Buzz
Understanding Why Your Screen Is Black While the Computer Is Running — And How to Fix It
If your PC monitor is black but the system is still on, several issues could be the cause. It might be due to faulty connections, hardware failure, or software errors. This Mytour guide walks you through expert troubleshooting steps with insights from tech specialist Luigi Oppido to help restore your screen.
How to Restore a Black Screen of Death
Inspect all cables and monitor connections to ensure everything is properly attached and functioning. Try starting the PC in Safe Mode. If successful, update Windows and graphics drivers. As a final option, reset Windows. If the problem persists, hardware repair may be necessary.
Instructions
Inspect all cable connections.
Your monitor might be disconnected or unplugged. As Luigi Oppido advises, begin by examining the connection between your monitor and computer. Check if the standby light is on. Ensure cables are undamaged and securely attached. Try a different cable and confirm you're using the correct port—preferably the graphics card, not the onboard display.
- Replace any faulty cables immediately.
- Use compressed air or a soft-bristle brush to clean out dust or debris from ports and connectors.
Test whether the monitor is functional.
Your monitor could be damaged or malfunctioning. Connect it to a different PC or device to see if it shows any display. Laptop users should try an external screen. If there’s no output on any device, the monitor is likely the problem and may need replacement. If it works on another system, the issue lies within your computer.
Review your monitor's brightness and settings.
Your monitor might be too dim or set to the wrong input. Adjust the brightness on your monitor and make sure it's not turned all the way down. Also, confirm that the input source is correctly set to the HDMI or DisplayPort in use.
- Look for a brightness icon, often shaped like a sun, typically found on one of your keyboard's F-keys on laptops.
- The input selector usually has a rectangle-and-arrow icon.
- If supported, update your monitor's firmware.
- You can also reset the monitor to its factory default settings if the option is available.
Try Windows keyboard shortcuts.
Your graphics driver or system might not be responding. Use these handy keyboard shortcuts in Windows to address display issues. One can wake your system from sleep, and another can reset your graphics drivers.
- To wake from sleep, press ⊞ Win + Ctrl + Alt + Del + P.
- To reset the graphics driver, press ⊞ Win + Ctrl + ⇧ Shift + B.
- Mac users can reset the System Management Controller (SMC) depending on their Mac's processor type.
Reboot your system.
A simple restart can fix temporary glitches. Reboot your computer to clear out minor issues. If you can’t access the Power menu, hold down the Power button until it shuts off. Unplug it for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and power it on again.
Start your Windows PC in Safe Mode.
A software issue could be to blame. Safe Mode loads Windows with only essential drivers and startup programs. If your display works in Safe Mode, you can troubleshoot from there. If you can’t access normal Windows due to a black screen, boot via the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). Follow these steps to enter Safe Mode:
- Turn off your computer.
- Power it on and immediately press and hold the power button to shut it down again.
- Repeat this three times until WinRE loads.
- Select Troubleshoot.
- Go to Advanced Settings.
- Choose Startup Settings.
- Click Restart.
- Press "5" to enter Safe Mode with Networking.
Launch macOS Recovery Mode.
macOS may be the source of the problem. macOS Recovery can help resolve system issues and potentially restore your display. Once inside, try repairing the startup disk. If that fails, you can reinstall macOS. If recovery mode is inaccessible or doesn’t fix the issue, servicing your Mac may be necessary. Here’s how to enter Recovery:
- Apple Silicon: For Macs made after 2021, turn off the Mac. Hold the Power button until Startup Options appears. Click Continue under “Options.”
- Intel Mac: On older Intel-based Macs, power off the device. Press the power button, then immediately hold Command + R until you see the Apple logo or a spinning globe. Connect to Wi-Fi or Ethernet if prompted.
- Once in Recovery, select Disk Utility to repair your internal drive. If needed, choose to reinstall or erase and reinstall macOS. Be aware this will erase all data. If problems persist, your Mac may require repair.
Install the latest OS updates.
Outdated operating systems or drivers could be causing the issue.- Click the Start button.
