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How to Fix a Black Screen on Windows (No Display at Startup)

Applies toWindows 11Windows 10
5 min fix Updated 20 Jul 2026

By , 10+ years in IT support and helpdesk How these guides are checked

Quick Answer

Press Windows Key + Ctrl + Shift + B simultaneously to wake the screen and restart your graphics driver.

Checked against Microsoft Learn - Windows release health and Microsoft Learn - end of support and retirement between 5 Aug 2026 and 12 Sep 2026. Nothing published in that period has been linked to this guide.

Estimated Time to Fix: 5 minutes

Summary ​

This article guides you through troubleshooting a black or blank screen when you turn on your Windows computer.

Symptoms ​

  • Your computer is powered on (lights are on, fans are spinning), but the screen remains completely black.
  • You can hear Windows startup sounds, but there is no display.
  • You only see your mouse cursor on a black background.

Before You Start ​

  • None required.

Instructions ​

1. Wake the Display ​

  1. Press the following keyboard shortcut simultaneously: Windows Key + Ctrl + Shift + B.
  2. You will hear a short beep, and the screen will blink or dim while Windows attempts to restart your graphics driver.
  3. Wait a few seconds to see if the display turns on.

If the screen is still black ten seconds after the beep, the picture is not reaching the display at all, and the connection between the two is the next thing to rule out. Continue to Step 2.

2. Check Cables and Connections ​

  1. Ensure your monitor is plugged into a working power outlet and is turned on.
  2. Check the video cable (HDMI, DisplayPort, or USB-C) connecting your monitor to the computer.
  3. Unplug the cable from both the monitor and the computer, then plug it firmly back in.

If the monitor is powered on and the cable is firmly seated at both ends, and the screen is still black, the fault sits in the computer rather than the connection. Continue to Step 3.

3. Hard Reset the Computer ​

  1. Press and hold the power button on your computer for 10 seconds until it completely powers down.
  2. Unplug the power cable for 30 seconds.
  3. Plug the power cable back in and press the power button to turn it on.

If the fans spin and the keyboard lights come on but the screen stays black after the restart, the display or the graphics hardware has failed and the repair is a physical one. Raise a ticket saying the screen stays black through a graphics-driver restart and a full power drain, whether the manufacturer's logo appears when you press the power button, and which monitor and video cable you are using.

4. Verify Success ​

  1. Your computer should boot normally and display the Windows login screen.

Troubleshooting ​

WARNING

If your screen is completely black and you don't even see the manufacturer's logo (like Dell or HP) when you first turn on the computer, the issue is likely hardware-related.

Symptom / ErrorPotential CauseSolution
Only the mouse cursor is visibleWindows Explorer failed to startPress Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, click Run new task, type explorer.exe, and press Enter.
No display at all, even logoHardware failureHow to Submit an Effective IT Support Ticket

Last updated:

Frequently asked questions

Will restarting the graphics driver close my open apps?
No. This keyboard shortcut only resets the video signal and leaves all your open programs completely intact.
What if the keyboard shortcut doesn't work?
If the screen stays black, you may need to force restart the computer by holding down the physical power button for 10 seconds.