How to fix an HP laptop black screen?

Updated: February 16, 2023
6 min read
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How to fix an HP laptop black screen?
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by Jessica Miller
Tech Expert & Writer
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Quality Control team

Even while you can hear the computer running, there are a variety of solutions on how to fix HP computer black screen. It may be as easy as adjusting the light or hibernate mode or might be more difficult due to faulty or old drivers or damaged hardware components. With a few troubleshooting techniques, you might be able to fix HP computer screen and get it working again.

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Why is your HP computer screen dark?

Recent changes to the PC are often to blame for an HP computer with black screen. Check to see whether one of the below is the cause of the issue:

  1. Monitor access problems

An unsuccessful connection between the laptop and the monitor can cause a black screen in HP laptop. People typically have this issue when they unintentionally yank the cable out of its proper port, which could be either on the computer case or the display.

This might also occur when the cable is broken on the external laptop monitor.

  1. Display hardware/adapter issues

Another cause of an HP computer with black screen on a computer is a malfunctioning display or adapter. It frequently happens when the computer can make a sound but cannot show any images.

  1. Incorrect software/app installation or system update

A clean system upgrade or the installation of new apps can potentially trigger a black screen error. This typically is a result of conflicting inputs or scripting that may disrupt the primary programming of the computer, halting some crucial functions as a consequence. Before making any big updates to the PC's system, it is usually a good idea to back up computers, especially crucial files.

What to try

Here are some suggestions that you might try to fix HP computer screen. Simply work your way through the steps until everything is working again:

Look for hard disk issues

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To inspect a computer's hard drive, follow these steps:

  • Secure the AC adapter.
  • Shut down the computer and wait.
  • To find the BIOS Setup Menu, repetitively hit the F10 key after turning on the computer.
  • To identify and choose the Primary Hard Drive Self Test feature from the menu, use the left and right directional keys to scroll through the options. Based on your BIOS, you can find this option after Diagnostics or Tools.
How to fix an HP laptop black screen?
  • To begin the diagnostics, select Primary Hard Drive Self Test and hit the enter key.

Throughout each exam, the tab shows a status indicator and an expected finish time.

  • If any test is unsuccessful, connect with HP customer service to receive a new disc.
  • If every test is successful, the hard disk is undamaged. Apply HP PC Hardware Diagnostics to scan for possible issues.

Upgrade your graphics driver

Check to see if your laptop's graphics drivers are regularly updated and replace any that aren't because a missing or expired graphics card driver can be the cause of the black screen in HP laptop.

There are two methods—manually and mechanically—for upgrading your graphics drivers.

To download and set up the most recent edition of your graphics driver on your device by hand, go to the manufacturer's website. This takes time and computing knowledge, but If you are comfortable using computers, we advise you to try this.

Driver Easy can perform everything mechanically if you don't want to do it yourself. The app will analyze your system and place the fitting drivers for it:

  • Install and set up Driver Easy.
  • Run Driver Easy and select Scan Now. After that, Driver Easy will examine your computer to find any problematic drivers.
How to fix an HP laptop black screen?
  • To have the proper driver immediately download and install, go for the Update option after, the highlighted graphics device.
How to fix an HP laptop black screen?
  • Reboot your system after an update for it to take effect.

Reseat the memory modules

You can also check your memory modules to fix HP computer screen:

  • Press the On/Off button for several seconds to shut down the computer.
  • Immediately after the computer turns on, press ESC repeatedly, about once a second. Push the F2 to bring up the items.
  • Select Component Tests in the HP PC Hardware Diagnostics top panel.
How to fix an HP laptop black screen?
  • Select Memory from the Component Tests column.
How to fix an HP laptop black screen?
  • Tap Fast Test.
How to fix an HP laptop black screen?
  • Press Run.

The screen shows the findings after the Fast Test is finished.

If a test is unsuccessful, take the following actions:

  • Tap Troubleshoot.
How to fix an HP laptop black screen?
  • Follow the written suggestions, and then hit Yes.
  • If the HP computer black screen persists, select Yes to reach HP client care.
    Note or save the failure code and product ID for future reference. The details can be found in Test Logs under the main menu.
How to fix an HP laptop black screen?

To access the HP Client Service website while your computer is on, select NEXT.

If your computer is off, take your smartphone to read the QR Code offered to contact HP Support Team.

Test the LCD and LCD

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Based on the networks your system supports, attach a VGA cable to the external monitor or an HDMI connector to a television to work it as a monitor. Then, reload your laptop. If it doesn't appear on the external monitor when it restarts, apply the F4 button (or another key that looks like a rectangular folder with vertical bars —meant to represent a monitor). Your laptop must attach to the external display when you press the external monitor sign.

If the system shows on an external monitor, there may be a problem with the inner LCD cable or LCD panel. Switch out the LCD wire. If it fails to work, you'll have to change the LCD screen.

