If your PC screen keeps going black while you are working, watching videos or playing games, it can be both frustrating and worrying. A black screen may last a few seconds before returning to normal or it might force you to restart your computer entirely. In either case, it is a sign that something is not working correctly.
This article explains the most common reasons why a PC screen might keep going black and what you can do to fix it. Whether the issue is related to hardware, software or settings, there are several ways to troubleshoot and restore stability.
Display Cable and Connection Issues
One of the first things to check is the cable that connects your monitor to your PC. A loose, damaged or poorly seated cable can cause the screen to flicker or go black without warning. This applies to HDMI, DisplayPort, VGA and DVI connections.
Make sure the cable is firmly plugged into both your monitor and your graphics port. Try a different cable or port if available. If you are using an adapter or splitter, consider testing without it to rule out compatibility issues.
If the black screen only happens with a particular cable or connection type, replacing it may solve the problem.
Monitor Problems
Sometimes the issue lies with the monitor rather than the PC. If your monitor is failing, it might briefly shut off or stop displaying an image even while your PC is still running.
Test your monitor by connecting it to a different computer or device. If the screen goes black again, the monitor may be at fault. You can also try connecting a different monitor to your PC to see if the issue remains.
Adjusting the monitor’s refresh rate in Windows settings may help, particularly if you have recently changed display settings or installed new hardware.
Graphics Card and Driver Problems
Another common cause of a black screen is a fault with the graphics card or its drivers. If your graphics card is loose, overheating or starting to fail, it can interrupt the display signal.
Turn off your PC and open the case to check that the graphics card is seated correctly in its slot. Remove dust around the fans and ensure proper ventilation.
Outdated or faulty drivers can also cause display dropouts. Go to Device Manager, find your Display adapters, and update the drivers for your GPU. Alternatively, download the latest drivers directly from the manufacturer’s website, such as NVIDIA, AMD or Intel.
If the problem started after a driver update, rolling back to a previous version may resolve the issue.
Power Supply Problems
Your screen may go black if your power supply unit (PSU) cannot provide enough power to your graphics card or other components. This is more likely to happen during high usage, such as gaming or video editing.
If the PC restarts or shuts down along with the black screen, the PSU might be the issue. A failing PSU can cause inconsistent voltage, leading to display errors. Replacing the unit with a higher-rated or more reliable model may be necessary if this is the case.
System Sleep and Power Settings
In some cases, your screen might go black because your PC is entering sleep or power-saving mode. This can happen during periods of inactivity or because of aggressive power settings.
To adjust this, go to Settings > System > Power & sleep, and increase the time before the display turns off or the PC sleeps. In Control Panel > Power Options, make sure you are using a balanced or high-performance plan rather than a power saver mode.
Disabling screen savers or setting your PC to never turn off the display during use can also prevent unwanted black screens.
Software or Operating System Errors
A bug in your operating system or installed software can sometimes cause screen blackouts. This might happen during updates or if a background process fails.
Run System File Checker by typing sfc /scannow in Command Prompt as an administrator. This tool will scan for corrupted files and attempt to repair them.
If you recently installed a new programme and the problem started shortly after, try uninstalling it and checking if the issue goes away. You can also run a full virus scan to rule out malware causing display problems.
Hardware Overheating
If your PC components get too hot, particularly the graphics card or CPU, your system may attempt to reduce heat by stopping the display signal or shutting down.
Check temperatures using a hardware monitoring tool. If readings are high, clean the internal fans and vents, make sure nothing is blocking airflow and consider improving cooling with better fans or thermal paste.
Final Thoughts
A screen that goes black repeatedly could be caused by something simple like a loose cable or something more serious like a failing power supply or graphics card. Start with basic checks and work through each area to rule out common causes. In most cases, identifying the issue and making a few adjustments can stop your screen from going black and restore smooth performance.