9 Fixes to Acer Laptop Screen Black [Causes & Solutions]

What caused the Acer laptop screen black?

Several factors could contribute to an Acer laptop displaying a black screen or a black screen with a cursor on Windows 10/11. Understanding these causes can help you prevent recurring issues. Common reasons include:

➵ Hard drive issues: Errors in the hard disk can lead to a blank screen as the operating system fails to load the necessary boot files.

➵ Outdated graphics drivers: Running outdated or corrupted graphics card drivers can result in a black or blue screen. Always keep drivers up-to-date to avoid these problems.

➵ Malware infection: Malicious software can disrupt normal system operations, often causing a black screen to appear.

➵ Overheating: Excessive heat can damage hardware components and trigger a black screen. Ensure your laptop’s cooling system is functioning properly to avoid overheating.

Remember, the specific cause of the black screen may vary based on your device’s hardware or software configuration.

How to fix Acer laptop screen black Windows 11 or 10

In this section, we will explore nine effective methods to resolve the black screen issue on your Acer laptop:

Fix 1. Reset Acer laptop power supply

A power reset is one of the simplest solutions to fix minor issues that may cause the black screen on your Acer laptop. If there isn’t a serious underlying problem, this method can often restore your system. Here’s how to perform a power reset:

Step 1. Turn off your Acer laptop.

Step 2. Disconnect the AC adapter and any external devices or cables.

Step 3. Flip the laptop over and remove the screws on the base panel.

Step 4. Take off the base panel and detach the battery, storing it in a safe place.

Step 5. Press and hold the power button for 20 to 30 seconds to drain any residual power.

Step 6. Reattach the battery and carefully screw the base panel back into place.

Fix 2. Try the F2, F9 and F10 keys

You can also try using specific function keys, such as F2, F9, and F10, to resolve the black screen issue on your Acer laptop. Here’s how:

Step 1. If the blue light on your Acer laptop is on but the screen remains black, turn off the laptop using the power button.

Step 2. Unplug all external devices, including drives, mouse, or keyboard.

Step 3. Power on your laptop.

Step 4. When the Acer logo or splash screen appears, press the following keys in sequence: F2, F9, F10, and then Enter.

Step 5. Use the arrow keys to select "Exit" and press Enter, confirming with "Yes".

Fix 3. Use a Windows boot repair tool

AOMEI Partition Assistant is a dedicated tool for repairing boot issues on Windows, featuring a user-friendly "boot repair" function. If you're dealing with problems like the Acer black screen after login, unexpected system crashes, or a blue screen, this tool can help. The boot repair feature simplifies the process, making it accessible for users of all skill levels. With just a few clicks, it automatically diagnoses and fixes boot errors, eliminating the need for manual troubleshooting.

Step 1. Install and launch AOMEI Partition Assistant on a working PC, click "Recovr"-"Boot Repair" and then click the "create a bootable disk" option to create a WinPE "Boot Repair" disk.

Step 2. Boot the PC that cannot boot into WinPE. It will automatically load the Boot Repair tool and start the boot entries scan process. All boot entries will be displayed.

✍ Advanced Settings(Select a location to store the repaired boot entry):

1. Repair to the current disk: The system will boot from the current disk and ensure the boot files are complete and functioning properly. (By default)

2. Repair to another disk: This operation will repair the boot entry or create a new system boot entry to ensure the system can boot from the disk you select.

You can either repair to the current disk or repair to another disk. Repair to the current disk is recommended for common users.

Step 3. Select one/multiple repairable boot entries you want to repair and click the "Repair" button to start the boot repair.

Step 4. Wait for the repair process to finish. Once it is finished, you can check the repair result. If it succeeds, you will get a "Repair Successfully" result.

Fix 4. Test Acer laptop with an external monitor

If your Acer laptop's screen is black but the system is still running, faulty firmware could be the cause. In such cases, boot repair might not resolve the issue. To determine whether the problem lies with the firmware or the display itself, an external monitor can be useful. Here’s how to check:

Step 1. Connect the external monitor to your Acer laptop using an HDMI cable. Ensure the connection is secure.

Step 2. Verify if the external monitor is displaying the laptop’s screen.

Step 3. If the external monitor doesn’t show anything, press F4 to toggle the display output until the screen appears.

Step 4. If the external monitor still doesn’t work, the issue may be outdated graphics drivers or hard disk errors.

