How to Fix Windows 10 Black Screen of Death before and after login [Troubleshooting Guide]

The Windows operating system is not new to this kind of issue in fact, all of the previous Windows versions had experienced it and now, Windows 10 users are complaining of the same thing. There’s only two scenarios that might trigger this; first, turning on the PC and can’t enter the username and password; second, after entering the credentials, the black screen occurs. As long as the issue is software related then we can recommend troubleshooting procedures that might resolve it. If not, then it is best to let a tech handle the it.

In this post, we will tackle both scenarios, before and after entering the credentials. Here you will learn a few tips on what to do if something like this came out of nowhere and perform troubleshooting procedures. We assure you that all recommended procedures here are simplified but not guaranteed.

Before we jump into our troubleshooting, if you found this page because you were trying to find a solution to a different problem, then visit our Windows 10 troubleshooting page for we have already addressed some of the most common Windows 10 problems and errors. Try to find issues that are similar with yours and use the solutions and troubleshooting methods we suggested. If they don’t work for your or if you need further assistance, fill up our PC issues questionnaire and hit submit to contact us.

Step-by-step guide in troubleshooting black screen of Death before login

There are several factors to consider if you experience black screen of death before login. And sadly, some users jump directly to conclusion without checking or tried some essential procedures. To begin, follow the procedures below.

Step 1: Make sure all connections are correctly attached

This is the most basic of all the procedures and very effective as well. A simple mistake may lead to this issue like forgetting to plug the power cord of the system unit or the monitor. So make sure that all are in their appropriate places like USB mouse and keyboard connections, VGA or HDMI cables, Ethernet cables are in their ports.

Step 2: Use Windows 10 Installation Media

You need another working PC in case you don’t have windows 10 installation media and download it. You need to burn it inside the DVD disk or use USB storage device. Once successful and ready insert the installation media and restart your PC.

  1. When it’s booting up, select ‘Repair This Computer’ option when asked.
  2. Click Troubleshoot computer option
  3. Click Advanced Options
  4. Click Startup Settings
  5. Then Restart your PC
  6. When your PC is reboots, press F5 frequently to choose ‘Safe Mode with Networking’, then press Enter to access Safe Mode

Step 3: Change the Default Display

If you haven’t tried changing your display before, then you have to check the default display. Your PC can have a couple or several display connected such secondary monitor or TV monitor and other display. If your PC is connected to your TV, then you have to check the display options on your TV to make sure you are in the correct settings and it receives signal from your PC. If so, then change it to your monitor and use it as the default display. In case you don’t know how to change the default display, then follow these steps:

  1. Go to Control Panel
  2. Click Display
  3. Set the display to ‘PC screen only’ option
  4. Then confirm it

Step 4: Uninstall display driver and auto-install using Safe mode

In case the above procedure didn’t resolve the issue then you have to boot in Safe mode to uninstall the current display adapter and let the PC reinstall the latest and compatible version. If you haven’t done it yet, then here’s how:

  1. On the search box, type device manager then hit Enter
  2. Click Display Adapters
  3. Right-click the name of the item, then click Uninstall
  4. Click OK to confirm
  5. Restart your PC. It will automatically search for the driver and install it.

Step-by-step guide in troubleshooting black screen of death after login

Now, if the black screen of death occurs after you login then we can skip checking the VGA or HDMI cables from the system unit to your monitor. However, we recommend checking it still because their might be a physical connection issues with the cables. Here’s the first thing that you should do:

Step 1: Open Task Manager

If the black screen appeared after entering your credentials, then we recommend to open the task manager. The desktop may not display after login but the task manager may appear. If so, then that’s good news because we can add a new task and see if it will fix the black screen. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Press CTRL+ALT+DELETE at once to open the task manager.
  2. Click File menu
  3. Click New Task (Run)
  4. Type explorer.exe, then hit Enter
  5. In this moment, your PC will no longer has the ‘black screen of death’

Step 2: Remove other Devices

To make sure that this issue is not caused by other devices, we recommend removing all of it except the mouse and keyboard. For some reasons, other devices can cause black screen especially if drivers are outdated (e.g. scanner, printer, webcams, etc.). Once done, you have to restart your PC and if you’re PC is able to boot up in your desktop then one of those devices is the culprit.

