Introduction

Graveyard Keeper is a darkly humorous management sim where you run a medieval graveyard,

but players are reporting a persistent DLSS Error that prevents the game from launching or causes crashes during gameplay.

This issue typically appears after enabling NVIDIA DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) in the graphics settings, leaving players stuck with an error message or a black screen.

The DLSS error in Graveyard Keeper is most commonly caused by outdated NVIDIA drivers, corrupted game files, or an incompatible DLSS version bundled with the game.

Some players also encounter this issue after a Windows update or when using certain GPU architectures that conflict with the DLSS implementation in the Unity engine.

This guide covers every verified fix for the Graveyard Keeper DLSS error, from quick driver updates to advanced configuration tweaks.

Follow the steps in order, testing the game after each one to identify which solution works for your setup.

Understanding DLSS and Why It Fails in Graveyard Keeper

NVIDIA DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) is an AI-powered rendering technology that uses Tensor Cores on RTX GPUs to upscale lower-resolution images in real time.

Instead of rendering every pixel at your monitor’s native resolution, DLSS renders the game at a lower resolution and then uses a neural network trained on high-quality images to reconstruct the final output.

This can dramatically improve frame rates while maintaining visual fidelity that is often indistinguishable from native rendering.

However, DLSS requires specific hardware support (Tensor Cores), compatible drivers, and proper integration with the game engine.

Graveyard Keeper uses the Unity engine, which supports DLSS through NVIDIA’s plugin system.

When any part of this chain breaks, the DLSS module fails to initialize and throws the error that players encounter.

The most common failure points include a mismatch between the DLSS SDK version bundled with the game and the driver version,

corrupted DLSS model files in the game directory, or the game attempting to load DLSS on hardware that does not support it.

Understanding these failure points helps you target the right fix quickly.

It is also worth noting that DLSS errors can manifest differently depending on your GPU generation.

RTX 20-series users may see a specific error related to DLSS 1.x compatibility, while RTX 30-series and 40-series users may encounter issues with DLSS 2.x or DLSS 3.x frame generation conflicts.

The fixes in this guide address all of these scenarios.

Quick Answer

✅ Update your NVIDIA GPU driver to the latest Game Ready driver from nvidia.com.

✅ Verify game files through Steam: Right-click Graveyard Keeper Properties Installed Files Verify Integrity.

✅ Disable DLSS in the game config file by setting DLSS to “Off” in the graphics settings file.

✅ Install the latest Visual C++ Redistributable packages from Microsoft.

✅ If the error persists, delete the game’s shader cache folder and restart.

System Requirements and DLSS Compatibility

Before troubleshooting, confirm your system meets the minimum requirements for Graveyard Keeper and that your GPU supports DLSS.

Not all NVIDIA GPUs are DLSS-capable, and attempting to enable DLSS on unsupported hardware will trigger this error.

Minimum Requirements:

• OS: Windows 7/8/10 (64-bit)
• Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E4500 or equivalent
• Memory: 4 GB RAM
• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GT 730 / AMD Radeon R7 240
• Storage: 6 GB available space
• DirectX: Version 11

DLSS-Compatible GPUs: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 20-series, RTX 30-series, RTX 40-series, and newer.

GTX 10-series and GTX 16-series do NOT support DLSS.

If you have a GTX card, the DLSS option should not appear in-game, and seeing this error may indicate a mod or config override is forcing DLSS on incompatible hardware.

If your GPU is not on the DLSS-compatible list, the fix is to ensure DLSS is completely disabled in the game configuration. See Step 3 below for the manual config edit.

Fix 1: Update Your NVIDIA GPU Driver

Outdated or corrupted NVIDIA drivers are the number one cause of the DLSS error in Graveyard Keeper.

NVIDIA regularly releases Game Ready drivers that include DLSS profile updates for specific games,

and running an old driver can cause the DLSS module to fail during initialization.

Step-by-step driver update:

1. Open your web browser and navigate to nvidia.com/Download.
2. Select your GPU model from the dropdown menus (Product Type, Series, OS, etc.).
3. Click “Search” and download the latest Game Ready Driver (not Studio Driver).
4. Run the installer and select “Custom (Advanced)” installation.
5. Check the box for “Perform a clean installation” to remove old driver remnants.
6. Complete the installation and restart your PC.
7. Launch Graveyard Keeper and test if the DLSS error is resolved.

