Welcome to a guide on how to fix the frustrating black screen cursor issue during Windows 10 boot.
Causes of Windows 10 Black Screen with Cursor
If you are experiencing a black screen with a cursor when booting your Windows 10 computer, there are a few possible causes and solutions you can try.
First, try pressing Ctrl + Alt + Delete and select Task Manager to see if it opens. If it does, it could indicate a software issue.
If Task Manager does not open, it may be a hardware issue. You can try restarting your computer and entering the BIOS by pressing a specific key (often F2 or Delete) during startup. Check if the screen is still black in the BIOS. If it is, it’s likely a hardware problem and you should contact a technician.
If the screen is not black in the BIOS, the issue may lie with your operating system. To troubleshoot, try booting into Safe Mode by pressing F8 during startup. If you can see the screen in Safe Mode, it could indicate a software driver issue.
To fix this, you can try disabling startup programs using MSConfig. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box, type “msconfig”, and press Enter. Go to the “Startup” tab and uncheck any unnecessary programs.
If that doesn’t work, try updating your device drivers. Open Device Manager by right-clicking the Start button and selecting it from the menu. Expand the categories and right-click on each device to update its driver.
If none of these solutions work, you can try using the Windows Startup Repair tool or performing a System Reset to reinstall Windows while keeping your personal files.
How to Fix Windows 10 Black Screen with Cursor
If you’re experiencing a Windows 10 black screen with a cursor issue during boot, there are a few steps you can take to try and fix it.
First, try pressing the Ctrl, Alt, and Delete keys together to open the Task Manager. If the Task Manager opens, go to the File menu and select Run new task. Type in “explorer.exe” and press Enter to restart the File Explorer, which may resolve the issue.
If that doesn’t work, you can try restarting your computer in Safe Mode. To do this, press and hold the Shift key while clicking the Restart button on the Windows login screen. This will bring up a menu where you can select Troubleshoot, then Advanced options, and finally Startup Settings. From there, choose Enable Safe Mode and see if the black screen issue persists.
Another option is to use a Windows recovery drive or installation media to access the Advanced Startup options. Insert the recovery drive or installation media, restart your computer, and follow the prompts to access the Advanced Startup options. From there, you can try options like System Restore or Startup Repair to fix the black screen issue.
If none of these methods work, it may be necessary to update or reinstall your graphics card drivers. You can do this by right-clicking on the Start button and selecting Device Manager. Expand the Display adapters category, right-click on your graphics card, and select Update driver. You can also try uninstalling the graphics card driver and then restarting your computer to see if Windows automatically installs a working driver.
Turn Off Fast Startup
To fix the Windows 10 boot black screen cursor issue, you can try turning off Fast Startup. Here’s how:
1. Start by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Delete on your keyboard to open the Task Manager.
2. In the Task Manager, click on “File” in the top left corner and select “Run new task”.
3. Type “control” and press Enter to open the Control Panel.
4. In the Control Panel, click on “Power Options”.
5. On the left side of the window, click on “Choose what the power buttons do”.
6. Next, click on “Change settings that are currently unavailable”.
7. Scroll down and uncheck the box next to “Turn on fast startup (recommended)”.
8. Click on “Save changes” to apply the settings.
By disabling Fast Startup, you may resolve the black screen issue during boot. If the problem persists, you can try other troubleshooting methods or seek further assistance.
Uninstall/Reinstall or Update Graphics Card
To fix the Windows 10 boot black screen with cursor issue, you can try uninstalling and reinstalling or updating your graphics card driver. Here’s how:
1. Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete on your keyboard to open the Task Manager.
2. In the Task Manager, click on the File menu and select Run new task.
3. Type explorer.exe and check the box that says Create this task with administrative privileges. Then click OK.
4. This will open File Explorer. Go to the C: drive and navigate to C:\Windows\System32\drivers.
5. Look for the driver file for your graphics card. It usually ends with .sys or .inf. Right-click on it and select Uninstall.
6. Restart your computer and Windows will automatically reinstall the graphics card driver.
7. If the issue persists, you can try updating the driver. Go to the manufacturer’s website and download the latest driver for your graphics card.
8. Once downloaded, double-click on the driver file to install it.
9. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
10. Restart your computer again and check if the black screen issue is resolved.
Update BIOS
If you are experiencing a black screen with a cursor issue on your Windows 10 computer during startup, updating your BIOS might provide a solution. Here’s how you can update your BIOS to fix this problem:
1. Identify your motherboard manufacturer and model. You can usually find this information in the documentation that came with your computer or by checking the manufacturer’s website.
