Windows 11 Black Screen? Try These Fixes

Common causes

• A stalled Windows process
• A driver problem
• A display output set up the wrong way
• An incompatible driver or incomplete update
• A corrupted user profile
• A PC that can’t find a boot device

Step-by-Step Solutions

Start with the quick keyboard checks at the top, and move on to safe mode and System Restore only if the screen stays black.

1. 1

   Step 1: Check the display and cables

   A loose cable or an external monitor that’s off can leave the screen black.

   If you use an external monitor, make sure it’s connected, plugged in and powered on. Make sure all cables, such as HDMI, DisplayPort or VGA, are securely connected.

   Try a different monitor or cable to rule out hardware issues. On a laptop, disconnect external displays and peripherals.

2. 2

   Step 2: Reset the graphics driver

   A keyboard shortcut resets the graphics driver and can wake the screen.

   Press Windows + Ctrl + Shift + B. If it works, you hear a beep or see the screen flicker.

3. 3

   Step 3: Switch the display mode

   The display output may be set up the wrong way.

   A black screen at sign-in may come from a display output that’s set up the wrong way.

   Press Windows + P, then tap P again and press Enter. This cycles through the display modes, such as PC screen only, duplicate and extend.

4. 4

   Step 4: Restart Windows Explorer

   If you see a cursor on the black screen, a stalled Windows process may be the cause.

   Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. Find Windows Explorer, right-click it and select Restart.

   If Windows Explorer isn’t listed, go to File, then Run new task, type explorer.exe and press Enter.

   You can also press Ctrl + Alt + Del. If you see the security screen, launch Task Manager from there and restart Windows Explorer.

5. 5

   Step 5: Force a restart

   Holding the power button forces your PC to restart.

   Press and hold the power button for 20 seconds to force a restart.

6. 6

   Step 6: Start in safe mode

   If the screen stays black, start Windows with only basic files and drivers.

   First open Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE). If Windows fails to start correctly several times, it opens Windows RE on its own. To open it yourself, turn on your PC and wait for the Windows logo or your manufacturer’s logo. As soon as it appears, press and hold the power button until the PC shuts down. Do this again, then turn the PC on a third time. Windows should show the Automatic Repair screen. Select Advanced options.

   In Windows RE, select Troubleshoot, then Advanced options, then Startup Settings, then Restart. When your PC restarts, press F5 to start in Safe Mode with Networking, which adds the network drivers you need to get online.

   If the problem doesn’t happen in safe mode, default settings and basic device drivers aren’t causing it.

   Startup Settings also offers Enable low-resolution video. It starts Windows with your current video driver at low resolution and refresh rate settings, and you can use it to reset your display settings. Use the number keys or function keys F1-F9 to choose an option.

   Good to know

   Restarting your PC normally takes you out of safe mode. If it keeps starting in safe mode, press Windows key + R, type msconfig, select OK, select the Boot tab, then under Boot options clear the Safe boot checkbox.

7. 7

   Step 7: Update or roll back the display driver

   A black screen after an update is often linked to an incompatible driver.

   In safe mode, open Device Manager. Expand Display adapters, right-click your GPU and choose Update driver.

   If the black screen started after an update, select Roll back driver instead.

   Good to know

   Only download drivers from the device manufacturer’s official site.

8. 8

   Step 8: Undo a recent update or change

   If the black screen began recently, Windows RE can take your PC back to how it was before.

   System Restore reverts system files, registry settings and installed programs to the state they were in when a restore point was created. It doesn’t affect your personal files. Windows can create restore points automatically during software installations or updates.

   In Windows RE, select Troubleshoot, choose Advanced options and then System Restore. Choose a restore point from before the problem started. If you don’t see the one you want, select the Show more restore points check box. Select Next, choose Finish, and when the restore point is applied, select Restart.

   Windows RE also has Uninstall Updates, which lets you uninstall recently installed updates from Windows.

Frequently Asked Questions

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