Alternative method using GeForce Experience: If you have GeForce Experience installed, open it,

go to the Drivers tab, and click “Download” followed by “Express Installation.” This method is faster but does not perform a clean install by default.

After updating, if the DLSS error persists, proceed to Fix 2.

Why driver updates fix DLSS errors: NVIDIA includes DLSS compatibility profiles in each Game Ready driver.

When a new game is released or patched, NVIDIA updates these profiles to ensure the DLSS module initializes correctly.

If your driver is more than 2-3 months old, it may lack the correct profile for the current version of Graveyard Keeper, causing the DLSS module to fail during startup.

How to check your current driver version: Right-click on your desktop and select “NVIDIA Control Panel.” Click “System Information” in the bottom-left corner.

The driver version is listed as “Driver Version: XXX.XX.” Compare this to the latest version on nvidia.com.

If your version is more than one major release behind, a clean install is strongly recommended.

DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller) method: For the most thorough driver cleanup, use DDU in Safe Mode.

Download DDU from guru3d.com, boot into Safe Mode, run DDU to remove all NVIDIA driver components, then restart and install the latest driver fresh.

This eliminates any possibility of driver file corruption causing the DLSS error.

Fix 2: Verify Integrity of Game Files

Corrupted or missing game files are another common trigger for the DLSS error.

Steam can automatically scan and replace any damaged files, which often resolves DLSS-related crashes without any manual intervention.

1. Open Steam and navigate to your Library.
2. Right-click on Graveyard Keeper and select “Properties.”
3. Click the “Installed Files” tab in the left sidebar.
4. Click “Verify integrity of game files.”
5. Wait for the process to complete (this may take 5-15 minutes).
6. Steam will automatically download and replace any corrupted files.
7. Launch the game and test.

If Steam reports that all files are intact but the error continues, the issue is likely in the game’s configuration files or your system’s runtime libraries. Continue to Fix 3.

Fix 3: Disable DLSS in the Game Configuration File

If updating drivers and verifying files did not resolve the issue, the DLSS setting may be stuck in the game’s configuration file.

Manually disabling DLSS by editing the config file forces the game to use native rendering, bypassing the DLSS module entirely.

Locate the config file:

• Press Win + R, type %appdata%, and press Enter.
• Navigate up one level to the AppData folder, then open LocalLow.
• Find the folder Lazy Bear Games/Graveyard Keeper.
• Look for a file named prefs.json, settings.dat, or similar.

Alternative config location: Some Unity games store settings in Steam\steamapps\common\Graveyard Keeper\GraveyardKeeper_Data\ or in the Windows Registry under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Lazy Bear Games\Graveyard Keeper.

What to change: Open the config file in Notepad and look for any line containing “DLSS,” “dlss,” “Upscaling,” or “SuperSampling.” Change the value to 0 or false or Off.

Save the file and launch the game.

If you cannot find a DLSS-specific setting, try deleting the entire config file.

The game will regenerate it with default settings (DLSS disabled) on the next launch. Back up the file before deleting.

Unity engine config specifics: Unity games like Graveyard Keeper typically store graphics settings in a JSON or binary file in the Application.persistentDataPath,

which on Windows resolves to %userprofile%\AppData\LocalLow\[DeveloperName]\[GameName]\.

The file may be named prefs.json, settings.json, gamersettings.dat, or simply prefs depending on how the developer implemented settings storage.

If the config file is binary: Some Unity games use binary-serialized config files that cannot be opened in Notepad.

In this case, the easiest approach is to delete the entire config folder.

The game will recreate it with all default settings on the next launch, which includes DLSS disabled.

You will lose your graphics settings, keybindings, and save preferences, but your actual save games are stored separately.

Registry method for stubborn cases: If the config file method does not work, the DLSS setting may be stored in the Windows Registry.

Press Win + R, type regedit, and navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Lazy Bear Games\Graveyard Keeper.

Look for any value containing “DLSS,” “Upscaling,” or “SuperSampling” and set it to 0. If the key does not exist, the game is not using registry storage for DLSS settings.

