How to Fish fixes for the moments that derail a run.
Start with the least risky check for a black screen, crash, missing item, co-op failure, FPS problem, sound duplication, or GPU artifact. On v1.0.12, update first and record whether the current save-backup, item-marker and lobby behavior changes the symptom. These pages separate official patch behavior from community reports and replay-pending fixes.
Start with the symptom, not the strongest fix
Before changing files or reinstalling, record the version, solo/co-op state, exact screen, active weapon or rod, and the event immediately before the problem. Then use the smallest reversible test in this order.
| What you see | First check | Open the focused page |
|---|---|---|
| Game will not launch / 0x11C7 | Capture the complete Windows security message and keep the original settings. | 0x11C7 checklist |
| Black screen after joining | Separate a join failure from startup; test a fresh lobby and version match. | Co-op black screen |
| Item or weapon vanished | Protect the last usable save before retrying an equip or handoff. | Save and weapon safety |
| Fish, leeches or boss do not appear | Check the NPC handoff, bait and arena trigger before assuming a spawn bug. | Leeches / Boss trigger |
| Audio, FPS or GPU symptom | Record device, display mode and overlay state, then change one variable. | Audio / FPS / GPU |
Save corrupted or weapon crash
Patch 1.0.11 checks saves before loading and creates backups; Patch 1.0.10 preserves dropped items between sessions. Loading and weapon-equipping crashes still need the safe checklist and official support path.
Check save safety → Needs verificationWindows 0x11C7 launch error
Capture the full security message and test reversible checks without permanently disabling Smart App Control.
Open the 0x11C7 checklist → No universal fixCo-op black screen
Fresh lobby, join timing, Steam relay debug, version checks and the limits of current evidence.
Troubleshoot co-op → Community reportLeeches not spawning
Island 2 reload and NPC-dialogue checks when the quest counter will not complete.
Open the leech fix → Community reportBoss not visible
Verify the route handoff, bait, arena trigger and co-op session before touching a save.
Check the boss trigger → Official version noteFPS limit not working
Check the 1.0.5 minimum-cap change before diagnosing actual performance.
Open the FPS guide → Community reportSound duplication
Isolate repeated effects by action, output device, lobby and overlay.
Open the audio guide → Community reportGPU artifacting
Use screenshots and controlled settings to separate game glitches from system problems.
Open the graphics guide →Separate a black screen while launching the game from a black screen after joining a friend. A current Steam report describes an administrator-mode workaround, but another player said it did not work; treat it as a community report, not a universal fix. Record the version, GPU, fullscreen state and whether solo mode opens before changing files or reinstalling.
For a join-specific failure, use the co-op black-screen checklist. For a crash after selecting or equipping an item, use the save and weapon-safety page.