Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →A black screen on launch does not have one confirmed fix for every PC. First identify whether you mean God of War (2018) or God of War Ragnarök: they have separate official support pages and different documented troubleshooting. The steps below apply to the PC versions; they are not PlayStation console instructions.
Start with the right game and platform
Check the game’s exact title in your library. Santa Monica Studio maintains separate PC support resources for God of War (2018) PC and God of War Ragnarök PC. The directory guidance below is specifically for the 2018 game; do not apply it to Ragnarök or a console without support for doing so.
Troubleshoot God of War (2018) on PC
1. Check the launch-failure folder
Santa Monica Studio’s Low Frequency Crash support article says to check for this directory:
C:Users[Your Username]Saved GamesGod of War
Replace [Your Username] with your Windows account name. If the directory does not exist, create it and try launching the game again. This is the studio’s specific launch-failure check, not a guarantee that the folder is the cause of every black screen.
#1 Best Overall
- 27” 240Hz 1500R Curved FHD 1080P Gaming Monitor for Game Play.
- Prioritizes Gaming Performance: Up to 240Hz high refresh rate, more immersive 1500R Curvature, FreeSync, MPRT 1ms Response Time, Black Level adjustment(shadow booster), Game Modes Preset, Crosshair.
- Cinematic Color Accuracy: 130% sRGB & DCI-P3 95% color gamut, 4000:1 contrast ratio, 300nits brightness, HDR, Anti-flicker; Anti-Glare.
- Plug & Play Design: HDMI & DP1.4 & Audio Jack(No built-in speakers), durable metal stand, tilt -5°~15, VESA 100*100mm compatible.
- Warranty: Money-back and free replacement within 30 days, 1-year quality warranty and lifetime technical support. Pls contact SANSUI service support first if any product problem.
2. Verify the installed game files
Corrupt or incomplete installation files can prevent a game from starting. Santa Monica Studio’s Inconsistent Performance article explains how to verify the installation through Steam or Epic Games Store. Use the verification option for the storefront where you own the game, then try launching again.
3. Update graphics drivers and Windows
The studio’s launch and performance troubleshooting guidance recommends updating the graphics driver and making sure Windows is up to date. Install updates appropriate for your PC, restart if requested, and test the game again.
Rank #2
- 【INTEGRATED SPEAKERS】Whether you're at work or in the midst of an intense gaming session, our built-in speakers provide rich and seamless audio, all while keeping your desk clutter-free.
- 【EASY ON THE EYES】 Protect your eyes and enhance your comfort with Blue-Light Shift technology. This feature reduces harmful blue light emissions from your screen, helping to alleviate eye strain during long hours of use and promoting healthier viewing habits.
- 【WIDEN YOUR PERSPECTIVE】Our sleek minimal bezel design ensures undivided attention. The nearly bezel-free display seamlessly connects in a dual monitor arrangement, delivering an unobstructed view that lets you focus on more at once, completely distraction-free.
4. Compare your PC with the game’s requirements
Requirements can help identify an unsupported or underpowered configuration, but they do not identify the cause of a black screen by themselves. Steam’s listing specifies the following for God of War (2018) PC:
| Specification | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 10 | not stated in Steam’s recommended listing |
| Processor | Intel i5-2500k or AMD Ryzen 3 1200 | Intel i5-6600k or AMD Ryzen 5 2400G |
| Memory | 8 GB RAM | 8 GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GTX 960 (4 GB) or AMD R9 290X (4 GB) | NVIDIA GTX 1060 (6 GB) or AMD RX 570 (4 GB) |
| DirectX | Version 11 | Version 11 |
| Storage | 70 GB available space | 70 GB available space |
These are Steam’s published requirements for the 2018 PC game; check the current Steam listing for any changes. PlayStation’s God of War for PC page also lists a 70 GB HDD minimum and recommends a 70 GB SSD. That storage recommendation is not evidence that buying an SSD will fix a startup black screen.
Recommended Free Tools
Rank #3
- CURVED FOR ENHANCED ENGAGEMENT: An immersive viewing experience with a curved monitor that wraps more closely around your field of vision; It creates a wider view, enhancing depth perception and minimizing peripheral distraction
- SMOOTH PERFORMANCE FOR SEAMLESS CONTENT: Stay in the action when playing games, watching videos, or working on creative projects; The 100Hz refresh rate reduces lag and motion blur so you don't miss a thing in fast-paced moments¹
- MORE GAMING POWER: Gain the edge with optimizable game settings; Color and image contrast can be adjusted to see scenes more vividly and spot enemies hiding in the dark; Game Mode adjusts any game to fill the screen so you can view every detail²
- KEEP IT EASY ON THE EYES: Care for your eyes and stay comfortable, even during long sessions; Advanced eye comfort technology certified by TÜV reduces eye strain by minimizing blue light and reducing irritating screen flicker²
- INCREASED VERSATILITY: Connect to more; Plug devices straight into your monitor for increased flexibility, making your computing environment even more convenient
Troubleshoot God of War Ragnarök on PC
1. Update the game
Santa Monica Studio’s historical Patch 4 notes, dated October 1, 2024, say it “Fixed a crash related to authentication flow when booting the game.” The notes document a past fix; they do not show that authentication is behind every current black screen. Make sure your installed copy is current.
2. Verify the installation
The studio’s Patch 5 notes describe a fix that prevented a boot crash caused by corrupt or missing files and said the game would ask the user to verify the installation. Use your storefront’s file-verification feature if the game still will not start. These notes establish that installation problems have caused boot crashes, not that verification will resolve every black screen.
Rank #4
- 1800R curve monitor the curved display delivers a revolutionary visual experience with a leading 1800R screen curvature as the images appear to wrap around you for an in depth, immersive experience
- Hdmi, VGA & PC audio in ports
- High refresh rate 75Hz.Brightness (cd/m²):250 cd/m2
- Vesa wall mount ready; Lamp Life: 30,000+ Hours
- Windows 10 Sceptre Monitors are fully compatible with Windows 10, the most recent operating System available on PCs.Brightness: 220 cd/M2
If the screen is still black
Record the exact game, storefront, Windows version, graphics card, driver version, and what happens after you press Play. Then contact the relevant official support route linked from the game’s PC support page. No reviewed official guidance establishes a universal fix or shows that replacing hardware will resolve this symptom; use the game’s own requirements to assess compatibility rather than buying parts based only on a black screen.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 32 Inch curved 1500R gaming monitor, 240Hz high refresh rate for gameplay
- Performance: 240Hz refresh rate, Full HD 1920*1080P resolution, 1ms MPRT response time, Built-in FreeSync technology, Anti-flicker, Low blue light
- Interfaces: HDMI up to 240Hz, DP 1.4 up to 240Hz, Earphone Jack, No speakers built-in. One DP cable comes with the package
- Display Colors: 125% sRGB color gamut, 16.7M display colors, 300 Nits brightness, HDR technology, 3500:1 contrast
- Ergonomic Design: 1500R curved, Tilt: -5°~15°, VESA Compatible (100 x 100mm), 178° Wide Viewing Angle.Recommended distance of playing games in this monitor is about 1.2 meters.
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.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