Fix 4: Install Latest Visual C++ Redistributable Packages

Graveyard Keeper, like many Unity-based games, depends on Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable packages.

Missing or outdated runtime libraries can cause the DLSS module to fail during initialization, producing the error you are seeing.

Download and install both packages:

• Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2015-2022 (x64)
• Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2015-2022 (x86)

Install both the x64 and x86 versions, even on a 64-bit system.

Many games load 32-bit components alongside 64-bit ones, and missing either package can cause crashes. After installation, restart your PC and test the game.

Fix 5: Delete the Shader Cache Folder

Corrupted shader cache files can interfere with DLSS initialization.

The shader cache stores pre-compiled GPU shaders, and if these files become corrupted (often after a driver update), the DLSS module may fail to load properly.

1. Close Graveyard Keeper and Steam completely.
2. Navigate to C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\LocalLow\Lazy Bear Games\Graveyard Keeper\.
3. Look for a folder named ShaderCache, shadercache, or similar.
4. Delete the entire shader cache folder.
5. Also check C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\NVIDIA\DXCache\ and delete its contents.
6. Restart your PC and launch the game. The cache will rebuild automatically.

The first launch after clearing the shader cache may take longer than usual as the game recompiles shaders. This is normal. Once the game loads, test if the DLSS error is gone.

Fix 6: Disable Overlays and Conflicting Software

Steam Overlay, Discord Overlay, NVIDIA GeForce Experience Overlay, and other screen-capture software can conflict with DLSS rendering.

These overlays inject themselves into the game’s rendering pipeline, which can cause the DLSS module to fail.

Disable Steam Overlay: Right-click Graveyard Keeper in Steam Properties uncheck “Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game.”

Disable Discord Overlay: Open Discord Settings Game Overlay toggle off “Enable in-game overlay.”

Disable NVIDIA Overlay: Open GeForce Experience Settings (gear icon) General toggle off “In-Game Overlay.”

Close background apps: Close any screen recording software (OBS, Bandicam, MSI Afterburner with OSD), FPS counters, or RGB control software before launching the game.

Fix 7: Run as Administrator and Set Compatibility Mode

Permission issues can prevent the DLSS module from accessing necessary GPU resources.

Running Graveyard Keeper with elevated permissions and in compatibility mode can resolve this.

1. Navigate to the game’s install folder: Steam\steamapps\common\Graveyard Keeper\.
2. Right-click GraveyardKeeper.exe and select “Properties.”
3. Go to the “Compatibility” tab.
4. Check “Run this program as an administrator.”
5. Check “Run this program in compatibility mode for:” and select “Windows 8.”
6. Click “Apply” then “OK.”
7. Launch the game from the executable directly (not through Steam) to test.

If running as administrator fixes the issue, you can also try adding the Steam client itself as an administrator, or add the game executable to your antivirus exclusion list.

Fix 8: Perform a Clean Reinstall

If none of the above fixes work, a clean reinstall of Graveyard Keeper may be necessary. This ensures all game files, including the DLSS module, are fresh and uncorrupted.

1. Open Steam, right-click Graveyard Keeper, and select “Manage” “Uninstall.”
2. After uninstalling, navigate to the game’s install folder and delete any remaining files.
3. Also delete the config folder at %appdata%\..\LocalLow\Lazy Bear Games\Graveyard Keeper\.
4. Restart your PC.
5. Reinstall Graveyard Keeper from Steam.
6. Before launching, update your NVIDIA drivers to the latest version.
7. Launch the game with DLSS disabled first, then re-enable it in settings if desired.

Fix 9: Check for Windows Update Conflicts

Windows updates can sometimes interfere with DLSS functionality by changing system-level graphics components or conflicting with NVIDIA driver installations.

Major Windows feature updates (such as the annual Windows 10/11 feature updates) are particularly likely to cause DLSS errors in games that previously worked fine.

Check for pending updates: Go to Settings Update & Security Windows Update and click “Check for updates.” Install any available updates and restart your PC.

Microsoft regularly releases patches for graphics subsystem issues that can affect DLSS.

Rollback a problematic update: If the DLSS error started immediately after a Windows update, you may need to roll it back.

Go to Settings Update & Security Windows Update View update history Uninstall updates.

