We’ll look at some things that can cause a black or blank screen:
Connection problems with your monitor or screen
Display adapter driver update issues
Issues with recent system updates or installations
Let’s go through some troubleshooting steps and check your hardware and software. The steps on this page might look complicated at first, but follow them in order, step by step, and we’ll try to get you back on track. You’ll use safe mode for many of the steps because that will start Windows with a limited set of files and drivers to help you narrow down the problems. You can learn more about safe mode, or keep reading and we’ll provide details when you need them.
If you got to the sign-in screen but then your screen went black or blank, try the following actions in order.
Action 1: Try a Windows Key sequence to wake the screen.
If you’re using a device with a keyboard connected to it, select Windows logo key + Ctrl + Shift + B. If you’re in tablet mode, press the volume-up and volume-down buttons simultaneously three times within two seconds. If Windows is responsive, a short beep will sound and the screen will blink or dim while Windows attempts to refresh the screen.
If you’re still seeing a black or blank screen, try the steps in Action 2 and see if you can open Task Manager to restart Windows Explorer.
Action 2: Try to open Task Manager to restart Windows Explorer
If there’s content or a cursor on the black or blank screen, try to restart the Windows Explorer process.
To open Task Manager and restart Windows Explorer:
Select Ctrl + Alt + Delete, then select Task Manager.
Note: If you don’t see Task Manager after selecting Ctrl + Alt + Delete, select Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
Under the Processes tab, search for Windows Explorer. Right-click Windows Explorer, then select Restart.
If that didn’t work, select File in the top-left corner of Task Manager and select Run new task. Type explorer.exe, then select OK.
If you’re still seeing a black or blank screen, try the steps in Action 3 to roll back your display adapter driver.
Action 3: Roll back the display adapter driver
Note: The display adapter is also known as the graphics card.
If you see a black or blank screen after an update and Windows was operating correctly before that, it’s possible the display adapter driver is causing the screen issue.
To roll back the display adapter driver:
Sign in to Windows using safe mode (you’ll need to go to the section called “From a black or blank screen”).
Type device manager in the search box on the taskbar and select it from the results.
Find Display adapters, select the arrow to expand it, then right-click the item under it and select Properties.
Select the Driver tab, then select Roll Back Driver > Yes.
Shut down your device, then turn your device back on.
If you’re still seeing a black or blank screen, try the steps in Action 4 to uninstall your display adapter driver.
Action 4: Uninstall your display adapter driver
Driver updates for Windows 10 and many devices (such as network adapters, monitors, printers, and graphic cards) are automatically installed when you update Windows 10. It’s likely you already have the most recent driver, but if you’re seeing a black or blank screen, you can try uninstalling the driver to find out if it’s causing the issue with your screen.
To uninstall the display adapter driver:
Start your PC in safe mode. This is necessary before you uninstall your display adapter driver.
In the search box on the taskbar, type Device Manager and select it from the results.
Find Display adapters, select the arrow to expand it, then right-click the item under it and select Properties.
Select the Driver tab, then select Uninstall Device.
Select OK.
Shut down your device, then turn it back on.
If you’re still seeing a black or blank screen, try the steps in Action 5 to remove third-party antivirus software.
Action 5: Remove third-party antivirus software
Sometimes third-party antivirus software causes black or blank screens. You can temporarily uninstall third-party antivirus software to determine if it’s causing the screen issue, then reinstall it after your device is back up and running. Your device won’t be unprotected because Windows Defender Antivirus kicks in when no other antivirus software is running. Get more info about Windows Security.
To remove third-party antivirus software:
Start your PC in safe mode before you remove third-party antivirus software.
After your device is in safe mode, select Start > Settings > Apps (or System in older versions) > Apps & features .
Open Apps & features setting
Under Sort by, select Name and change it to Install date.
Select the third-party antivirus software you want to remove, then select Uninstall and wait for it to be removed.
Restart your device.
If you’re still seeing a black or blank screen, try the steps in Action 6 to restore your device to an earlier point using System Restore.
Regards,
Rachel Gomez
