How to Fix a Computer That Turns on But Displays Nothing
In this article, we’ll explain what to do when a computer turns on but displays nothing. Many Windows users are reporting this issue.
Author:Daniel BarrettSep 09, 202220210 Shares320790 Views
How to Fix a Computer That Turns on But Displays Nothing– Your screen remains black after turning on the PC? This is very frustrating, and you’re certainly not alone. Many Windows users are reporting this issue. But the good newsis that you can fix it.
The most common way that a computer “won’t turn on” is when the PC does power on but doesn’t display anything on the monitor.
You see lights on the computer case, probably hear fans running from inside, and may even hear sounds, but nothing shows up on your screen.
How to Fix a Computer That Turns on but Displays Nothing
This article will explain what to do when a Computer turns on but displays nothing.
Test Your Monitor
Before you begin more complicated and time-consuming troubleshooting with the rest of your computer, make sure your monitor is working properly.
With the monitor disconnected from your computer, please turn it on and off. Then, if the display shows diagnostic information of any kind, you know the display is powered and is capable of displaying content.
Reconnect Your Monitor to Your Computer
A poor connection between your monitor and your computer might also cause your problem. In this case, reconnecting the two devices is likely the solution to your problem. Here is how to do it:
- First, press and hold the power button until your computer turns off.
- Next, unplug the video cable which connects your monitor to the computer.
- Finally, check the port connectors on your computer and the monitor.
If any connector on your device is bent or damaged, you’ll need to take the device to a repair shop.
- Check to see if your video cable is damaged. If the video cable is fine, reconnect your computer to your monitor. Or, if you have another video cable available, try connecting the two devices using the new cable.
- Try turning on your computer to see if it can boot normally.
Computer Turns on But Displays Nothing? Force Restart Your Computer
If all you see is a black screen after pressing the power button, try pressing the power button for 10 seconds to force shut down your PC, then turn it on. Do this three times; the Windows Startup repair should launch automatically.
If nothing happened after turning your PC on and off a coupon of times, that could indicate a hardwareproblem. Read on and see how to fix it.
If you boot into Automatic Repair, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup settings > Restart > Safe Mode with Networking, then skip to Fix 7 to see how to fix potential issues with your system.
Computer Turns on But Displays Nothing? Clear the CMOS
Clearing the BIOS memory on your motherboard will return the BIOS settings to their factory default levels. A BIOS misconfiguration could be why your PC won’t start up all the way.
If clearing the CMOS does fix your problem, make sure any changes you make in BIOS are completed one at a time, so if the problem returns, you’ll know which change caused your issue.
Computer Turns on But Displays Nothing? Test Your Power Supply
Just because your computer’s fans and lights are working doesn’t mean that the power supply is functioning properly. The PSU tends to cause more problems than any other hardware and is often the cause of a computer’s components working selectively or intermittently.
Replace your power supply immediately if it fails any test you perform.
After replacing the power supply, assuming you do, keep your PC plugged in for 5 to 10 minutes before turning it on. This delay provides time for some recharging of the CMOS battery, which may have been drained.
Do not skip a power supply test, thinking that your problem can’t be the PSU because “things are getting power.” Power supplies can work in varying degrees—one that isn’t fully functional needs to be replaced.
Disconnect Your Peripherals
Sometimes, certain peripherals connected to your computer may also cause the black screen issue. Try disconnecting all your peripherals to see if that’s the core problem. Here is how to do it:
- First, press and hold the power button until your computer turns off.
- Next, disconnect all peripherals (your printer, scanner, mouse, etc.).
- Finally, try turning on your computer again.
If your computer boots correctly, one of the peripherals you removed is causing your problem. You should reinstall each device back into your computer and test them each time. Then, you’ll find the specific device that causes your problem.
Reset Your BIOS Settings to Default
Improper BIOS settings can also cause your PC to boot into a black screen. To see if that’s the problem for you, you should reset your BIOS to factory settings. Here is how to do it:
- First, press and hold the power button until your computer turns off.
- Next, disconnect the AC power cord from the power supply and open your computer case.
- Next, remove your CMOS battery with your fingernail or a non-conductive screwdriver on your motherboard.
- Wait for 5 minutes, and then reinstall your CMOS battery.
- Finally, connect the AC power cord to the power supply, and then turn on your computer to see if your problem persists.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this article helped! Please let us know which method helped you or if you have a better idea of how to fix this issue. We would love your thoughts!
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Jump to
How to Fix a Computer That Turns on but Displays Nothing
Test Your Monitor
Reconnect Your Monitor to Your Computer
Computer Turns on But Displays Nothing? Force Restart Your Computer
Computer Turns on But Displays Nothing? Clear the CMOS
Computer Turns on But Displays Nothing? Test Your Power Supply
Disconnect Your Peripherals
Reset Your BIOS Settings to Default
Conclusion
Daniel Barrett
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