You flip open your laptop, press the power button … and nothing appears: no startup logo, no desktop, just a constant black screen. In such a situation, you must be wondering: what now? Of course, it’s incredibly frustrating, but don’t worry. We will help you figure out step by step what is going wrong and how to solve this problem.

• Why does your laptop screen stay black?
• Quick fixes for a persistent black screen
• Professional help

Why does your laptop screen stay black?

A black laptop screen at startup can have several causes. Sometimes it is something innocuous, such as a loose cable or a screen that has been accidentally turned off (yes, it happens more often than you think). Sometimes the problem is deeper, such as a faulty graphics card or a power supply that isn’t working properly. A broken screen, a faulty back light or a loose internal connection can cause you to see nothing at all. This is difficult to diagnose yourself, so come to ThePhoneLab and ask our specialists for a free diagnosis and advice (no cure, no pay). Sometimes your laptop still works fine, but only the screen itself is the diva, you can test this by connecting an external monitor. Are you ready for a new laptop screen? Then read: laptop screen repair and make here easily your appointment.

Have you ruled out what’s above? Then a common culprit is a software error. Perhaps your operating system has crashed or your screen mode is set incorrectly, so your laptop is running but all you see is a stylish but not very functional black background. A failed update or corrupt drivers can also shadow your screen.

Fortunately, a black screen does not immediately mean the end of your laptop (or your patience). Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to fix the problem. In the following section, we’ll help you get started.

Quick fixes for a persistent black screen

Sometimes the solution is simpler than you think. Before your laptop ritually flies out the window, try these quick fixes for a persistent black screen:

1. Check the base:
   Sounds simple, but start with the basics. Is your laptop really on? Do you hear fans or see lights on? Also try the screen brightness keyboard, it wouldn’t be the first time someone accidentally set the brightness to zero. Did you drop your laptop, or did it bump into something anyway? Then the screen may really need replacement after all. At ThePhoneLab we are happy to help you with a screen replacement, feel free to walk in, or make an appointment online.
2. Connect an external screen:
   Perhaps your laptop itself is fine, but the screen refuses service. Connect an external monitor via HDMI or another port. Will you get an image there? Then the problem probably lies with your laptop display or the internal connections.
3. Do a (hard) reset:
   Sometimes it helps to turn off your laptop completely and remove all power. Unplug the charger, remove the battery (if possible) and reset your laptop. Read here our blog that explains step by step how to do this safely.
4. Check your RAM memory:
   A poorly placed or faulty RAM module can also cause a black screen. RAM is actually your laptop’s working memory, think of it as your laptop’s brain. If it gets over-stimulated or overloaded by too many processes, it can affect your laptop’s working performance, kind of after a long day’s work. This is how you check how much RAM capacity your laptop has and how much it uses:

1. Turn on your laptop -> hold down ctrl-alt-delete until you get a blue screen, then press task manager.
2. Press the performance tab and then go to memory. This then tells you how many gigabytes of memory your computer has and how much is in use.
3. If almost all of your memory is in use, it may indicate that your RAM is overloaded or even faulty. If this is the case, we recommend contact with one of our nearest specialists.

Professional help

Haven’t figured it out yet? No worries, at ThePhoneLab we’re happy to help. Whether it’s a complex internal problem, or something you just can’t figure out, our experts will get your laptop up and running again in no time. Make an online appointment or feel free to walk in for a free diagnosis! To know which ThePhoneLab store is closest to you, click here.

Make your appointment here, directly!

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