Your computer is an essential part of your life. You use it for work, school, entertainment, and staying connected with friends and family. So when your computer turns on but the screen is black, it can be a major inconvenience.
There are a few different reasons why this might happen. It could be a problem with your hardware, software, or power supply. In some cases, the problem may be easy to fix. But in other cases, you may need to take your computer to a technician for repairs.
In this article, we’ll discuss the different reasons why your computer might be turning on but the screen is black. We’ll also provide some tips on how to troubleshoot the problem and get your computer up and running again.
What Could Be Causing the Problem?
There are a number of different reasons why your computer might be turning on but the screen is black. Here are some of the most common causes:
- A problem with your graphics card: The graphics card is responsible for sending images to your monitor. If there’s a problem with your graphics card, it may not be able to send a signal to your monitor, which would result in a black screen.
- A problem with your monitor: The monitor is responsible for displaying images. If there’s a problem with your monitor, it may not be able to receive a signal from your graphics card, which would also result in a black screen.
- A problem with your power supply: The power supply is responsible for providing power to your computer. If there’s a problem with your power supply, it may not be able to provide enough power to your computer, which could cause your computer to turn on but the screen to be black.
- A problem with your software: There could be a problem with the software on your computer that’s preventing it from displaying images on your monitor. This could be caused by a corrupt driver, a software conflict, or a virus.
How to Troubleshoot the Problem
If your computer is turning on but the screen is black, the first thing you should do is check your cables. Make sure that the power cable is plugged in securely to both your computer and your power outlet. Also, make sure that the video cable is plugged in securely to both your computer and your monitor.
If your cables are plugged in securely and your computer is still turning on but the screen is black, you can try the following troubleshooting steps:
- Reboot your computer: Sometimes, a simple reboot can fix the problem. To do this, press the power button on your computer and hold it down until it turns off. Then, wait a few seconds and turn your computer back on.
- Update your graphics card drivers: If your graphics card drivers are outdated, they could be causing the problem. To update your drivers, go to the website of your graphics card manufacturer and download the latest drivers.
- Run a system scan: There could be a problem with your software that’s preventing your computer from displaying images on your monitor. To run a system scan, open the Control Panel and go to System and Security > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection. Then, click Scan options and select Full scan.
- Reset your computer: If all of the above steps fail, you can try resetting your computer. This will restore your computer to its factory settings. To reset your computer, go to the Settings app and go to System > Recovery. Then, click Reset this PC and follow the instructions on the screen.
Conclusion
If your computer is turning on but the screen is black, it can be a frustrating experience. But by following the troubleshooting steps in this article, you should be able to get your computer up and running again.
If you’re still having trouble, you may need to take your computer to a technician for repairs.
FAQs
1. What are the most common causes of a black screen on a computer?
The most common causes of a black screen on a computer are:
- A problem with the graphics card
- A problem with the monitor
- A problem with the power supply
- A problem with the software
- A problem with the operating system

Hi! I’m Eric and I work on the knowledge base at GadgetMates.com. You can see some of my writings about technology, cellphone repair, and computer repair here.
When I’m not writing about tech I’m playing with my dog or hanging out with my girlfriend.
Shoot me a message at ericchan@gadgetmates.com if you want to see a topic discussed or have a correction on something I’ve written.