Remove the most recent update and test the game. If the error resolves, wait for Microsoft to release a patched version of the update before reinstalling.

Disable Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling: Windows 10 (2004+) and Windows 11 include a feature called Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling (HAGS) that can conflict with DLSS.

To disable it,

go to Settings System Display Graphics Change default graphics settings, and toggle off “Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling.” Restart your PC and test the game.

Fix 10: Adjust NVIDIA Control Panel Settings

The NVIDIA Control Panel allows you to override game-specific graphics settings at the driver level.

Forcing certain settings can bypass the DLSS error by preventing the game from attempting to initialize DLSS in the first place.

Step-by-step NVIDIA Control Panel configuration:

1. Right-click on your desktop and select “NVIDIA Control Panel.”
2. Click “Manage 3D settings” in the left sidebar.
3. Click the “Program Settings” tab.
4. Click “Add” and browse to Steam\steamapps\common\Graveyard Keeper\GraveyardKeeper.exe.
5. Set “CUDA – GPUs” to your primary GPU.
6. Set “Low Latency Mode” to “Off” (Ultra mode can conflict with DLSS).
7. Set “Power management mode” to “Prefer maximum performance.”
8. Set “Texture filtering – Quality” to “High performance.”
9. Set “Threaded optimization” to “On.”
10. Click “Apply” and launch the game.

DSR Factors (Dynamic Super Resolution): If you have DSR enabled in the NVIDIA Control Panel, it can conflict with DLSS.

Go to “Manage 3D settings” “Global Settings” tab set “DSR – Factors” to “Off.” DSR and DLSS both involve resolution scaling,

and having both active simultaneously can cause initialization failures.

Fix 11: Add Game to Antivirus and Firewall Exclusions

Antivirus software and Windows Defender can sometimes block the DLSS module from loading,

flagging it as suspicious behavior because it injects into the game process and accesses GPU resources at a low level.

This is a common cause of DLSS errors that is often overlooked.

Add exclusions in Windows Defender:

1. Go to Settings Update & Security Windows Security Virus & threat protection.
2. Click “Manage settings” under “Virus & threat protection settings.”
3. Scroll down to “Exclusions” and click “Add or remove exclusions.”
4. Click “Add an exclusion” “Folder.”
5. Browse to Steam\steamapps\common\Graveyard Keeper\ and select the entire folder.
6. Also add an exclusion for %userprofile%\AppData\LocalLow\Lazy Bear Games\Graveyard Keeper\.

Third-party antivirus: If you use Norton, McAfee, Bitdefender, Kaspersky, or another third-party antivirus, add the same folders to its exclusion list.

The process varies by product, but look for “Exclusions,” “Exceptions,” or “Allowed apps” in the antivirus settings.

Windows Firewall: Go to Control Panel System and Security Windows Defender Firewall Allow an app through firewall.

Ensure both GraveyardKeeper.exe and Steam.exe are allowed on both Private and Public networks.

Fix 12: Check for Corrupted Save Data

In rare cases, corrupted save data can cause the game to crash during the loading screen, which may be mistaken for a DLSS error.

If the crash occurs after the initial loading screen (when you see your graveyard), the issue may be save-related rather than DLSS-related.

Test with a new save: Rename your save folder to create a backup, then launch the game.

If it loads without the DLSS error, your save file was the culprit. You can then try restoring individual save files from the backup to identify which one is corrupted.

Save file location: Graveyard Keeper saves are typically located in %userprofile%\AppData\LocalLow\Lazy Bear Games\Graveyard Keeper\SaveGames\ or in the Steam Cloud.

To disable Steam Cloud temporarily, right-click the game in Steam Properties General uncheck “Keep game saves in the Steam Cloud.”

Cloud save conflicts: If you play on multiple PCs, Steam Cloud sync conflicts can corrupt save data.

Disable Steam Cloud, delete the local save folder, and let Steam re-download the cloud save.

If the cloud save is also corrupted, you may need to start a new game or contact Steam Support.

Advanced Fix: NVIDIA Profile Inspector DLSS Override

For advanced users, NVIDIA Profile Inspector allows you to override DLSS settings on a per-game basis.

This can force the game to use a specific DLSS version or disable DLSS at the driver level, bypassing the in-game setting entirely.

