Gray Screen - PC
Please try the troubleshooting steps below for Green Hell launching with Gray Screen:
Update Windows
Ensure that your operating system is fully updated. Sometimes system updates can resolve compatibility issues: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/get-the-latest-windows-update-7d20e88c-0568-483a-37bc-c3885390d212
Update Hardware Drivers
Make sure graphic drivers are properly updated to the newest Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL) version:
For Nvidia: https://www.nvidia.com/drivers/
For Intel: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/download-center/home.html
(If you have already updated your drivers to the newest version and the situation persists, please perform a clean reinstallation.)
Run Green Hell with administrator rights
In order to do that:
Locate the executable file (default path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Green Hell\GH.exe - the path may vary depending on where you installed the game on your hard drive);
Right-click on the “GH.exe” file and select Properties.
Click the Compatibility tab.
Check the Run this program as an administrator box.
Click Apply and OK.
Run Steam with administrator rights as well (the default path of the .exe file is C:\Program Files(x86)\Steam. You should look for a “steam” file marked as an application).
Run Green Hell in Compatibility mode with an earlier version of Windows
To do that, please go to Steam > Right-click Green Hell and enter Properties > Installed files > On the 'size of the installation' tab, click "Browse". Once you are taken to the installation folder, find GH.exe and Right-click > Properties > Compatibility tab > Run this program in Compatibility mode with Windows 8 or 10.
While you're in the Compatibility tab, you can also try to turn off/uncheck the Enable Fullscreen Optimizations toggle.
Windows 11
If you have Windows 11, you can also try to turn off/uncheck the Enable Fullscreen Optimizations toggle. It is possible that this option is causing Green Hell to freeze at the beginning, as it does not have a Borderless Window option.
Disable applications running in the background
In order to do that:
Open Task Manager.
Navigate to the Startup tab (if you cannot see this tab, you may need to click the More details button first - it’s located in the bottom right corner of the window).
Turn off all the applications that are not necessary for your system to run.
Restart your PC.
Perform a clean boot
To do that, please head here: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/929135
Disable overlays
Disable any in-game overlays, such as those from Steam, Discord, or GeForce Experience. These overlays can sometimes interfere with game performance and cause crashes.
Check Power Settings
Ensure that your power settings are set to "High performance" rather than "Balanced" or "Power saver."
Check for Windows Event Viewer Logs
Press `Windows Key + X` and select Event Viewer.
Expand Windows Logs and click on Application.
Look for any errors or warnings that coincide with the times Green Hell failed to load. This can provide specific information on what might be going wrong.
Check for Overheating
Ensure your CPU and GPU temperatures are within normal ranges while attempting to launch the game. Overheating could cause system instability while the game launches with other programs in the background.
Move the installation game folder
You can move the game folder to the same disk where your Steam is installed, especially if it's on an SSD:
Enter Steam and Right Click on Green Hell > Properties > Installed Files > Move Install Folder.
There is a possibility that the disks are not communicating correctly with the applied settings.
Clean Reinstall
Sometimes, files might get corrupted despite reinstallation. A thorough uninstall and reinstall could help.
Uninstall Green Hell, then manually delete any remaining Green Hell files in the installation directory.
Reinstall the game via Steam with disabled Cloud Storage.
If the above steps don't improve the situation, you can try this method for testing purposes, which includes changing your whole game settings. Please note that your settings data will not be lost during this process:
Disable Steam Cloud for Green Hell (to access it, please select Steam > Settings > Cloud > Disable Steam Cloud) and for Green Hell (Green Hell > Properties > Steam Cloud > Disable).
Navigate to your remote folder that should be under this path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\userdata\[unique Steam ID]\815370\remote
Copy your current Settings2.sav file by using [Ctrl + C].
Paste that file somewhere safe (by using [Ctrl + V]), for example on your Desktop.
Paste the file from this email to the remote folder and on the pop-up window agree to replace it.
Verify game files on Steam: https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/0C48-FCBD-DA71-93EB
Run the game. After launching it, you'll see a pop-up message the Settings file is missing. It is completely normal, just click yes.
Do not change anything in settings and please check, if the situation improved.