Are you getting a black screen or blank display during boot up or when using your computer?

There are times when your monitor is connected to your computer just fine, but you end up
getting the black screen with a message like No Input or Cable Not Connected.

There are many reasons why a computer display may go blank or black and I’ll try to go through
all the different options below. Most often than not, this issue is related to some piece of
hardware, whether it’s the video card, cables, monitor, RAM or motherboard.

Occasionally, it can be a software-related issue also. I’ll mention the easier fixes first because the
worst case scenario is having to get a piece of hardware replaced on your computer.

Method 1 – Check Power

You’ve probably already done this, but it’s still always worth mentioning because it happens
more often than you would think. Check to make sure the monitor is turned on, which is usually
indicated by some kind of light on the power button itself. If the light is on, the monitor is on and
you should see some message.

If the monitor is on, but nothing is showing up, try to press the menu button to bring up the built-
in monitor controls. If still you have a blank screen, then this could mean there is a problem with
your monitor. Even with nothing connected, you should be able to bring up the monitor
menu. Try connecting a different monitor if you have one.
If a separate monitor works fine, then it could mean the power supply is bad on the original
monitor. Try replacing the power supply and see if that fixes the issue.

Now check to make sure the computer is properly turned on. The main thing here is to check for
any warning lights or unusual beeps when you power on your computer. If the power button or
one of the status lights is red or orange or if the computer beeps several times when turning on,
this is indicative of an internal problem.

You can read my previous post on how to test your computer for bad memory, which can be one
cause for the beeps. The beeps can also be related to the motherboard, video card, etc. You will
have to reference the PC manufacturer manual to figure out what the beeps or status lights mean.

If the power is on and everything looks fine, but you’re still not getting anything on your display,
the computer may have gone into standby or sleep mode and isn’t being woken up. Try pressing
keys on the keyboard or moving the mouse. If none of that works, try restarting the computer by
pressing the power button.

Method 2 – Check Cables

The next easiest thing to do is to check all the cables. Whether you are using VGA, DVI, HDMI
or DisplayPort to connect your computer to your monitor, cables can sometimes become
detached. This is especially true for cables that don’t screw into the back of a monitor.

Make sure you check the connection at the PC and on the monitor. For those of you who have
more than one video card, you need to be careful how you connect the monitors.

If you have a dedicated graphics card, then make sure the monitor is connected to the graphics
card and not to the motherboard video connection. By default, Windows is supposed to disable
the motherboard graphics automatically when you have a separate graphics card, but sometimes
this doesn’t happen.
If you end up connecting your monitor the motherboard, it might work for a little bit, but
suddenly go blank. Restarting may fix the problem, but it’ll happen again. If you have dual
monitors and you connect one to the motherboard and one to the graphics card, then one monitor
will end up blank and now you know the reason why.

If the cables are connected and you only have one video connection, then you need to rule out
bad cables. To do this, you need to find another monitor to connect your computer to. If the
screen is blank on the second monitor also, then it could be an issue with the video cable.

Try replacing the video cable or using a different video cable if you have multiple connections
options like DVI, HDMI, etc. If using VGA works, then it could mean there is an issue with your
HDMI or DVI cable.

Method 3 – Check Resolution, Display & Source

Sometimes if you accidentally set the resolution in Windows higher than what the monitor
supports, it will simply go blank. To fix this, you’ll have to start Windows in safe mode first.

Once you have gotten the computer into safe mode, follow my instructions here on fixing the
blank screen issue because of screen resolution.
In most modern versions of Windows, the system actually reverts back to the original screen
resolution within 15 seconds unless you click on the Keep Changes button. Also, Windows
normally detects the highest resolution your monitor can support and shows only those options.

So you’ll only run into this program if you are using an older version of Windows or a really old
monitor. Another situation where you can end up with a blank screen is when you have
connected your laptop to a secondary display or projector and then you simply unplug it without
telling Windows.

You can normally fix this on laptops by pressing one of the function keys and then pressing the
monitor key on the keyboard.
Lastly, you should also make sure that the input source on your monitor is set to the correct
input. Most monitors normally auto-detect the input source, but sometimes this feature can
become disabled. Press the buttons on your monitor to bring up the options and go to Input and
switch to the correct input.
Method 4 – BIOS and Recovery Options
If you can see the initial boot screen when you turn on your computer, but it goes blank once
Windows starts to load, then you know it’s an issue with Windows.

