Few things are scarier than turning on your computer and seeing nothing but a black screen. No taskbar, no desktop icons—just darkness. Don’t panic! This is a common issue in Windows 11, and most of the time, it can be fixed with a few simple steps.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through practical troubleshooting tips to fix the Windows 11 black screen problem, whether it happens at startup, after login, or randomly while using your PC.
🔑 Key Takeaways
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A black screen in Windows 11 can be caused by driver issues, startup problems, display settings, or hardware faults.
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Start with basic checks (cables, brightness, multiple monitors) before diving into advanced fixes.
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Use Safe Mode, Task Manager, or System Restore if the black screen prevents normal startup.
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Most black screen issues can be resolved without reinstalling Windows.
Why Does Windows 11 Show a Black Screen?
Before fixing the problem, let’s understand the common causes:
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⚡ Display driver errors – outdated or corrupted GPU drivers.
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🔌 Connection issues – loose monitor cables or wrong input source.
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🖥️ Second monitor conflicts – Windows sending output to the wrong display.
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🚀 Startup glitches – Fast Startup or Windows updates gone wrong.
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⚙️ Background processes – apps or services freezing during boot.
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🛠️ Hardware problems – faulty GPU, RAM, or hard drive.
👉 Think of it like your PC is running fine, but it’s “wearing a blindfold.” We just need to remove it.
Step 1: Basic Checks Before Advanced Fixes
Start with the easiest things first:
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Check monitor connections – Ensure HDMI/DisplayPort cables are secure.
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Try another monitor or TV – Rule out screen failure.
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Adjust brightness – Some laptops appear black due to low brightness.
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Press Win + Ctrl + Shift + B – This resets the graphics driver instantly.
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Disconnect peripherals – Remove USB devices, docks, or external drives.
If the black screen persists, move on to software fixes.
Step 2: Fix Black Screen After Login (No Desktop Icons)
Sometimes Windows boots, but you only see a cursor.
Solution: Restart Windows Explorer
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Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
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Find Windows Explorer in the list.
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Right-click → Restart.
👉 This reloads the desktop and often solves the issue.
Step 3: Boot into Safe Mode
Safe Mode loads Windows with minimal drivers—perfect for fixing black screens caused by bad drivers or updates.
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Hold Shift and click Restart from the login screen.
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Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings.
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Press F4 to start in Safe Mode.
From Safe Mode, you can:
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Uninstall recent updates.
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Roll back display drivers.
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Run System Restore.
Step 4: Update or Roll Back Display Drivers
Faulty GPU drivers are a leading cause of black screens.
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Open Device Manager (
Win + X > Device Manager). -
Expand Display adapters.
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Right-click your GPU → Update driver or Roll back driver.
👉 If updating fails, uninstall the driver and restart—Windows will reinstall it automatically.
Step 5: Disable Fast Startup
Fast Startup sometimes causes boot conflicts.
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Open Control Panel > Power Options.
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Click Choose what the power buttons do.
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Select Change settings that are currently unavailable.
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Uncheck Turn on fast startup.
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Save and restart.
Step 6: Check for Windows Updates
A recent bug may be fixed with the latest patch.
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Press Win + I > Windows Update.
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Click Check for updates.
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Install available updates and restart.
Step 7: Disconnect or Disable Secondary Monitors
If you’re using multiple displays:
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Press Win + P to open display settings.
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Select PC screen only to return to your main monitor.
Step 8: Run System File Checker
Corrupted system files can also cause black screens.
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Press Ctrl + Alt + Del → Task Manager → File > Run new task.
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Type:
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Hit Enter and wait for the scan to repair files.
Step 9: Perform a System Restore
If the problem started recently, roll back your system.
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Boot into Safe Mode.
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Open Control Panel > Recovery > Open System Restore.
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Select a restore point before the issue began.
Step 10: Last Resort – Reset Windows 11
If nothing works, reset your PC:
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Open Settings > System > Recovery.
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Under Reset this PC, choose Keep my files.
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Follow the prompts to reinstall Windows.
👉 Use this only if all other methods fail.
Troubleshooting Table: Fixes at a Glance
| Problem | Quick Fix |
|---|---|
| Black screen after login | Restart Windows Explorer |
| Black screen during startup | Boot into Safe Mode |
| Cursor visible but no desktop | Update/Roll back display driver |
| Random black screen | Disable Fast Startup, check drivers |
| After Windows update | Uninstall recent updates |
Pro Tips to Prevent Black Screen Issues
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Keep graphics drivers updated.
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Avoid installing unverified software.
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Regularly check cables and hardware connections.
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Run Windows Update frequently.
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Use a reliable antivirus to prevent malware-related crashes.
Conclusion
A black screen in Windows 11 can feel frustrating, but it’s usually fixable with a few simple steps. Start with basic hardware checks, then move on to driver updates, Safe Mode, and system restores if needed.
By following this guide, you should be able to bring your PC back to life without losing files or reinstalling everything.
FAQs: Fixing Black Screen in Windows 11
1. What key combination fixes black screen in Windows 11?
Press Win + Ctrl + Shift + B to reset your graphics driver.
2. Why does my PC go black after login?
Often due to a stuck Windows Explorer process or a faulty display driver.
3. Can Windows updates cause black screen issues?
Yes. If it happens after an update, uninstall the update in Safe Mode.
4. Will resetting my PC fix the black screen?
Yes, but try other troubleshooting steps first to avoid reinstalling apps.
5. Is black screen a sign of hardware failure?
Sometimes. If fixes don’t work, check your GPU, RAM, or monitor.