Trust me, no one wants to experience the dreaded black screen of death on their laptop. It’s one of the most frustrating things that can happen while working on something important. With the advancement of technology, a sudden black screen issue on your laptop could mean several things.
Don’t freight though, here at CNG IT, we’ve created an article that explains everything one needs to know about why laptop screens “go black” and what to do about it.
What Causes Laptop Screens To Go Black?
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of things, it’s important to know that there is no definitive answer to this question. A laptop’s screen going black can be caused by many things, ranging from a simple hardware issue to a more complicated software problem.
Listed below are some of the most common reasons why a laptop’s screen may go black:
1. Computer Is Not Starting / Booting Up Properly
One of the first things you should check if your laptop’s screen is black is to see if the computer is actually starting up or not. If you’re hearing the laptop’s fans running and the hard drive spinning, it’s likely that the computer is on, but the screen isn’t displaying anything.
This could be due to several things, including a loose connection between the screen and the computer, a problem with the screen itself, or even a problem with the graphics card. If you’re unsure what the problem is, it’s best to take your laptop to a professional for diagnosis and repair.
2.Your Computer Has A Problem With The Battery
If you were using your laptop when the laptop display went black, the problem is likely with the battery. Over time, as batteries are used and charged, they start to degrade and lose their ability to hold a charge. This can cause them to die suddenly without warning.
If you suspect the battery is the problem, try plugging in the laptop, press the power button and see if the screen comes back on. If it does, you know it’s an issue with the battery, and you’ll need to get a new one. Luckily with many laptops, the battery is easy to replace and you can often do it yourself.
Check popular websites like Amazon or eBay for replacement batteries that are compatible with your laptop model. Once you purchase the battery, follow your laptop’s user manual instructions to replace it. If you still don’t have the manual, try searching on Youtube for a “how to replace laptop battery” video specific to your model.
3.Your Computer Has An Issue With The Operating System
If your computer’s screen goes black after you log in, it could be an issue with the operating system. This is most likely to happen if you’re using an older version of Windows that isn’t supported anymore or if you’ve installed a new update causing compatibility issues.
In either case, you’ll need to boot into Safe Mode and try to fix the problem from there. You may have to reinstall the operating system entirely if you can’t seem to get it working while in safe mode. Again, if you’re unsure how to do this, you can always take your computer to a professional for help with your black screen error. We recommend not trying to do this on your own unless you’re confident in your abilities.
4.Your Computer Adjusted The Brightness Settings
If your computer screen suddenly goes black, but you can still see things faintly, the problem is likely with the brightness settings. This is often caused by accidentally hitting a function key on the keyboard that adjusts the brightness.
To fix this, press the same function key again (usually Fn + F2 or Fn + F3) and it should toggle back to the normal brightness. If you’re not sure which key to press, you can usually find the symbol for it on the screen when you adjust the brightness. The key is typically located on the top row of keys for an Apple computer and has a sun symbol.
5. Your Graphics Card May Be Overheating
The graphics card may be overheated if your computer screen goes black randomly or during intense gaming sessions. This is especially true if you notice that the fan is running at full speed and the computer is making loud noises.
To fix this, you’ll need to clean out the dust from the inside of your computer and make sure that there’s adequate airflow. You can do this yourself if you’re confident in your abilities, but we recommend taking it to a professional if you’re not sure.
6. The Screen Is Damaged / Broken
In some cases, a black screen on your laptop can be caused by physical damage to the screen itself. This could be from dropping the laptop, sitting on it, or closing it too hard. If you think the screen might be damaged, it’s best to take it to a professional for repair.
One way to test if the screen is actually broken is to plug in an external monitor and see if that displays anything. If you don’t have an external monitor handy, you can also try connecting the laptop to a TV or another computer. If you see a picture on the external display, you know that the problem is with the screen and not something else.
External Display Screen
Sometimes, the display on your laptop screen may go black. This is usually due to an issue with the external LCD screen connected to your laptop. This includes things like computer monitors, TVs, and projectors. If you are using an external display screen and your laptop screen goes black, here are a few things you can try:
1. Check the connections between your laptop and the external display screen. Make sure that all of the cables are properly plugged in and secured.
2. Try changing the input source on the external display screen. This can usually be done by pressing a button on the display itself.
3. If you are using a VGA cable to connect your laptop to the external display, try using a different cable. Sometimes, VGA cables can become loose and cause problems with the connection.
4. Restart your laptop and try again. This can sometimes fix issues with the connection between your laptop and the external display.
5. Check your laptop’s settings to ensure the external display is enabled. On most laptops, you can do this by going into the “Display” or “Screen” settings in the control panel.
6. If all else fails, you may need to replace the cable connecting your laptop to the external display. If the problem persists, there may be an issue with your laptop’s video output port. In this case, you will need to take your laptop to a computer repair shop or contact the manufacturer for further assistance.
If All Else Fails, It May Be A Hardware Issue
If you’ve tried all of the above troubleshooting steps and your laptop screen still won’t come on, you may be dealing with a hardware issue. Below are some of the most common hardware issues that can cause a laptop screen to go black.
Your Computer May Have A Bad LCD Power Inverter
Most laptops have an LCD backlight that’s powered by an internal power inverter. If this part fails, your screen will go black. This issue can arise suddenly or gradually.
Your Computer Has A Bad CCFL Or Backlight Bulb
If your laptop has an LCD screen, it uses cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFLs) or LED lights to illuminate the display. These can burn out over time, which will cause your screen to go black.
Your Computer May Have A Bad LCD Screen
It’s also possible that the LCD screen itself is failing. Lines, stripes, or blotches usually characterize this issue on the screen, but it can also cause the entire screen to go black.
Your Computer May Have A Bad Motherboard
The motherboard is the main component of any laptop. It houses the CPU, RAM, and other important components. If it fails, your entire laptop, including the screen, will stop working.
Sometimes, a bad motherboard can cause intermittent issues, like a laptop screen that goes black randomly. If you suspect your motherboard is failing, the best course is to take your laptop to a computer repair shop or contact the manufacturer for further assistance.
When problems arise with the motherboard, fixing the issue will likely be very expensive if you don’t have coverage on your device. In some cases, it may be cheaper to buy a new laptop.
CNG IT – Helping You Understand Why Your Laptop Screen Goes Black
We hope this article has helped you better understand why your laptop screen goes black. As you can see, there are several possible causes for this problem. In most cases, it’s a relatively easy issue to fix. However, it may be a sign of a more serious hardware issue in some cases.
If you need further assistance troubleshooting this issue, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Our expert technicians would be more than happy to help you figure out why your laptop screen goes black. Whether you own an HP laptop, Asus laptop, Lenovo laptop, Dell laptop, Acer laptop, or Windows PC, we can help.
