No display or black screen on a computer monitor
If the monitor displays a black screen or nothing when you turn on your computer, the following steps may help you troubleshoot and remedy the problem.
When you encounter video-related issues in Windows, you can restart your computer's graphics driver by pressing the keyboard shortcut Windows key+Ctrl+Shift+B.
If you have a laptop, see: My laptop computer screen is black.
Make sure the monitor is turned on
It may seem obvious, but first, ensure the monitor is turned on. If you don't see a power LED (Light-Emitting Diode) (blue, green, or orange light) on the monitor's front or bottom, press the power button again. If no light comes on after several attempts, proceed to the next section.
See if the computer is asleep
If you step away from the computer and return to a black screen, it's likely asleep. Try moving your mouse, clicking the mouse buttons, or pressing any key (e.g., spacebar) to wake it up. If none of those actions work, press the power button.
Check the connections
Another reason for a black screen is that the computer isn't communicating with the monitor because of a loose or improper cable connection.
Check the power cable
Verify the monitor has power by looking for a blue, green, or orange light on the front or the bottom of its bezel.
If you see no lights on the monitor, ensure it's connected to a working wall outlet. If the power cord is removable, try replacing it with another power cable. If you still cannot turn on the monitor after trying another wall outlet and cable, the monitor is broken and should be replaced.
Check the data cable
Once you've verified power, ensure the monitor's data cable is connected correctly to the computer. It should be inserted completely and firmly in place.
Older monitors use a VGA (Video Graphics Adapter) cable, but most new displays utilize a DisplayPort, DVI (Digital Visual Interface), or HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) cable and port. If your monitor has power and the data cable is connected correctly, but no image appears, try using a different data cable.
If you have a discrete GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), there are likely duplicate ports on the back of your computer. For example, there may be an HDMI port on both your video card and the motherboard. If the port on one isn't working, try the other.
Reboot your computer
If the computer was on when the screen went black, it may need to be rebooted. To reboot a computer when you can't see anything, press and hold the power button until the computer turns off. You'll know the device has powered down when no lights are seen and the fans are not spinning. Once the computer is off, wait a few seconds and then turn it back on by pressing the power button.
If your monitor initially works when you boot your computer and then goes blank when Windows starts, see: How to fix distorted video after increasing resolution in Windows.
The computer is not passing POST
If the computer doesn't pass POST (Power-On Self-Test), it won't turn on or be responsive, and your monitor remains black. If you hear beeping when you turn on your computer or see strange lights, run through the POST troubleshooting steps to determine the issue.
Hardware issues
If you followed the recommendations above and still have a black screen, your computer may have a bad monitor, video card (graphics card), or motherboard. This section contains suggestions on how to proceed.
Borrow someone else's computer monitor and connect it to your computer
If another monitor works on your computer, it's safe to assume the non-working monitor is bad and should be replaced. While it may be possible to have the monitor serviced, purchasing a new one is often cheaper and easier.
Disconnect your monitor and connect it to another computer
If your monitor works on another computer, the video card may be bad. Try removing the video card from the affected computer and installing it in another computer. If it does not work in the other computer, the video card is likely bad and needs to be replaced.
If your monitor and video card work with another computer, your motherboard probably has an issue. Attempt to troubleshoot using the link below. If the motherboard is bad, we suggest replacement, as it's generally not worth the time and money to have it repaired.
Replace the computer's power supply
If the monitor, video, and motherboard are not the problem, the power supply may be faulty or not supplying enough energy to the computer. Replace the power supply with a new one having at least the same wattage rating as the original, if not higher. You can physically inspect a power supply to determine its output.