1. Download NVIDIA Profile Inspector from GitHub.
2. Run the tool and find “Graveyard Keeper” in the profile list.
3. Look for “DLSS” or “NVIDIA DLSS” settings in the profile.
4. Set DLSS to “Disabled” or “Application-controlled.”
5. Click “Apply changes” at the top right.
6. Launch the game and test.

Warning: Modifying NVIDIA profiles can affect other games.

Only change settings for the Graveyard Keeper profile, and create a backup of your current profile before making changes.

Troubleshooting Flowchart: Which Fix to Try First

With over 12 fixes in this guide, it helps to know which ones to try first based on your specific situation.

Use this flowchart to narrow down the most likely cause of your DLSS error:

Did the error start after a driver update? Roll back your NVIDIA driver to the previous version using Device Manager Display adapters right-click your GPU Properties Driver Roll Back Driver.

If rollback is not available, use DDU to clean-install the previous driver version from nvidia.com’s “Beta and Older drivers” section.

Did the error start after a Windows update? Follow Fix 9 (Windows Update Conflicts) and disable Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling.

If that does not help, roll back the Windows update.

Does the error occur immediately on launch? This is most likely a driver or config file issue. Try Fix 1 (driver update) and Fix 3 (config file edit) first.

Does the error occur after changing in-game graphics settings? The DLSS setting is stuck in the config file.

Follow Fix 3 to manually disable it, or delete the config folder entirely.

Does the error occur only in fullscreen mode? Switch to borderless windowed mode in the game settings.

Some DLSS implementations have issues with exclusive fullscreen on certain monitor configurations.

Does the error occur with other DLSS games too? If multiple DLSS games show the same error, the problem is system-wide.

Focus on driver updates, Visual C++ redistributables, and NVIDIA Control Panel settings.

Have you tried all fixes and the error persists? Contact NVIDIA support at nvidia.com/support or post on the Graveyard Keeper Steam Community forums.

Include your GPU model, driver version, Windows version, and the exact error message text.

Optimizing Graveyard Keeper Performance Without DLSS

Since DLSS is not essential for Graveyard Keeper, disabling it does not mean sacrificing performance. Here are several ways to ensure the game runs smoothly at native resolution:

Lower the render resolution: If you are playing at 1440p or 4K and experiencing performance issues, dropping to 1080p will significantly improve frame rates without DLSS.

The game’s 2D art style scales well to lower resolutions.

Disable V-Sync: V-Sync can cause input lag and frame rate caps.

Disable it in the game settings and use NVIDIA Control Panel’s “Fast Sync” or a frame rate limiter instead if you experience screen tearing.

Reduce shadow quality: Shadows are often the most demanding graphics setting in management sims.

Lowering shadow quality from Ultra to Medium can improve performance by 10-20% with minimal visual impact.

Close background applications: Web browsers, streaming software, and other GPU-accelerated applications can compete for GPU resources.

Close unnecessary applications before launching the game.

Enable Windows Game Mode: Press Win + G to open the Game Bar, click the Settings icon, and ensure “Game Mode” is enabled.

This tells Windows to prioritize the game’s process for CPU and GPU resources.

Key Takeaways

• ✅ The Graveyard Keeper DLSS error is most commonly caused by outdated NVIDIA drivers. Always update to the latest Game Ready driver first.
• ✅ Verify game files through Steam to replace any corrupted or missing files that may be causing the DLSS module to fail.
• ✅ Manually disable DLSS in the game config file if the in-game setting is stuck or unavailable.
• ✅ Install both x64 and x86 Visual C++ Redistributable packages to ensure all runtime dependencies are met.
• ✅ Clear the shader cache to remove corrupted GPU shader files that can interfere with DLSS initialization.
• ✅ Disable all overlays (Steam, Discord, NVIDIA) before launching the game to prevent rendering pipeline conflicts.
• ✅ Run the game as administrator and in Windows 8 compatibility mode if permission issues are suspected.
• ✅ A clean reinstall should be the last resort after all other fixes have been tried.
• ✅ Use NVIDIA Profile Inspector to override DLSS settings at the driver level for advanced troubleshooting.
• ✅ If your GPU does not support DLSS (GTX 10-series or older), ensure DLSS is completely disabled to avoid this error.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does the DLSS error message actually say in Graveyard Keeper?

