Elden Ring White Screen Crash on Startup – How to Fix It

Many players eagerly diving into the expansive world of Elden Ring have encountered an infuriating issue: the dreaded white screen crash on startup. This problem can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you’re looking forward to immersing yourself in the Lands Between. Fortunately, several potential fixes exist that may help you resolve this error and get back to exploring. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to fix the Elden Ring white screen crash issue.

What Causes the White Screen Crash?

The white screen crash generally appears immediately after launching the game. Instead of loading normally, the game window turns white and becomes unresponsive. The reasons behind this issue are varied and can include:

• Outdated or incompatible GPU drivers
• Corrupted game files
• Conflicts with third-party software
• Improper in-game settings or resolutions
• Lack of essential Windows updates or runtime components

Luckily, you don’t need to be a tech expert to troubleshoot this error. By following the steps below, you have a good chance of solving the issue and enjoying seamless gameplay.

Step-by-Step Fixes for the White Screen Crash

1. Update Your Graphics Drivers

Outdated GPU drivers are a common cause of startup crashes in modern games.

• Visit the official website of your GPU manufacturer – NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel.
• Download and install the latest drivers suitable for Elden Ring.
• Reboot your PC and relaunch the game.

2. Verify Game Files via Steam

If certain game files are missing or corrupted, it may lead to a white screen crash. To verify:

1. Open your Steam Library.
2. Right-click on Elden Ring and choose Properties.
3. Navigate to the Local Files tab.
4. Click Verify Integrity of Game Files.

Steam will scan for anomalies and re-download missing or corrupted files automatically.

3. Run the Game as Administrator

Sometimes, permission issues prevent the game from launching correctly. Try the following:

• Navigate to the Elden Ring installation folder.
• Right-click on the game’s .exe file and choose Run as administrator.

4. Disable Third-Party Overlays

Overlay apps like Discord, MSI Afterburner, or GeForce Experience can cause crashes at launch. To troubleshoot:

• Disable all overlay features before launching the game.
• Close unnecessary background applications.

5. Update Windows and Visual C++ Redistributables

Missing system components can often lead to instability in games. Ensure that:

• You’ve installed the latest Windows updates.
• All relevant Visual C++ Redistributables, especially the 2015–2019 versions, are up to date.

6. Modify Configuration Settings

In some cases, editing the game’s configuration file can force it to run properly:

1. Navigate to %AppData%\EldenRing.
2. Locate the graphics or settings config file.
3. Change resolution options or set fullscreen to “false” to launch in windowed mode.

7. Reinstall the Game

If everything else fails, a clean reinstall might be the best option.

• Uninstall Elden Ring from Steam.
• Manually delete any leftover files in the installation directory.
• Reinstall and try again after updating your drivers and OS.

Final Thoughts

Although encountering a white screen crash on startup is disheartening, the fixes listed above have resolved the issue for countless players. By systematically working through each troubleshooting step, you increase the likelihood of returning to your adventure in the Midlands without further interruption.

FAQ

Why does Elden Ring crash with a white screen on startup?

This usually happens due to outdated graphics drivers, corrupted files, system conflicts, or missing dependencies like Visual C++ Redistributables.

Will verifying game files delete my saved data?

No, verifying game files via Steam only replaces missing or corrupted files; your saved data is stored separately.

Is this issue common across all PCs?

The white screen crash typically affects PCs with specific configurations or outdated software components. Not all users experience it.

Can mods or cheat software cause this problem?

Yes, any unauthorized modifications or software manipulating the game may cause instability, including startup crashes.

Should I contact Bandai Namco support if nothing works?

Absolutely. If none of the above solutions fix the problem, reaching out to official support can provide targeted assistance and updates.