Have you ever been in the middle of an important task, only for your monitor to suddenly go black? If so, you’re not alone.
A monitor that keeps going black can be a frustrating and disruptive problem, mainly if you rely on your computer for work or entertainment.
While there are various reasons why a monitor may go black, the good news is that many of them can be quickly resolved with some troubleshooting.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the most common causes of monitor blackouts, walk you through some basic and advanced troubleshooting steps, and offer some solutions that can help you get your monitor back up and running in no time.
Why Does My Monitor Keeps Going Black?
Your monitor keeps going black for a lot of reasons. Sometimes, it’s caused by power settings or faulty display adapters. Sometimes, it could be as simple as a faulty HDMI cable.
But for you to understand why your monitor randomly keeps going black, you’ll need to learn about the common causes:
Power Supply Issues
When you’re running on energy saving mode or insufficient power, incorrect power settings can cause your monitor to randomly go black. Your computer screen can also flicker when there’s a power surge.
A quick fix would be to check Windows settings to see if your power saver features are turned on and then go from there. If your monitor randomly goes black during a power surge, you might want to invest in a surge protector.
Video Cable Problems
When your monitor screen goes black after moving your PC a bit, you probably dislodged the HDMI cable. This happens when you’ve just got done cleaning and disassembling your system unit. Loose or damaged cables can also cause monitor blackouts, and both are easy fixes.
Graphics Card or Driver Issues
An outdated graphics driver or display driver can also cause monitor blackouts. This happens when your current graphics driver is no longer compatible with your monitor or struggles to keep up with the monitor’s performance.
On the other hand, graphics cards with faulty hardware can cause the problems listed above.
How to Do You Troubleshoot Monitor Blackout?
Now that we know the different causes of why your monitor keeps going black, we’ll walk you through some basic and advanced troubleshooting steps to help you pinpoint and resolve the problem.
Step 1: Check the Power Supply and Connections
The first step in troubleshooting monitor blackout is to ensure that your monitor receives enough power and that all the necessary connections are securely in place. Check the power cord and adapter to ensure they are properly connected, and ensure your monitor is plugged into a surge protector instead of directly into a wall outlet. If the power supply is not the issue, move on to the next step.
Step 2: Inspect the HDMI Cable or VGA Cables
If the power supply is not the issue, the next step is to inspect the video cable connecting your monitor to your computer.
Check for any damage or wear and tear signs, and ensure the cable is securely plugged in at both ends. If the cable appears damaged or frayed, it’s time to replace it.
Step 3: Check Graphics Card and Drivers
If the power supply and video cable are not the issues, the problem may lie with your graphics card or drivers. Ensure that your graphics drivers are up-to-date and compatible with your monitor.
Try connecting your monitor to a different computer to determine if the issue is with the monitor or the graphics card. If the graphics card is faulty, you may need to replace it.
Step 4: Address Overheating Issues
Check for any dust accumulation inside your monitor or blockages in air vents. If you find any, use compressed air to blow out the dust or move any obstructions away from the vents.
If your monitor is overheating, it may go black to prevent damage. Let the graphics card or CPU cool down for a few seconds. If this doesn’t fix monitor randomly even after a demanding third party application is closed, then you’ll need to go to the next step.
Step 5: Check Monitor Settings
If all the above methods do not resolve the issue, the problem may lie with your monitor settings. Check your monitor’s power-saving settings to ensure that they are not causing your monitor to go black after a certain period of inactivity.
Also, ensure that your display settings are set correctly for your monitor, including the refresh rate and resolution.
Step 6: Scan for Malware or Viruses
If none of the above steps resolve the issue, the problem may be due to malware or viruses on your computer. Run a virus scan to check for any problems and remove any threats detected.
Step 7: Check Monitor QR Code
If you’re unsure whether your monitor has a QR code, take a closer look at the back or bottom of the device. Many monitors now include QR codes that provide quick access to support information and resources. Scanning the QR code with a smartphone or tablet will instantly redirect you to the support page specifically designed for your monitor, where you can find troubleshooting guides, driver downloads, and other helpful information.
Step 8: Consider a New Monitor
If you’ve tried all the above steps and are still experiencing monitor blackout, consider purchasing a new monitor.
Over time, monitors can wear out and start experiencing issues. If your monitor is old and has been experiencing problems, investing in a new monitor may be a more cost-effective solution in the long run.
The Wrap Up
In conclusion, dealing with monitor blackouts can be a frustrating experience, but by following the troubleshooting steps outlined in this blog post, you can quickly diagnose and fix the issue.
From checking the power supply and connections to inspecting video cables, updating drivers, addressing overheating issues, checking monitor settings, scanning for malware or viruses, and considering a new monitor, several solutions are available to help you resolve the problem.
Remember to be patient and methodical in your approach to troubleshooting the issue, and don’t hesitate to seek professional help if necessary. With a bit of persistence, you can get your monitor back up and running in no time.
James Stephenson
James is a gaming and tech enthusiast. He has been playing computer games since the Commodore 64 days in the 80s. He has worked as a Broadcast Engineer with BBC News and knows a thing or two about building, fixing, and playing with PCs.
