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The black screen of death is seen as worse by Windows users than the blue screen. When confronted with this situation, it is impossible to determine the reason, let alone the solutions. When no errors are presented on the screen, the difficulties worsen. The black screen of death on Windows 7/8/10/11 is far more prevalent than you would think.
As a result, we must investigate the issue further and devise solutions capable of reviving the system. The absence of a display adds to the complexity of resolving the problem. As a result, we will first investigate the issues and attempt to resolve them. Let’s start from the beginning.
What is The Cause of The Black Screen of Death?
A catastrophic issue in your computer’s operating system causes the black screen of death, resulting from a malfunctioning device driver, a hardware flaw, or a Windows software glitch. While most black screens are fixable, determining the source of the problem is not always simple.
Here are some of the most prevalent causes of a black screen in Windows 10:
- A Windows update went bad
- A poor starting program
- Drivers that are outdated or malfunctioning
- Connection problems between your PC and the display Software flaws
- Hardware flaws
- Graphics card issues Loose connections attached to your PC or laptop
We’ll walk you through the processes required to diagnose and resolve the issues causing the black screen of death before and after you log in.
If you get a whole black screen before logging in, it’s most likely due to a faulty device driver or hardware issue. If you get a blank screen after logging in, there’s something wrong with Windows, such as a faulty Windows 10 update or an issue with an installed application. Don’t assume your computer is permanently broken; consult our hard drive failure guide if you suspect a hard disk failure.
Before signing in, we’ll review some alternatives for a black screen. Then we’ll talk about how to fix a black screen of death that appears after checking in.
Reliable Windows Black Screen Repair Solutions
As previously said, a black screen on your computer can occur for various reasons. And there are numerous black screen instances created by Windows itself, such as when we install, log in, or update Windows or wake up Windows from sleep mode. Because these issues are so widespread, we investigated them thoroughly and found a dependable solution.
A Quick Reboot
Sometimes all you need is a fresh start. You’d be amazed how frequently a simple restart is required to resolve various issues on your Windows operating system—especially if the system has been running for some time. So, before you go to anything more complicated, reboot your PC and check whether it resolves the black screen problem and returns everything to normal.
Relaunch File Explorer
Even though your desktop has gone entirely black, you may still be able to see the mouse pointer in some circumstances. This indicates that your File Explorer is not operational. All you have to do is launch the File Explorer, and your display will resume regular operation. Here’s how you can go about it:
- Ctrl + Alt + Delete will bring up the Task Manager. Alternatively, go to the Start menu search box, type ‘task manager,’ and choose the best result.
- Click File > Run a new task in the Task Manager.
- In the Create new task dialog box, type “explorer.exe” and press Enter.
This should resolve the black screen problem in Windows 10. But don’t give up if it doesn’t work; simply go on to the next approach.
Windows 10 Installation and the Black Screen of Death
When installing Windows 10 from a previous version or a formatted hard drive, errors can arise. The Windows 10 Black Screen of Death is one of them, and it can occur in this case if:
- If the setup is still ongoing, check if the hard drive LED is flickering. The setup is most likely still operating, although slowly, which might be owing to the computer’s age. In most circumstances, Windows 10 should install within a few hours.
- If the setup becomes stuck and there is no HDD activity, turn down the computer by holding the power button for five seconds. Disconnect any non-essential devices, then restart the computer. The setup should restart; if it doesn’t, and you’re upgrading from an earlier version of Windows, try installing with the media creation tool.
- The following device driver has failed: Reboot the machine into Safe Mode. For further details, see the section “Repair a Black Screen of Death in Safe Mode” below.
Installing Windows 10 and encountering a Black Screen of Death may deter you from continuing. Consider a free alternative operating system if this is the case and you’re utilizing obsolete hardware.
A Black Screen Following a Windows 10 Update
An incomplete Windows Update might produce a Black Screen of Death on Windows 10 PCs. Typically, the machine reboots as part of the update, and you are provided with a login screen. However, your Windows 10 PC remains on a black screen after entering your password.
The mouse is snappy, and you may notice some desktop icons, but there is no taskbar. To put it simply, Windows 10 is stuck with a black screen. To remedy this issue, hold the power button on your PC or laptop to turn it off. The system should boot properly after a cold start. If not, see our instructions for recovering Windows 10.
A Software Error Causes a Black Screen on Your Computer
A software bug is frequently to blame for a black screen problem. This is particularly common when dealing with an application that takes up your full screen. PC games and media players in full-screen mode are common offenders.
In these cases, the computer should be functioning normally. The diagnosis should be simple to replicate. Simply open a game or media player software and see it in full-screen mode.
However, resolving the issue might be tough; if the flaw is in the program, there may be no remedy. You might try running the software at a different resolution to see if it helps.
Additionally, try running the program as an administrator. If this does not assist, it is possible that the program has to be updated. If this isn’t feasible, you may need to revert to an earlier version of Windows for that software. If you have another computer, use it, or install an earlier Windows operating system in a virtual machine.
When a Black Screen of Death is Just a Display Error… or a Bad Connection
Another typical reason for the Black Screen of Death is video issues. No visual output indicates a blank screen, regardless of the exact issue. Windows may even display a Blue Screen of Death—-but you’d never notice! Before you become too alarmed, double-check your video connection. Check that both ends of your DVI, HDMI, or DisplayPort cable are securely positioned and that the cord is in good condition.
Did you get a new monitor? If this is the case, ensure that your connection can handle the resolution. Some DVI and HDMI models cannot support resolutions higher than 1080p. You’re dealing with video adapter troubles if these simple fixes don’t work. If you have a discrete video card, consider removing it and using your motherboard’s integrated video instead.
Is your monitor operational? The video card is then the issue. Try upgrading to the most recent driver version available, or, if you’ve already done so, return to an older driver. Examine the video card for apparent damage symptoms, such as a broken cooling fan or burnt circuits.
If the monitor does not work while linked to integrated graphics, you may have a display problem. Connect to another computer to test it. If the display works with another PC but not yours, you’re dealing with a hardware issue affecting the video card’s capacity to function. The motherboard, power supply, or hard drive might all be at blame for your Windows black screen problem.
Overheating can cause Windows Black Screen Errors
Every computer generates heat. This heat must be evacuated to keep the system working; excessive temperatures can cause components to lock up and get damaged. Fortunately, computers are designed to shut down before this happens. Overheating causes a featureless black computer screen, which may or may not be followed by a restart.
Overheating is frequently caused by the video card or the processor. As previously said, if you get a black screen while the computer appears to be running, investigate the video card (the fans are on, the hard drive is active, etc.). When the processor overheats, the black screen normally prompts a reboot or automatic shutdown of the computer.
Overheating is frequently resolved by opening your computer and brushing off the cobwebs. Suck up visible dust using a vacuum (avoiding internal cables, of course). A can of compressed air can be used to remove obstinate dirt. Check that all fans are still operational and replace any that are not. If the problem remains after completing these instructions, it is possible that you have a malfunctioning cooler or a bad video card and/or CPU.
EndNote
The Black Screen of Death is generally triggered by a software bug (or a Windows Update), although it is frequently repairable. Black screens that appear randomly are typically the consequence of a more serious hardware issue. This will necessitate the repair or replacement of components. There is virtually always a solution to any problem.
Also read: The Complete Guide to The Best Xbox 360 Emulators for PC
