Is Your Laptop Showing Blue Or Black Screen? Here’s How To Fix The Problem

Last Updated on September 3, 2024 by Rajendra Hiwale

If you are using a Windows laptop, and are experiencing a problem where your laptop displays a blue or black screen, you are not alone. Many users experience this problem once in a while. If your laptop is showing a blue, black, blank screen or green tint on screen, it is not a good sign. In this article, we will explain what could be the reason behind the problem and help you in getting rid of it.

1. Blue Screen/Black Screen Errors: What Are They?
2. How To Fix Blue Screen Errors
3. How To Fix Black Screen Errors

Blue Or Black Screen Errors: What Are They?

The blue screen error (also known as a stop error) pops up due to a faulty app, program, or update. The culprit software causes your laptop to shut down or restart unexpectedly. Whenever this happens, your device displays a blue screen with a message that your device ran into a problem and needs to restart. Usually, the blue screen error is not fatal to your machine, but might turn out to be annoying if you get interrupted while performing some task.

The black screen error, also known as the BSOD (Black Screen Of Death), happens mostly because of a faulty device driver, a hardware defect, or a Windows software error. It can happen when you are logging in, updating software, or are in the middle of working. Finding the root cause in this issue could be quite tedious.

To sum it up, blue or black screen errors occur due to one of the following reasons:

1. A faulty software.
2. A faulty app/program.
3. A faulty startup application.
4. An outdated or faulty driver.
5. Connection issues between your PC and your monitor.
6. Hardware defects.
7. A faulty Windows update.
8. Issues with the graphics card.
9. Loose cables.
10. A virus/trojan.

How To Fix Blue Screen Errors

1. Blue Screen Error Because Of A Faulty Update

Usually, a blue screen error occurs after an update is installed. Therefore, if you are experiencing a Blue screen error on your laptop after a recent update, the first thing that you can try is to uninstall the recent updates. You can do that by following the steps mentioned below:

1. Enter the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).
   • Hold down the power button for 10 seconds and turn off your device.
   • Press the power button to turn on your device.
   • As soon as there is a response on the screen, hold down the power button again for 10 seconds to turn off your laptop.
   • Press the power button again to turn your device on.
   • Hold down the power button for 10 seconds to turn off your device.
   • Press the power button again to turn on your device.
   • Your Windows laptop/PC will now restart and enter WinRE.
2. Start the Windows in safe mode.
   • On the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
   • Once the device restarts, you will see a host of options. You have to choose the Safe Mode option from the list, which is often accessible by pressing F5 or selecting 5.
3. Uninstall recent updates in the Control Panel.
   • In the search box, type Control Panel.
   • Select Uninstall a program.
   • Select View installed updates and select Installed On to sort the most recent updates.
   • Right-click on the update you want to be uninstalled and select Yes to confirm.
   • Select Restart Now to perform a full wipe of the update.

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2. Blue Screen Error Because Of Third-Party Software

Sometimes, the blue screen error also happens because of third-party software. Several third-party software apps, especially antivirus, have been known to cause blue screen errors. To fix the error, you need to uninstall the software that is potentially causing the issue. Sounds about easy right? Well, how are you going to identify which software is gifting your laptop with the blue screen of death? It’s easy, actually. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Boot your laptop in safe mode.
2. Select Start > Settings > System > Apps & Features.
3. Select Sort by name and change it to Sort by install date.
4. Choose the third-party software that you need to uninstall and click Uninstall.

Using this method, you will be able to temporarily uninstall the software which might potentially be causing the trouble, and then reinstall the remaining ones after your laptop is up and running. The method is tedious and based on trial-and-error, but is absolutely effective.

Also Read: Laptop Camera Not Working? Here Are Five Easy Ways To Solve Laptop Camera Problems

3. Blue Screen Error Because Of A Faulty Driver

The blue screen error sometimes happens as a result of a faulty driver update as well. If you recently installed a new driver, you should roll back, disable, or uninstall the same to determine if the same has been causing you trouble. Once again, you will need to boot your machine in safe mode, and then use the Device Manager to perform a rollback, disable the driver, or uninstall the same.

1. Rollback third-party drivers.
   • Type Device Manager in the search box and select it.
   • Expand the device that has the driver that you want to roll back, right-click the driver, and select Properties.
   • Select the Driver tab, and select Roll Back Driver > Yes.
2. Disable third-party drivers.
   • Select Device Manager, expand the device that has the driver that you want to disable, right-click the driver, and select Properties.
   • Select the Driver tab, select Disable device > Yes.
3. Uninstall third-party drivers.
   • Select Device Manager, expand the device that has the driver that you want to disable, right-click the driver, and select Properties.
   • Select Delete the driver software for this device in the Confirm Device Removal box.
   • Select Uninstall > OK.