Fix 5. Check for hard disk errors

AOMEI Partition Assistant is not just a boot repair tool - it also excels at detecting and fixing disk errors. Trusted by millions of Windows users, this powerful disk management software can resolve black screen issues on your Acer laptop caused by disk errors. Its robust "Check Disk" feature ensures the health and functionality of your hard drive. Additionally, the tool allows users to create a bootable USB stick, enabling full file system checks and repairs through the BIOS configuration.

Step 1. Download the software, install, and launch it. It will display the basic situation of your hard drives. Select the partition that you want to check for, right-click it, and select Advanced -> Check Partition.

Step 2. It will pop up a small window that you can select the way of checking errors to perform. Choose one according to your needs and click OK. It will proceed immediately.

Fix 6. Update Graphics Card Drivers

The graphics card driver is essential for proper display functionality. Outdated, corrupted, or missing drivers can lead to display issues, such as a black screen on your Acer laptop or a black screen after login. This method provides a step-by-step guide to updating your graphics drivers, along with instructions on reinstalling them if updating doesn’t resolve the black screen issue. Here’s how to update your drivers:

Step 1. Press "Windows + X" and select "Device Manager" from the list.

Step 2. Double-click the "Display adapters" category to expand it.

Step 3. Right-click on your graphics card and choose "Update Driver".

Step 4. Select "Search automatically for updated driver software".The system will find and install the latest version. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update.

Fix 7. Update the BIOS

BIOS (Basic Input and Output System) is responsible for managing your computer's boot process. If there’s an issue with the BIOS, it can prevent your system from booting properly, leading to problems like the Acer black screen after login or a black screen of death. Updating the BIOS can sometimes resolve these issues, but it’s important to proceed carefully. Incorrect BIOS updates can cause system damage, so it's not recommended for inexperienced users.

Here’s how to update your BIOS:

Step 1. Open the Start menu and select Run.

Step 2. In the search box, type msinfo32 and press Enter.

Step 3. In the System Summary window, locate the BIOS version/date information.

Step 4. Visit the official Acer support website, and find the correct model for your laptop.

Step 5. Download the appropriate BIOS version for your device.

Step 6. Extract the contents of the downloaded ZIP file.

Step 7. Insert a blank USB drive formatted with the FAT32 file system and copy the extracted files onto the drive.

Note: Search online for the specific BIOS key for your model if you’re unsure.

Step 8. Restart your laptop and press the designated key to enter the BIOS configuration.

Step 9. Navigate to Boot in the top menu, then select Advanced Settings.

Step 10. Choose Removable Device and follow the on-screen instructions to update your BIOS.

Fix 8. Check for viruses and malware

Viruses and malware can severely damage your operating system, leading to issues like file corruption and a black screen on your Acer laptop, though you may still see the mouse cursor. These attacks can cause system malfunctions and prevent proper booting.

To resolve this, you should run a virus scan to detect and remove any malicious software causing the black screen. Since you’re operating in safe mode, Windows is running with limited functionality, and built-in tools like Windows Defender may not be fully effective. If Windows Defender is working, run a quick scan to identify and remove the virus. Alternatively, open a web browser and download trusted antivirus software to scan for and eliminate malware.

Fix 9. Reset Acer laptop

If the black screen issue persists, consider resetting your Acer laptop to restore functionality. Follow these steps to reset your computer and reinstall the operating system:

Step 1. Restart your laptop and press the power button continuously until you enter the WinRE (Windows Recovery Environment). If needed, reboot the system three times to access WinRE.

Step 2. Click "Troubleshoot" and select the "Reset this PC" option.

Step 3. Choose the "Keep my files" option to protect your personal data while resetting the system.

Step 3. Then, choose a way to reinstall your Acer laptop after resetting.

Step 4. Next, you need to decide to just remove your files or fully clean the drive.

Step 4. You will be asked if you are ready to reset your device. If you have no questions about the impacts listed in front of you, click on "Reset" to start the process of factory reset the PC.

Conclusion

If you successfully resolve the black screen issue on your Acer laptop, the goals of this article will have been met. We’ve provided a range of solutions, as the causes of the problem can vary. One of the most effective and simplest solutions in the meantime is to use the professional Windows boot repair tool—AOMEI Partition Assistant. This tool helps restore your laptop from a black screen without risking data loss. It’s an excellent choice for easy boot repair, checking disk errors, and creating bootable devices.