How to Fix Starfield Stuck on loading screen on PC

OS: Windows 10/11 with updates
Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 3600X, Intel i5-10600K
Memory: 16 GB RAM
Graphics: AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080
DirectX: Version 12
Network: Broadband Internet connection
Storage: 125 GB available space
Additional Notes: SSD Required

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 Starfield is 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, 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 the 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.

Device Manager Update Display Adapter

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 simply 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.

End Task Manager

Once selected, click on End Task. Make sure to do the steps for each task individually.
Once done, restart your computer to change effects immediately.

6. Update Starfield

If in case, you haven’t updated your Starfield game for a while, follow the steps below to check for updates and install the latest patch (if available). To do this:

Open the Steam client > Go to Library > Click on Starfield 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 > Once done, make sure to close the Steam client.
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 outdated or corrupted. If you also feel the same, 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.

Windows Update Windows 11

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

It seems that a couple of popular apps do have their own 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:

Disable Discord Overlay

Launch the Discord app > Click on the gear icon at the bottom.
Click on Overlay under App Settings > Turn on the Enable in-game overlay.
Click on the Games tab > Select Starfield.
Finally, turn off the Enable in-game overlay toggle.
Make sure to reboot your PC to apply changes.

Disable the Xbox Game Bar

Press the Windows + I keys to open Windows Settings.
Click on Gaming > Go to Game Bar > Turn off Record game clips, screenshots, and broadcast using the Game bar option.

If you can’t find the Game Bar option, you can search for it from the Windows Settings menu.

Disable Nvidia GeForce Experience Overlay

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 Starfield game again.

Also, remember to always disable other overlay apps, such as MSI Afterburner, Rivatuner, RGB software, or any other third-party overlay apps that run in the background.

9. Perform a Clean Boot

Some apps and their services may start automatically while booting the system immediately. Those apps or services will use many internet connections and system resources in that case. If you also feel the same, perform a clean boot on your computer to check for the issue. To do that:

Press the 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 there is an issue with the game files and somehow it gets corrupted or missing, then make sure to perform this method to check for the issue easily.

Verify Game Files on Steam:

Launch Steam > Click on Library.
Right-click on Starfield 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, restart your computer.

For Xbox App users:

To troubleshoot issues with your Xbox App or a specific game, follow these steps:

Updates:
- Ensure that your Xbox App is updated to the latest version: Open the Microsoft Store, click on the three-dot menu, and select “Downloads and updates” to check for any available updates for the Xbox App.
- 2Make sure that your Windows OS is updated: Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click on “Check for updates” to ensure that your operating system is up to date.
Reset the Game:
- Open the Xbox App and navigate to My Library.
- Find the game from the list and click on it.
- Click “Settings” and select “Manage game & add-ons.”
- Scroll down and click on “Uninstall all” to reset the game’s data, which might fix any corruption issues but could also reset some of your game settings.
Reinstall the Game:
- If the above methods don’t work, the next step is to uninstall and reinstall the game. This can help if there are corrupted game files.
- Go to the Xbox App, locate the game, and select “Uninstall.”
- Once uninstalled, go back to the store and download and install the game.
Check for Software Conflicts:
- Disable any overlay software or game boosters that might interfere with the game or Xbox App. This includes software like Discord overlay, MSI Afterburner, or Razer Cortex.
Check your Storage:
- Ensure you have enough storage space on your PC. Insufficient space might cause installation issues. You can check your available storage using Settings > System > Storage.
Firewall/Security Software:
- Ensure your firewall or security software isn’t blocking the Xbox App or the game you’re trying to play. You may need to add exceptions for the Xbox App or the game in your security software settings.

We hope these detailed steps are helpful to you. If you have further questions or need additional assistance, please comment below.