0"
SET HIGH_RESOLUTION_SHADOWS "0"
SET SHADOWS "1"
SET GAMMA_ADJUSTMENT "100"
SET VIEW_DISTANCE "0.60000002"
SET GPUSmoothingFrames "10"
SET MIP_LOAD_SKIP_LEVELS "1"
SET RAIN_WETNESS "0"
SET LENS_FLARE "1"
SET GOD_RAYS_v2 "0"
SET ANTI_ALIASING_v2 "0"
SET AMBIENT_OCCLUSION "0"
SET COLOR_GRADING_v1 "0"
SET BLOOM "0"
SET DEPTH_OF_FIELD "0"
SET COLOR_CORRECTION "1"
SET SOFT_ALPHA "0"
SET DISTORTION "0"
SET CHARACTER_LIGHTING "0"
SET DIFFUSE_2_MAPS "0"
SET DETAIL_MAPS "0"
SET NORMAL_MAPS "1"
SET SPECULAR_MAPS "0"
SET CLUTTER_2D "0"
SET SIMPLE_SHADERS "1"
SET WATER_FOAM "0"
SET VSYNC "1"
SET MAX_ANISOTROPY "0"
SET PreferMaximizedWindow "0"
SET PreferExclusiveFullscreen "0"
SET FULLSCREEN_v5 "0"
SET FullscreenHeight "0"
SET FullscreenWidth "0"
SET WindowedHeight "768"
SET WindowedWidth "1024"
SET SOUND_ENABLED "0"
SET FOOTSTEPS_VOLUME "50.00000000"
SET FOOTSTEPS_ENABLED "1"
SET SPEAKER_SETUP "0"
SET BACKGROUND_AUDIO "0"
SET VO_VOLUME "70.00000000"
SET VO_ENABLED "1"
SET UI_VOLUME "70.00000000"
SET UI_ENABLED "1"
SET AMBIENT_VOLUME "70.00000000"
SET AMBIENT_ENABLED "1"
SET SFX_VOLUME "70.00000000"
SET SFX_ENABLED "1"
SET MUSIC_VOLUME "70.00000000"
SET MUSIC_ENABLED "1"
SET AUDIO_VOLUME "0.00000000"
SET AUDIO_ENABLED "1"
SET TooltipFilter "-1"
SET TooltipNumOptions "2"
SET EffectsLookupViaBinarySearch "1"
SET Language.2 "en"
SET GraphicsDriver.7 "D3D11"
SET PatchDataPath "game:/GameData/"
SET CacheDataPath "machine:/Cache/"
SET GameCameraFirstPerson "0"
SET DirectionalDamageIndictorVisibleInThirdPerson "0"
SET CameraFramingTransitionEnabled "1"
SET SkipPregameVideos "1"
SET HasPlayedPregameVideo "1"
SET RangedKillCamera "0"
SET PlayerKillCamera "1"
SET LastMonsterKillCamera "1"
SET MinFrameTime.2 "0.01000000"
SET ParticlesEnabled "1"
SET RequestedNumJobThreads "0"
SET RequestedNumWorkerThreads "0"
SET FreeUnusedGrannyFileSections.2 "0"
SET IsTrustedMachine "1"
SET RememberAccountName "0"
SET AccountName ""
SET CustomUIScale "1.00000000"
SET UseCustomUIScale.2 "0"
SET RollDodgeDoubleTapEnabled "1"
SET RollDodgeDoubleTapTimeWindow.2 "185"
SET MonsterTellsEnabled "1"
SET CameraZoomDistancesSynced "1"
SET SiegeCameraZoomDistance "6.00000000"
SET WeaponsOutCameraZoomDistance "10.00000000"
SET WeaponsSheathedCameraZoomDistance "10.00000000"
SET LanguageDirectory.2 "game:/EsoUI"
SET MaxNetworkWriteBuffer "10485760"
SET MaxNetworkReadBuffer "10485760"

Once you've copied the above into a text file, without space above or below, save it. When you press Play, the game should now load correctly!

It worked!! Thank you!

Gyudan · March 2015

I have the exact same issue @ZOS_MollyH.

The game worked properly right after the update, but on the 2nd start of the client, I reached a black screen instead of the login page.

Is the UserSettings.txt file erased every time I close the client?

ZOS_MollyH · March 2015

Hi @Gyudan !

The UserSettings file should remain in that location after you close the client and not erase itself unless you make changes to it. If you do not have one created, you can follow those same instructions to create one and see if it allows you to get into the game. If you do have one created, you can delete it and create a fresh one in case there were any conflicting settings preventing the game from launching properly.

MercyKilling · March 2015

ZOS_MollyH wrote: »

Hi @Gyudan !

The UserSettings file should remain in that location after you close the client and not erase itself unless you make changes to it. If you do not have one created, you can follow those same instructions to create one and see if it allows you to get into the game. If you do have one created, you can delete it and create a fresh one in case there were any conflicting settings preventing the game from launching properly.