4. Blue Screen Error Because Of A Faulty External USB Device

Sometimes, a faulty external USB device (a pen drive, a hard drive, etc.) might be the culprit and might be causing the blue screen error on your device. If this is the case, then it’s your lucky day, as all you need to do is to unplug the external USB device and restart your laptop, and voilà! Your problem is gone without much hassle.

How To Fix Black Screen Errors

If you are facing a black screen error on your laptop, there are several fixes that you can try. Although there’s no guarantee that these solutions will work for everyone, there are high chances that one of the below-mentioned methods might work for you, and you will finally be able to use your device normally.

Method 1: Try A Windows Key Sequence To Wake The Screen

You will need to try a series of Windows keys, which might get rid of the black screen error. Select Windows + Ctrl + Shift + B. If Windows is responsive, you will hear a short beep and the screen will blink or dim while refreshing.

Method 2: Restart Windows Explorer

If you can see some content or even a cursor on the black screen, you can try restarting the Windows Explorer process and the error might get fixed.

1. Select Ctrl + Alt + Delete, then select Task Manager.
2. Under the Processes tab, search for Windows Explorer, right-click on it, and select Restart.
3. Alternatively, you can select File in the top-left corner of the Task Manager and select Run new task. Herein, you need to type explorer.exe and select OK.

Method 3: Check Your Cables And Connections

Sometimes, the black or blank screen issue occurs because of a loose cable (HDMI, VGA, DisplayPort, etc) or some foreign element (dust) clogging the connections. Check for the same by unplugging the cables, cleaning them, as well as the ports, and plugging them back again. If the Black screen error was happening because of the above-mentioned reason, you might be able to fix the issue with this method. Additionally, there are chances of a broken or a faulty cable, so if this method does not work, try a different cable, which might help solve the problem.

Method 4: Try A Different Display

This could be one of the worst-case scenarios but is still quite a common one. If you are experiencing a Black screen error, chances are that your screen is defective or has been damaged. Try connecting your laptop to a different display.

Additionally, try to move from your monitor to your TV or any other screen, and check for the resolution of the device. Sometimes, the black screen issue is caused because of a mismatch between the device and the resolution.

Method 4: Unplug External Devices

As in the case of the blue screen error, external USB devices might be the culprit behind the black screen error as well. If you are facing a black screen issue on your device, unplug all the external devices and restart your machine. This might help solve the error.

Also Read: Here’s How To Troubleshoot Your Laptop’s Battery

Method 4: Roll Back The Display Adapter Driver

The display adapter, or the graphics card, might have received a faulty update, which might be causing the black screen error. If you see a black screen after an update, it is quite possible that the display adapter driver is causing the issue. To fix this, you need to perform the following steps:

1. Start your Windows device in safe mode.
2. Type Device Manager in the search box.
3. Find Display Adapters, select the arrow to expand it, right-click the item under it, and select Properties.
4. Select the Driver tab, and select Roll Back Driver > Yes.
5. Restart your device.

Method 5: Uninstall Third-Party Antivirus Software

Sometimes, a third-party antivirus software malfunctions and causes a black screen error. To fix this issue, you will need to temporarily uninstall the antivirus to determine whether it is causing the issue or not. To do that, you need to boot your laptop in safe mode and perform the following steps:

1. Select Start > Settings > Apps  > Apps & features.
2. Under Sort by, select Name and change it to Install date.
3. Select the third-party antivirus software you want to remove, then select Uninstall.
4. Restart your device.

Method 6: Uninstall Recent Updates

If you have recently updated your laptop, there are chances that the new Windows update is causing the black screen error. You need to uninstall the update to see if that solves the problem. To do that, you need to perform the following steps:

1. Start your Windows device in safe mode.
2. Select Start >Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > View update history > Uninstall updates.
3. Select the update you want to remove, then select Uninstall.

Method 7: Use System Restore

Restoring the Windows back to an earlier point in time is called System Restore. It does not change your personal files, but can help you get rid of the malicious app/driver which is causing the Black screen error. You can make use of System Restore by going to the Windows Recovery option and selecting Restore from a system restore point.

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If you are facing a blue screen error or a black screen error on your laptop, you can try the methods mentioned in the article to fix your device with ease. If the article helped you, please share your feedback in the comments section below.