Windows 11 black screen? 8 fixes to try

2 min read · 8 steps · Updated 2 October 2026

A black screen with the PC still running means Windows is working but the picture is not reaching the screen. Often the graphics driver has hung or the picture is being sent to the wrong display.

These steps are for Windows 11. The pictures are diagrams of the keys to press.

Step by step

1. Check power and connections

   Make sure a laptop is charged or plugged in. With a separate monitor, check that it is switched on, that the cable sits firmly at both ends and that the right input is selected on the monitor.

   Done

2. Restart the graphics driver

   Press Windows + Ctrl + Shift + B. A short beep or a flicker shows that Windows has restarted the graphics driver. Open programs are not closed by this.

   Done

3. Switch the display mode

   Press Windows + P, press P once more and then Enter. This moves to the next option: PC screen only, Duplicate, Extend or Second screen only. Repeat up to four times to go through them all.

   Done

4. Open the security screen

   Press Ctrl + Alt + Del. If a blue screen with options appears, choose Task Manager. In the list, right-click Windows Explorer and choose Restart. This brings back a missing desktop and taskbar.

   Done

5. Force a restart

   Press and hold the power button for 20 seconds until the PC switches off, then switch it on again. Unsaved work is lost.

   Done

6. Unplug other devices

   Disconnect external screens, docking stations and USB devices from a laptop and restart. Try another cable or another monitor if you have one.

   Done

7. Start in safe mode

   If the screen stays black after the Windows logo, hold the power button for 10 seconds to switch off, switch on again, and repeat this two or three times until Windows opens the repair screen. Choose Troubleshoot, Advanced options, Startup Settings, Restart, and press F5. More detail: how to start Windows 11 in safe mode.

   Done

8. Update or roll back the graphics driver

   In safe mode, right-click Start and open Device Manager. Open Display adapters, right-click the graphics card and choose Update driver. If the black screen started after a driver update, open Properties, the Driver tab, and click Roll Back Driver.

   Done

Good to know

If nothing else helps, the repair screen also offers System Restore under Troubleshoot, Advanced options. It takes Windows back to a point before the problem began and keeps your files.

A black screen with no sound, no lights and no fan is a power problem, not a Windows problem. Check the charger and the socket first.

If a single program hangs but the screen is fine: how to close a frozen program on Windows 11.

In short: Power and cable, Win+Ctrl+Shift+B, Win+P, Ctrl+Alt+Del, hold power 20 seconds, unplug devices, safe mode, graphics driver.