A black screen can appear at boot for several reasons, such as faulty Windows updates, outdated device drivers, corrupt system files, third-party application interference at boot, malware attacks, etc.
In any case, if you’ve recently encountered a black screen at Windows 11 boot, follow the instructions below.
1. Ensure Windows is Responsive
If you encounter a black screen, it’s important to make sure Windows is responsive. If Windows is unresponsive, other troubleshooting methods won’t help.
Press Windows key + CTRL + SHIFT + B to restart the graphics driver. If your computer has speakers, you will hear a sound confirming that your computer is responsive.
If your computer is unresponsive, you need to force it to shut down and check if it responds.
2. Check the Connection with the Monitor.
Second most important thing you should do is check and eliminate any monitor connection issues. It’s possible that Windows 11 is responsive, but you’re seeing a black screen due to an improper monitor connection.
A black screen at boot also occurs due to a disrupted connection between your computer and its monitor. So, you need to check the cables that connect the monitor to the PC.
If there are no cable issues, you should check the monitor itself. If you suspect your monitor is faulty, you can consult a local specialist for inspection.
3. Check the Projection Settings.
Incorrect projection settings can also cause Windows 11 to display a black screen. Perhaps your display is set to project to a second screen that doesn’t exist.
When this happens, your monitor will show a black screen. You can check Windows projection settings by pressing the Windows Key + P.
When the projection settings open, choose only the PC screen. This will disable all other display projection settings.
4. Remove All Other External Devices.
If you’re using external devices such as a portable hard drive, keyboard, mouse, or any other device, you need to disconnect them and try booting the computer.
After removing all external devices, restart the computer and check if the black screen issue persists.
If you don’t see a black screen at boot after disconnecting external devices, you need to connect each device one by one until you find the one causing the issue.
5. Reinstall the Display Drivers.
Outdated or corrupt display drivers are a major cause of black screen at Windows 11 boot. You can eliminate this issue by reinstalling the display drivers on your computer. Here’s what you need to do.
If you can see the login screen
If you see the login screen in Windows 11, follow these simple steps to reinstall the display drivers.
- Restart the computer with Windows 11.
- At the login screen, hold the Shift key and then choose Power > Restart.
- After restarting, go to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart.
- After the restart, press F5 or F3 and choose Safe Mode with Networking.
If you only see a Black screen but have a Recovery drive
If you see nothing but have a Recovery drive, follow these simple steps to boot into Safe Mode.
- Shutdown Windows 11 and connect the Recovery drive.
- Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart.
- After restart, press F5 or F3 and choose Safe Mode with Networking.
If you see a Black screen and don’t have a Recovery Drive
If you see nothing on your computer screen or don’t have a Recovery drive, follow these steps to boot into Safe Mode.
- Create a Windows 10/11 installation media.
- Set up the computer to boot from the connected USB drive.
- When the Windows installation wizard opens, choose Repair your computer.
- Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart.
- After restart, press F5 and choose Safe Mode with Networking.
Reinstall your Display Driver
Once you have booted into Safe Mode in Windows 11, you can access Device Manager to reinstall the display drivers. Here’s what you need to do.
1. Type «Device Manager» in the Windows search. Then open the Device Manager app from the search results list.
2. In Device Manager, expand the Display Adapters tree.
3. Right-click the connected display adapter and choose Uninstall.
4. After uninstallation, reinstall the latest device driver versions from the website of your graphics processor manufacturer.
6. Try Cleaning Inside Your Computer Case.
Dust and debris accumulate over time on the ventilation openings of your PC, clogging fans and leading to overheating.
PC overheating can be another cause of black screen issues. To reduce the overheating problem, you can clean the inside of your computer case.
Regular cleaning is important to maintain your computer’s cooling and extend the lifespan of its components. So, shut down the computer, disconnect all cables, and open the computer case.
After opening the computer case, you can remove dust with a soft air blower and use a microfiber cloth to wipe away remaining dust.
7. Check the Internal Hardware Components.
If you still see a black screen at boot, it’s important to check the internal hardware components.
You need to double-check the hardware components you recently connected. Whether it’s a graphics processor, RAM, Wi-Fi card, etc., make sure the hardware component is correctly installed and in the right slot. Also, pay attention to the power supply unit. When the power supply unit can’t provide enough power to the hardware components, a black screen issue occurs.
8. Take Your PC to the Local Service Center.
If nothing has helped in your favor, the best solution is to seek professional help. You can take your computer to a local authorized service center and ask them to resolve the issue.
If your device is under warranty, you won’t be charged; however, if you have a custom-built computer, you need to take it to an unauthorized service center to pinpoint the real problem.
These are a few simple ways to fix the black screen issue at Windows 11 boot. If you need additional help on this topic, let us know in the comments. Also, if this guide has been helpful to you, don’t forget to share it with friends.