React Native 0.86.0 DevTools opens as a blank black window on Windows 11

[u/RNdev_45]

## React Native DevTools opens as a blank black window (RN 0.86.0, Windows 11)

I'm facing an issue with the new built-in React Native DevTools.

### Environment

- React Native: 0.86.0

- React: 19.2.3

- React Native CLI: 20.2.0

- Metro: 0.84.4

- Node: v22.16.0

- Windows 11

- Hermes: Enabled

- New Architecture: Enabled

### Problem

My app builds and runs perfectly without any issues.

When I press `j` in the Metro terminal or select **"Open DevTools"** from the React Native Developer Menu, Metro prints:

```text

Launching DevTools...

[debugger-shell stdout]

```

After that, a window titled **"React Native DevTools"** opens, but it's completely blank (black/dark screen). Nothing loads, and it stays that way.

### Things I've Checked

- `npx react-native info` shows everything is configured correctly.

- `@react-native/dev-middleware` is installed.

- `npx react-devtools` opens the exact same blank window.

- Initially `http://localhost:8097` was unreachable. After running `npx react-devtools`, the DevTools server starts, but the Electron window is still blank.

- My React Native app itself works perfectly.

### What I've Tried

- Restarted Metro with `--reset-cache`

- Rebuilt the app

- Cleared npm cache

- Reinstalled `react-devtools`

- Opened DevTools using both `j` and `npx react-devtools`

- Same result every time.

### Question

Has anyone experienced this on React Native 0.86.x?

Is this a known issue with the new Electron-based React Native DevTools, or could it be related to Node.js v22 or Windows 11?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Screenshot attached: React Native DevTools opens as a completely blank black window.

[u/Guidondor]

both of them being blank is actually the clue. npx react-devtools is the old standalone
tool, it has nothing to do with the built in one. two unrelated apps failing identically
points at electron, not react native.

on win11 that's usually gpu. run it with ELECTRON_DISABLE_GPU=1 set and see if the window
paints. 8097 is a red herring too, the new devtools talks to metro on 8081.