How to fix the dreaded black screen of death on Windows

While Windows users are familiar with the infamous Blue Screen of Death, there's a more serious affliction that can be way harder to diagnose and fix — the dreaded Black Screen of Death. This is a bit different from a Blue Screen of Death in that rather than seeing an error message, your computer may just boot up to a black screen, which may display your cursor or not, but it won't be usable.

This black screen behavior can be caused by a multitude of factors — from corrupted system files and new Windows updates to malware infection and outdated drivers. That's why it can be so hard to pinpoint the exact reason. But, if you run through the following sequence of fixes, moving from the simplest and lowest-maintenance to the most difficult and invasive, you just might manage to revert Windows to its happy state.

Restart your computer and the display driver

Yes, turn it off and back on again

Starting with the simplest (and most optimistic) fix, simply restart your PC. In most cases, you'll have to hold down the power button to turn off your PC and then turn it back on (some PCs may also have a dedicated reset button). In the case of a weird, unexplained glitch, a restart might fix the issue, although it's unlikely. The black screen doesn't usually go away that easily.

Next, on the black screen, you can try restarting your display driver by pressing Windows + Ctrl + Shift + B. This method can sometimes bring your display back to life by kick-starting your GPU driver, but to be honest, this has never worked for me. It's a very simple step to take, though, so it's worth giving it a shot before getting too deep into other fixes.

Use Startup Repair

Try to fix issues with the boot process

In cases where Windows fails to start normally or throws up the scary black screen, Startup Repair can sometimes help. In fact, there's a fair chance that it might automatically fix whatever is causing the black screen. To try this method, you'll have to boot into the Windows Recovery Environment (RE).

1. Restart your PC and before the Windows boot animation completes, turn it off by holding down the power button. Do this about 3 times until Windows automatically boots into the Advanced Startup screen.
2. On the blue screen, select Troubleshoot.
   

   Windows 11 recovery environment with Troubleshoot option highlighted© Provided by XDA Developers
3. From there, choose Advanced options and then Startup Repair.
4. Windows will try to resolve the underlying issue behind the black screen and restart after it finishes troubleshooting. If the black screen persists, proceed to the next fix.

Perform a System Restore

Can't hurt to try it

System Restore is another feature that can help you get back to a working state, particularly if you know the PC was working fine at some point in the past. However, it does require that you have set System Restore beforehand, so if you still have a working PC, you should do that first.

If you did set up the System Restore capabilities, follow these steps:

1. Boot into the Advanced Startup screen as shown in fix #2.
2. Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > System Restore.
   

   Screenshot of advanced options in Windows recovery with System restore highlighted
3. You should see a list of restore points on the next screen. Choose one that seems right and start the process.
   

   Screenshot of system restore in Windows Recovery showing an available restore point
4. If System Restore successfully rolls back your system, check whether the black screen is gone. If it's still there, go on to the next fix below.
5. If the rollback doesn't succeed, or if there are no restore points available, the next step is the same: move on the next fix.

Fix bad disk sectors with CHKDSK

The CHKDSK utility can fix damaged boot files

Damaged sectors on your disk associated with the boot files can lie behind the black screen error. If Windows can't access the boot files, you're likely to get stuck with a failed boot, triggering the black screen. To use CHKDSK:

1. Once again, follow the steps to access the Advanced Startup screen.
2. Once there, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.
   

   Screenshot of advanced options in Windows Recovery with Command Prompt highlighted
3. Type the following command to begin a disk check, replacing C: with the drive letter containing your Windows install: chkdsk C: /f /r /x

The process will take some time, but if it detects any errors, it should fix them and allow you to keep using your PC. However, do note that this means your SSD or HDD has been damagd, so you may want to think about replacing it before more sectors get damaged and potentially make your PC unusable.

Fix corrupted system files with SFC and DISM

Bring those corrupted OS files back to life

Corrupted Windows files are one of the most common causes behind the unnerving black screen. By using built-in tools like SFC and DISM, you can fix some common issues with your system files and get rid of the black screen for good.

