Launching Through Steam - Black Screen

[Peutsi]

Hey, I'm sure there are many other threads made of this very same issue, but to make it more seen, I want to throw my own into the bunch.

I started having issues right after installing the 6.2 patch files through the FFXIV Steam launcher that I usually play through.
I pressed the Play button as usual, but was greeted by nothing but a black screen. If I tried clicking on the screen, the black screen FFXIV would then instantly crash.

I reinstalled the game. It would give me the black screen again. This time, I decided to check out the Steam Overlay settings and tried to mess around with them, ultimately enabling them. For extra security, I launched the game directly from my Steam library too. The game booted up fine and I was able to do stuff normally.

EDIT: After much testing, the game also boots up just fine if I have the overlay disabled and I start the game by pressing the small icon on my desktop, so not through Steam library.
I've come to the conclusion that the black screen is entirely random of an occurrence for me, not dependant on anything.

One thing that keeps on persisting, that bothers me, is when I try to exit the game after the 6.2 patch after the black screen issue started emerging, the screen fades to black as normal, but the game refuses to shut down until I actually click the screen. Essentially, I have to force crash the game in order for it to shut down completely.

Issue is most definitely connected to the Steam Overlay change they made in 6.2.
I remember vaguely something like this happening years ago for me with FFXIV.

[Dynratygus]

Good morning! Thank you for posting in the Final Fantasy XIV Technical Support Forums.

Could you provide a system report? Simply go to the 'Config' option on the Final Fantasy XIV launcher and to the right of 'System Information' click on 'Display. In addition could you try the following:

- Delete or rename the "etc" folder that exists within the game's installation folder. Please also check the game folder in "My Games" as well.
Below are the default locations for the installation folder:
- Standard Windows version -
C:\Program Files (x86)\SquareEnix\FINAL FANTASY XIV - A Realm Reborn
- Steam version -
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\FINAL FANTASY XIV Online


Thank you for posting in the Final Fantasy XIV Technical Support Forums.

[Nocturncat]

A temporary fix for the issue until SE fix the Steam Overlay integration that is causing this

1. Launch the game through Steam
2. Log-in with your account details, but DO NOT press the Play button
3. While the launcher is on the screen where you can see the Play button, launch the Task Manager, and end the Steam process
4. After Steam has been forcibly closed, press Play
5. The game should work as normal

fact is ...after that steamoverlayupdate thingy from SE the game wont start propertly,..but it affects only a certan type of steam players...for example three membs of my fc have no problems...for me the game only works if i use the methode above...

[DeadlyStinger]

same here steam version still black screen and after maintenance ....

[Ariabeth]

Even though this thread is a month old, I want to bump it as it is still an issue.
Ever since 6.2 I also can't start the game on the first attempt, exiting the game never works. Always results in a black screen.
Replaced my motherboard/CPU/memory right before patch day, so I thought it was a me-issue...

ALSO
Since the failed launch/termination of the game is caused by the game, here is another issue I want to ask those affected if they share the same problems:
FFXIV has been running poorly for me. On occasion the game stutters and skips frames. Not just on high graphically intensive effects during fights, but also during cutscenes, or even interacting with a mining node.
The zooming/panning in cutscenes and when interacting with something is really prone to frame skips.
No, my settings are not too high, and no it doesn't happen on any other game.
I would really like to know if this issue is caused by the game too because any hair I'm not pulling out, I'm going to lose due stress.
(That whole "Dynamic Resolution" makes me think it has something to do with it)

[iKohai]

Can confirm that this is still happening on the stream library game of the FFXIV launcher (2023.04.29.9.0000.0001 (8849900)). I've reinstalled the game from scratch, I've disabled Steam overlay in the properties of the FFxiv game in Steam, I've verified game file integrity, reset system settings on the FF launcher, I've restored game data, and many other things.

The only workaround I've found is as Nocturncat suggested above. I open the Steam FF launcher, log in, don't click play yet, hard quit the Steam process, THEN press Play. This has it work 100% of the time but then I do not have access to Steam things right away.\

6/25/2023 and this is still an issue... Mind-boggling.

[CammyWinters]

6/25/2023 and this is still an issue... Mind-boggling.

I get the feeling like they just dont care about Steam players, its still an issue in 2025 and they dont even acknowledge that there is a problem

[Thukoolo]

Good morning!

Thank you for posting in the Final Fantasy XIV Technical Support Forums.

Due to no response from the original poster, this thread will be moved to 'Closed Concerns.' If anyone is still having this problem, please create a new thread and we will assist you in any way we can.

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