Laptop turns on but the screen is black
The power light is on and you may hear the fan, but the screen shows nothing. The laptop is running; the picture is not getting through.
Why there is no picture
The image has a long way to travel: from the graphics chip, through a thin cable that runs past the hinge, into the panel, which then needs its backlight working for you to see anything. A fault at any stage leaves you with a black screen on a laptop that otherwise sounds normal.
The display cable is a common culprit on laptops that are opened and closed many times a day, because it flexes at the hinge every time. Memory faults also cause a black screen: the laptop powers up but cannot start, and never sends a picture at all.
Checks worth trying first
- Connect an external monitor or TV. A picture there means the laptop is working and the fault is the screen or its cable.
- Shine a torch at the screen at an angle. A very faint image means the backlight has failed.
- Press Windows + Ctrl + Shift + B to restart the graphics driver. The screen should flicker and may return.
- Slowly move the lid back and forth. If the picture flickers on at certain angles, the display cable is damaged.
- Hold the power button for 10 seconds to force it off, then start it again with nothing plugged in.
How we fix it
We test with a known-good screen and cable to find which part has failed, then replace only that. Display cables and panels are matched to the exact model. Memory is tested module by module. If the graphics circuit on the motherboard has failed, we tell you what a board-level repair involves and what it costs before going further.
If your laptop shows nothing and also has no lights or fan, see laptop will not turn on.
Common questions
The screen works on an external monitor. Can I just carry on like that?
Yes, for as long as you like. It is a useful way to keep working, and to back up your files, until the screen is repaired.
Could it just be the brightness turned down?
Occasionally. Try the brightness keys, and the key that switches between the laptop screen and an external display, before assuming a fault.
Related pages
Won't Turn OnNo lights, no fan, no response to the power button.
Not ChargingPlugged in but the battery percentage will not rise.
Cracked or Broken ScreenCracks, lines, black blotches or a touchscreen that ignores you.
Overheating and Fan NoiseHot to the touch, noisy fan, or sudden shutdowns.
Running SlowMinutes to start, constant freezing, the spinning circle.
Liquid SpillWater, tea, coffee or wine in the keyboard. Act quickly.
Keyboard or Trackpad FaultDead keys, repeating letters or a trackpad that will not click.
Won't Boot into WindowsStuck on the logo, repair loops, or "no bootable device".
Blue Screen and CrashesBlue screens, random restarts and freezes.
Battery Drains FastAn hour or less on battery, or a case that has started to bulge.
No Wi-Fi or BluetoothNo networks found, weak signal or constant drop-outs.
Broken Hinge or CasingA stiff or snapped hinge, or a lid that is splitting open.
Viruses and Pop-upsFake warnings, hijacked browsers and scam callers.
Get a price from a technician
Tell us the make, the model and what has gone wrong. A technician replies with a price and the quickest way to get your laptop to us – normally the same working day.
020 7237 6805 Creative IT workshopUnit 1, 80 Willow Walk, London SE1 5SY
Monday to Saturday, 9am–6pm