11 Ways to Fix Windows PC Booting up With a Black Screen

PDF download Download Article
Learn the common fixes for the black screen of death on Windows PC
PDF download Download Article

Does your PC turn out but there's nothing on the display? This could indicate a problem with your wires, CPU, power supply, or drivers. Here's what to do if your computer turns on but there's no display.

Quick Ways to Fix Black Display on a PC

If your Windows computer boots up but doesn't display anything on the screen, check for damaged or loose wires. For a dedicated graphics card, plug the cable into the HDMI or DisplayPort on the GPU itself, not the motherboard. You can also reset your graphics driver using Windows + Ctrl + Shift + B .

1

Check all wired connections.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Check for any loose connections on your computer and monitor, and make sure they're securely fitted.
    • If your computer has a dedicated graphics card (non-integrated), make sure you're plugging your monitor into the HDMI or DisplayPort of the actual graphics card. The location will be different from the ports on your computer's motherboard.
    2. Advertisement
2

Try a different cable.

PDF download Download Article
  1. If the wires are plugged in properly, you may not see a display due to a damaged wire. Try using a newer cable.
    • If your monitor has both HDMI and DisplayPort ports, try using the alternate port instead.
3

Check the monitor power.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Most monitors have a light indicator when it's turned on. It may be green when first powered on and stay orange when it's in standby mode. If you don't see any light on your monitor, make sure you're using the correct power cord.
    2. Advertisement
4

Check the monitor source.

PDF download Download Article
  1. On most monitors, you can press a physical button to switch sources. Cycle through each source, allowing at least 30 seconds for the change to register.
5

Restart your graphics driver.

PDF download Download Article
  1. This will restart the graphics driver on your computer. [1] If the screen turns on after using this keyboard, make sure to update your drivers .
    2. Advertisement
6

Hard restart your computer.

PDF download Download Article
  1. This will force your computer to turn off. Wait 30 seconds, and then press it again to turn it on.
    • Try to avoid turning off your computer this way more than necessary; it can cause issues with startup in the future.
7

Use a different monitor.

PDF download Download Article
  1. If you're able to connect to the other monitor, the problem lies with your previous monitor rather than your computer.
    2. Advertisement
8

Check all individual components.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Make sure to ground yourself to avoid damaging your computer with electrostatic discharge.
    • Double-check that each component is fitted properly and is in the correct position.
9

Test your power supply.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Your computer may still be off even if the fans and lights are working. Use a power supply tester to make sure your computer is fully powered on.
    2. Advertisement
10

Disconnect all peripherals.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Restart your computer with just your monitor plugged in to make sure the problem isn't caused by other devices.
11

Open the BIOS.

PDF download Download Article
  1. This will only work if you can see your screen sometimes. You can enter the BIOS by restarting your computer and pressing your manufacturer's designated key.
    • Once you're in the BIOS, select the PC Health Status option. This may also look like System Hardware Monitor or similar. Make sure the CPU temperature is between 95-113℉ (35-45℃).
    • If the temperature is above this optimal range, you may need to upgrade your components or move your PC to a different location.
    2. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      "No Bootable Devices Found" Error: 6 Easy Fixes
      11 Possible Fixes to Solve the "Mobile Network Not Available" Error on Android
      How to
      Completely Uninstall the Riot Games Client & Vanguard
      How to
      Easily Update Your Graphics Drivers on Windows or Mac
      8 Easy Fixes for iPhone Messages that Won't Finish Indexing
      Freeze & Crash a Chromebook with Simple URLs
      What Causes Green Lines on an iPhone Screen? Plus How to Fix Them
      7 Ways to Fix a PS4 Controller That Won't Charge
      How to
      Test the Power Supply Unit (PSU) in Your PC
      How to
      Fix Blinking Orange Light on Fujifilm Instax Mini 11
      How to
      Clean a CD Player
      How to
      Repair an Electric Fan
      How to
      Increase Bass on a Windows PC or Mac Computer
      How to
      Fix and Replace a PopSocket Top, Funnel, and Base
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/troubleshooting-black-or-blank-screens-in-windows-51ef7b96-47cb-b454-fcab-fac643784457

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 20,927 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement