ContractVille – Black Screen and Freezing Fix Guide

How to Fix Black Screen and Freezing

If ContractVille keeps freezing after launch without any error messages, you’re not alone. I had the same issue, and after hours of troubleshooting, I finally found a solution. I went through several steps, like attaching a debugger to the game’s executable, checking Windows system logs and the resource monitor, updating drivers, and many other approaches before finding the fix. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get the game running again.

Before moving or deleting any files, it’s a good idea to back them up in case you need them later. You can save the files, like the ones in the local app data or the main menu video, to a separate folder. Alternatively, after fixing the issue, you can use Steam’s “Verify Integrity of Game Files” option, which will automatically restore any missing or modified game files if needed.

Step 1: Launch in Windowed Mode with DirectX 12

1. Open Steam.
2. Right-click on ContractVille and select Properties.
3. In the Launch Options, type:

-dx12 -windowed

This will start the game in windowed mode using DirectX 12.

Step 2: Repair Corrupted Windows Files

1. Open the Command Prompt as Administrator.
2. Run the following command:

sfc /scannow

This will scan for and repair any corrupted system files that might be causing issues.

Step 3: Delete Local App Data

1. Press Windows + R, type %localappdata%, and hit Enter.
2. Find and delete the ContractVille folder completely.

This ensures any corrupt or conflicting configuration files are removed.

Step 4: Disable Your Second Monitor

If you’re using a second monitor, disable it before launching the game:

1. Use the right-click menu to access Display Settings on your desktop.
2. Disable the second monitor or ensure only one screen is active.
3. Restart your PC.

Step 5: Remove the Menu Video

1. Go to the ContractVille installation folder.
2. Open the Movies folder and delete the video that plays for the main menu.

This can prevent the game from freezing during the startup sequence.

Step 6: Launch the Game

After following these steps, try launching the game again. Once you successfully reach the main menu, the game should run smoothly from then on, even with multiple monitors or without special launch options.

Note: I can’t say for sure which step specifically fixed the issue, but this combination worked for me. Hopefully, it’ll help you get the game up and running too! Good luck!