Step 3: Boot in Safe mode

If removing other devices didn’t work then you have to reboot your PC to Safe mode. The purpose of doing this is to make sure that you have selected the correct display option and it can only be done if you successfully boot up in Safe mode. Go to Control Panel > Display > Select PC screen only. NOTE: There are other options to choose if you have a secondary monitor. You can choose Duplicate, Extend and Secondary screen only option.

Step 4: Reinstall Display adapter

If you are unsure of your adapter is up to date, then we recommend to reinstall it to make sure you have the latest version. Now, there are several ways to update your display adapter driver and you can either choose individually or try them all. Here’s how:

Install using Windows Update

Now, this is the primary pre-installed tool for immediate resolution of issues experienced in Windows OS.

  1. Click Start menu on the taskbar
  2. Click Settings
  3. Click Update and Recovery
  4. Click Check for Updates

Alternatively, you can do this:

  1. Press Windows key + R
  2. Type ms-settings:windowsupdate
  3. Then hit Enter

NOTE: Make sure that you an active internet connection to successfully download and install the new driver.

Download driver from manufacturer website

To easily download drivers from the manufacturer website, it is located in Support section of the website. All you have to do is to take note what is the manufacturer and model name or number of your graphics card. Some websites may provide instructions how to download the driver and some may not. For example, for laptop users you may enter the name and model number of your laptop and it will give you the compatible drivers. And for PC users, you may enter the name of the graphics card, you can get the name of the item in Device Manager > Display adapters or Other Devices.

Update Driver using Device Manager

Now, if you are using a graphics card and was not detected by the system then that may be the issue. So, you have to manually update it using the device manager and let the system search for the latest driver. At this moment, graphics card is not under the ‘Display Adapter’, it should be in ‘Other Devices’. Here’s how:

  1. Click Windows key + X
  2. Click Device Manager
  3. Click Other Devices
  4. Right-click the name of the item
  5. Click Update Driver Software
  6. There are two options to choose from, ‘Search automatically for updated driver software’ which is the system will automatically search for the latest driver from internet or ‘Browse my computer for driver software’ where you need to find the folder or path of the driver you downloaded and select it. Just make sure that you included the subfolders. On this, it’s your choice or you can try both.

Troubleshoot driver using Compatibility Troubleshooter

This procedure might be a bit complicated, but this was proven effective. In case that the above procedures are unsuccessful then this is the last resort. The purpose of this mode is to force the system to use the older version of the driver. This is not commonly recommended but it’s worth a try. The very first thing that you should do is to know where the ‘setup.exe’ or similar file is stored. In case you know, then follow these steps:

  1. Right-click the ‘Setup.exe’ or similar file
  2. Click Troubleshoot Compatibility
  3. Click Troubleshoot Program
  4. Now, check the issues that you are experiencing. There are four options provided and you can check them all if you experienced all of it or check one.
  5. A question will be displayed and ask you which older OS version is this driver working before. Then you should put a bullet on it (e.g. Windows 7, Windows 8, etc.)
  6. Click Next
  7. Click Test the program
  8. Click Next. Then follow the rest of the instructions.
  9. Once done, you have to save it by clicking ‘Yes, save these settings for this program’. Then wait until it is finished.
  10. A confirmation box will appear either it was fixed or not. Then click Close.

Call or visit the nearest service center

If all procedures fail, then we recommend to bring it to the specialist or let them come to your house and let them handle the issue. So far, you have done much of the procedures needed to narrow down the issue and still doesn’t work.

Connect with us

We are always willing to help our readers fix the problems with their computer and so if you are currently experiencing an issue or two, do not hesitate to contact us and tell us about your experience. The solutions we provide will be based on the information you feed us. Make sure you include all necessary details and please fill up each field in our computer issues questionnaire accurately so we can give you more accurate solutions.

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