Laptop Screen Black but Still On? Try These Fixes

Fixes to try (easiest first)

1. Confirm the laptop is really on

   Check the power button light. If it doesn't light up, it's a power problem, not the screen. [1]

2. Turn the brightness up

   Press Fn plus the brightness key (often F6 or F7), and check the Windows brightness slider isn't at its minimum. [1]

3. Restart the graphics driver

   Press Windows + Ctrl + Shift + B. The screen should blink. If nothing happens, restart. [2]

4. Plug in an external monitor

   Press Windows + P and choose Duplicate. If the external monitor shows a picture, the laptop's screen may have a hardware problem. [1]

5. Black screen with a cursor: try Safe Mode

   A black screen with only a mouse cursor is likely a software problem. Try Safe Mode or a system restore. [1]

6. Run the built-in LCD test

   On Dell laptops: turn off, hold D and press power. If you see the test colors, the screen works and the problem is likely the graphics card or settings. [1]

Is it worth fixing?

Brightness, driver and software fixes cost nothing. If an external monitor works but the built-in screen stays black even in the LCD test, the screen or its cable has failed. Check your warranty before paying for a repair.

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