The difficulty of fixing a computer with a black screen depends on what is causing the problem, as well as on which device it arose: a personal computer or a laptop. Some problems, such as loose cords, are very easy to fix, but other problems, such as black screens on laptops, may require expert repair. But whatever the cause of the malfunction you have, I have collected five simple ways to do what to do if the computer does not turn on and shows a black screen.
Step # 1: check your cords
If the problem with a black screen occurs on a desktop computer, then the first thing to do is check all the cords that connect to your monitor. Most monitors have two main cables. The first one connects the monitor to the system unit, the second supplies power. Also, some monitors may include additional audio cables. Check both ends of each cord that is connected to the monitor to make sure they are securely connected.
Also, from my own experience, I advise you to use exactly those cords that were included with the monitor. There were situations when an outwardly identical VGA cable did not work with a specific monitor and the “No Signal” notification was visible on the screen. The solution to the problem was to replace the cable with the original one.
Step # 2: make sure your computer boots
If your computer does not start and you see a black screen, make sure that the computer actually turns on completely when you press the power button. This applies to both desktops and laptops.
Press the power button and then look at your system unit and its LEDs.
- After rebooting or when turning on, the system unit should emit a certain beep, the bios speaker should squeak.
- The fans (coolers) of your computer should turn on with a noise.
- You should also hear how the hard disk loads the operating system.
- If you have a wired internet connection, take a look at the indicators where the cord is plugged in. They should start flashing.
- If you have a wireless network, you should have a light indicating that the wireless adapter is active.
- On a turned on and working laptop, the power button or additional lights are usually lit.
If your computer does not show the above signs of life, it is likely that the problem is with your PC and not with your monitor. Accordingly, the cause of the malfunction must be sought in the system unit, and not in the display.
Step # 3: try a different monitor
This only applies to desktops: Borrow a monitor from a friend and see if it works with yours. Do not forget to also borrow power for the new monitor and the cable to connect it to the system unit. This is so that you can test everything at once. If your friend’s monitor and cords work with your computer, you know that one of your components is defective. Try every combination of parts until you find the defective part, then replace it.
Step # 4: reinstall the video driver
Some people have black screen problems due to a faulty operating system, such as a wrong display driver. In this case, the monitor will work while your computer boots up, you will see the manufacturer’s splash screens, other inscriptions or even a cursor, but then it suddenly stops working.
If you encounter such a problem, you will need to boot into Windows Safe Mode, where you need to uninstall or reinstall the driver on the video card. You can also check this using a Live CD or Linux Live CD. You don’t need to install anything – just run the disk until it displays the desktop; If the desktop is displayed, then the black screen on the monitor is caused by a bad video driver.
Step # 5: use a flashlight
Modern LCD monitors consist of two main parts: a liquid crystal display (LCD), which creates images, and a backlight, which illuminates those images. In modern displays, the backlight is usually a light emitting diode (LED) that should last thousands of hours, but sometimes they stop working prematurely (especially if you have a laptop that you overuse).
It is usually not possible to repair an LCD for less than the cost of a new display, but you (or a repair shop) can fix the backlight if that is the problem. So how do you know if the backlight isn’t working? Use a flashlight.
Turn on your computer and monitor and wait until fully loaded. Then take the flashlight you have and point it at the monitor at a steep angle (to prevent glare from hitting you directly). If you see an image (such as your desktop) then the LCD is still working. Therefore, a black screen on a computer is the result of a non-working backlight. Take your computer to a repair shop to fix this black screen issue.
