Why Is My Computer Screen Black? (With Causes & Fixes)

“Why is my computer screen black?” With causes and fixes, you can clearly know why your computer screen is black and fix it effortlessly.

Irene

By Irene / Updated on September 7, 2023

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Scenario: Why is my computer screen black?

 

I have a Lenovo All-in-One and while using my screen went blank. Now the only thing that is visible on the black or gray screen is the curser arrow for the mouse and nothing else. Why does my computer screen go black? Any suggestions ?

 

A black screen on a Windows computer is a common occurrence that can happen unexpectedly. Typically, this issue can be attributed to problems with the monitor, computer, hardware, or various other factors. To effectively solve this problem, it is advisable to consider each specific situation separately.

3 cases and fixes for computer black screen

Apart from the help-seeker scenario, there are two other situations when your computer screen turns black. In this section, we've grouped these three cases and provided targeted solutions to help you resolve the problem effortlessly.

Case 1. Computer turns on but the screen is black.
Case 2. Computer screen is black after Windows updating
Case 3. Computer screen goes black randomly for a few seconds

Case 1. Computer turns on but the screen is black

If your computer makes sounds upon startup, it indicates that the device is operational. However, if your computer screen remains black, the issue may be related to cable connections, hardware, or drivers. You can troubleshoot it by following these steps:

1. Loose cables and connections: Ensure all cables and connections, like power cords and display cables, are securely plugged in.

2. Faulty hardware: Regularly check for hardware issues, like a damaged graphics card or motherboard, and replace faulty components.

ensure hardware connection

3. Outdated or corrupted drivers: Keep drivers up to date, especially display adapter drivers, but be cautious as updates may sometimes cause screen issues that can be resolved by reverting the update.

Case 2. My computer screen is black after Windows updating

Some users have reported experiencing a black screen problem on their computers after a Windows update, particularly during startup. This issue is also commonly referred to as the "Black Screen of Death (BSOD)". To fix it, rebooting Windows in Safe Mode and Rebuilding MBR can be both effective methods.

▌Fix 1. Reboot your Windows in Safe Mode
In general, Windows BSOD issues are most commonly caused by driver problems. When starting in Safe Mode, only essential files and drivers are loaded, effectively excluding the impact of third-party software or drivers.

Step 1: Press and hold the power button on your PC for 10 seconds to turn it off. Then, restart your PC by repeating this process three times. When you see the "Choose an option" screen, follow these steps: Click on "Troubleshoot," then select "Advanced options," followed by "Startup Settings." Finally, click "Restart."

reboot windows 11 in safe mode 1

Step 2: Enter Safe Mode by pressing either F4, F5, or F6, depending on your situation. Follow the instructions on the screen.

reboot windows 11 in safe mode 2

Step 3: If you don't encounter a black screen or continuous restart issue in Safe Mode, it's likely caused by third-party software or drivers. To fix this, uninstall them one by one and check if the problem is resolved.

▌Fix 2. Rebuild MBR
Sometimes, an MBR error can cause OS restart issues, including the Windows computer black screen of death. If you run into these issues, it's a good idea to use AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional because fixing MBR can be a bit technical. This software is equipped with a user-friendly interface and clear guidance to help you effortlessly solve complex computer problems.

Download Pro Demo Win 11/10/8.1/8/7/XP
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Step 1: Insert a USB stick into a working Windows PC. Install and open AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional. Click on "Tools" and then select "Make bootable Media" as shown in the screenshot. Click "Next" to proceed.

make bootable media

Step 2: Choose your USB flash drive and check the box that says "USB Boot Device." Click on "Proceed."

choose usb drive

Step 3: You'll get a warning that the operation will format the USB, so please back up any important data beforehand. If you're ready to proceed, click "Yes."

warning

Step 4: Wait for the media creation process to finish.

finish

Step 5: Insert the bootable USB into the problematic PC. Change the boot order in BIOS to boot from the USB. Then, you can use it to repair the MBR on the primary hard drive of the system.

rebuild system disk mbr

Step 6. In the popup window, choose the appropriate type of MBR for your Windows system.

choose mbr type

Step 7. At last, click "Apply" to complete the pending tasks, shut down your computer, and remove the USB drive or boot from the original disk when restarting.

Case 3. My computer screen goes black randomly for a few seconds

If your computer screen briefly went black before a Windows issue occurred and a System Restore Point was created, you can use System Restore to revert your computer to an earlier state, potentially resolving the black screen problem. This feature eliminates changes or issues that might be causing the screen to go black randomly.

Step 1: Enter the Windows Recovery Environment and click Troubleshoot. Then select Advanced options and System Restore in turn.

system restore pe

Step 2: Follow the prompts to select the desired restore point and wait for the process to finish.

Conclusion

In this post, we explain “why is my computer screen black” with fixes for 3 different cases. If you need to rebuild MBR, AOMEI Partition Assistant will be an easy solution.

This software offers more than just solving computer black screen issues. It can also be used to extend drive space, convert system disk between MBR/GPT, and cleaning your computer. This powerful tool also boasts the Server Edition for Windows Server users.

Irene
Irene · Staff Editor
Irene is an Editor of AOMEI Technology. She devotes herself in giving insightful thoughts on common computer problems with simple and clear guidance. Irene loves to help people solve problems and explore more solutions on relevant issues. She loves reading, singing and travelling.