Samsung G8 34″ G85SD – Game Mode causes black screen when moving the mouse around (YT link in description)

Title: Resolving the Black Screen Issue When Using Game Mode on Samsung G8 34″ G85SD Monitor

Introduction

The Samsung G8 34″ G85SD ultra-wide monitor is a popular choice among gamers and professionals alike for its vibrant display and advanced features. However, some users have encountered a perplexing issue: when enabling Game Mode, the screen intermittently goes black when moving the mouse cursor. This problem can be frustrating, especially for those who rely on the latest hardware and software updates to enhance their gaming experience. In this article, we will explore the root causes of this issue and provide practical troubleshooting steps to help you resolve it.

Understanding the Issue

Users have reported that enabling Game Mode on the Samsung G8 G85SD causes a temporary black screen when moving the mouse. This problem appears to be inconsistent — working smoothly for months and then suddenly recurring after driver updates or system changes. Notably, the issue may be linked to:

GPU driver updates, particularly those from AMD or NVIDIA
Variations in refresh rate and variable refresh rate (VRR) technologies
Display settings through Custom Resolution Utility (CRU) modifications
Firmware or BIOS updates on the graphics card or motherboard

Case Study: User Experience

A user shared their experience on Reddit, noting the problem started after updating their AMD graphics card driver to version 25.8.1. They reinstalled previous drivers (such as 25.3.1) and found that the issue temporarily resolved. Later, when building a new PC with a Radeon 9070XT and the latest drivers, the problem persisted, especially when trying to play modern games like Battlefield 6.

Troubleshooting Steps and Solutions

Revert to Stable Drivers
If the issue began after a driver update, consider rolling back to a previously stable driver version. Use Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) to ensure complete removal before installing the older driver.
Monitor if the black screen problem persists with the previous driver version.
Adjust Display Settings
Use the Custom Resolution Utility (CRU) to tweak resolution and refresh rate settings.
Some users have found that restricting VRR settings or adjusting timings can mitigate the issue.
After making changes, reboot your system to apply the new configurations.
Disable and Re-enable Game Mode
Turn off Game Mode on the monitor, then turn it back on. Sometimes toggling this setting