The First Descendant Crashing, Stuttering, and Black Screen Issues: Here's How to Fix Them

The First Descendant has finally been released on PC, but many players are experiencing frustrating issues with the game, including crashing, stuttering, and black screens. These problems seem to have persisted from the beta test to the final release, and it may take a few updates for the developers to fully address them. In the meantime, we've put together some temporary fixes to help you get back to playing The First Descendant.

Common Causes of Issues

Before we dive into the fixes, it's essential to understand the possible causes of these issues. The game's servers might be overloaded or malfunctioning, causing problems with access. Additionally, there could be a memory leak issue that's carried over from the beta test, leading to crashes, stuttering, and black screens.

Fix 1: Check Server Status

One of the first things to check is the server status. If the servers are down or experiencing technical difficulties, it may be the cause of your issues. To stay updated on the latest server status, follow these steps:

• Visit the Official Website of The First Descendant.
• Check the game's Twitter Account for updates.
• Join the Official Discord server for community updates.
• Keep an eye on the Steam News Page for any announcements.

Fix 2: Turn Down Graphics Settings Temporarily

Another possible fix is to turn down all graphics settings to low. This might seem counterintuitive, but it can help alleviate memory leak issues that are causing crashes, stuttering, and black screens. To do this:

Lower all graphics settings to low, and then play the game for a while. If the issues persist, try increasing the graphics settings one by one to see which setting is causing the problem.

Fix 3: Start The Game As Administrator

Sometimes, the game might require additional permissions to run smoothly. To start The First Descendant as an administrator, follow these steps:

1. Open Steam and locate The First Descendant in your game library.
2. Right-click on the game > Hover over Manage > Select the Browse Local Files option.
3. Right-click on the main executable > Access properties.
4. In properties > Head over to the Compatibility tab > check the Run as Admin option > click ok to save changes.

Fix 4: Whitelist The First Descendant From Windows Defender

Your system antivirus might be restricting the game's access to your PC's resources and internet, causing problems. To whitelist The First Descendant from Windows Defender, follow these steps:

1. Look up Windows Security in Windows Search and open it up.
2. Head into the Virus & Threat Protection tab on the left > Click on Manage Settings under the Virus & Threat Protection Settings section.
3. Scroll all the way down till you see the Exclusions section > Click on Add or Remove Exclusions.
4. Click on the +Add An Exclusion button > Add a Folder > Browse to your game's install directory > Add it to the exclusions.

Fix 5: Underclocking CPU

Underclocking your CPU might help alleviate issues with The First Descendant, especially if you have a high-end CPU. To underclock your CPU, download Intel XTU or ThrottleStop and reduce your CPU clock speed by a few hertz. For example, if your CPU has a boost clock of 5.8Ghz, downclock it to 5.5 or 5.4Ghz.

By trying out these temporary fixes, you should be able to alleviate some of the common issues with The First Descendant. Remember, these fixes are not permanent solutions, and the developers will likely release patches to address these problems in future updates.

Additional Resources

For more information on The First Descendant, check out our:

• Error-fix guide for Out of Video Memory errors.
• Coverage of all the characters in the game.
• The First Descendant tier list.

By following these steps, you should be able to fix some of the common issues with The First Descendant and enjoy playing the game on your PC.