Black Screen at Boot on Windows? Here's How to Fix It (2024)

A black screen at boot can be frustrating. With no visible information on the screen, identifying the underlying problem can be tricky. However, there are a few things you can do to fix the black screen issue on Windows 10 and Windows 11.

1. Check If Windows Is Responsive

First, it's important to check that your computer and Windows are booting. To do this, press Win + Ctrl + Shift + B. This will restart your graphics driver and produce a beep sound.

If you hear a beep, then Windows is responsive. However, if you don't hear anything, it means that your computer isn't booting. In that case, you might need to repair a PC that won't boot or fix a black screen of death.

2. Check Your Monitor and Cables

This may seem simple, but it's crucial to check the display connection if you haven't already. Start by removing all your monitor cables, and then firmly plug them back in to ensure they are securely connected. Also, make sure your monitor is actually turned on.

If you can, use another monitor connection. For example, move from HDMI to DisplayPort. Alternatively, use a new cable. This will help you determine whether the issue lies with the monitor port or the cable. You can also try connecting your monitor to a different computer, if available, to check if the monitor itself is faulty.

3. Unplug Your External Devices

Turn your computer off and disconnect all external devices, including your mouse, keyboard, external hard drive, and anything else. Restart your computer and see if you still get the black screen. If this solves the problem, plug each device in one at a time until you find what's causing it.

Once you find the problematic device, try updating its drivers, and you might have to find and replace specific drivers if necessary.

4. Adjust Projection Settings

It's possible that your system's projection settings are misconfigured. For example, if your display is set to project onto a second screen that doesn't exist, your monitor might display a black screen.

Press Win + P to bring up the Projection menu. From top to bottom, the options are PC screen only, Duplicate, Extend, and Second screen only. While the first is the default, yours might not be set to it.

Press P to highlight the next option, and Enter to select it. Since you'll likely be trying this while the screen is dark, it will require some trial and error. Repeating this four times will return it to the original setting, though hopefully, one of the settings along the way will restore your display.

5. Reinstall Display Drivers

To reinstall display drivers, you'll need to boot into safe mode. The method you need depends on various factors, so follow the appropriate steps below and then continue reading to discover how to reinstall your display drivers.

A. You Can See the Login Screen

1. Restart your computer.
2. At the login screen, hold Shift, click the Power icon, and select Restart.
3. Once restarted, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Start-up settings > Restart. Again, your system will restart and present you with different options.
4. Press F5 to select Safe Mode with Networking. If that doesn't work, follow the prior steps, but select F3.

B. You Can't See Anything and Have a Recovery Drive

Good job if you already created a recovery drive before this problem occurred!

1. Shut down your system and then connect the recovery drive.
2. On the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Start-up Settings > Restart.
3. Once restarted, press F5 to select Safe Mode with Networking. If that doesn't work, follow the prior steps, but select F3.

C. You Can't See Anything and Don't Have a Recovery Drive

You need access to a working computer to create Windows 10/11 installation media. Download Windows 10 or Windows 11 from Microsoft and then use this to create installation media. If you need help with that, see our guide on making a bootable ISO. You then need to set the boot order in the BIOS to read your installation media first. Again, if you need a hand, see our guide on how to change the boot order.

Then, on the installation screen:

1. Select Repair your computer.
2. Select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Start-up Settings > Restart.
3. Once restarted, press F5 to select Safe Mode with Networking. If that doesn't work, follow the prior steps, but select F3.

How to Reinstall Your Display Drivers

Once you're in Safe Mode, follow these steps:

1. Press Win + X and click Device Manager.
2. Double-click the Display Adapters category.
3. Right-click your graphics card and select Properties. Go to the Driver tab.

If available, click Roll Back Driver, select a reason, and click Yes. This will take you back to the previously installed driver.

If this doesn't work or isn't an option, select Uninstall to remove the driver completely. Then, go to the manufacturer's website (likely AMD, NVIDIA, or Intel) and install an older driver or contact them for support.

6. Clean Inside Your Computer Case and Assess Your Internal Hardware

Turn your computer off, unplug everything, and open it up. Look over all your components for signs of damage. Remove each component and reseat it, ensuring it's firmly secured.

If you've recently upgraded one of the components inside your computer, such as the graphics card or RAM, ensure it is installed correctly. You may have to contact the manufacturer if the part is faulty.

The black screen issue can also occur if the power supply unit (PSU) is not supplying enough power to support the new parts. Use an online power supply calculator to verify if your PSU is sufficient for the current setup.

Something else to do is to ensure that your computer is not overheating. Keeping your PC cool extends the lifespan of your components and helps prevent the black screen issue.

Grab a microfiber cloth and air blower and use this to clean out all dust and dirt inside your computer, especially from the fans. It's best to do this outside if you can since it will kick up a lot of dust. Try not to let it settle back inside the computer.

7. Use the Startup Repair or Perform a System Restore

As the name suggests, running the Startup Repair tool can help fix issues your Windows PC may be encountering while booting up. This tool will scan your system for any issues that may trigger the black screen at boot and try to fix them.

If the issue remains even after running this, perform a system restore as a last resort. This will allow Windows to revert any recent changes made to your system that could be causing the black screen issue during boot.