Black screen on startup

Why is my screen black when I start Windows 7?

Video adapter problems are the most common cause of this issue. First, try to find out if there's a problem with the cables you're using or the way they're connected. If you have an alternate way of connecting your monitor to your PC, try it. For example, if your monitor is connected using an HDMI connector, try disconnecting it and then connecting with a DVI or VGA connector instead.

Note

Always turn off the power to your computer and all external video devices before plugging them in or unplugging them.

If you're using multiple monitors, try using just a single monitor. If this solves the problem but you're not using the cabling options you ultimately want, attach the cables back to the way you want them, remove all floppy disks, CDs, and DVDs from your computer, and then try the following troubleshooting procedures, in order. If the steps in the first procedure don't fix the problem, move on to the next procedure.

Use the "Enable low-resolution video (640×480)" startup option, and then update your video adapter driver

1. Click the Start button , click the arrow next to Shut Down, and then click Restart.
2. Do one of the following:
   • If your computer has a single operating system installed, press and hold the F8 key as your computer restarts. You must press F8 before the Windows logo appears. If the Windows logo appears, try again by waiting until the Windowslogon prompt appears, and then shutting down and restarting your computer.
   • If your computer has more than one operating system, use the arrow keys to highlight the operating system you want to start in safe mode, and then press F8.
3. On the Advanced Boot Options screen, use the arrow keys to highlight Enable low-resolution video (640×480), and then press Enter.
4. Log on to your computer with a user account that has administrator rights.

If you can see your desktop, there's a problem with your video adapter. Try updating your video adapter driver. For more information, see Update a driver for hardware that isn't working properly.

If these steps solve the problem, you're done. If not, go to the next set of steps.

Start the computer in safe mode and disable your video adapter

1. Click the Start button , click the arrow next to Shut Down, and then click Restart.
2. Do one of the following:
   • If your computer has a single operating system installed, press and hold the F8 key as your computer restarts. You must press F8 before the Windows logo appears. If the Windows logo appears, try again by waiting until the Windowslogon prompt appears, and then shutting down and restarting your computer.
   • If your computer has more than one operating system, use the arrow keys to highlight the operating system you want to start in safe mode, and then press F8.
3. On the Advanced Boot Options screen, use the arrow keys to highlight Safe Mode, and then press Enter.
4. Log on to your computer with a user account that has administrator rights. When your computer is in safe mode, you'll see the words Safe Mode in the corners of your monitor.
5. Open Device Manager by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, clicking System and Security, and then, under System, clicking Device Manager.  If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
6. In the list of hardware categories, expand the Display adapters category. Make a note of your display adapter.
7. Right-click your display adapter, and then click Disable. When prompted for confirmation, click Yes.
8. Close all open windows and restart your computer normally.

When your computer restarts, if you can see your desktop, there's a problem with your video adapter. Try updating your video adapter driver. For more information, see Update a driver for hardware that isn't working properly.

If these steps solve the problem, you're done. If not, go to the next set of steps.

Start the computer in safe mode and run System Restore

1. Click the Start button , click the arrow next to Shut Down, and then click Restart.
2. Do one of the following:
   • If your computer has a single operating system installed, press and hold the F8 key as your computer restarts. You must press F8 before the Windows logo appears. If the Windows logo appears, try again by waiting until the Windowslogon prompt appears, and then shutting down and restarting your computer.
   • If your computer has more than one operating system, use the arrow keys to highlight the operating system you want to start in safe mode, and then press F8.
3. On the Advanced Boot Options screen, use the arrow keys to highlight Safe Mode, and then press Enter.
4. Log on to your computer with a user account that has administrator rights. When your computer is in safe mode, you'll see the words Safe Mode in the corners of your monitor.
5. Click the Start button , type "system restore" in the search box, click System Restore, and then click Next.  If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
6. Choose a restore point when your PC worked as expected, click Next, and then clickFinish.
7. Restart your computer normally.