An AnandTech Forums user reported that Alan Wake 2 opened to a black screen, displayed two popups, then closed to the desktop when they dismissed them. The user said the game began working after they replaced a Windows 10 LTSC installation with Windows 10 Pro 22H2 and reinstalled system and game components. That is one person’s reported outcome—not a confirmed diagnosis or a universal fix.
What happened in the reported case?
In a thread started on December 9, 2023, AnandTech Forums user Sam25 described the game failing at startup. It showed a black screen and two successive popup messages; dismissing them returned the user to the desktop. The thread’s text does not transcribe the popup wording, so the exact error code or cause cannot be identified from the post alone. Read the AnandTech Forums thread.
The user listed an AMD Radeon RX 6600, Ryzen 5 5600X, Radeon driver 23.12.1, an SSD, and a 1080p target. They also said the GPU was new and that other games and DaVinci Resolve worked. Those details describe this PC; they do not establish that the same error has the same cause on other systems.
Which troubleshooting steps failed, and what reportedly worked?
The user reported that these attempts did not change the startup failure:
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →#1 Best Overall
- System Compatibility Note: 2.5‑slot card measuring 303 mm (L) x 131 mm (W) x 45 mm (H); requires a single 8‑pin power connector and a recommended 550W power supply. Please verify chassis clearance and power supply capacity before purchase.
- Dedicated Support: Please contact us directly through Amazon for any product questions or assistance you may require.
- AMD RDNA 3 Architecture with AI & Ray Tracing Acceleration: Powered by 32 RDNA 3 Compute Units featuring 3rd Gen Ray Tracing Accelerators and 2nd Gen AI Accelerators, delivering lifelike lighting, shadows, and superior machine learning performance for enhanced gaming and content creation.
- Powerful 1080p & 1440p Gaming Engine: Features a max boost clock of up to 2695 MHz, a game clock of 2280 MHz, and 2048 stream processors, ensuring outstanding frame rates in the latest titles.
- 8GB High‑Speed GDDR6 Memory: Equipped with 8GB of GDDR6 memory on a 128‑bit interface running at 18 Gbps, delivering up to 288 GB/s bandwidth for high‑resolution textures and demanding game workloads.
- Removing and reinstalling the graphics driver with DDU, then installing Radeon driver 23.12.1.
- Attempting a DirectX update; the installer reportedly said an equal or newer version was already installed.
- Reinstalling the game.
On December 12, the user said they suspected their Windows 10 x64 LTSC installation, which did not have the Windows 10 22H2 update they wanted. They installed Windows 10 x64 Pro, applied the 22H2 update, installed AMD chipset and RX 6600 drivers and DirectX, and then reinstalled Alan Wake 2. They reported that the game worked afterward: “Post this I installed Alan Wake 2 and voila… it worked!” The follow-up is in the same thread.
Does changing Windows fix this Alan Wake 2 error?
The post does not show which part of the final sequence mattered. Windows edition, the 22H2 update, chipset or graphics drivers, DirectX, and the game reinstall all changed or were repeated before the reported success. Because the user changed several things together, the thread cannot establish that LTSC caused the problem, that Pro 22H2 was the necessary fix, or that reinstalling Windows will help another player.
Rank #2
- 🎮【New RNDA architecturearchitecture and Superior Gaminig Experience】 This RX 5500XT 8G Adopting a new RNDA architecture, which brings highly realistic gaming experience. RX 5500XT helps users to pursue the extreme picture and immersive fast game world.
- 🖥【Multiple Interfaces and High Defination】The 5500XT graphic card included 3X DisplayPort 1.4a. +1X HDMI 2.0b. RX 5500XT is connected to the rest of the system using a PCI-Express 3.0 x16 interface which has higher resolution,show more character action details and clearer image quality, delivers more higher definition pc gaming effect and experience.
- 🔌【Low Consumption and Independently Powered】Being a dual-slot card, the RX 5500XT draws power from 1x 8-pin power connector, with power draw rated at 130 W maximum.If you have any questions about the product, please contact seller support.
- 🔇【low noise and Durable】This rx 5500XT 8g pc gaming video card has semi-automatic intelligent fans system, which can automatically sense the GPU temperature. When the GPU temperature is low or under low load, the fans will automatically stop running, providing a comfortable office experience with zero noise and extended service life of this 8g graphic cards.
- 🆒【Outstanding Heat Dissipation】Composite heat pipes of this RX 5500XT can directly and greatly contact the GPU core in order to quickly export the core heat, avoiding the problems such as GPU full load frequency reduction and improving the stability and life of long-term use.
The case also gives no reason to replace an RX 6600 or SSD: both were already in the machine, and the user reported success without describing a hardware replacement. That is not proof that hardware can never be involved in a different startup failure.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What should you check before making a major change?
Start with the exact popup wording and your own Windows edition, version, hardware, and driver details. Since the thread does not preserve the error text in its body, it cannot guide a code-specific fix. Compare your message and system configuration with current official support information before attempting a Windows reinstall or edition change; this 2023 anecdote does not establish current requirements or support status.
Rank #3
- System Compatibility Note: 2-slot card, 269.2x131.8x40.3mm, single 8-pin power, recommended 550W PSU. Verify chassis clearance before purchase.
- Dedicated Support: Please contact us directly through Amazon for any product questions or assistance you may require.
- Next-Gen AMD RDNA 3 Architecture: Powered by RX 7600 GPU with 32 CUs and 2048 stream processors, delivering exceptional 1080p gaming with hardware ray tracing.
- Factory Overclocked for Maximum Performance: Boost clock up to 2695MHz and game clock of 2280MHz, providing the raw power for smooth high-framerate gaming.
- 8GB GDDR6 Memory on 128-Bit Bus: Equipped with 8GB of high-speed GDDR6 memory running at 18 Gbps, offering ample bandwidth for modern game textures.
If you are considering a major Windows change, treat it as a separate, consequential troubleshooting decision—not as a proven fix for this particular error. The forum report supports only the narrower conclusion that one user’s game started working after the listed Windows and component changes.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Not compatible with all built-in computers or systems
- AMD Radeon RX 6600 GPU: Built on RDNA 2 architecture, delivering excellent 1080p gaming performance with high efficiency.
- 8GB GDDR6 Memory: Provides smooth gameplay and multitasking with fast data transfer rates.
- Challenger D Cooling: Features a dual-fan design for effective heat dissipation and quiet operation.
- PCIe 4.0 Support: Ensures high bandwidth for improved gaming and productivity performance.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