- Type Windows Update in the search bar.
- Select Windows Update Settings.
- Click Check for updates.
- Select Download & install all if updates are available.
Go to the Apple menu > System Settings > GeneralThen select Software Update to install the latest version of macOS.Install Update NowManually update your graphics drivers (Windows).
Outdated graphics drivers might be the cause. If a regular Windows update doesn’t fix the issue, try updating your GPU drivers manually. Use the NVIDIA Control Panel, AMD app, or download the newest drivers from your GPU manufacturer’s website. Or follow these Device Manager steps:
- Right-click the Start button.
- Select Device Manager.
- Expand Display adapters.
- Right-click your graphics adapter.
- Choose Update driver.
- Select Search automatically for drivers.
- Complete the installation if an update is found.
- Note: On Macs, graphics drivers are updated automatically through macOS updates.
Run a virus scan.
Your system might be infected with malware or a virus. macOS includes several built-in security features that help detect threats automatically, but you can also install a trusted antivirus app for a deeper scan—provided your display is functional enough to do so. On Windows, use Defender in regular or Safe Mode:
- Open the Start menu.
- Type "Windows Security" and open it.
- Click Virus & threat protection.
- Select Quick scan or Scan now.
Unplug all peripherals.
External devices could be affecting your display. Hardware like USB drives, game controllers, VR headsets, or external keyboards and mice might cause startup conflicts. Disconnect everything and check if your display comes back.
Revert to an earlier graphics driver (Windows).
Recent driver updates might be the culprit. Occasionally, new driver versions can cause compatibility issues. If problems began after an update, try rolling back your graphics driver:
- Right-click the Start button.
- Select Device Manager.
- Open the Display adapters section.
- Right-click your graphics adapter.
- Choose Properties.
- Go to the Driver tab.
- Click Roll Back Driver.
Remove problematic updates.
A recent system update might be causing issues. If an update didn’t complete properly, your system may experience problems. Rolling back updates on macOS is difficult, so reinstalling macOS in Recovery Mode is often the best option. On Windows, you can remove a recent update this way:
- Open the Start menu.
- Type Windows update.
- Select Windows Update Settings.
- Click Update history.
- Find and click Uninstall Updates.
- Choose Uninstall next to the recent updates.
Restore BIOS settings (Windows).
Incorrect BIOS settings could be affecting your display. Your computer’s BIOS activates hardware during startup and connects it with your OS. If the settings are misconfigured, it might prevent proper display output.
- Enter the BIOS by pressing the appropriate key during startup (commonly F1, F2, F10, F12, Del, or Esc). Check your manual or manufacturer's website if unsure.
- Once inside, locate and select the option to reset to factory defaults.
- Save and exit the BIOS to apply the changes.
Factory reset your Windows installation.
Your Windows system files might be damaged. If you can reach the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE), you can attempt a reset. This reinstalls Windows, giving you the choice to retain your files or wipe everything. If keeping files doesn’t work, a full reset may be necessary.
- Turn off your PC.
- Power it on, then immediately hold the power button to shut it down again.
- Repeat this 3 times until WinRE loads.
- Select Troubleshoot.
- Choose Reset this PC.
- Pick Keep my files or Remove everything.
- Select Cloud reinstall or Local reinstall.
- Choose whether it’s a workplace computer.
- If wiping everything, select Fully clean the drive.
- Click Reset and follow setup instructions after reinstall.
Consider repair or replacement options.
Hardware failure could be the culprit. If none of your efforts restore a display, your computer may have a serious hardware fault—possibly with the PSU, motherboard, or GPU. Seek professional repair or consider replacing the device.
- Check with the manufacturer or retailer to see if your device is still under warranty. Repairs or replacements might be free or discounted.
- Mac users can request service at https://getsupport.apple.com/solutions.
PRO TIP
Luigi Oppido
Tech & Computer Expert
Tech & Computer Expert
Consider swapping out your hardware. If you have the necessary skills and spare parts, you might try changing your graphics card or adding a new one. Additionally, replacing the power supply unit or motherboard could resolve your issues.
