Black screen after windows 11 update

Question

I updated to windows 11 and afterwards my screen would go black after getting past the bios. After trying multiple things like ctrl+windows+shift+b, crtl+l, and trying to interrupt the windows boot 3x to get into safe mode i was finally able to make it into windows by disconnecting my gpu and plugging directly into my motherboard. Now that I’m at the windows troubleshooting menu all options give me error such as startup repairs, resetting my pc, and uninstall updates. When I try to enter safe mode I get returned to the troubleshooting screen. I created a usb windows 10 recovery drive and non of the options lead to any fixes. Any help to resolve this would be greatly appreciated!

Answer 1

How do you do any of this if the screen is black and there’s no UI?

Answer 2

Hi Jerome. I recently (Oct. 2024) had black screens with Windows 11. I took it to a shop and Windows 11 was reimaged. Result: I got random black screens yet again. On a hunch, I turned off Windows Spotlight (the rotating picture feature) under the Personalization settings. Result: no more black screens so far!

I think Windows 11 has some sort of problem with Windows Spotlight, maybe just for some systems. If you have this problem (which is maddening and cost me time and money - thanks, Microsoft), an easy try is to just select a static background image under Personalization, rather than use Windows Spotlight. This fix is easier than going through the multiple solution steps you'll find listed elsewhere online. Reinstalling Windows 11, as suggested in this thread, didn't work for me!

Answer 3

I have the same issue on a ThinkPad. After the Windows update, the laptop boots up and you just see a black screen. You can lock the screen and get to task manager, but nothing else. I used the Advanced Startup Options to restore back to OS build 22631.4317 and Windows is working as expected. I also paused updates, but that can only be done for a limited time.

There is a bug in KB5048685 (OS Builds 22621.4602 and 22631.4602). The post above mentioned turning off Windows Spotlight, but I already have a static image as my background, so I do not believe that is the issue.

Microsoft - When can we expect a patch to fix this issue?

Answer 4

Windows uppdaterar KB5048685 och bootar om själv och allt fungerar. Om jag därefter startar om datorn, så kommer jag till en svart skärm. Precis som ni andra kan jag komma åt Aktivietshanteraren. Då poppar Aktivitetshanterar fram synligt i en dialogruta men resten av skärmen är svart. Jag lyckas inte få mitt system att fungerar, utan får ångra kvalitetsuppdateringen KB5048685.

Har bakgrundsbild. Har pausat uppdateringarna. Kört felsökning.

Answer 5

Dear Jerome Smith1,

Welcome to the Microsoft Community

Thank you for reaching out to us regarding the black screen issue you are facing after upgrading to Windows 11. I understand how frustrating this can be, especially when you've tried multiple solutions without success. 

Based on the information you've provided, it seems that the problem is likely due to an incompatibility between your graphics card driver (or the graphics card itself) and Windows 11. This is not uncommon, especially with older or unsupported hardware. Since you've mentioned that the Advanced options under the Windows Troubleshooting menu are not available and various repair attempts have failed, it indicates that your system files may be severely damaged.

In this case, the best course of action is to back up your important data and perform a clean reinstallation of the operating system.

Here are the steps to back up your data and reinstall the operating system from the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE): Steps to Backup Your Data via Command Prompt (CMD). Before we proceed with reinstalling the operating system, it's crucial to back up your data. You can do this using the Command Prompt. Here’s how: Rescue Files when Windows Won't Start - Microsoft Community ***Steps to Reinstall Windows 11.***After backing up your data, you can proceed with reinstalling Windows 11: How to: Perform a Custom Installation of Windows 11 and Windows 10 or - Microsoft Community

1. Create a Bootable USB Drive: Download the Windows 11 Installation Media Tool from the official Microsoft website. Then use the tool to create a bootable USB drive.
2. Boot from the USB Drive:
   • Insert the bootable USB drive into your computer.
   • Restart your computer and press the appropriate key to access the boot menu (usually F12, F2, or Del).
   • Select the USB drive as the boot device.
3. Install Windows 11:
   • Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows 11.
   • Choose Custom: Install Windows only (advanced) when prompted.
   • Select the drive where Windows is currently installed and follow the prompts to proceed with the installation.
   • Windows will create a new installation while preserving your personal files.

Post-Reinstallation Steps

1. Install Latest Drivers:
   • After the installation is complete, boot into Windows 11.
   • Install the latest drivers for your GPU from the manufacturer's website.
   • Ensure other drivers are up to date as well.
2. Reconnect GPU:
   • Once all drivers are installed and your system is stable, reconnect your GPU and see if the issue persists.
   • If the problem continues, consider checking compatibility with the manufacturer or using an updated/certified graphics card.
3. Restore Your Data: Copy your backed-up data from the external drive back to your computer.

By following these steps to back up your data and reinstall Windows 11, you should be able to resolve the black screen issue caused by the incompatibility between your graphics card driver and Windows 11. If you continue to encounter issues, please contact the GPU manufacturer's support for further guidance on driver compatibility. I hope these suggestions help you get your system running smoothly again. If you have any further questions or need additional assistance, feel free to reach out.

Best Regards,

Martin | Microsoft Community Support Specialist