Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →If Still Wakes the Deep crashes, freezes, fails to start, or repeatedly goes to a black screen on PC, first check that your system meets the game’s published requirements. For the specific startup and black-screen issue reported in June 2025, Secret Mode suggested disabling supersampling and enabling Frame Generation; if that did not help, it recommended a temporary DirectX 11 launch-option test. A later patch addressed a separate corruption-effect freeze, so the right next step depends on when and how your crash occurs.
Check whether your PC meets the published requirements
Steam lists the following PC requirements for Still Wakes the Deep. They are baseline specifications, not a promise that the game will never crash.
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| Specification | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | 64-bit Windows 10 | Not stated on Steam’s listing |
| DirectX | Version 12 | Not stated on Steam’s listing |
| Processor | Quad-core Intel or AMD CPU at 2.5 GHz or faster | Intel Core i5-11600 or AMD Ryzen 5 5600X |
| Memory | 8 GB RAM | 16 GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA RTX 2050, AMD RX 6000, or Intel Arc A550 tier | NVIDIA RTX 2070, AMD RX 6700 XT, or Intel Arc A750 |
| Available storage | 9 GB | Not stated on Steam’s listing |
| Storage type | Not stated as a minimum on Steam’s listing | SSD recommended |
These are Steam’s published requirements as observed in 2026; Steam does not give a publication year for them. If your PC is below a listed tier, that may affect whether the game runs reliably, but the requirements do not identify the cause of a particular crash. The listed SSD recommendation is not evidence that buying an SSD will fix a crash.
Try the developer’s workaround for startup trouble or recurring black screens
On June 24, 2025, Secret Mode responded to reports of startup trouble and recurring black screens with a specific settings workaround. It described the issue as known and under investigation. The advice was not a universal remedy for every crash.
#1 Best Overall
- Multi-Platform PC Gaming Controller: Working with Switch, PC, Android, and iOS devices via Bluetooth, wired, and wireless dongle connections.
- Hall Effect Joysticks: Delivering enhanced recentering performance for smoother control and superior anti-drift capability. Plus, with anti-friction rings.
- 2-Way Trigger Lock: With trigger stops, gamers can toggle between short and long pull positions. Additionally, gamers can activate hair trigger mode by pressing M+LT/RT (triggers must be in the long pull position).
- 1000Hz Polling Rate: This ensures that your inputs are registered almost instantaneously, minimizing lag and maximizing your performance during competitive play.
- Mechanical Circular D-pad: Designed for quick reactions and accuracy in every direction, this D-pad elevates your gaming experience with superior responsiveness.
- Open the game’s graphics settings and disable supersampling.
- Enable Frame Generation in the game settings.
- If the problem continues, close the game and temporarily add
-dx11to the game’s Steam launch options, then try launching again.
DirectX 11 may reduce performance compared with DirectX 12. Secret Mode presented it as a temporary way to get past the reported crash, with the suggestion to switch back to DX12 afterward if possible. If the launch-option test does not help, remove -dx11 rather than treating it as a permanent fix.
Check whether the July 2025 patch matches your freeze
Secret Mode’s Update 1.6.3, released July 7, 2025, says it fixed freezes when the corruption effect played in both the base game and Siren’s Rest, especially on AMD GPUs. The update also addressed excessive fog. If your freeze happened during that effect, check that your installed game is updated.