Disable fast startup

Your HP screen black issue might be resolved by stopping rapid startup. Follow these instructions to do that:

  • Find Control Panel items by opening the Control Panel on your laptop.
How to fix an HP laptop black screen?
  • Find Power Options.
How to fix an HP laptop black screen?
  • Go with Choose what the power buttons do.
How to fix an HP laptop black screen?
  • Opt for Change settings that are currently unavailable.
  • Deactivate the Fast startup option (suggested). Finally, select Save changes.
How to fix an HP laptop black screen?
  • See if your laptop screen runs smoothly after restarting your computer.

Inspect the RAM

The RAM in laptops can become loose as a result of handling, carrying, and jolting. For this, unscrew the laptop's underside cover. Once it's off, you can remove the RAM and place it back in to ensure it's firmly installed.

If your laptop has several RAM modules, take them out individually to see if that fixes the issue. If the screen turns on after you remove the first one and reboot the computer, the RAM is damaged. If not, swap out that RAM and check the remaining one.

If you have a faulty memory stick, you can replace it with a new RAM so that your screen works again.

Undo recent changes

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If you upgraded Windows or downloaded a program, this may be what caused a black screen on a HP laptop. If that applies to you, you should attempt a Windows system restore.

If you downloaded an application, remove it from the device, reset it, and check to see if the display activates. After upgrading your Windows installation, you should roll it back to the prior version. This is how you do it:

First, make a backup of your computer data.

On Windows 10, 8, or 8.1:

  • Access the Control Panel.
  • Find System and Security.
  • Select System > System Protection > System Restore.
How to fix an HP laptop black screen?
  • Choose the repair option you want. Then, to complete, stick to the displayed wizard.
  • Reboot your computer.

On Vista or Windows 7:

How to fix an HP laptop black screen?
  1. Find System Tools by picking Start > All Programs > Accessories.
  2. Tap System Restore.
  3. Select the repair option you want, then complete the procedure by following the displayed instructions.
  4. Reboot your computer.

Disable app readiness

  1. Opt for File > Run New Task.
  2. Type in “msconfig”.
  3. Deactivate App Readiness in the Services tab, then select OK.
  4. Either wait until the entire reboot is over and then reload your laptop, or initiate a reboot by going back to Task Manager and performing the " -r -t 0 shutdown".

Reload the 'explorer.exe'

If your encounter a black screen HP laptop, the explorer.exe activity on your computer may be terminated (likely by malware). Your computer's screen and toolbar are both controlled by the Explorer.exe process. So if it is stopped, your computer and taskbar disappear, and then you may need to fix a black screen on a HP laptop.

  • To launch Task Manager, push Ctrl, Shift, and Esc all at once.
  • Find the Details section (or Processes bar on Windows 7).
  • Search for the explorer.exe process down the page.
How to fix an HP laptop black screen?
  • Opt for the End task to finish the ongoing process.
  • Restart your laptop.

You can start the process manually if explorer.exe is not shown in the list:

  • Select File in Task Manager, then pick out Run new task.
  • Click Enter after typing in explorer.exe.

Emergency BIOS recovery method

Your hard disk keeps a backup of the old BIOS model if you update the BIOS. You can restore and install the most recent reliable version as far as the disk is still operational. Even if the monitor is off, continue with these instructions:

  1. Restart the computer.
  2. Plug the laptop into a power supply.
  3. Hold down the Windows + B command once the laptop is off.
  4. Hit the on/off button once while holding down the Windows + B shortcut, and then let go of the keys together.

For around 40 seconds, the monitor will be black, and the power light will be on. Your computer may even beep. After that, the HP BIOS Update screen should appear.

Perform hard reset

This can solve the bug that prevents the computer monitor from displaying. Here is how to do it:

  1. Remove all wires and related accessories from your computer.
  2. Take the battery out and confirm that the computer is powered off.
  3. For a minimum of fifteen seconds, hold on to the power button.
  4. Reboot your computer after re-establishing power while keeping the battery removed.

Your data shouldn't be erased from your computer after a hard reset, as it is not the same as resetting your system.

F.A.Q.

Why do I have black screen HP laptop?

This can happen if a driver is injured, improper software/app setup, a system update has gone wrong, or an issue with the LED screen backlight.

How to fix HP computer with black screen?

Check the monitor, hardware, and LED lighting.
Ensure a thorough restart.
Make that the power controller is configured properly.
Activate a hard reset.

Is system reset the same as a hard reset?

A system reset gets rid of everything on the computer entirely. The drive will be completely erased by zeros if you complete this correctly. A factory reset will just remove all default settings and records, leaving the operating system untouched.

Conclusion

So, how to fix an HP computer screen? There are several potential causes, including hardware malfunction, a weak GPU contact, malware, and others. The following circumstances can lead to a black screen in an HP laptop, which you can resolve using the procedures described in this article.

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