1. On the Advanced Startup screen again, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.
2. Use the following command to run the SFC scan: sfc /scannow
   

   Command prompt in startup repair
3. Once the scan is finished, you'll see a message indicating whether the scan fixed any errors. If errors were fixed, restart your computer and try to boot normally.
4. If the black screen persists, go back to the Recovery Environment and run the following command in the Command Prompt tool: DISM /Image C:\ /Cleanup-Image /Scanhealth
   

   Command prompt DISM advanced repair
5. Next, run the following command: DISM /Image C:\ /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

DISM should help fix any corrupted files in your Windows installation, which could be causing the black screen issue. However, there are a few more things we can try.

Rebuild the BCD file

Your boot record might be damaged

Your Windows drive has a Master Boot Record (MBR) containing the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) file, which stores all the necessary data to ensure a proper boot every time you start your PC. Damage to these files can cause a black screen error. Thankfully, you can fix these issues by using the Command Prompt.

1. Similar to the other fixes above, follow the steps to get to Advanced Reapir and then choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command prompt
2. Run the following commands, one after another:
   

   Screenshot of command prompt in the WIndows Recovery Environment with a command to help restore the boot record
   • bootrec /scanos
   • bootrec /fixmbr
   • bootrec /fixboot
   • bootrec /rebuildbcd
3. Restart your computer after successfully running these commands, and check whether the black screen error still persists.

7. Run a malware scan

Catch and destroy any malware infections

If your system has been infected with malware, causing a black screen error, you'll have to run a malware scan by creating a bootable USB. The bootable version of the malware program will remove any viruses infecting your system files without (hopefully) deleting any files.

1. On another computer, download Kaspersky Rescue Disk and Rufus to create a bootable USB with the downloaded ISO file.
2. Launch Rufus and select the USB drive you're doing to use from the dropdown at the top (we recommend only having one plugged in).
   

   Rufus bootable kaspersky disk creation screen
3. Click SELECT and choose the ISO file for the Kaspersky Rescue Disk.
4. Restart your computer and enter the BIOS/UEFI to select the USB drive as the primary boot option.
5. Your system will now boot using the USB drive. Follow the on-screen instructions to scan your Windows drive for viruses.
6. Once the scan is finished, follow the recommended actions as displayed on the screen and then restart your computer. Check whether the malware scan managed to resolve the black screen.

Uninstall recent Windows updates

Sometimes updates cause issues, too

A recent Windows update could also be the cause of a sudden black screen. Fortunately, you can uninstall Windows updates from the Advanced Startup screen and hope that this brings Windows back to life.

1. On the Advanced Startup screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Uninstall Updates.
2. Select Uninstall latest quality update or Uninstall latest feature update. Feature updates are less frequent, so you can start with the quality updates first if you're not sure what to go with. You can always repeat the process for feature updates afterward.
   

   Windows recovery environment showing option to uninstall updates© Provided by XDA Developers
3. Click Uninstall feature update or Uninstall quality update depending on the option you chose above to confirm, and wait for the process to finish.

If the issue is solved, you may want to pause updates on your PC in case they cause issues again. Things should be ironed out within a couple of weeks at most.

Roll back or update drivers

You can try uninstalling some programs, too

It's less than likely, but certain driver updates and third-party program installations can sometimes trigger a black screen in Windows. You can boot into Safe Mode to figure out which one is the root cause, and then remove it to resolve the issue.

1. On the Advanced Startup screen, navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings. Click Restart.
2. On the next screen, press 4 or F4 to restart your PC in Safe Mode.
   

   Screenshot of startup settings in Windows 11© Provided by XDA Developers
3. If you're able to boot to the desktop successfully, right-click the Start menu and choose Device Manager.
4. Expand the Display adapters section and right-click your GPU then choose Properties. You may have more than one GPU. If this is the case, start with the integrated graphics, which should be either Intel or AMD.
   

   Screenshot of Device manager running ion Safe Mode showing a context menu for a display adapter
5. In the Properties window, switch to the Driver tab and choose Roll Back Driver. This will revert your driver to a previous version, which can fix issues like this.
   

   Screenshot of a device properties dialog in Windows 11 Safe Mode, showing the option to roll back a driver
6. If you don't have a roll back option, then you may need to update your driver instead. For this, open the Start menu and hold Shift on your keyboard while clicking the Power button and then Restart.
7. This will take you back to the advanced startup options. Repeat the instructions in step 1, but then, instead of following step 2, press 5 to boot into Safe Mode with Networking. This will allow you to browse the web to download the latest driver to install.
8. You can find the correct driver on the official support website from either Intel or AMD.
9. Follow the instructions to install the latest version of the driver. If prompted, opt to do a clean install so any leftover files are deleted.
10. Restart your PC and check if the issues are gone.

