Why My HP Laptop Is Black? How Can I Fix it?

Computers are an indispensable tool in our life. They offer seamless solutions for a variety of our requirements, including online shopping, web-based classrooms, virtual meetings, and much more, whether it be a personal laptop or a custom-built PC.

However, it is often overlooked that computers necessitate routine "check-ups." This is accomplished by conducting scheduled assessments or utilizing performance-based applications to assess their overall condition. Although some may disregard this, a compromised computer will operate less proficiently than it did previously and, in certain instances, may result in the dreaded "black screen of death."

This article will discuss the black screen of death, the causes of its occurrence in certain devices, and offer potential solutions.

What is the "black screen of death” error?

In simpler terms, a black screen of death is a condition in which a computer remains suspended on a vacant, black screen. The PC becomes unresponsive, and the commands or button prompts are inoperative.

There are numerous causes for this phenomenon, but it is typically the result of system errors that interfere with the protocols of a system, resulting in its malfunction. This necessitates a complete halt of the computer, which could potentially compromise its functionality if it is executed excessively.

In the worst-case scenario, the constant force of a computer to wind down can result in hardware damage or file corruption, which are the primary indicators that you should consider purchasing a new laptop or desktop. Various factors can cause computers to slow down, but other minor issues may also arise. Therefore, the most effective method of identifying problems is typically to conduct a comprehensive system diagnostic.

Why my HP laptop screen is black: Possible reason for HP laptop black screen error

The majority of the time, a computer black screen is the result of recent modifications to the PC. Verify that the black screen on your laptop is caused by one of the following:

1. Connection problems with the monitor

A black screen may occasionally occur as a result of an interrupted connection between the computer and its display monitor. This is a common occurrence for desktop users who inadvertently dislodge the cable from its designated receptacle, which may be located on the computer case, the monitor, or both.

This could also occur when utilizing an external monitor with a laptop, particularly if the cable is damaged.

2. Issues with the display device or adapter

Additionally, a black screen may result from a malfunctioning video adapter or display device. This is frequently the case when the PC is capable of producing noises but is unable to project visuals.

A display device is an external apparatus that generates visual output, such as an LCD monitor. However, a video adapter is a piece of hardware that is specifically designed to generate those images before transmitting them to a display device.

3. Errors in software or application installation or system update

A black screen error can also be caused by a complete system update fail or the implementation of new software. This is typically the result of conflicting commands or coding that could disrupt the computer's primary programming, thereby interrupting certain critical processes.

Before making any significant modifications to the computer's system, it is crucial to back up all files, particularly those that are critical.

How to solve [my HP laptop screen is black] error

By identifying the most probable causes of the black screen prompt, the optimal solution can be implemented. This is crucial because certain solutions necessitate modifications to the computer's system, such as the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System), contingent upon the nature of the problem.

Before investigating technical alternatives, it is crucial to evaluate external factors, including a malfunctioning display cable. We sort the solutions into 2 cases, you can check each way based on your situation.

Case 1. Black screen during booting HP laptop

Way 1. Check connection issues with the monitor

You need to inspect the video cable of the device for any external damage. If there is none, attempt to resolve the issue by disconnecting and re-connecting the video cable from the computer to the monitor. If the screen remains inactive, conduct the following tests on both the cable and the monitor:

Cable: Utilize an additional cable that is readily accessible at home (e.g., the one utilized by the television or an additional laptop) to establish a connection between the computer and the monitor. The initial cable is damaged and requires replacement if the monitor functions properly.

Monitor: Monitor Conduct a video cable test between the computer and an alternative monitor, such as a television or another monitor. The original monitor is damaged and requires replacement if the new monitor displays images to perfection.

Way 2. Utilize the Windows key sequence to refresh the screen

Step 1. Click on the CapsLock or NumLock keys to determine whether any indicator light illuminates (the computer is operational but the screen is not being activated).

▍ If any of the keys' LEDs illuminate, the following will occur:

Step 2. The administrator menu will be displayed when you press Ctrl + Alt + Delete.

Step 3. Choose your account and proceed with your typical login process.

If you are unable to log in, select the "Power" icon and then select "Restart" to refresh the computer.

If the computer is once again frozen at a black screen, the final option is to forcibly close down the PC by pressing and holding the power button for approximately 10 seconds.

▍ If any of the keys fail to illuminate, proceed to:

Step 1. Press the power button on the computer for approximately 10 seconds to manually close it down.

Step 2. Remove the power adapter from the computer and its power source for approximately 30 seconds.

Step 3. Reconnect it and then resume.

Way 3. Use Safe Mode to revert the display driver/adapter

The display adapter (graphics card, etc.) may cease to function properly as a result of a recent modification to your PC, particularly a Windows update. To safely revert the display adapter's driver to a previous version, a computer restart in Safe Mode will be necessary if it remains stalled on an empty, black screen.

Step 1. Open the Search bar and enter "Device Manager" into the search bar after the PC has booted in Safe Mode.

