It could be quite annoying getting your computer’s screen go black as soon as you turn it on. Since there is nothing that will appear on the screen, diagnosing the root issue shall sometimes be complex. As much as this is so, there are some steps that you can follow to stop the black screen problem on Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Check If Windows Is Responsive
To do that, you’d firstly and fundamentally need to confirm that your computer and/or Windows is booting. To do this, press the keys Win + Ctrl + Shift + B. This goes down to restarting the graphics driver and making a beep sound.
This is true, if you hear a beep then Windows is responsive; otherwise, things would be quite worse. However, if you do not hear the first tone, then it is possibly that your computer is not booting. Then, for instance, you might have to troubleshoot a non-starting PC or a blackscreens issue.
Check Your Monitor and Cables
For this, you may think it primitive, yet it is very important to check the display connection if you have not done so previously. Thus, starting with the monitor cables, be sure to unplug them and then plug them back in securely to the appropriate ports. Also check back and see if your monitor is indeed on.
If you can, ideally, use another monitor connection. For example, replace HDMI with DisplayPort. In detail, one should use a new cable. This should help you figure out whether the problem is originating from the monitor port or the cables that you are using. One of the things that you should do is to go and connect the monitor to another computer if you have access to one in order to determine whether the monitor is bad or not.
Unplug Your External Devices
So, with your mouse or keyboard, shut your computer down properly and disconnect all peripherals from it, be it a mouse, a keyboard, an external hard drive or anything else that is connected to your computer. Try to close your system and then reopen it, and maybe the black screen problem will be solved. While it may work around the issue, plug each device with one plugged at a time until one is identified to be the cause of the problem.
Once it narrows the choice to specific device, you should update its drivers and the rest is replace drivers if needed a process of trial and error.
Adjust Projection Settings
One thing to try is adjusting the projection settings on your system using the control interface. For instance, if your display preference is to project the image to a non-existent second screen your monitor is likely to show a blank image.
To do this, press the Win + P keys on your keyboard to display the Windows’ built-in Projection menu. This can be changed vertically from ‘PC screen only, Duplicate, Extend, and Second screen only’ from top to bottom. Even if the first tab is the default one, yours might not be selected as such.
Pressing ‘P’ or the down arrow on your keyboard will place your cursor on the subsequent choice, as hitting ‘Enter’ will choose the displayed option. To achieve this, you are very likely to attempt it while the screen is still in the dark, and thus may need some experimenting. This will get it back to this setting if you haven’t changed it but if you are still having a problem with the display then at least one of the settings above should help.
Reinstall Display Drivers
That is why if you want to reinstall display drivers, then you will need to start on safe mode. The type of method you will require is determined by some factors you need to follow the right steps below if you want to learn how to reinstall your display drivers then continue reading.
You Can See the Login Screen
- Restart your computer.
- Well if you want to see a specific user on a PC click on the Login icon, press the Shift key on the keyboard and right click the Power icon then click Restart.
- After restarting which select troubleshoot > advanced options > startup settings > restart. Once more, the system will shut down and offer you several choices of special options to choose from.
- To fix the problem try following the instructions on the screen by pressing F5 then selecting Safe Mode with Networking. If the above does not work then user will follow step 1 – 3 but select F3.
You Can’t See Anything and Have a Recovery Drive
If you are lucky enough, then you may have created a recovery drive before this problem happened.
- Power your computer off and then connect the recovery drive.
- On the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Start-up Settings > Restart.
- Upon completion, type ‘F5’ on the keyboard to choose Safe Mode with Networking as the next start-up option. However, in case this does not work, then carry out the prior steps with one exception of clicking on F3.
You Can’t See Anything and Don’t Have a Recovery Drive
To achieve this, you must have a functional computer that you will be using to create the Windows 10/11 installation media. You can visit the Microsoft official website to download either Windows 10 or Windows 11, and then use this file to create the installation media. If you need any assistance with that, please refer to our detailed instructions on how to make a bootable ISO. After that, in the BIOS section, it is compulsory to configure the boot priority to boot from the installation disc. Otherwise, if you’re in a fix on how to change the boot order.
Then, on the installation screen:
- Select Repair your computer.
- Straight click Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Start-up Settings > Restart.
- After having been started again, press F5 in order to boot in the Safe Mode with Networking. If that does not, then go along the following sequence, but click on the F3 first.
How to Reinstall Your Display Drivers
Once you’re in Safe Mode, follow these steps:
- Here, you will press the Win + X keys on your keyboard and choose Device Manager.
- Right-click the Display Adapters category and click and hold the click for a double-click.
- On the desktop, right click the graphics card item and then click the Properties option from the drop-down list. Performing a right click on the device management window will take you to the Driver tab.
If there is, click Roll Back Driver, drop down menu will appear, select the suitable reason why you want to roll back and click Yes. This will get you back to the previously installed driver, where you then click on ‘Next’.
If none of these options do not work or the option to update is not available, choose the ‘Uninstall’ button to completely delete the driver. I then lead you to the manufacturer site, probably AMD, NVIDIA, Intel and download an older driver or you can contact their support team.
Clean Inside Your Computer Case and Assess Your Internal Hardware
Before attempting any of the solutions below ensure that you have switched your computer off, disconnected all peripherals and then physically opened the computer. Check each component you used to assemble your outfit for any possible damage. Take out each part separately and fit it back in properly making sure it is well fixed in its position.
If you add a new component to your system just recently, perhaps a new video card or RAM module, check whether it is inserted in the right way. It may require contacting the manufacturer if the part is damaged or not functioning as per standard requirements.
This problem can also be the result of a faulty power supply unit (PSU), which does not deliver enough power to address the integrated circuits. By typing your current setup in an online power supply calculator, you can check if your PSU is adequate for the system.
Another related suggestion is that sometimes your computer can be overheating and it is some thing that you can need to check. Maintaining proper temperature on your PC is beneficial not only for the longevity of its subassemblies but also to avoid episodes with black screens.
Take a microfiber cloth and an air blower and use it on the computer eliminating all the dust and dirt found there but particularly on the fans. This needs to be conducted outdoors since it will cause a lot of dust This needs to be done outdoors since it is going to raise a lot of dust. Avoid neatly returning it back into the sockets inside the computer.
Use the Startup Repair or Perform a System Restore
The nature of this utility is described in its name – using the Startup Repair tool will help to address the problems of a Windows PC that may be experienced during its start. This tool will automatically search your shell for problems that may cause black screen at boot and correct them.
In the event that it still stays dragged out even after this, the final thing you can do is to try a system restore. This will let Windows effectively undo the recent changes which may have affected your system to produce the black screen during booting.