If you have more than one GPU listed and the problem wasn't solved, try the steps above again, but this time choose the other GPU and see if it helps.

Aside from drivers, other programs can sometimes cause issues. If the steps above still haven't resolved things, go back into Safe Mode and follow these steps:

1. Right-click the Start menu and choose Apps & features.
2. Sort the programs by date, and uninstall the most recent one.
   

   Screenshot of Windows 11 Settings showing the uninstall option for an app
3. Restart normally and check whether the black screen is gone. If not, repeat the process for the other programs (one by one) until the issue is resolved.

Restore BIOS/UEFI defaults

Worth a shot

If none of these methods gets rid of your black screen issue, you can try reverting your BIOS/UEFI to the default settings. This process can get rid of some misconfigured settings that could prevent your PC from booting normally. If you've made some changes to the BIOS/UEFI recently, this method might be worth trying.

1. In Advanced startup, navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings. This will restart your PC to open the UEFI/BIOS settings.
2. Look for Load Optimized Defaults or something similar that indicates reverting to default settings. The wording might vary, depending on your motherboard manufacturer.
   

   Reset BIOS/UEFI to default settings screen
3. Select the applicable option to revert to the default settings, press F10 to save the changes, and restart your computer.
4. Boot normally and check whether the issue still persists.

Restore Windows with a system image

Let's hope you have one of these

At this point, it's probably safe to conclude that your Windows installation has serious damage. Restoring to a previous working copy of Windows is probably the only remaining option outside of completely resetting the PC. You can do this with a backup system image if you created one sometime in the past. Windows has a built-in system imaging utility to help create system images on another disk or drive. Tools like Macrium Reflect can also be used to image your OS partition and store it on a secondary drive in anticipation of a gloomy day like this one.

1. On the Advanced Startup screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > System Image Recovery. If you don't see that option, click See more recovery options to find it.
   

   Windows Recovery Environment showing System Image Recovery option© Provided by XDA Developers
2. Once you've connected the external drive containing your system image, click Select a system image, and follow the on-screen instructions to select the image you want to restore to.
   

   Screenshot of the system recovery dialog showing the latest recovery image available© Provided by XDA Developers
3. This process will completely format all the existing partitions on your target disk. Click Next, click Finish, and then click Yes to confirm.
4. The process will take some time and replicate the exact layout and data of your system image on your target drive. Once the process is finished, restart your computer.
5. There's virtually no chance that this process won't work. Being one of the last resorts, it completely rewrites your previous Windows installations, removing any underlying software issues that are causing the black screen.

Reset the PC

The final "last resort"

Resetting Windows reverts you to factory settings, thereby resolving the error. This method is different from restoring to a system image, as the latter lets you use a replica of an older working copy of Windows. By resetting your PC, on the other hand, you lose your settings, apps, layout, and everything else, and need to start afresh. Note that you don't lose your files, as it's possible to back them up during the process. Proceed with this method only if none of the other methods worked for you.

1. On the Advanced Startup screen, select Troubleshoot > Reset this PC.
   

   Screenshot of troubleshooting options in Windows Recovery with the Reset This PC option highlighted
2. Choose Keep my files to retain your files or Remove everything to delete all your personal files in addition to the apps and settings.
3. Choose whether to perform a cloud download or a local reinstall.
   

   Windows 11 reset process in Windows Recovery showing options for a cloud download or local reinstall© Provided by XDA Developers
4. On the next screen, click Reset to begin the process.
5. Your computer will restart, and you'll be able to boot to the desktop normally.

Alternatively, you can try performing a completely clean install of Windows 11, though this requires a second PC.

Corrupted Windows and possible hardware failure

Once you've successfully restored Windows to a working state, you might want to prevent the issue from happening again. While Windows corruption can happen to anyone without warning, this problem frequently indicates a failing hard drive or SSD. Check your drive for hardware errors and try replacing it with a new one. We also recommend that you back up your PC to avoid any data loss in such worst-case scenarios.