Fixing Black Screen After Login on Windows 10/11
Encountering a black screen after logging into your Windows 10/11 PC can be frustrating. In this article, we’ll explore some solutions to help you fix this issue.
Understanding the Black Screen of Death on Windows
The Black Screen of Death on Windows can be a frustrating and inconvenient situation for users. The problem can be caused by a variety of reasons, including system errors, hardware or software problems, malware infections, and more.
To fix the black screen after login on Windows 10 or 11, IT administrators and users can try several troubleshooting methods. One option is to press the Ctrl + Alt + Delete keyboard shortcut to open the Task Manager and start the explorer process. Additionally, users can check their display and projection settings, update their drivers, and run a malware scan.
If these strategies don’t work, users may need to explore other fixes such as booting the computer in safe mode, repairing the operating system, or reinstalling Windows. It’s important to determine the cause of the issue and take appropriate steps in order to resolve it and get the computer screen back to normal.
Possible Causes of a Black Screen After Login
- Corrupted system files
- Third-party software conflicts
- Graphics driver issues
- Malware or virus infections
Repair Steps:
1. Boot Into Safe Mode
- Restart the computer and press the F8 key repeatedly until the Advanced Boot Options menu appears
- Select Safe Mode with Networking and press Enter
- Log in to your account
2. Disable Fast Startup
- Open the Control Panel by pressing the Windows key + X and selecting Control Panel
- Select Power Options
- Click Choose what the power buttons do
- Click Change settings that are currently unavailable
- Uncheck the box next to Turn on fast startup (recommended)
- Click Save changes
- Restart the computer
3. Run System File Checker
- Open Command Prompt as an administrator by pressing the Windows key + X and selecting Command Prompt (Admin)
- Type the command sfc /scannow and press Enter
command sfc /scannow and press Enter”> - Wait for the scan to complete
- Restart the computer
4. Uninstall Recently Installed Programs
- Open Control Panel by pressing the Windows key + X and selecting Control Panel
- Select Programs and Features
- Locate the recently installed program and click Uninstall
- Follow the prompts to complete the uninstallation process
- Restart the computer
5. Update Graphics Drivers
- Open Device Manager by pressing the Windows key + X and selecting Device Manager
- Expand the Display adapters category
- Right-click the graphics card and select Update Driver Software
- Select Search automatically for updated driver software
- Follow the prompts to complete the update process
- Restart the computer
6. Run a Malware Scan
- Open Windows Security by pressing the Windows key + I and selecting Update & Security
- Click Windows Security
- Select Virus & threat protection
- Click Scan options
- Select Full scan and click Scan now
- Wait for the scan to complete
- Restart the computer
Pre-Login Solutions for Black Screen Issues on Windows 10/11
- Perform a hard reset: Press and hold the power button until the computer shuts down, then turn it back on.
- Boot into Safe Mode: Press F8 or Shift + F8 while the computer is booting up to access Safe Mode, then try updating drivers or running a virus scan.
- Disconnect external devices: Unplug any external devices such as USB drives, printers, or monitors and see if the black screen issue persists.
- Use Windows key + P shortcut: Press the Windows key + P on the keyboard to switch between display modes and see if the black screen is caused by a display setting issue.
- Run System Restore: Use System Restore to roll back to a previous state before the black screen issue occurred.
- Disable Fast Startup: Go to Control Panel > Power Options > Choose what the power buttons do > Change settings that are currently unavailable > Uncheck “Turn on fast startup” and restart the computer.
- Update graphics card drivers: Go to the manufacturer’s website and download the latest graphics card drivers for your specific model.
- Perform a clean boot: Disable all non-Microsoft startup items and services to see if a third-party program is causing the black screen issue.
- Reset the BIOS: Reset the BIOS to default settings by removing the CMOS battery or using the BIOS reset jumper.
import subprocess
def fix_black_screen():
try:
subprocess.run(["xrandr", "-s", "1920x1080"])
except:
print("Error: Unable to fix black screen")
fix_black_screen()
This code uses the subprocess module to run the xrandr command, which adjusts the screen resolution. The function fix_black_screen() attempts to set the screen resolution to 1920×1080, which may help to fix the black screen issue. However, this code is just an example and may not be effective in all cases.
Troubleshooting Loose Connections and Accessories for Black Screen Issues
| Troubleshooting Steps | Description |
|---|---|
| Check for loose connections | Make sure all cables and accessories are securely connected to your computer. Check for loose cables or connectors and reseat them if necessary. |
| Inspect accessories | If you are using accessories such as an external monitor or keyboard, check them for any damage or malfunctions. Replace or repair as necessary. |
| Update drivers | Check for any outdated drivers and update them. This can help resolve any compatibility issues that may be causing the black screen problem. |
| Run a virus scan | Perform a full system scan for viruses and malware. These malicious programs can cause system issues and result in a black screen after login. |
| System restore | If the problem started after installing new software or making system changes, perform a system restore to a point before the changes were made. |
BIOS/UEFI and Windows Repair Solutions for Black Screen Issues
| BIOS/UEFI Solutions | Windows Repair Solutions |
|---|---|
| 1. Check BIOS/UEFI settings to ensure that the display is set to the correct port and resolution. | 1. Boot into Safe Mode and uninstall recently installed software or drivers that may be causing the issue. |
| 2. Update BIOS/UEFI firmware to the latest version. | 2. Run the System File Checker tool to check for and repair any corrupted system files. |
| 3. Disable fast startup in BIOS/UEFI settings. | 3. Use the DISM tool to repair the Windows image and fix any system errors. |
| 4. Reset BIOS/UEFI settings to default or optimized settings. | 4. Perform a clean boot to determine if any third-party software or services are causing the issue. |
| 5. Check for and remove any external devices connected to the computer that may be causing the issue. | 5. Use the Windows 10/11 installation media to perform a repair installation of Windows. |
Safe Mode and Driver Updates for Black Screen Issues
- Boot into Safe Mode
- Press the Windows key and R simultaneously to open the Run dialog box.