Step 2. Locate Display Adapters by selecting the Device Manager application.

Step 3. The current display adapters of the PC will be displayed under the Display Adapter page, such as the Intel HD 4000 and the Nvidia RTX 3060.

Step 4. Right-click on the display adapter that is suspected to be the source of the black screen issue, and then select "Properties."

Step 5. Locate the Driver tab, select Roll Back Driver, and execute the procedure by pressing "Yes."

Step 6. Upon completion of the procedure, restart the computer to determine whether the black screen issue has been resolved.

Way 4. Try System Automatic Repair

The computer will automatically enter its Automatic Repair phase during the next restart after a few forced shutdowns, which are caused by a failure to boot up correctly after becoming stuck at a black screen.

It will endeavor to resolve black screen issues that may disrupt the computer's secure startup by providing a limited number of options. Users have the option to instruct Windows to revert to its previous operational state by utilizing System Restore if the Automatic Repair screen appears.

Step 1. Click on Advanced Options from the actions provided.

Step 2. Go to Troubleshoot.

Step 3. Proceed to Advanced Options again.

Step 4. Choose System Restore among the many solutions shared.

Users can also utilize Automatic Repair to return the computer to its factory settings or, if necessary, choose other repair operations such as Startup Repair or System Image Recovery instead of System Restore.

Way 5. Try third-party boot repair tool

If you have another computer that works well, you can also use it to create a repair USB for your black screen HP laptop to repair corrupted or missing boot files.

AOMEI Partition Assistant provides a more user-friendly solution to resolve Windows boot issues. It is a robust Windows 11/10/8/8.1/7 disk management tool that includes a Boot Repair function.

This feature will automatically identify and resolve any boot-related issues including corruption or loss of boot configuration data (BCD) files, boot sector corruption, system update failure, virus attacks, or other software conflicts, which seriously affect our work and life. Moreover, this tool also allows users to create Windows bootable USB or repair USB for other PCs.

Step 1. Download and install AOMEI Partition Assistant on a working computer and connect an available USB drive to it.

Step 2. Open the software and select the Boot Repair tool below the Recover section.

Step 3. Click the create a bootable disk option to create a bootable USB drive.

Step 4. Plug the created drive into the non-booting computer and change the boot sequence in BIOS to boot the computer from it. Once the computer starts up successfully, it will automatically load the Boot Repair tool and perform a scan of boot problems.

If your computer can boot normally, directly click Next to start the system’s boot entry scan.

Step 5. Once the scan completes, you can see all scan results, including system paths, system versions, and boot status. Select the repairable boot entries you want to repair and click the Repair button.

Step 6. Wait for the repair process to finish, then remove the bootable USB drive and boot your Windows from the original system drive.

Case 2. Black screen on HP laptop occurs after successfully signing in to Windows

Way 1. Refresh the screen via Windows key sequence

This time, press the Windows key + Ctrl + Shift + b to force a refresh of the video display/adapter.

You will hear a short beep before the screen turns off, restarting afterwards. If successful, the black screen issue will be resolved.

Way 2. Restart the Windows Explorer

If a frozen Windows Explorer program could be the cause behind the PC’s black screen error, try restarting it:

Step 1. Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete to open the admin menu.

Step 2. Select Task Manager. Open the Processes tab, and then highlight Windows Explorer.

Step 3. Right-click Windows Explorer and choose Restart.

If the monitor continues to show a black screen, try starting a new Windows Explorer program instead, using Task Manager:

Step 1. Open File located in the top-left corner. Choose “Run new task.”

Step 2. Type “explorer.exe,” and then click “OK.”

Way 3. Uninstall recent updates in Safe Mode

To remove any installed updates that might be disrupting your PC from booting up properly, the process is fairly simple:

Step 1. Open the computer in Safe Mode - it’s very important to be in this mode before starting.

Step 2. Click on the Start/Windows icon, and then go to Settings.

Step 3. Choose Update & Security, and open Windows Update.

Step 4. Click on “View update history” and proceed to Uninstall Updates.

Step 5. Select the previously installed update to be removed from the list provided, and then prompt Uninstall.

Step 6. Press “Yes” to confirm, and wait for the update to be uninstalled.

Restart the computer to see if Windows can now start up normally.

To sum up

It is difficult to determine which black screen cure is best for your PC without first determining the likely causes. In rare cases, users may be obliged to make modifications directly to the computer's BIOS, which might be scary for some.

A computer repair boot via USB is also an option, especially if the PC's black screen issue persists. However, it may be preferable to consult a skilled specialist to avoid causing computer harm. So, AOMEI Partition Assistant is a nice option for you to save your computer from boot issues. Besides boor repair, you can also upgrade HP laptop hard disk via this versatile tool via its disk clone function.

Also, there are many other handy functions like app mover, MBR/GPT conversion, extend drive, disk clean… And there is the Server edition and other advanced editions for different users to manage computers efficiently.