2. Visit the manufacturer’s website and locate the support section or downloads page. Look for the latest BIOS update for your specific motherboard model.
3. Download the BIOS update file onto a USB flash drive. Make sure the USB drive is formatted correctly and has enough free space.
4. Restart your computer and boot into the BIOS or UEFI settings. This process varies depending on your computer manufacturer, but it usually involves pressing a specific key (such as F2, Del, or Esc) during startup.
5. In the BIOS or UEFI settings, find the option to update the BIOS. This option may be called “BIOS Update,” “Firmware Update,” or something similar. Select it and follow the on-screen instructions to update the BIOS.
6. Once the BIOS update is complete, restart your computer and check if the black screen with cursor issue is resolved.
Remember, updating the BIOS carries a certain level of risk, so it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and ensure that your computer is connected to a stable power source. If you’re unsure or uncomfortable performing this task, it’s recommended to seek assistance from a professional.
Updating the BIOS can be a helpful troubleshooting step for resolving the black screen with cursor issue on Windows 10.
Reset Your PC
1. Press Control-Alt-Delete on your keyboard to open the Task Manager.
2. In the Task Manager, click on the File menu and select “Run new task”.
3. Type “shutdown /r /fw” in the text box and press Enter. This will restart your PC and open the Advanced Startup options.
4. In the Advanced Startup options, click on “Troubleshoot”.
5. Then, click on “Reset this PC” to start the reset process.
6. You will have the option to keep your personal files or remove everything. Choose the option that suits your needs.
7. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the reset process.
Remove Problematic Software
If you’re experiencing a black screen with a cursor on your Windows 10 boot, it may be caused by problematic software. Follow these steps to remove the software and resolve the issue.
1. Start your computer and wait for the black screen with a cursor to appear.
2. Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete on your keyboard to open the Task Manager.
3. In the Task Manager, click on the “File” menu and select “Run new task”.
4. Type explorer.exe in the text box and click “OK”. This will launch the Windows Explorer and potentially fix the black screen issue.
5. If the black screen persists, go back to the Task Manager and click on the “Startup” tab.
6. Look for any software that you suspect may be causing the problem. You can right-click on the software and select “Disable” to prevent it from launching during startup.
7. Restart your computer and check if the black screen issue is resolved.
By following these steps, you can remove problematic software that may be causing a black screen on Windows 10 boot. Remember to only disable software that you suspect may be the issue, as disabling essential software may cause other problems.
If you continue to experience the black screen issue, it is recommended to seek further assistance from Microsoft Support or a professional technician.
Troubleshoot in Clean Boot State
If you’re experiencing a black screen with a cursor on your Windows 10 boot, troubleshooting in a clean boot state can help resolve the issue. Here’s how to do it:
1. Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete on your keyboard to open the Task Manager.
2. In the Task Manager, click on “File” and select “Run new task”.
3. Type “msconfig” and check the box next to “Create this task with administrative privileges”.
4. Click on “OK” to open the System Configuration window.
5. In the System Configuration window, go to the “Services” tab and check the box next to “Hide all Microsoft services”.
6. Click on “Disable all” to disable all non-Microsoft services.
7. Next, go to the “Startup” tab and click on “Open Task Manager”.
8. In the Task Manager, disable all startup programs by right-clicking on each entry and selecting “Disable”.
9. Close the Task Manager and go back to the System Configuration window.
10. Click on “Apply” and then “OK” to save the changes.
11. Restart your computer.
Your computer will now start in a clean boot state, with only essential Microsoft services running. If the black screen with a cursor issue is resolved in this state, it indicates that a non-Microsoft service or startup program was causing the problem.
To identify the problematic service or program, you can enable them one by one and restart your computer each time until the issue reappears. This will help you pinpoint the specific service or program causing the black screen issue.
Remember to re-enable all Microsoft services before proceeding with this troubleshooting step.
If you’re still experiencing the black screen issue after troubleshooting in a clean boot state, it may be necessary to seek further assistance from Microsoft support or a professional technician.
Note: It’s important to create a restore point or backup your data before making any changes to your system configuration to avoid any potential risks or data loss.
For more troubleshooting tips and solutions, visit the Microsoft support website or contact our support team for assistance.
We’re here to help you get your Windows 10 boot issues resolved quickly and efficiently.