Rank #2
- Supported Multi-Platform:Switch/Switch 2 (NO support wake-up function)/iOS/Android/Windows PC (Notice:Not compatible with Xbox, PlayStation or GeForce Now, For game platforms not mentioned, please consult customer service before buying）
- Connection modes:Wired/Bluetooth/Wireless Dongle(Connect to PC via Bluetooth : Select iOS (phone) mode, but it's not recommended; Dongle is more stable)
- 【Innovative Intelligent Interactive Screen】Manba One V2 wireless game controllers create a new era of controller screens; Equipped with a 2-inch display, no App & software needed, you can set the pc controller directly through the screen visualization, More convenient operation
- 【Micro Switch Button】Manba One wireless controller has Micro Switch Button and ALPS Bumper; The 6-axis gyroscope function makes switch games more immersive
- 【Customize Your Own Controller】The intelligent interactive screen allows you to easily set vibrations, buttons, joysticks,lights, etc., without the need for complex key combinations; 4 configurations can be saved to unlock your own gameplay for different games; The 4 back keys support macro definition settings, and you can activate the set character's ultimate move with one click
This patch note applies to the described freeze and visual issue; it does not establish that every crash on every PC was resolved. The latest patch information available here is Update 1.6.3, dated July 7, 2025. Check Steam’s update history for any newer release before troubleshooting based on version.
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- Game will not start: Check the published requirements, then try the developer’s settings workaround and, if needed, the temporary DX11 test.
- Black screen: The June 2025 workaround specifically addressed recurring black screens. Note whether the game is still running behind the black screen or has stopped responding.
- Freeze during the corruption effect: Check for Update 1.6.3 or a later update, particularly if you use an AMD GPU.
- Crash to desktop, freeze elsewhere, or continued failure after those steps: Record the scene or action that triggers it, your graphics API, and whether the issue began after a game update. The cited developer workaround and patch do not establish a fix for every other crash type.
Send Secret Mode a useful crash report
Steam lists Secret Mode as the official support provider and gives [email protected] as its support email. Secret Mode specifically requested PC specifications and graphics-driver status when investigating reports. Include enough detail to distinguish your issue:
Rank #3
- Compatible with Windows and Android.
- 1000Hz Polling Rate (for 2.4G and wired connection)
- Hall Effect joysticks and Hall triggers. Wear-resistant metal joystick rings.
- Extra R4/L4 bumpers. Custom button mapping without using software. Turbo function.
- Refined bumpers and D-pad. Light but tactile.
- CPU and GPU model
- Windows version and whether your graphics driver is up to date
- Game version, if known, and whether the problem started after an update
- Where the crash happens and what you were doing immediately beforehand
- Whether it is a crash to desktop, a freeze, a startup failure, or a black screen
- Whether the game was using DX12 or the temporary
-dx11launch option
No published crash-rate figure establishes how common these problems are, and player reports alone cannot show that all symptoms share one cause. These reports help support staff assess your particular configuration and reproduction steps.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience the modernized design of the XBOX Wireless Controller with sculpted surfaces and updated geometry that enhances comfort and control during long gaming sessions.
- PRECISION PERFORMANCE — Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grips on triggers, bumpers, and back case for improved accuracy and handling.
- SHARE BUTTON: Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button.
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Connect via USB-C for plug-and-play on console and PC, or quickly pair and switch between supported devices with XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support.
- BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.
Rank #4
- Tri-mode Connectivity: Wired for Xbox, 2.4G & Wired for PC, and Bluetooth for Android. The G7 Pro supports seamless connectivity across Xbox, PC, and Android. Effortlessly switch between modes using the convenient physical mode switch.
- TMR Sticks: The G7 Pro features GameSir's Mag-Res TMR sticks, combining Hall Effect durability with traditional potentiometer performance. This advanced technology delivers stable polling rates for smooth, drift-free gaming with low power consumption.
- Hall Effect Analog Triggers: The GameSir precision-tuned Hall Effect analog triggers provide unmatched smoothness and linear input for precise control. Featuring clicky Micro Switch trigger stops, gamers can easily switch based on their preferences.
- 1000Hz Polling Rate on PC: Experience ultra-responsive gaming with a 1000Hz polling rate on PC, available through both wired and 2.4G wireless connections. This ensures instantaneous input registration, reducing lag and optimizing your performance for the most competitive gameplay.
- GameSir Nexus App: The G7 Pro is compatible with the upgraded GameSir Nexus app, which brings a significant upgrade over the original. It introduces powerful new features such as gyro settings, stick curve adjustments, and button-to-mouse mapping, giving you deeper customization and more control than ever before.
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