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Black screen

Fix the black screen in Dusk

If Dusk launches but the screen stays black, the cause is almost always GPU-driver or display-mode related.

UPDATED 2026-05-104 minBeginner

No ROMs / no copyrighted assets

This independent guide does not host or link to game files. Use your own legally obtained copy.

Symptoms

  • App opens but window is fully black.
  • Audio plays but nothing renders.
  • Window appears on the wrong monitor.

Likely causes

  • GPU drivers out of date.
  • Fullscreen mode incompatible with current display.
  • Wrong refresh rate selected.
  • HDR / display scaling conflict.

First safe fixes

Try in this order

  • Update GPU drivers from the vendor website.
  • Switch to windowed mode (Alt+Enter or settings).
  • Set display scaling to 100% temporarily.
  • Disable HDR on the active display.
  • Disconnect secondary monitors and try again.

Platform-specific notes

  • Windows: Right-click the binary → Compatibility → 'Disable fullscreen optimizations'.
  • Steam Deck: In Gaming Mode, set the scaling filter to 'Linear' or 'Default'.
  • Linux: Try changing compositor or running with VSYNC env override.

Still stuck?

Open the troubleshooting wizard for a different symptom or platform combination. If everything checks out and the issue persists, file a bug at the official Dusk project.

Reference slug: black-screen

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