We will tell you how to solve the problem of the computer turns on but no display. When there is a faulty graphics driver or an issue with the LCD backlight, the computer switches on, but no display appears.
Connect a different monitor to the computer and restart it to test the display. If an image appears on the external monitor, a graphics driver may conflict with the display, resulting in the PC screen remaining black but operational.
There are twelve simple solutions to the problem of a black laptop screen or a laptop that turns on but does not display. To resolve the problem, try all of the solutions listed below.
Methods To Fix The “Computer Turns On But No Display” Issue?
- Force Restart-Computer
- Level Up Brightness
- Check And Reinstall Following Hardware
- Reconnect Monitor To the Computer
- Update System Drivers
- Disconnect Your Peripherals
- Reset Your BIOS Settings To Default (CMOS Battery)
- Repair Corrupt System Files
- Boot Your PC In Safe Mode
- Check for The Beep Sounds
- Check If Monitor Is Working
- Reinstall the Memory Modules if necessary (LAPTOP)
1. Force Restart-Computer
If all you see after clicking the power button is a black screen, try to press the power button for 10-15 seconds to force shut down your computer, then turn it back on. Windows Startup Repair should start automatically if you perform this three times.
If nothing happens after turning your computer on and off a few times, it could be a hardware issue.
- If you choose Automatic Repair as the startup option,
- Select Troubleshoot and then Advanced Options from the drop-down menu.
- After that, go to Startup Settings, Restart, and select Safe Mode with Networking.
- After this, Check if the “computer turns on but no display” issue is solved or not.
2. Level Up Brightness
Computer displays can be dimmed to the point where you can’t see a single pixel. As a result, you can confuse the scenario with the no-display booting problem. Increase the brightness using the keyboard shortcuts and see if that solves the problem.
Press the Windows Key, Ctrl, Shift, and B keys concurrently if your computer still doesn’t wake up. The command restarts the graphic driver, allowing your system to boot up with a functional monitor.
- Before investigating the hardware, ensure you haven’t turned on the “view on second display only” option.
- Press the Windows + P keys simultaneously to access the display switch menu.
- Return to the previous display mode by pressing the P key once more and pressing Enter.
- If you haven’t missed any, repeat this step four times.
- PC screen only
- Duplicate on the second display
- Extend across all displays
- The second screen only
- After this, Check if the “computer turns on but no display” issue is solved or not.
3. Check And Reinstall Following Hardware
Graphics Card
Your graphics card is likely to blame if your monitor is blank, especially if you get a “no signal” error. Griminess, corrosion, and physical damage are all possible problems with the graphics card.
- Remove the device, clean it and its holding bracket, and double-check that it’s firmly bolted.
- Detach all the cables at the back of the PC tower while the machine is disconnected.
- To open the enclosure of your system, use a screwdriver.
- Remove the board from the PCI bracket by unscrewing it.
- To unclip the board from its mounting location, toggle the retention lever with one hand while holding the board.
- Reconnect the wires and restart the computer without the graphics card installed.
- If the monitor appears, continue with the procedures below:
- If the golden pins show symptoms of corrosion, moisten a cloth with isopropyl alcohol and gently rub them.
- Then clear up the dust, grease, and other debris from the enticing slot with a damp cotton swab and an air compressor.
- Connect all of the connections and run a test on your computer.
- If the problem persists, try putting the graphics card in a different slot as the last option.
- Replace the component or take it to a repair shop if the PC still turns on without a display.
- After this, Check if the “computer turns on but no display” issue is solved or not.
RAM
A faulty connection between your motherboard and RAM sticks can cause your computer to power on but not display any information. Memory slots that are clogged and damaged or corroded modules might have the same impact.
- Open the cabinet on your computer.
- In the motherboard grooves, look for two or four rectangular green sticks.
- Each edge of each stick has two clamps: Squeeze them together until the board emerges from their notches.
- Place the sticks on a lint-free cloth to dry.
- To clear the dust inside the crack, use a cotton swab and a can of compressed air.
- Grabbing one of the modules by the edge without touching the gold pins.
- Push it down into the slot until the lock clicks, then repeat the operation with the other sticks.
- Ensure that all wires leading to and from the motherboard are connected to the correct locations.
- After this, Check if the “computer turns on but no display” issue is solved or not.
Processor And Motherboard Issue
The motherboard and the processor are vulnerable components. You can’t just remove, clean, and reinstall them to check if they’re the source of your problem.
- You can gather information about the CPU by performing a physical check.
- It informs you if the components have been overheated, crashed, or are incompatible.
- Check to see if the system works after reinstalling the components.
- Check and reinstall all of the monitor connections on the motherboard.
- After this, Check if the “computer turns on but no display” issue is solved or not.
Temperature Check
- Go to the Start and click the Settings icon while in Safe Mode.
- Select Update and Security > Recovery > Advanced Startup from the drop-down menu.
- To see a new blue window with the words “Choose an Option,” select the “Restart Now” button.
- “Troubleshoot,” “Advanced Options,” and then “UEFI Firmware Settings” should appear.
- Find an option that reads “PC Health Status,” “System Hardware Monitor,” or something similar when the BIOS page appears. (Depending on your PC, it may have a different category name.)
- Make sure the CPU temperature does not exceed 70°C (158°F).
- After this, Check if the “computer turns on but no display” issue is solved or not.
4. Reconnect Monitor To the Computer
Examine all connected wires, ports, and power adapters as part of your next diagnostic effort. Ensure that the video cable and power cable are securely connected at both ends and that the screws are tightened.
- Test your power cable and graphic cord with different port connectors and outlets.
- If nothing appears to be working, try a different cable to determine if your cords are damaged.
- You can also try a different cable type if the display allows it. If you’re already using VGA, connect your monitor using an HDMI cable or HDMI to VGA.
