Fix: Stray Stuck on loading screen

BlueTwelve Studio and Annapurna Interactive recently released Stray as a cat adventure third-person cyberpunk video game for PlayStation and Windows platforms. As the title suggests, a lost, stray cat is alone and separated from the family, who must unveil an ancient mystery to find the real home. After the release, some players cannot launch or play the game properly because multiple reports are coming out that the Stray game is getting stuck on the loading screen on your PC, which is frustrating.

If you’re having trouble playing Stray, your computer may have something wrong. Luckily, we’ve mentioned a couple of possible workarounds to help you fix the stuck-on loading screen on Stray.

Fix: Stray Keep Crashing on Startup on PC

Fix: Stray Stuck on the Loading Screen

Check out the following troubleshooting methods below to easily resolve such an issue on your Windows computer. So, without further ado, let’s jump into the guide below.

Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
OS: Windows 10
Processor: Intel Core i5-8400 | AMD Ryzen 5 2600
Memory: 8 GB RAM
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780, 3 GB | AMD Radeon R9 290X, 4 GB
DirectX: Version 12
Storage: 10 GB available space

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 if the Stray is stuck on the loading screen issue has been fixed or not.

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.

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, just restart your computer to change effects immediately.

6. Update Stray

If, in case, you haven’t updated your Stray 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:

Open the Steam client > Go to Library > Click on Stray 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, close the Steam client.
Finally, reboot your PC to apply changes and launch 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.

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

A couple of popular apps have their overlay program that can eventually run in the background and cause 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 Stray.
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, in case, you’re unable to find the Game Bar option, just 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 relaunch the Stray game.

Also, remember 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 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 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, 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.

Launch Steam > Click on Library.
Right-click on Stray 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.

In conclusion, following the release of Stray, some players have encountered a significant issue where the game becomes stuck on the loading screen on their PCs, preventing them from launching or playing it properly. This can be a source of considerable frustration for those eager to dive into the game. If you’re facing this challenge with Stray, it’s possible that there might be an issue with your computer’s settings or configuration. Fortunately, there are several practical workarounds and solutions that we have outlined to help you resolve this problem. By following these steps, you can aim to fix the loading screen issue in Stray and enjoy a seamless gaming experience.