The error typically reads “DLSS Error” or “DLSS initialization failed” and may include a prompt to restart the game.

Some players report a black screen with no message, while others see a Unity engine error dialog referencing the DLSS module.

Q: Can I play Graveyard Keeper without DLSS?

Yes. Graveyard Keeper is not a graphically demanding game, and DLSS is not required for a smooth experience.

Disabling DLSS will have minimal visual impact, especially at 1080p or lower resolutions. The game runs well on most modern hardware without any upscaling technology.

Q: Does this error affect the GOG version of Graveyard Keeper?

Yes.

The DLSS error can occur on both the Steam and GOG versions since it is related to the game’s Unity engine DLSS implementation, not the distribution platform.

The same fixes apply to both versions.

Q: Will disabling DLSS reduce my frame rate significantly?

No. Graveyard Keeper is a 2D/management sim with modest system requirements.

Most systems can run the game at 60+ FPS at native resolution without DLSS. You are unlikely to notice any performance difference with DLSS disabled.

Q: I have an AMD GPU. Can I get this error?

No. DLSS is an NVIDIA-exclusive technology.

If you have an AMD GPU, you will not encounter a DLSS error.

However, you may encounter similar issues with AMD FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution) if the game supports it. The fixes in this guide are specific to NVIDIA DLSS.

Q: How do I know if my GPU supports DLSS?

DLSS requires an NVIDIA RTX GPU (20-series, 30-series, 40-series, or newer).

GTX 10-series and GTX 16-series GPUs do not have the Tensor Cores required for DLSS.

You can check your GPU model in Windows Device Manager under “Display adapters” or by running dxdiag.

Introduction

Firewatch is a critically acclaimed first-person adventure game developed by Campo Santo, originally released for PC and later made available through the Xbox App on Windows.

While the game itself runs smoothly for most players, a significant number of users have reported encountering errors when trying to launch or play Firewatch through the Xbox App on PC.

These errors can range from simple authentication failures to more complex installation and runtime issues that prevent the game from starting at all.

The Xbox App, previously known as the Microsoft Store or Windows Store, has long been a source of frustration for PC gamers.

Unlike Steam or GOG, the Xbox App handles game installations, updates, and DRM in ways that can conflict with Windows system settings, antivirus software, and even the game files themselves.

When Firewatch fails to launch through the Xbox App, the error messages are often vague and unhelpful, leaving players unsure of how to proceed.

This comprehensive guide covers every known fix for Firewatch Xbox App errors on PC.

Whether you are dealing with a black screen on launch, an installation that never completes, an authentication loop, or a crash to desktop, the solutions below will help you get back to exploring the Wyoming wilderness.

Each fix is ordered from the quickest and most common solution to the more advanced troubleshooting steps, so you can resolve your issue as efficiently as possible.

Quick Answer

The most common cause of Firewatch Xbox App errors is corrupted app cache or an outdated Xbox App.

Reset the Xbox App cache by pressing Win + R, typing wsreset.exe, and pressing Enter. Then update the Xbox App through the Microsoft Store and try launching Firewatch again.

If the game still fails to launch, repair and reset the Xbox App via Settings > Apps > Xbox > Advanced Options > Repair/Reset.

This fixes most authentication and launch issues without affecting your saved games.

For persistent installation errors, run the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter at Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters > Windows Store Apps.

This tool automatically detects and fixes common Xbox App problems.

If Firewatch crashes on launch or shows a black screen, update your graphics drivers and disable fullscreen optimizations for the game executable.

Right-click the game file, go to Properties > Compatibility, and check Disable fullscreen optimizations.

Key Takeaways

• Corrupted Xbox App cache is the #1 cause of Firewatch launch errors on PC
• Resetting the Xbox App via wsreset.exe fixes the majority of authentication issues
• Outdated graphics drivers are a common cause of black screen and crash-on-launch problems
• Windows Store Apps troubleshooter can automatically detect and repair Xbox App issues
• Re-registering the Xbox App through PowerShell resolves deep system-level corruption
• Disabling fullscreen optimizations and running as administrator fixes many crash scenarios
• Checking Windows services (XblAuthManager, XblGameSave) ensures Xbox Live authentication works
• A clean reinstall of Firewatch through the Xbox App should be the last resort if all else fails

Understanding the Firewatch Xbox App Error

Before diving into fixes, it helps to understand what is actually going wrong when Firewatch fails through the Xbox App.