- Type msconfig and click OK.
- Click the Boot tab and enable the Safe boot option.
- Click Apply and then OK.
- Restart your computer.
- Uninstall Display Drivers
- Boot into Safe Mode.
- Open Device Manager by pressing Windows key + X and selecting Device Manager.
- Expand the Display adapters category.
- Right-click on the display driver and select Uninstall device.
- Check the Delete the driver software for this device option.
- Click Uninstall.
- Update Display Drivers
- Download the latest display driver from the manufacturer’s website.
- Boot into Safe Mode.
- Open Device Manager.
- Expand the Display adapters category.
- Right-click on the display driver and select Update driver.
- Select Search automatically for updated driver software.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
- Reset the System
- Boot into Safe Mode.
- Open the Settings app by pressing Windows key + I.
- Click on Update & Security.
- Click on Recovery.
- Under the Reset this PC section, click on Get started.
- Select Keep my files.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to reset the system.
Post-Login Solutions for Black Screen Issues on Windows 10/11
- Open Settings by pressing Windows Key + I
- Select Update & Security
- Click on Windows Update
- Select Check for updates
- Install any available updates
- Restart your computer
Method 2: Disable Fast Startup
- Open Control Panel
- Select Power Options
- Click on Choose what the power buttons do
- Select Change settings that are currently unavailable
- Uncheck Turn on fast startup (recommended)
- Click Save changes
- Restart your computer
Method 3: Run System File Checker
- Open Command Prompt
- Type sfc /scannow and press Enter
- Wait for the scan to complete
- If any issues are found, type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press Enter
- Wait for the scan to complete
- Restart your computer
Method 4: Update Graphics Drivers
- Open Device Manager
- Expand the Display adapters category
- Right-click on your graphics card and select Update driver
- Select Search automatically for updated driver software
- Wait for the driver to install
- Restart your computer
Method 5: Perform a Clean Boot
- Open System Configuration
- Select the Services tab
- Check the box for Hide all Microsoft services
- Click Disable all
- Select the Startup tab
- Click Open Task Manager
- Disable all startup programs
- Close Task Manager
- Click OK
- Restart your computer
Disabling Automatic Applications and Starting explorer.exe for Post-Login Black Screen Issues
- Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete to open the Task Manager.
- Click on More Details to expand the Task Manager window.
- Click on the Startup tab.
- Disable any applications that are set to start automatically on login by selecting the application and clicking on the Disable button.
- Open the File Explorer by pressing Windows key + E.
- Navigate to the C:WindowsSystem32 directory.
- Locate and right-click on the explorer.exe file.
- Select Run as administrator from the context menu.
- When prompted with a User Account Control dialog, click on Yes.
- The desktop should appear after a few moments.
Adding or Updating Graphics Drivers for Black Screen Issues
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Press the Windows key + X and select Device Manager from the menu. |
| 2 | Expand the Display adapters section. |
| 3 | Right-click on your graphics card and select Update driver. |
| 4 | Select Search automatically for updated driver software. |
| 5 | If Windows finds an updated driver, install it and restart your computer. |
| 6 | If Windows does not find an updated driver, go to the manufacturer’s website and download the latest driver for your graphics card. |
| 7 | Install the downloaded driver and restart your computer. |
Switching Between Screens to Fix Black Screen Issues
- Press the Windows key + P
- This will open the “Project” menu
- Press the “down arrow” key once
- This will select the “PC screen only” option
- Press “Enter” to select the option
Troubleshooting Windows 11 Black Screen Issues
If you’re experiencing a black screen after logging in to Windows 11, there are a few troubleshooting methods you can try to fix the issue.
First, try pressing the Windows key + P to bring up the projection settings and make sure your monitor is selected as the primary display.
If that doesn’t work, try pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager and end the Explorer process. Then, click on File, Run new task, and type in “explorer.exe” to restart the process.
If the issue persists, it could be a software or hardware problem. Check for malware infections and update your operating system and drivers. If that doesn’t work, try booting into safe mode or using a different monitor to see if the issue is with your screen or another component.
If you’re still having trouble, it may be time to consult with IT administrators or seek professional help. Black screen issues can be frustrating and inconvenient, but with the right strategies and fixes, you can get your computer back up and running smoothly.
