10 Call of Duty MW3 Black Screen Fix You Need

Encountering a black screen in the new Call of Duty 2023 spoils the fun of Modern Warfare 3 (MW3) and it can be frustrating for gamers. This guide provides comprehensive solutions to address the MW3 black screen issue. Whether it’s a simple fix or a more complex troubleshooting method, this guide aims to help you fix the black screen crashing issue in MW3 efficiently.

Update Graphics Drivers

Fixing the Black Screen in MW3 by Updating Graphics Drivers can be done in a few steps. A common cause of the black screen issue in Modern Warfare 3 is outdated graphics drivers. To resolve this, open ‘Device Manager’ and find your graphics card under ‘Display Adapters’.
Go to NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel’s website depending on your graphics card. Select your graphics card model and download the most recent drivers. Follow the installation prompts and restart your computer. Updating your drivers often fixes the black screen crashing issue in MW3.

Disable Full-Screen Optimizations

Full-screen optimizations might interfere with game performance. Navigate to the installation folder of Call of Duty MW3 by Right-clicking Modern Warfare 3 in your Steam library > Manage > Browse Lcoal Files. A new explorer window will open containing the game files. Right-click the MW3 .exe file and select ‘Properties’. Check ‘Disable Fullscreen Optimizations’ and apply the changes. This step can help fix the black screen crashing issue in Modern Warfare 3.

Verify Game Files

Corrupted or missing game files can lead to a black screen in Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3. To verify game files:

1. Open Your Game Launcher: This could be Steam, Battle.net, or another platform where you own MW3.
2. Go to ‘Library’: Find MW3 in your game library.
3. Properties: Right-click on MW3 and select ‘Properties’.
4. Verify Integrity of Game Files: In the ‘Local Files’ tab, click on ‘Verify Integrity of Game Files’.

This process will replace any missing or corrupted files and can fix the black screen issue.

Disable Overlays

Overlays from various applications like Discord, Steam, or NVIDIA can interfere with MW3, leading to a black screen. To disable them, This could be Discord, Steam, NVIDIA GeForce Experience, etc. Navigate to the settings or preferences menu. Turn off the feature that allows the overlay to operate while in-game. Disabling overlays can often resolve the black screen crashing issue in MW3.

To disable Steam in-game overlay, open Setting settings > In-Game tab > uncheck “Enable the Steam overlay while in-game” and press OK.

To disable Discord overlay, open User settings > Game Overlay > turn off the “Enable In-game overlay” options.

If you have installed GeForce Experience, its overlay is enabled by default. To disable GeForce Experience Overlay, open GeForce Experience> click on the Gear icon next to your username > General > turn off the “IN-GAME Overlay” options.

Run Game as Administrator

Running MW3 with administrator privileges can resolve potential permission issues. To do this:

1. Game Shortcut: Right-click on the MW3 shortcut on your desktop.
2. Properties and Compatibility: Go to ‘Properties’ and then the ‘Compatibility’ tab.
3. Administrator Rights: Check ‘Run this program as an administrator’.

Granting administrative rights can be a simple yet effective black screen fix.

Adjust Graphics Settings

High or incorrect graphics settings in MW3 can cause black screens, especially on lower-end systems. To adjust:

1. Open MW3 Settings: Launch the game and go to the settings menu.
2. Adjust Graphics Settings: Lower the resolution, texture details, and other demanding settings.
3. Apply and Test: Save the settings and test the game.

This fix for the black screen in MW3 is particularly effective for those with less powerful hardware.

However, if you are experiencing the Black Screen issue at launch, open GeForce Experience, if you have installed it, select Modern Warfare 3, click on the “Custom Settings icon” right next to the Optimize button > drag The slider to performance, hit apply, and click Optimize. Launch Modern Warfare 3, and it’ll run with the lowered visual settings and the black screen issue will be fixed.

Ensure Windows and Game are Updated

An outdated Windows OS or game version can cause compatibility issues. To update, Go to ‘Settings’ → ‘Update & Security’ and check for Windows updates. Ensure MW3 is updated in your game launcher (Steam, Battle.net, etc.). Keeping your system and game updated is crucial for fixing the black screen issue.

Lower In-Game Graphics Settings

High graphics settings can strain your system, causing black screens in Modern Warfare 3. In MW3, go to the ‘Settings’ menu and select ‘Graphics’. Lower settings like V-Sync, Shadow Effects, and Anti-Aliasing. Try reducing the game’s display resolution for better performance as well which is currently a known black screen fix for Modern Warfare 3, however, lowering graphics settings means no eye candy but you’ll get stable performance until devs release a patch.

Press ALT+TAB During Gameplay

Switching between full-screen and windowed mode can resolve black-screen issues. To do this:

1. During Gameplay: If a black screen occurs, press the ALT + TAB keys together.
2. Switch Between Applications: This action changes the game’s display mode.
3. Return to Game: After switching, go back to MW3 to see if the issue resolves.

Using the ALT+TAB key combination can be an effective temporary fix for the black screen issue.

Resolving the black screen issue in Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 can enhance your gaming experience significantly. By following these steps, players can troubleshoot and fix the black screen crashing issue in MW3, ensuring smoother gameplay. Remember to keep your system and game updated for the best performance.