I have a user settings file and it's still doing what the OP describes. Not only that, but when I hit ctrl+alt+del to bring up the task manager, my resolution has changed to 600x800 on the desktop. I'm going to try copy/pasting what you have posted as a solution into my already present UserSettings.txt file.

Edit: While the game started with the settings you posted for the file....those settings force the game into a windowed mode, and when I change it back (once in the game, because those settings you posted DO work, hallelujah!) to fullscreen, it starts the behavior that the OP and I are suffering from. Instant black screen with no cursor.

2nd Edit:

I left it alone and let it load up in the windowed mode. Got to sign in, input my name and password...and infinite loading screen. It's been going a half hour now.

Edit the Third:

So, after a complete wipe and reinstall, double check that my drivers are all up to date and clicking the play button, I can get into the game. I can even play for as long as I'd like. However, each and every single time I put the game into fullscreen mode, the black screen and no cursor returns. Windowed mode is fine. Windowed Fullscreen is fine. It's just Fullscreen Mode that causes the black screen with no cursor.

ZOS_MollyH · March 2015

Thanks for clarifying it further for us! Are you running a GPU in addition to onboard graphics (like Intel HD chipset etc)?

There can sometimes be a conflict between your monitor's native resolution and the resolution in-game. What resolution is your desktop and what is it in-game?

We can tweak a couple more settings in your UserSettings.txt file to see if you can get ESO:TU launching and playable in fullscreen mode if you'd like to try.

In case you are running a GPU in addition to a Video chipset:

To have your PC recognize your video card for The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited, please follow the instructions below:
•Go to the website of the manufacturer of your computer (Asus, Dell, Sony, and so on...), and look up your machine in their support articles (the serial number of a laptop is generally printed on a label on the bottom side of the machine)
•Download and install the available updates for your machine in this order:◦Intel Updates, then reboot the computer.
◦Nvidia Updates, then reboot the computer.

•Go to the NVIDIA Control Panel by right clicking on your desktop and clicking on NVIDIA Control Panel.
•In the default screen that pops up (it should be manage 3D settings, and the Program Settings tab should be automatically selected), under 1. Select a program to customize hit the Add button.
•From here, navigate to the folder where ESO is installed. This will be whatever location you selected when installing the game.
•Select the executable file for the game. At this time it will be called Bethesda.net launcher.exe.
•Then, under 2. Select the preferred graphics processor for this program open the drop-down menu and select High-performance NVIDIA processor.
•Finally, hit Apply in the far bottom right corner.

If the problem persists despite these manipulations, you can attempt the following operation:
•Go to Documents\Elder Scrolls Online\live (or Documents\Elder Scrolls Online\liveeu if you play on the European Megaserver), then open the usersettings.txt file with a text editor (like Notepad)
•Change the line SET GraphicsDriver.7 "D3D11" (or DXD9) to SET GraphicsDriver.7 "OPENGL".
•Save, and close the document.

To manually set your UserSettings to test out launching into Fullscreen, please try the following:

•Navigate to C:\Users\Username\Documents\Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited\live
•Locate the file UserSettings.txt and open it with Notepad
•Locate the line starting SET FULLSCREEN_v5 - it will be set to SET FULLSCREEN_v5 "0"
•Change this to SET FULLSCREEN_v5 "1" and save the file
•Restart the launcher and hit Play

Thank you!

MercyKilling · March 2015

ZOS_MollyH wrote: »

Thanks for clarifying it further for us! Are you running a GPU in addition to onboard graphics (like Intel HD chipset etc)?

There can sometimes be a conflict between your monitor's native resolution and the resolution in-game. What resolution is your desktop and what is it in-game?

In both cases, it's 1920x1080. First thing I checked.

ZOS_MollyH wrote: »

We can tweak a couple more settings in your UserSettings.txt file to see if you can get ESO:TU launching and playable in fullscreen mode if you'd like to try.

In case you are running a GPU in addition to a Video chipset:
To have your PC recognize your video card for The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited, please follow the instructions below:
•Go to the website of the manufacturer of your computer (Asus, Dell, Sony, and so on...), and look up your machine in their support articles (the serial number of a laptop is generally printed on a label on the bottom side of the machine)
•Download and install the available updates for your machine in this order:◦Intel Updates, then reboot the computer.
◦Nvidia Updates, then reboot the computer.

•Go to the NVIDIA Control Panel by right clicking on your desktop and clicking on NVIDIA Control Panel.
•In the default screen that pops up (it should be manage 3D settings, and the Program Settings tab should be automatically selected), under 1. Select a program to customize hit the Add button.
•From here, navigate to the folder where ESO is installed. This will be whatever location you selected when installing the game.
•Select the executable file for the game. At this time it will be called Bethesda.net launcher.exe.
•Then, under 2. Select the preferred graphics processor for this program open the drop-down menu and select High-performance NVIDIA processor.
•Finally, hit Apply in the far bottom right corner.