- Ensure connectors are in good working order and that they’re being used correctly.
- After this, Check if the “computer turns on but no display” issue is solved or not.
5. Update System Drivers
A faulty or outdated driver, whether for your graphics cards, a peripheral, or critical hardware, might destroy your PC and prevent it from booting up.
- You can’t change anything in Settings unless the screen is turned on.
- If you could restore the monitor’s display by removing a malfunctioning device, congratulations.
- If you haven’t already, try starting your computer in Safe Mode to see the PC’s basic settings.
- In the search at the taskbar, type “Device Manager.”
- To open the app, select the top result.
- Depending on which driver you wish to update, expand a category. It might be a peripheral category like Scanner, Keyboards, mice, Cameras, and so on, or it could be the display adapters category.
- After this, Check if the “computer turns on but no display” issue is solved or not.
6. Disconnect Your Peripherals
A compatibility issue with one of your devices may be the source of your computer’s no-display problem. Turn your computer off and unplug as many USB devices as you can.
- To switch on the computer, press the power button.
- If the problem appears to go away, reconnect the peripherals one by one to find the source of the problem.
- To avoid the problem from recurring, try the following methods:
- Contact the manufacturer’s support staff to report an issue and for assistance.
- Search for the device by name and model, then look in the public forums to check if anybody else has had the same issue.
- Replace the problematic device with one that is compatible.
- After this, Check if the “computer turns on but no display” issue is solved or not.
7. Reset Your BIOS Settings To Default (CMOS Battery)
The BIOS, which stands for Basic Input/Output System, is a built-in program that your CPU utilizes to start your operating system. It may be to blame if your PC starts with a blank screen because it is a critical boot-up program.
A software misconfiguration can cause a non-loading system.
- You can delete its memory by accessing the motherboard’s BIOS chip. Your BIOS will be reset to its default state.
- Press and hold the power button for roughly ten seconds to turn it off and discharge the static electricity.
- Could you remove it from the power supply?
- To access the motherboard of your computer, open the chassis.
- Locate the CMOS coin cell battery and, if applicable, the protective clip.
- Then, lift it from its position with your finger underneath the battery.
- Wait five minutes before reinstalling the battery and reconnecting the power.
- After this, Check if the “computer turns on but no display” issue is solved or not.
8. Repair Corrupt System Files
It could be an issue with your system files if you can’t get your computer to start or it keeps crashing. There are two methods to run a system scan to discover whether any broken or corrupted system files are the source of your problem.
The System File Checker (SFC) is a built-in Windows program that can assist you in locating and repairing any system file corruption.
- Press the Windows key and X on the keyboard, then select Windows PowerShell or Command Prompt (Admin) if you’re using Windows 7.
- To proceed, select Yes.
- Hit the Enter key after typing SFC/ scannow. Keep the command prompt window open until it finishes.
- After this, Check if the “computer turns on but no display” issue is solved or not.
9. Boot Your PC In Safe Mode
If restarting your computer in Safe Mode isn’t an option, consider resetting your monitor. This tool reduces the resolution of your system to the very minimum, allowing you to check settings and restore normalcy.
- Turn the computer off and on once more.
- Keep pressing and holding the F8 key while the machine is booting up.
- You’ll notice several options; select “Safe Mode” from the list.
If the PC boots up in safe mode, then follow these steps:
- Reduce the resolution in the System Settings.
- By tapping the Windows icon in the lower-left corner of the screen, you may access the Start menu.
- To access your Windows Settings, press the tiny gear symbol.
- Go to “System,” “Display,” “Scale & Layout,” and finally, “Display resolution.”
- Now, switch the settings to default settings.
- After this, Check if the “computer turns on but no display” issue is solved or not.
10. Check for The Beep Sounds
Most computers have an inbuilt motherboard speaker during the startup process that will alert you to any hardware faults. When you press the power button, this speaker makes one or two short beeping sounds, indicating that the BIOS has successfully loaded the system.
- When your computer comes on without a display, the sound it makes may be different.
- The beeping pattern, duration, and order may change depending on what’s causing the problem.
- Please pay attention to the sound and look it up in your motherboard’s manual.
- If you’ve misplaced your handbook, you can use this guide to determine what the speaker is attempting to say.
- Your memory modules, graphics card, connections, or CPU may malfunction.
- After this, Check if the “computer turns on but no display” issue is solved or not.
11. Check If Monitor Is Working
Ensure the monitor is working correctly. One solution is to combine it with a spare PC casing and see if the problem goes away.
If you don’t have another computer, disconnect your monitor from the system and power it up separately. Your monitor should blink, brighten, or welcome visitors with an on-screen prompt if it isn’t malfunctioning.
Any signal from your monitor means it’s working but not well enough to display a picture. In this scenario, you must proceed to the following inspections; otherwise, the monitor must be sent for repair. After this, Check if the “computer turns on but no display” issue is solved or not.
12. Reinstall the Memory Modules if necessary (LAPTOP)
A loose memory module frequently results in a laptop not showing a picture. So, reseating the memory modules on a laptop could fix a blank or black screen problem.
- Disconnect the power cord after turning off the laptop. To discharge static electricity, touch a grounded metal object before beginning any procedure.
- To access the memory, remove the cover.
- Remove the laptop’s memory modules.
- All memory modules should be reinstalled.
- Carry out any necessary tests to ensure that the laptop can boot up and run the Windows operating system.
- After this, Check if the “computer turns on but no display” issue is solved or not.
Conclusion
A computer monitor is one of the most important peripherals to have. A boot failure is frequently the cause of “computer turns on but no display.”
It’s best to test the computer with another system to ensure it’s not a display issue. Try all of the above procedures to resolve the “computer turns on but no display” issue.