How to Fix Black Screen After Sleep in Windows 10

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Experiencing a black screen after your Windows 10 computer wakes from sleep can be frustrating. This issue can stem from a variety of sources including graphics driver problems, power settings, or system file corruption. Here’s a comprehensive guide to troubleshoot and fix the black screen issue after sleep mode.

Windows 10 Black Screen After Sleep

Understanding the Black Screen After Sleep Issue

When your Windows 10 PC returns from sleep mode and displays a black screen, it typically means:

  • Graphics Driver Issues: The graphics driver might be outdated or corrupt.
  • Power Settings Conflicts: Incorrect power settings can cause display problems.
  • System File Corruption: Corrupted system files can interfere with the display.
  • Hardware Issues: Problems with the monitor or cables might be the cause.

1. Check Physical Connections

Ensure that all cables and connections are secure.

  1. Inspect Cables:
    • Check if the monitor cable (HDMI, VGA, DisplayPort) is securely connected to both the monitor and the computer.
  2. Test with Another Monitor:
    • If possible, connect your computer to a different monitor to see if the issue persists.

2. Perform a Hard Reboot

A hard reboot can sometimes resolve temporary display issues.

  1. Force Shutdown:

    • Press and hold the power button for about 10 seconds to turn off your computer.

  2. Restart:

    • Turn your computer back on and check if the problem is resolved.

3. Update or Roll Back Graphics Drivers

Outdated or corrupt graphics drivers can cause display issues.

  1. Open Device Manager:

    • Right-click on the Start menu and select “Device Manager.”

  2. Update Graphics Driver:

    • Expand the “Display adapters” section.
    • Right-click on your graphics adapter and select “Update driver.”
    • Choose “Search automatically for updated driver software.”

  3. Roll Back Driver (If Necessary):

    • If the issue started after a driver update, right-click on the graphics adapter, select “Properties,” go to the “Driver” tab, and click “Roll Back Driver” if the option is available.

  4. Restart Your Computer:

    • After updating or rolling back the driver, restart your computer.

4. Adjust Power Settings

Incorrect power settings can cause the black screen issue.

  1. Open Power Options:

    • Press Win + X and select “Power Options.”

  2. Change Plan Settings:

    • Click on “Change plan settings” next to your selected power plan.

  3. Change Advanced Power Settings:

    • Click “Change advanced power settings.”
    • Expand “Display” and then “Turn off display after.”
    • Set the time to “Never” for both battery and plugged in options.
    • Expand “Sleep” and set “Sleep after” to “Never” as well.

  4. Save Changes:

    • Click “Apply” and “OK.”

  5. Restart Your Computer:

    • Restart your computer to apply the changes.

5. Check for Windows Updates

Keeping Windows up-to-date can resolve system-related issues.

  1. Open Settings:

    • Press Win + I to open the Settings app.

  2. Go to Update & Security:

    • Click on “Update & Security.”

  3. Check for Updates:

    • Click “Check for updates” and install any available updates.

  4. Restart Your Computer:

    • Restart your computer if updates were installed.

6. Run System File Checker (SFC) and DISM

Corrupted system files can cause display issues.

  1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator:

    • Search for “Command Prompt,” right-click it, and select “Run as administrator.”

  2. Run SFC Scan:

    • Type the following command and press Enter:

      sfc /scannow

    • Wait for the scan to complete. Follow any on-screen instructions to repair corrupted files.

  3. Run DISM Tool:

    • If SFC finds and repairs issues, restart your computer. If the problem persists, open Command Prompt as Administrator again.

    • Type the following command and press Enter:

      DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

    • Allow the process to complete, then restart your computer.

7. Adjust BIOS/UEFI Settings

In some cases, BIOS/UEFI settings can affect power management.

  1. Enter BIOS/UEFI:

    • Restart your computer and press the appropriate key to enter BIOS/UEFI (usually F2, F10, Del, or Esc).

  2. Check Power Management Settings:

    • Look for settings related to power management and ensure they are set to default or optimized settings.

  3. Save and Exit:

    • Save changes and exit BIOS/UEFI.

  4. Restart Your Computer:

    • Restart and check if the black screen issue is resolved.

8. Perform a Clean Boot

A clean boot can help identify if background services or startup programs are causing the issue.

  1. Open System Configuration:

    • Press Win + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.

  2. Configure Clean Boot:

    • Go to the “Services” tab and check “Hide all Microsoft services.”
    • Click “Disable all” to disable non-Microsoft services.
    • Go to the “Startup” tab and click “Open Task Manager.”
    • Disable all startup items and close Task Manager.

  3. Restart Your Computer:

    • Click “OK” in the System Configuration window and restart your computer.

  4. Test the Issue:

    • Check if the black screen issue occurs in the clean boot environment.

Conclusion

A black screen after sleep mode in Windows 10 can be caused by various issues, including graphics driver problems, power settings conflicts, or system file corruption. By following these troubleshooting steps—checking physical connections, updating or rolling back drivers, adjusting power settings, running system file checks, and performing clean boots—you can address and resolve the problem. If the issue persists despite these efforts, consider seeking further assistance from Microsoft Support or a professional technician.

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