Remove Battery & Long-Press the Power Button (Laptops Only)
If you’re experiencing a black screen with a cursor on your Windows 10 laptop, one potential fix is to remove the battery and perform a long-press of the power button. This can help reset the system and resolve any software issues that may be causing the problem.
To do this, follow these steps:
1. Turn off your laptop by holding down the power button for a few seconds.
2. Unplug the power cord and any other peripherals connected to your laptop.
3. Carefully remove the battery from the bottom of your laptop. Note that not all laptops have removable batteries, so if yours doesn’t, you can skip this step.
4. With the battery removed, press and hold down the power button for about 30 seconds. This will discharge any remaining power in the system.
5. Release the power button and re-insert the battery if you removed it earlier.
6. Plug the power cord back into your laptop.
7. Press the power button to turn on your laptop.
This process can help reset your laptop’s hardware and software, potentially resolving the black screen issue. If the problem persists, you may need to try other troubleshooting steps or seek further assistance.
Log in Using a Different User Account
1. Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete on your keyboard to open the Windows Security screen.
2. Click on Switch User from the options displayed.
3. Select the user account you want to log in with from the list of available accounts.
4. Enter the password for the selected user account if prompted.
5. Click on Sign in to log in with the selected user account.
If you don’t see the Switch User option on the Windows Security screen, try the following:
1. Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete on your keyboard.
2. Click on Task Manager.
3. In the Task Manager window, click on the File menu.
4. Select Run new task.
5. Type explorer and check the box for Create this task with administrative privileges.
6. Click on OK to run the task.
7. Once the task is complete, press Ctrl+Alt+Delete again and select Switch User.
These steps should allow you to log in with a different user account on your Windows 10 PC.
Perform System Image Recovery
Performing a System Image Recovery can help fix the Windows 10 boot black screen cursor issue. Here’s how to do it:
1. Start by accessing the Advanced Startup Options. Press and hold the Shift key while clicking on the Restart button in the Start menu.
2. In the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot.
3. In the Troubleshoot screen, select Advanced options.
4. From the Advanced options screen, select System Image Recovery.
5. Select the account you want to use for the recovery process and enter the account’s password if prompted.
6. In the Re-image your computer screen, select the system image you want to use for the recovery. This should be a backup that was created before the black screen issue occurred.
7. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the recovery process. This may involve selecting the backup location and confirming the restoration.
8. Once the recovery process is complete, your system should restart and hopefully resolve the black screen cursor issue.
Remember to regularly create system image backups to ensure you have a recent backup in case of any future issues.
If this method doesn’t resolve the issue, you may need to consider other troubleshooting steps or seek further assistance from Microsoft support.
Windows 10 Black Screen with Cursor FAQ
- Ensure that the monitor is turned on and properly connected to the computer.
- Inspect the video cable for any damage or loose connections.
- Try connecting the monitor to a different port on the computer or using a different cable.
- Verify that the monitor’s brightness and contrast settings are appropriately adjusted.
Repair Method 2: Restart the Computer
- Press and hold the power button until the computer turns off.
- Wait for a few seconds, then press the power button again to turn on the computer.
- Observe if the black screen with cursor issue persists.
Repair Method 3: Boot in Safe Mode
- Press the power button to start the computer.
- As soon as the Windows logo appears, press and hold the power button to force a shutdown.
- Repeat this process two more times until the Automatic Repair screen appears.
- Select “Advanced options” and then choose “Troubleshoot.”
- Click on “Advanced options” and select “Startup Settings.”
- Click “Restart” and then press the number corresponding to “Safe Mode” to boot into Safe Mode.
- Once in Safe Mode, troubleshoot any recent changes or updates that may have caused the black screen issue.
Repair Method 4: Update Graphics Drivers
- Press Win + X and select “Device Manager” from the menu.
- Expand the “Display adapters” category.
- Right-click on the graphics card driver and select “Update driver.”
- Choose the option to search automatically for updated driver software.
- Wait for the driver update process to complete.
- Restart the computer and check if the black screen with cursor problem is resolved.
Repair Method 5: Perform System Restore
- Boot the computer into Safe Mode (refer to Repair Method 3).
- Press Win + X and select “System” from the menu.
- Click on “System protection” in the left pane.
- Choose the “System Restore” option.
- Select a restore point before the black screen issue occurred.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to perform the system restore.
- Wait for the process to complete and then restart the computer.
