Knowledge base · practical guide
Laptop black screen or flickering display: what can you check?
A black screen can come from the display, its cable, Windows startup, graphics hardware or a device that has stopped responding.
Observe the symptoms
- Does the laptop power on, and do indicator lights or sounds appear?
- Does an external monitor show an image?
- Do you briefly see a logo or an error message?
Possible causes
- The display cable may be loose or damaged.
- The screen may have been damaged by pressure or a fall.
- Graphics hardware, Windows startup or a stuck sleep state can also be involved.
Safe checks
- Connect the correct charger and restart once.
- If available, test an external monitor or television.
- If there was liquid damage, a swollen battery or a burning smell, stop using the device and get it checked.