Fix: Horizon Zero Dawn Stuck on loading screen on PC
The role-playing action game Horizon Zero Dawn by Sony Interactive Entertainment was released in 2017 for PS4. But now, this game is also available for...
Abd Razaaq
Last updated on January 2, 2023
Abd Razaaq
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I'm a Tech Content Writer and Full-Time blogger. Since I love Android and Google's device, I started my career in writing for Android OS and their features. This led me to start "GetDroidTips". I have completed Master of Business Administration at Mangalore University, Karnataka.
The role-playing action game Horizon Zero Dawn by Sony Interactive Entertainment was released in 2017 for PS4. But now, this game is also available for Microsoft Windows. With the recent update, many players are stuck on the loading screen after launching Horizon Zero Dawn on their PC.
If you’re having trouble playing Horizon Zero Dawn, your computer may be wrong. Luckily, we’ve mentioned a couple of possible workarounds to help you fix the stuck-on loading screen on Horizon Zero Dawn.
Fix: Horizon Zero Dawn Stuck on the loading screen
Check out the following troubleshooting methods below to quickly resolve such an issue on your Windows computer. So, without further ado, let’s jump into the guide below.
1. Check-out System Requirements
Check out the system requirements before jumping to any conclusion whatsoever. If in case, your computer configuration isn’t compatible enough, you may find issues with the game launching and gameplay.
Minimum Requirements:
Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
OS: Windows 10 64-bits
Processor: Intel Core i5-2500K@3.3GHz or AMD FX 6300@3.5GHz
Virtual memory combines your RAM with temporary space on your hard disk. If you’re running out of RAM and the default size of your virtual memory isn’t large enough for your needs, you’ll need to increase it manually.
Press the Windows logo key on the keyboard and type advanced system settings.
Click on View advanced system settings.
Click on Settings > Click on the Advanced tab > Click on Change.
Uncheck the box next to Automatically manage paging file size for all drives.
Select your C: drive [Where you’ve installed Windows] > Click the Options button next to the Custom size and type 4096 in the text box of the Initial size (MB) and Maximum size (MB).
Note: It’s always better to increase the virtual memory three times higher than the current RAM size. [1GB=1024MB]
Click on Set and then OK to save changes.
Restart your computer and your game.
3. Properly Place the Storage and RAM in the slot
It’s also recommended to remove the side panel of the CPU cabinet on your PC and then unplug the HDD/SSD & RAM component from the slot. Gently clean the slot and the component, then place them properly again to check whether the issue of whether Horizon Zero Dawn stuck on the loading screen has been fixed.
4. Update GPU Drivers
If, in case, you haven’t updated your graphics driver on the Windows computer, then make sure to install the latest patch version. To do so, you’ll need to check for available updates by following the steps below:
Press Windows + X keys to open the Quick Link Menu.
Now, click on Device Manager from the list > Double-click on Display adapters.
Right-click on the dedicated graphics card that you’re using.
Next, select Update driver > Choose to Search automatically for drivers.
If an update is available, the system will automatically download & install it.
Once done, restart the computer to apply changes immediately.
5. Close Unnecessary Background Tasks
Another thing you can do is close unnecessary background tasks on your PC to ensure there is no additional consumption of system resources happening in the background. To clear out background tasks:
Press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys to open Task Manager.
Click on the Processes tab > Select the task you want to close.
Once selected, click on End Task. Make sure to do the steps for each task individually.
Once done, just restart your computer to change effects immediately.
6. Update Horizon Zero Dawn
If, in case, you haven’t updated your Horizon Zero Dawn game for a while, then make sure to follow the steps below to check for updates and install the latest patch (if available). To do this:
Steam Users:
Open the Steam client > Go to Library > Click on Horizon Zero Dawn from the left pane.
It’ll automatically search for the available update. If there is an update available, make sure to click on Update.
It may take some time to install the update > Close the Steam client.
Finally, reboot your PC to apply changes and launch the game again.
Epic Launcher Users:
Open the Epic Launcher client > Go to Library > Look for Horizon Zero Dawn from the left pane.
You must tap on the three-dot icon on your Horizon Zero Dawn application.
Make sure to check the auto-update to get a new update installation automatically.
It’ll automatically search for the available update. If there is an update available, make sure to click on Update.
Finally, reboot your PC to apply changes, and then try launching the game again
7. Check for Windows Updates
The chances are high that your Windows OS build becomes outdated enough or corrupted. If you’re also feeling the same, then make sure to follow the steps below to check for Windows updates. If the update is available, then just install it. The latest software updates always offer bug fixes and improvements. To do this:
Press Windows + I keys to open up the Windows Settings menu.
Next, click on Update & Security > Select Check for updates under the Windows Update section.
If there is a feature update available, select Download and install.
Wait for some time until the update gets completed.
Finally, reboot your PC to apply changes immediately.
8. Try Disabling Overlay Apps
A couple of popular apps do have their overlay program that can eventually run in the background and cause issues with the gaming performance or even launching issues. You should turn them off to fix the issue by following the steps below:
Launch the Nvidia GeForce Experience app > Head over to Settings.
Click on the General tab > Disable the In-Game Overlay option.
Finally, restart the PC to apply changes and launch the Horizon Zero Dawn game again.
Also, keep in mind that you should disable some other overlay apps like MSI Afterburner, Rivatuner, RGB software, or any other third-party overlay apps that always run in the background.
9. Perform a Clean Boot
Some of the apps and their services may start automatically while booting the system right away. In that case, those apps or services will use a lot of internet connection and system resources. If you’re also feeling the same, make sure to perform a clean boot on your computer to check for the issue. To do that:
Press Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
Now, type msconfig and hit Enter to open System Configuration.
Go to the Services tab > Enable the Hide all Microsoft services checkbox.
Click on Disable all > Click on Apply and then OK to save changes.
Now, go to the Startup tab > Click on Open Task Manager.
The Task Manager interface will open. Here go to the Startup tab.
Then click on the particular task which has a higher startup impact.
Once selected, click on Disable to turn them off from the startup process.
Do the same steps for each program that has a higher startup impact.
Once done, make sure to restart your computer to apply changes.
10. Verify Game Files
If, in case, there is an issue with the game files and somehow it gets corrupted or missing, then make sure to perform this method to easily check for the issue.
Verify Game Files on Steam:
Launch Steam > Click on Library.
Right-click on Horizon Zero Dawn from the list of installed games.
Now, click on Properties > Go to Local Files.
Click on Verify Integrity of Game Files.
You’ll have to wait for the process until it gets completed.
Once done, just restart your computer.
Verify Game Files on Epic:
That’s it, guys. We assume this guide was helpful to you. For further queries, you can comment below.
