My laptop screen just died / went black / blank! How do I fix this?
By A.H.D.A. - 05/05/2025 - 0 comments
If your laptop screen has gone black or blank, you may try these options to see if you can restore the video.
These options do not have to be done in the same sequence as shown below, and some of the steps will not be possible without a second working display.
| Try the following | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Restart the Laptop | Begin with a simple restart: press the power button to turn off the laptop and then turn it back on. If that doesn't help, perform a hard reset by holding the power button until the laptop powers off, then restart it. |
| 2. Use a Shortcut Key | Press Windows + Ctrl + Shift + B. This key combination can reset the graphics driver and may resolve display issues. |
| 3. Inspect Screen Connections | If using an external display, ensure the cable is firmly connected. For internal laptop screens, check for any signs of physical damage or loose internal connections. |
| 4. Open Task Manager | Use Ctrl + Shift + Esc to launch Task Manager. Check the Processes tab for any applications or services that might be causing display problems. A second monitor is required if the screen is blank (See step 8). |
| 5. Boot into Safe Mode | Restart the laptop and boot into Safe Mode. This mode runs Windows with only essential drivers. If the screen works here, the issue may be related to a driver conflict. A second monitor is required if the screen is blank (See step 8). |
| 6. Perform System Restore | If you can access the desktop, try performing a System Restore to revert your system to an earlier point where the display was functioning properly. A second monitor is required if the screen is blank (See step 8). |
| 7. Address Driver Problems | If you suspect the graphics driver is faulty, try rolling it back to an earlier version or updating it to the latest version via Device Manager. A second monitor is required if the screen is blank (See step 8). |
| 8. Test with External Display | Connect your laptop to an external monitor or TV (via your HDMI port) to determine whether the issue lies with the built-in screen or with the graphics system in general. |
| 9. Backlight test | See the next table to check whether the screen's backlight has blown. If this is the case, the screen will need to be checked and repaired by a professional. |
| 10. Check for Hardware Failure | Persistent issues might be hardware-related (e.g., damaged display, malfunctioning GPU, or bad RAM). Consider professional diagnostics or repairs. |
How to check whether the screen's backlight has blown / failed
Before attempting this test, adjust the screen brightness down and then up by using the physical buttons or function keys to make sure that the brightness has not been set to minimum.
Backlit LCD screens are screens that are lit from behind by means of a LED or CCFL light. This test will work for these types of displays.
OLED and e-ink displays do not use backlights. If your laptop has this type of display, and the display fails to adjust brightness, consider professional diagnostics or repairs.
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Get a Bright Light Source | Use a strong flashlight or a high-intensity lamp to illuminate the screen directly. |
| 2. Examine the Screen Closely | While the light is shining on the screen, carefully observe any visible content or images. |
| 3. Interpret the Results | - If the image is visible and clear under the light, this suggests that the LCD is functioning but the backlight is not, indicating a backlight failure. - If the image is dim, blurry, or barely visible, it may still point to a backlight problem, as the screen lacks sufficient illumination. |
Tags: laptop sreen, fix, repair, display problems