Black screen issue on launch

[faint mortar]

I've seen some reports on a game breaking bug that I'm experiencing: When starting the game, the initial logo screens show as normal, but as soon as the game reaches the main menu, the screen goes black and eventually goes to sleep due to "no input". The bug just started happening after 60 hours game time, with no changes to settings, software or hardware on my part. If I press alt-tab, the menu appears in the background of my desktop with other windows on top. But as soon as I try to interact with the game, the screen reverts to black.

Repro rate is 100%. I've reinstalled, updated drivers, launched the game in windowed mode and other steam configs.
Game platform is Steam. It also happens regardless if I launch via steam, or via the .exe file.
Game version is v1.1b-1237.
Input mode: Mouse and keyboard as well as PS5 controller.

Have tried plenty of fixes for the issue, yet no solution. Also can't see the issue mentioned in patch notes. Any information on this?

[crystal scarab]

Hi hi @faint mortar. So sorry you had to go through this, and we really appreciate you letting us know! 🙏
Could you share your device’s specs with us? (CPU, GPU, RAM, HDD/SSD, etc.) You can check how to do it here: https://techguided.com/how-to-check-your-computer-specs/

Thank you! 😊

[faint mortar]

Sure! CPU is Intel i5-13400 2500 Mhz, GPU is NVIDIA GeForce RTX3060, 32GB RAM, SSD CT1000MX500SSD1

[crystal scarab]

Thanks for sharing your device specs with us! If possible, could you send us a video of the issue? We'd love to take a look and get a better idea of what's going on. You can even record it using your phone.

Appreciate your help! 😊

[faint mortar]

Sure! Uploading now

Sadly the file size is too big. Finding a workaround.

I have uploaded the video to Streamable. It will expire in two days. Let me know if policy prohibits you from accessing external links, and I'll see if I can find another solve.

https://streamable.com/n57j5e

[faint mortar]

Hey! Any updates on this? Got everything you need from me?

[crystal scarab]

Hey @faint mortar. So sorry I haven’t been able to check this sooner! Unfortunately, the video isn’t available anymore—would you be able to reupload it? Really sorry about the trouble! 🙏

[faint mortar]

Hi! Will upload it again now, though the link will expire in 2 days.

https://streamable.com/63zm6f

[crystal scarab]

Hi @faint mortar. Thanks a bunch for reuploading the video—super helpful!

Quick question: have you tried verifying the integrity of your game files yet? You can do that by right-clicking the game in your Steam Library > Properties > Installed Files > Verify Integrity of Game Files 😊

Also, have you played any VR games on your Steam account before or have any VR stuff installed? 😮

[faint mortar]

Might not have verified the game files integrity, will try right now. No VR stuff installed ever.

[crystal scarab]

Alrighty, please do let us know again how it goes!

[faint mortar]

Issue remains after verifying, but now the game is in fullscreen mode when I tab out, like I did in the video.

When I tab back in, screen still goes black.

[crystal scarab]

Ah, okie dokie—thanks for letting us know that verifying the game files didn’t fix it. I’ll check in with the team about this and get back to you as soon as I can! 🙏

[faint mortar]

Thanks!

[crystal scarab]

Hi @faint mortar. I checked in with the team, and from the video you shared, we noticed the "No Signal" and "Data Power Saving" notifications popping up. Could you double-check your HDMI cable to see if it might be a bit loose or not fully plugged in? 😮

[faint mortar]

Hi! Oh it most definitely is. I use the PC daily, and play other games without issue. This only happens with Coral Island, sadly.

[crystal scarab]

Yep, sometimes a loose HDMI cable can cause a black screen when opening certain apps. Just to check—are you able to see the screen properly now?

[faint mortar]

I am indeed.

[crystal scarab]

Okie dokie, glad to hear the issue’s all sorted now! If anything else pops up, don’t hesitate to reach out. Happy playing!

[faint mortar]

Oh no, sorry. I misunderstood. I've checked the HDMI cables, and they are plugged in properly. It has not resolved the issue.

[crystal scarab]

Ah, got it! Just to check—have you tried gently wiggling the HDMI cable while launching the game? Sometimes a loose connection can mess with the display 😮

[faint mortar]

Hi, just tried starting the game a few times while wiggling the HDMI-cable as well as unplugging and re-plugging while launching. Seems to have fixed the issue! Thank you!

[crystal scarab]

Hi Cuttums. Thanks for the update! We're really glad to hear the HDMI issue's all sorted and you’re back to playing normally. If anything else pops up, don’t hesitate to give us a shout—we’re here to help!