If the problem persists despite these manipulations, you can attempt the following operation:
•Go to Documents\Elder Scrolls Online\live (or Documents\Elder Scrolls Online\liveeu if you play on the European Megaserver), then open the usersettings.txt file with a text editor (like Notepad)
•Change the line SET GraphicsDriver.7 "D3D11" (or DXD9) to SET GraphicsDriver.7 "OPENGL".
•Save, and close the document.

I've already made sure all my drivers are up to date. Second thing I did. Will try what you suggest, though. Can't hurt, right?

Edit: Changing it to "OPENGL" made the game totally unplayable, I couldn't even log in. There were no graphics on the login screen....just two empty fields that wouldn't accept my input of name and password.

ZOS_MollyH wrote: »

To manually set your UserSettings to test out launching into Fullscreen, please try the following:

•Navigate to C:\Users\Username\Documents\Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited\live
•Locate the file UserSettings.txt and open it with Notepad
•Locate the line starting SET FULLSCREEN_v5 - it will be set to SET FULLSCREEN_v5 "0"
•Change this to SET FULLSCREEN_v5 "1" and save the file
•Restart the launcher and hit Play

Thank you!

No, thank you for trying to help!

Also, system specs:
AMD Athalon2 x4 645 processor, 3.1Ghz, 9 GB RAM, (odd number, I know) and an NVidia GEForce GTX 750. All drivers currently up to date at the time of this posting.

Gyudan · March 2015

ZOS_MollyH wrote: »

Hi @Gyudan !

The UserSettings file should remain in that location after you close the client and not erase itself unless you make changes to it. If you do not have one created, you can follow those same instructions to create one and see if it allows you to get into the game. If you do have one created, you can delete it and create a fresh one in case there were any conflicting settings preventing the game from launching properly.

24 hours later launching the game gives a blackscreen again.

I checked SET FULLSCREEN_v5 in the UserSettings.txt file but it was already set to 1. Deleting the file and starting the client again made it work, but I had to accept all the license agreements and set the sound settings again.
I don't think that doing that every single day is a viable option. Do you have any suggestions @ZOS_MollyH ?

redlaw · March 2015

i have recently downloaded the game and have always gotten the black screen. i have tried just about everything to get the game to play. i have contacted the support about this, and the only advise given so far is to update the drives on my computer. i have also tried everything i have found on this forum.. please let me know if there is something else to try. i have even gone as far as to check with my internet company to see if their is a problem with the connections or site and everything is all good here.

ZOS_MollyH · March 2015

Hi @redlaw !

Can we please have your support ticket number to see if we can look at some more information about your system to assist you better? When the black screen comes up, do you see your cursor or is it just a solid black screen with nothing else visible?

@Gyudan and @MercyKilling Thank you both for the additional information. We will be checking in with your support tickets to see if we can get you the next steps to take regarding your black screen issue as well.

Thank you for your patience!

CorvusSteele · March 2015

I was also getting the black screen of death, as the ESO client became instantly unresponsive after clicking play on the launcher.

I followed all the tips on the forum, and off, to no luck.

I had read somewhere that Adobe Flash Player can mess with the client.

As this was an avenue I hadn't fully picked apart. I recall that I had installed a plugin/extension/etc in either Chrome or Firefox that disables flash player from activating. This essentially meant I had to click on any video that played, for instance in facebook, to select it, then click again to activate and play the video.

It turns out it was the plugin/extension/etc that disabled flash player from working in my browsers that was interfering with ESO client.

It's a solution fix for myself, maybe it's yours also

redlaw · March 2015

my claim is # 150316-002033. i have gone out and upgraded my graphics card, and made sure that the drivers are up to date on it as well. and i am still getting the black screen. on that screen i do have the cursor with the busy sign and i have let it sit for over an hour with out any response.

Stingalthor · March 2015

I just purchased this game Saturday afternoon. After about 36 hours, I had the game downloaded - yes, real slow, right? Anyway, I was very excited to start my adventures in Tamriel and was looking forward to breaking away from 10+ years of World of Warcraft.

Unfortunately, my experience so far has been frustrating. After "starting" the game from the launcher and only receiving the black screen (of doom), I began searching the forums for insight.

I've tried adding the UserSettings folder, including copy/paste of all the commands. I've downloaded new drivers for my video card. I've installed new anti-virus software. I've tried to run the game as administrator. I'm not the best at fixing computers, but can usually figure out what's wrong. This game has me stumped.

I've placed a ticket, in hopes that this gets resolved soon. I never received an auto-reply e-mail with my ticket number, so I hope I don't need it. This is the most expensive launcher I've ever purchased.

Stingalthor · March 2015

Well....it works now!

I have some advice if you are having issues. The first reply in this thread has some information to put in the UserSettings file. One, try naming the file with and without the .txt extension. Two, when you copy and paste the text data, make sure there's a space in front of the SET information. The first line did not have a space, and I believe this was causing my version of the game not to launch. Hope this helps!

redlaw · March 2015

Stingalthor your a genius that WORKED!!!!

Wolfey · March 2015

Thank you Stingalthor saving it without .txt fixed it!