Before you start
- If the PC is showing a stop code such as “Your device ran into a problem”, use the Stop code / BSOD guide instead.
- Check monitor power, input source, display cable and docking station before changing Windows.
Try the graphics reset shortcut
Press Windows + Ctrl + Shift + B. Windows may beep and the screen may flicker as the graphics driver is reset.
Try another display output
Press Windows + P, then use the arrow keys and Enter to cycle projection modes if Windows may be sending video to the wrong display.
If you can see the cursor, restart Explorer
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc. If Task Manager appears, choose Run new task, type explorer.exe and press Enter. If the desktop returns, investigate recent shell/startup software.
Start in Safe Mode
Enter Windows Recovery Environment, then Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart. After restart choose Safe Mode. Remove or roll back a recent display driver/update if the problem disappears there.
Use recovery options if it started after a change
From Windows Recovery Environment, consider Uninstall Updates or System Restore before Reset this PC.
Microsoft source
This guide is independently written and condensed from current Microsoft Support guidance. If your Windows build differs or the problem persists, use the official source for the full decision tree.
Open Microsoft Support ↗