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Fix: Why do my monitors keep going black?

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  • 7 min read

If you’ve ever dealt with the annoying situation of your monitor suddenly going black or blank, know that you’re not the only one facing this issue. There are several potential reasons behind it, including hardware or software glitches, settings, cable connections, power issues, problems with the graphics card, or even malware infections.

This article discusses the causes of why the monitor keeps going black and nine methods to get you through this annoying issue.

Below we have discussed:

Also read: How to fix the red or blue tint in the monitor?


Why monitor keep going black?

There are various reasons why your monitor keeps going black and here are some common culprits:

  • Loose cables: Loose or improperly connected cables can cause intermittent signal loss, leading to black screens.
  • Graphics driver issues: Outdated or corrupted graphics drivers may fail to communicate effectively with your monitors, resulting in screen blackouts.
  • Power management settings: Incorrect power management settings, such as overly aggressive sleep or power-saving modes, can cause monitors to go black unexpectedly.
  • Hardware malfunctions: Faulty hardware components, including the monitor itself, graphics card, or power supply unit, can trigger black screen incidents.
  • Overheating: Excessive heat buildup within your computer or monitor can cause components to malfunction, leading to intermittent blackouts.
  • Software conflicts: Conflicts between software applications or background processes can interfere with the display output, resulting in black screens.

How to resolve this issue?

Here are nine fixes to help you resolve this issue:

Check the cables

The cables linking your monitor to your computer, like HDMI, VGA, or DVI cables, might loosen, bend, or get damaged over time or by accidents. This can mess up the signal and make your monitor go black. So check the cables for any signs of damage, like cuts, twists, or exposed wires, and make sure they’re properly connected to the ports. If you’re still having trouble, you can test out different cables or ports to see if that fixes things.


Check for Overheating

If your monitor, graphics card, or other parts of your computer get too hot because they’re not getting enough cooling or ventilation, it can cause problems like performance drops, crashes, or even damage. So, make sure your computer has good airflow, clean out any dust or debris from the fans and vents regularly, and avoid putting it in hot or damp places.

Third-party tools can also help you keep an eye on the temperature of your parts. If you notice they’re getting too hot, you may need to adjust some of the settings or even replace them if necessary.


Update Graphics drivers

Outdated or damaged graphics card drivers can lead to display issues, such as black screens. Make sure your graphics card drivers are up-to-date and install them as needed. You can manually download the updates from your card manufacturer’s website or you can update it from the device manager. Here are the steps to update it from the device manager:

Step 1: Press the Windows+X and tap on the Device Manager option in the dropdown menu.

Step 2: Find and expand the Display adapters category and right-click on the driver.

Step 3: Click on the Update driver option in the pop-up menu.

Step 4: In the new window, click on the Search automatically for drivers option.

Check out our article to know how how to update the Nvidia graphics driver

Uninstall graphics drivers

If updating the graphics driver did not work for you then you can try uninstalling the graphics driver. Uninstall the driver and then install fresh drivers from your card manufacturer’s website. Here’s how to uninstall the graphics driver:

Step 1: Press the Windows+X and tap on the Device Manager option in the dropdown menu.

Step 2: Double-click on the Display Adapter to expand it, and then right-click on the driver.

Step 3: Click on the Uninstall device option in the pop-up menu.

Step 4: Click on the Uninstall button to confirm.


Change the Power management settings

The computer’s power configuration can also cause the monitor to turn off and become black. For instance, if you enable screen saver on your computer, sleep mode on your computer, and hibernation on your computer, your monitor may shut down or go into a low power mode after a certain amount of inactivity. This can be confused with the problem of the black screen. Here are the steps:

Step 1: Search for Power Plan and click Edit power plan in the results.

Step 2: Click on the Change advanced power settings.

Step 3: Adjust the power plans and make sure they are compatible with your system hardware. You can also choose to Restore plan defaults.


Run SFC

System files are the parts of the operating system that control the system and its components. System files can be corrupted or damaged for a variety of reasons, including incorrect shutdown, hardware issues, or software issues. This can cause performance problems, crashes, or even the black screen. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Type Cmd in the Windows search and click on the Run as administrator option available on the right side.

Step 2: In the command prompt, type sfc /scannow to run a system scan.


Scan your Computer for malware

Run a comprehensive malware scan using reputable antivirus software to detect and remove any malicious programs that may be causing disruptions to your system.


Faulty monitor

Occasionally, the monitor itself could be causing the black screen issue. If it’s faulty, damaged, or old, it might not function as expected or show images correctly. If this happens, you might have to fix or get a new monitor, depending on whether it’s still under warranty and how much it costs. Alternatively, you can test by connecting another monitor or device to your computer to check if the problem continues.


Seek professional help

If none of these work or you don’t feel comfortable using them on your own, you can contact a computer technician or a support forum. You can also contact a manufacturer’s manufacturer’s customer service representative. A computer technician will be able to better identify the issue and offer tailored solutions depending on your situation and your hardware or software setup.

Also read: How to change the Refresh Rate on a Monitor?

Akash Singh

Akash Singh

Akash is a law graduate who likes to go for bike rides on the weekends soul-searching for answers to his many existential questions. You can contact him here: singhakash95@pm.me

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