On Windows 10, one of the most annoying problems you can stumble upon is a black screen, because you won't see an error code or message printed on the screen to get a hint on where to start troubleshooting.

A black screen could happen for many reasons. It might be related to an issue with a recent graphics driver update, or it could occur during the installation of a feature update that includes a compatibility problem. It could also happen as a result of a buggy system update. Or it could be a hardware related issue with the display, connection, or video adapter.

Whatever the reason it might be, there are several ways to determine the cause and solve this problem on Windows 10, whether you have access to the desktop or not.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the instructions to troubleshoot and fix black screen problems.

How to fix black screen checking connection problems on Windows 10

When you stumble upon a black screen, many things could be the reason, including problems with hardware, software, or a combination of both. In the following instructions, you'll find troubleshooting steps to resolve this issue on Windows 10.

Check connection issues

If the black screen appears before you can sign into the account, then it's likely a connection problem between the display and computer.

In this situation, re-check the physical connection and make sure both ends of the video signal cable are connected correctly, and it's using the correct output port. Disconnect the video signal cable from both, reconnect it again, and move the mouse to see if the display wakes up.

Also, make sure that the monitor is receiving power, and the power button is turned on. (You may need to check your manufacturer support website for more specific details.)

If you have multiple video outputs, try to switch the connection to a different port and move the mouse around or press any key on the keyboard to wake up the display. Sometimes, a driver update could include changes, which can send the video signal to the wrong port (DisplayPort, HDMI, DVI, Thunderbolt, VGA).

If the system has a discrete and integrated graphics card, you can switch the connection to the embedded video processor to confirm whether the problem is with the discrete card. Also, many times, after a system or BIOS (basic input/output system) update, the discrete video card might get disabled, and you'll need to re-enable in the motherboard settings.

When using an external monitor, you can open the onboard monitor settings and increase the brightness as it may be the reason for the black screen. While in the settings menu, it's also a good idea to check if the monitor uses the correct input. (If you don't know how to access your monitor settings, check your manufacturer support website for specific details.)

If you have a laptop, use the keyboard shortcut to increase the display brightness. Usually, you'll need to click the Function (Fn) key and one of the Functions keys (such as F8 or F10).

You can also try to connect the monitor to a different computer or use a different video signal cable (DisplayPort, HDMI, DVI, VGA, or Thunderbolt) to determine if you're dealing with a broken display or video card, or damaged cable.

Detect display

Sometimes, you may see a black screen as a result of Windows 10 losing its connection with the display. You can use the Windows key + Ctrl + Shift + B keyboard shortcut to restart the video driver and refresh the link to the monitor.

On tablets (such as Surface Pro), you can wake up the screen pressing the volume up and volume down buttons simultaneously three times quickly.

When you perform this action, you'll hear a beep and activity on the screen indicating that Windows 10 can respond to the command, and it's re-establishing a connection with the display.

Alternatively, assuming that Windows 10 is responsive, you can use the Windows key + P keyboard shortcut to bring up the "Project" menu. Then hit the P key again, and hit the Enter key to switch between the different display modes to see if the black screen disappears. (You'll need to repeat the steps four times to allow cycling through all the possible modes.)

If you don't see anything on the screen, press and hold the power button for about 10 seconds to shut down the device. Then the press the power button again to restart.

Disconnect non-essential devices

Peripherals connected to the computer may be the reason for the black screen or black screen with the spinning dots during startup for a long time. (Usually, spinning dots during startup indicates that an update is installing, and you need to wait a few moments, but if it takes a long time, then it could be a compatibility problem with the hardware.)

If you experience something similar, disconnect all peripherals, including printers, cameras, removable drives, Bluetooth, docking station, and other USB devices from your computer.

Restart the device one more time, and if everything works normally, then the problem is one of the peripherals. You can determine which device is causing the problem by reconnecting one at a time until you stumble upon the one causing the conflict.

Once you know the peripheral causing the issue, disconnect it, restart the computer, search online to find a solution, or contact your device manufacturer for additional assistance.