Black screen after launching the game

[LostHope_Saki]

I still need to rename the "steam_api64.dll", but with the new Steam beta (with the reworked overlay) I can activate the overlay for the game again and it works as it should

[CaffeinePanda]

Once again, major patch, 6.4, the issue resurfaces for those who applied the temp fix, and requires the file to be renamed again. It's almost been a year and SE hasn't addressed it/fixed it.

[herosuki]

Once again, major patch, 6.4, the issue resurfaces for those who applied the temp fix, and requires the file to be renamed again. It's almost been a year and SE hasn't addressed it/fixed it.

Yup :/ at least this thread is starting to feel like home

[Morcas]

what do i do if i dont use steam and have this issue?

EDIT: i renamed/removed said files but the issue persists

[Vibegazer]

Hello everyone!

I had this issue after a new clean install of Win 11 on my laptop.
I tried every fix previously suggested but nothing really worked, exept the Steam .dll one (removed from its directory) but it was just a temporary fix.
After that I decided to make another clean install of the OS and then reinstalling all the drivers/updates available, now the game works like a charm, just like months ago!
I know that for some people this isn't still an optimal solution since doing a file backup, formatting the disks and then reinstalling everything could take a good chunk of time, but if you can it's definitely worth a try.

Hope this could help someone!

[HibachiPost]

I just want to thank everyone who has helped in this thread. I recently just had this problem after factory resetting my pc and reinstalling the game. I got the black screen after clicking play and was able to fix it by renaming the steam_api64.dll file.

[CaffeinePanda]

Stopping by again to confirm that:
- this thread is about a bug that prevents a number of players from logging in, unless they perform 1 of a handful of really specific workarounds, like renaming a particular file
- this thread is ~1 year old and hasn't received an official response, nor a fix, more importantly
- the actual issue is actually a little older, but this is just the thread that we happen to spend the most time on
- players have shared they asked SE support to attend this thread over the phone, but it hasn't eventuated into anything (anecdotal)

What is the issue:
- Client upon launching enters in a black screen state
- Client is not able to be forced closed using ctrl+alt+del or anything similar, as the task manager will open behind the window
- You can only force close by opening another desktop using win+tab, however, there's a better semi-permanent workaround

How to fix this issue:
1) visit your FF14 within Steam folder => <Steam Folder>\steamapps\common\FINAL FANTASY XIV Online\boot
2) find steam_api64.dll
3) rename it to steam_api64-bak.dll
4) repeat this every major patch e.g. 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 6.8 and so on

Have a great day, friends.

[Khadrys]

Hi again! I recently had to reinstall Windows 10 onto my NEW drive as the old one was corrupt. So fresh Steam, fresh FFXIV. Just wanted to update that I am STILL having issues with this black screen nonsense since 6.2 and have not been able to access the game through normal means

[CaffeinePanda]

Stopping by again to confirm that:
- this thread is about a bug that prevents a number of players from logging in, unless they perform 1 of a handful of really specific workarounds, like renaming a particular file
- this thread is ~1 year old and hasn't received an official response, nor a fix, more importantly
- the actual issue is actually a little older, but this is just the thread that we happen to spend the most time on
- players have shared they asked SE support to attend this thread over the phone, but it hasn't eventuated into anything (anecdotal)

What is the issue:
- Client upon launching enters in a black screen state
- Client is not able to be forced closed using ctrl+alt+del or anything similar, as the task manager will open behind the window
- You can only force close by opening another desktop using win+tab, however, there's a better semi-permanent workaround

How to fix this issue:
1) visit your FF14 within Steam folder => <Steam Folder>\steamapps\common\FINAL FANTASY XIV Online\boot
2) find steam_api64.dll
3) rename it to steam_api64-bak.dll
4) repeat this every major patch e.g. 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 6.8 and so on

Have a great day, friends.

[Darkobra]

Stopping by again to confirm that:
- this thread is about a bug that prevents a number of players from logging in, unless they perform 1 of a handful of really specific workarounds, like renaming a particular file
- this thread is ~1 year old and hasn't received an official response, nor a fix, more importantly
- the actual issue is actually a little older, but this is just the thread that we happen to spend the most time on
- players have shared they asked SE support to attend this thread over the phone, but it hasn't eventuated into anything (anecdotal)

What is the issue:
- Client upon launching enters in a black screen state
- Client is not able to be forced closed using ctrl+alt+del or anything similar, as the task manager will open behind the window
- You can only force close by opening another desktop using win+tab, however, there's a better semi-permanent workaround

How to fix this issue:
1) visit your FF14 within Steam folder => <Steam Folder>\steamapps\common\FINAL FANTASY XIV Online\boot
2) find steam_api64.dll
3) rename it to steam_api64-bak.dll
4) repeat this every major patch e.g. 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 6.8 and so on

Have a great day, friends.

This is what worked for me.