In Windows is corrupt, then your only option is to boot into safe mode and then try to repair
Windows either using System Restore/Automatic Repair or using the Reset or Refresh My PC
feature.

I would try system restore or automatic repair first and if neither of those work, then try resetting
your PC. Resetting your PC will preserve all your programs and data, but reinstall the Windows
system files.

Method 5 – Check Hardware

The last step is to take a look at the actual hardware. Before you do anything else, you should try
disconnecting all devices and peripherals from the computer like the keyboard, mouse, external
hard drive, speakers, printers, scanners, etc.

Sometimes a problem with another piece of hardware can cause the display to go blank. If that
doesn’t work, then you need to check the actual port connectors on the computer and on the
monitor for damage.

There are times when someone doesn’t properly take out a cable and it ends up bending the
video port on the computer. Sometimes, people try to stick a cable into a connection that doesn’t
match and that can end up damaging the gold or silver connectors that you see inside the port.
You really don’t have a lot of options other than taking your computer to a repair shop in order
to fix the bent or damaged ports. Most of the time, they will tell you to simply replace your
graphics card.

If you are a bit technically savvy, you can try to open up your computer and check to make sure
everything is connected or seated properly. You should have already checked the RAM using the
article I mentioned above, but you should also make sure the fan on the video card is running.

The only other issue at this point is your motherboard or hard drive. You’ll probably need to get
your computer serviced since trying to mess around with these components yourself can cause
more damage. If you have any questions, feel free to comment. Enjoy!

Connections not properly connected

 Check the data cable

Make sure that you are connecting the monitor's VGA cable to the back of the computer in the
15-pin connector, as shown to the right, or the older computer 9-pin connection.

Note: Newer computers may be using a DVI or HDMI cable for the monitor. Make sure the data
cable you are using is firmly connected to the computer.

Check the power cable

If the data cable is plugged in, make sure the monitor is getting power by verifying there is a
light (blue, green, or orange) on the front of the monitor.

If you see no lights on the monitor, make sure it is connected to a working wall outlet. If the
power cord is removable from the back of the monitor, try replacing it with another power cable.
If you still cannot power on the monitor after trying another wall outlet and cable, the monitor is
bad and should be replaced.

Check the LED status

If the monitor has a light on the front, but that status light is orange or flashing, make sure the
monitor is not in a suspend mode by moving the mouse or pressing a key on the keyboard. If this
does not help, turn the computer and monitor off and reconnect the data cable on the back of the
computer and, if removable, on the back of the monitor. Turn the computer and monitor back on.
If you still encounter the same issue, continue reading through the other possibilities.

Monitor settings are not correct

Verify the brightness and contrast are turned up or adjust the brightness and contrast. If adjusting
the brightness or contrast has no effect on the monitor, continue reading through the other
possibilities.
Problem with the computer
If the computer was working when the screen went blank, the computer might have a problem.
Try powering down the computer by pressing and holding the power button until the computer
turns off. Once the computer is off, wait a few seconds and then try powering the computer on
again.

No POST
Does the computer beep when it is turned on or does it sound like the computer is working? If
the computer does not beep or beeps abnormally, the computer is experiencing a hardware issue
or is exhibiting a No POST. Run through the POST troubleshooting steps to determine the
failure.

Hardware Issue
If you have followed the above recommendations and still have the same issue, your computer
may have either a bad monitor, video card, or motherboard. The best method of determining this
is to try the suggestions below.

 Disconnect your monitor and connect it to another computer. For example, try connecting it to
a friend or family's computer or a computer at a service center.
 Borrow a computer monitor and connect it to your computer.

If another monitor works on your computer, it is safe to assume that your monitor is bad and
should be replaced. While it may be possible to have the monitor serviced, it is often cheaper and
easier to purchase a new monitor.

If your monitor works on another computer, it is possible the video card in the computer is bad.
If you have another computer, remove the video card from the affected computer and install it in
another computer. Test the video card to see if it works in another computer. If it does not work
in another computer, the video card is most likely bad and needs to be replaced.

 Troubleshooting a bad video card.

If your monitor and video card works with another computer, then it is likely the motherboard
has a problem. You can attempt to troubleshoot the motherboard. Click the link below to see
some troubleshooting suggestions. If you determine the motherboard is bad or you are unable to
successful run any tests, we suggest replacing the motherboard to fix the display problem.

 Troubleshooting a bad motherboard.