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How to Fix Black Screen After Boot on Windows 11: Effective Solutions to Solve the Error

Experiencing a black screen right after booting your Windows 11 PC can be frustrating. This issue often prevents you from accessing your desktop or any important files. Fortunately, there are several effective solutions that can help you fix this problem.

In this article, we will guide you through simple and detailed steps to resolve the black screen after boot error on Windows 11. Each solution is explained clearly so you can follow along even if you are not very tech-savvy.

By following these methods, you can identify the root cause and bring your system back to normal operation. Let’s start by checking some quick prerequisites to make sure you are set up for the troubleshooting process.

Read on to find out how to fix this issue step-by-step and get your Windows 11 PC working properly again.

Quick Note: Prerequisites and Initial Checks

Before diving into fixes, please make sure to do the following checks. These help avoid unnecessary steps and may immediately solve the problem:

  • Check your monitor and cables: Make sure your display is properly connected and powered on. Sometimes a loose cable or turned-off monitor causes a black screen.
  • Disconnect external devices: Remove USB drives, external hard drives, and other peripherals. These devices can sometimes interfere during startup.
  • Wait a few minutes: Sometimes Windows is loading updates or performing background tasks. Give it a couple of minutes to see if the screen comes back.
  • Try keyboard shortcuts: Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete to see if Task Manager or login screen appears. This can help determine if the system is responsive.

Step 1: Restart Your Computer Properly

A simple restart can often resolve temporary glitches causing the black screen. Instead of pressing the power button abruptly, follow these steps:

  1. Press and hold the power button on your PC for about 10 seconds until it turns off completely.
  2. Wait for 10-15 seconds to let the hardware reset.
  3. Press the power button again to turn on your PC.
  4. Observe if the black screen issue persists.

This method ensures your PC shuts down fully and clears temporary system errors.

Step 2: Boot into Safe Mode

Safe Mode starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and services. This helps identify if a third-party app or driver is causing the black screen.

How to Enter Safe Mode on Windows 11:

  1. Force shutdown your PC by holding the power button until it turns off.
  2. Turn on your PC and as soon as you see the Windows logo or spinning dots, hold the power button again to force shutdown.
  3. Repeat this process 2 or 3 times until you see the Recovery Environment screen.
  4. On the screen, choose Advanced Options.
  5. Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings.
  6. Click Restart.
  7. After restart, press 4 or F4 to enter Safe Mode.

Once in Safe Mode, check if the desktop loads without a black screen. If it works, the problem is likely caused by a driver or software conflict.

Step 3: Update or Roll Back Display Drivers

The display driver controls the communication between Windows and your graphics hardware. An outdated or corrupted driver can cause black screen issues.

Update Display Driver:

  1. Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
  2. Expand the Display adapters section.
  3. Right-click your graphics card and choose Update driver.
  4. Select Search automatically for drivers.
  5. Follow on-screen instructions to install any available updates.
  6. Restart your computer to apply changes.

Roll Back Display Driver:

If the black screen started after a recent driver update, rolling back to the previous version may fix the issue.

  1. Open Device Manager and expand Display adapters.
  2. Right-click your graphics card and select Properties.
  3. Go to the Driver tab and click Roll Back Driver (if available).
  4. Follow the prompts and restart your PC.

Step 4: Disable Fast Startup

Fast Startup is a feature that speeds up boot time but can sometimes cause black screen problems due to incomplete hardware initialization.

  1. Press Windows + R, type control, and hit Enter to open Control Panel.
  2. Navigate to Hardware and Sound > Power Options.
  3. Click on Choose what the power buttons do on the left panel.
  4. Click Change settings that are currently unavailable.
  5. Uncheck the box for Turn on fast startup (recommended).
  6. Click Save changes and restart your PC.

Step 5: Perform System File Check

Corrupted system files can cause Windows to fail loading properly, resulting in a black screen. Running the System File Checker tool helps repair these files.

  1. Open Safe Mode or Recovery Environment Command Prompt.
  2. Type the following command and press Enter:
sfc /scannow

This scan will check for and repair corrupted system files automatically. Wait for the process to complete and then restart your PC.

Step 6: Disable App Readiness Service

Sometimes, the App Readiness service may cause startup issues leading to a black screen. Temporarily disabling it can help.

  1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
  2. Scroll down and locate App Readiness.
  3. Right-click it and select Properties.
  4. Set the Startup type to Disabled.
  5. Click Stop if the service is running, then click OK.
  6. Restart your PC and check if the black screen is resolved.

Step 7: Use System Restore

If the black screen started recently, you can restore your computer to an earlier state when it was working fine. This will undo recent changes that might be causing the problem.

  1. Boot into the Recovery Environment.
  2. Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > System Restore.
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions to choose a restore point dated before the black screen issue began.
  4. Complete the restoration process and restart your computer.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why does Windows 11 show a black screen after boot?

This can happen due to driver issues, corrupted system files, incomplete Windows updates, or hardware problems.

Can I fix the black screen without losing my files?

Yes. Most of the solutions like Safe Mode, driver updates, and system restore do not delete your personal files.

What if I cannot access Safe Mode or Recovery Environment?

You may need to create a Windows 11 installation media on a USB drive and boot from it to access repair tools.

Is hardware failure a common cause of the black screen?

While less common, faulty graphics cards, RAM, or cables can cause display issues. Testing hardware components may be necessary.

Does disabling Fast Startup affect my computer?

Disabling Fast Startup can make boot times slightly slower, but it often improves stability and fixes startup issues.

When Nothing Works

If none of the above steps resolve the black screen problem, consider the following options:

  • Contact Microsoft Support: Visit the official Microsoft Support website for professional help.
  • Use Windows 11 Installation Media: You can reinstall Windows 11 as a last resort, but be sure to back up your data if possible.
  • Check Hardware: Consult a technician to test your graphics card, RAM, and monitor for any physical defects.

Conclusion

A black screen after boot on Windows 11 can be caused by various software or hardware issues. Starting with simple steps like restarting your PC and checking cables can often solve the problem. If not, using Safe Mode to update or roll back display drivers and disabling Fast Startup are effective next steps.

Running system scans and using System Restore also help fix corrupted files or recent problematic changes. If all else fails, professional support or reinstalling Windows may be necessary.

By carefully following these steps, you increase the chances of quickly resolving the black screen issue and returning to a smooth Windows 11 experience.

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