The Xbox App relies on several background services and system components to authenticate your ownership, download game files, and manage the game runtime.

When any of these components malfunction, Firewatch may fail to launch, crash immediately, or display cryptic error codes.

The most common error scenarios include: the game appearing to launch but immediately closing (crash to desktop), an endless loading screen that never progresses, an authentication error stating you do not own the game, an installation that fails partway through with a generic error code, and a black screen with or without audio playing in the background.

Each of these symptoms points to a different underlying cause, which is why this guide covers multiple approaches.

Firewatch uses Microsoft’s Universal Windows Platform (UWP) when installed through the Xbox App.

UWP apps run in a sandboxed environment that restricts file access and system permissions.

While this sandbox improves security, it also means that traditional troubleshooting steps like manually editing game files or running the executable directly may not work as expected.

The fixes in this guide are specifically tailored to work within the Xbox App ecosystem.

1. Reset the Xbox App Cache (wsreset.exe)

This is the single most effective fix for Firewatch Xbox App errors and should always be your first step.

The Xbox App stores temporary data in a local cache, and when this cache becomes corrupted, games can fail to launch, fail to update, or lose authentication with Xbox Live.

Resetting the cache clears all temporary data without affecting your installed games or saved progress.

Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog. Type wsreset.exe and press Enter. A blank command prompt window will appear this is normal.

Wait for it to close automatically, which typically takes 10 to 30 seconds. The Microsoft Store will then open automatically, indicating the cache has been successfully cleared.

After the cache reset completes, close the Microsoft Store and reopen the Xbox App. Navigate to your game library and try launching Firewatch.

In many cases, this single step resolves the error completely. If the game still fails to launch, proceed to the next fix.

2. Repair and Reset the Xbox App

If clearing the cache did not help, the next step is to use Windows built-in repair and reset functionality for the Xbox App.

This process checks the app installation for corruption and restores it to a clean state.

The repair option attempts to fix issues without deleting your data, while the reset option restores the app to its factory defaults.

Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I. Navigate to Apps > Installed apps (or Apps & features on older Windows versions). Scroll down and find the Xbox app in the list.

Click on it and select Advanced options. You will see two buttons: Repair and Reset.

Always try Repair first. This option scans the Xbox App installation and attempts to fix any corrupted files or settings without removing your sign-in information or preferences.

After the repair completes, restart your PC and try launching Firewatch again.

If repair does not resolve the issue, go back to the same Advanced Options page and click Reset.

Note that this will sign you out of the Xbox App and clear all local app data, but it will NOT delete your installed games.

After the reset, sign back into the Xbox App with your Microsoft account and try launching Firewatch.

3. Run the Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter

Windows includes a dedicated troubleshooter for Microsoft Store and Xbox App issues.

This tool automatically scans for common problems including corrupted app registrations, permission issues, and service failures.

It is particularly useful for diagnosing problems that do not produce clear error messages.

Open Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters (on Windows 11) or Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters (on Windows 10).

Find Windows Store Apps in the list and click Run. The troubleshooter will scan your system and present a list of any issues it finds.

Apply any suggested fixes and restart your computer when prompted. After the restart, open the Xbox App and try launching Firewatch.

The troubleshooter often catches issues with app permissions and Windows service configurations that are difficult to diagnose manually.

4. Update Your Graphics Drivers

Firewatch, while not an extremely demanding game, relies on proper GPU driver support for its rendering pipeline.

Outdated or corrupted graphics drivers are a common cause of black screens, crashes on launch, and graphical glitches when running through the Xbox App.

This is especially true for players using older GPUs or integrated graphics solutions.

For NVIDIA users, open GeForce Experience and check for driver updates under the Drivers tab. Alternatively, visit NVIDIA driver downloads and select your GPU model.

For AMD users, use the AMD Radeon Software application or visit AMD driver support.

For Intel integrated graphics, use the Intel Driver & Support Assistant available at Intel support.