How To Fix Black Screen With Cursor In Windows 11 Error

Fix: Black Screen with Cursor

Windows 11, the latest operating system from Microsoft, brought a fresh and modern interface, improved performance, and enhanced features. However, like any software, it’s not without its issues. One frustrating problem that some Windows 11 users have encountered is the “Black Screen with Cursor” issue. This problem can be alarming, but the good news is that it’s usually fixable with a few troubleshooting steps.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through various methods to resolve the Black Screen with Cursor issue in Windows 11. Whether you’re a tech-savvy user or a novice, we’ve got you covered. Let’s get started.

What is the cause of the Black Screen with Cursor issue

Poor graphics driver
Faulty configurations
Faulty monitor or faulty connections
Incorrectly set up many monitors

You are in a much better position to go on to the troubleshooting if you have a fundamental understanding of the problems.

How to fix the Black Screen with Cursor Issue

This manual includes detailed instructions for fixing the “black screen with cursor” issue for PCs running Windows 11.

1. Check for Hardware Issues

Before diving into software troubleshooting, it’s crucial to ensure that your hardware is functioning correctly. Sometimes, external devices, display issues, or even power supply problems can lead to a Black Screen with Cursor.

a. External Devices: Disconnect all external devices, such as USB drives, printers, or external monitors, and check if the Black Screen with Cursor issue persists. Faulty external devices can sometimes interfere with the boot process.

b. Display and Graphics Card: Ensure that your display and graphics card connections are secure. Loose cables or faulty hardware can cause display problems.

c. Power Supply: Inadequate power supply or a failing power unit can also lead to a Black Screen with Cursor issues. Make sure your power supply is stable and functioning correctly.

2. Restart Your Computer

Your device could occasionally require assistance to launch all the applications and programs. When the Black Screen with Cursor, restarting the device is recommended. The device will start all the programs effectively after restarting.

By opting to restart your computer, you are essentially granting it a fresh start and an opportunity to rectify any underlying glitches or conflicts that may have led to the Black Screen with Cursor issue. This is a foundational troubleshooting step that can often provide swift relief from the issue at hand.

3. Boot in Safe Mode

Safe Mode starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and services, which can help you diagnose and fix Black Screens with Cursor issues.

Press Win + I together to open Windows Settings.
Choose System from the left pane and head over to the Recovery section on the right side of the window.
Click on the Restart now button associated with Advanced startup.

Hit Restart now again.
Head over to Troubleshoot > Advanced options in the next window.
Choose Startup Settings and then click on Restart.

In the following window, press 4 to launch Safe Mode.
Once the PC boots into Safe Mode successfully, try checking if this fixes the problem.

4. Disable the Fast Startup option

Many programs are set to start automatically when your computer starts up, which may cause Black Screen with Cursor issues. You may deactivate the fast startup option:

To launch the Run dialogue box, press the Windows key + R.
Type “powercfg.cpl” and press Enter.
In the Power Options window, click on “Choose what the power buttons do” on the left side.

Click on “Change settings that are currently unavailable“.
Scroll down and uncheck the box next to “Turn on fast startup“.

Click on “Save changes“.

5. Reinstall graphic drivers

Outdated or incompatible graphics drivers can lead to display issues. Updating your graphics drivers can often resolve the Black Screen with Cursor problem.

Press the Windows key + R to open the Run box.
Type devmgmt.msc and click OK to open Device Manager.
In the Device Manager window, expand the Display adapters section. It will list all the integrated and dedicated graphics drivers installed on your computer. Do the following for all of the drivers.

Right-click on the display driver and choose Uninstall Driver. Uncheck the “Delete the driver software for this device.” option in the pop-up if it shows up.
Go to the top menu in Device Manager and under the Action tab, select Scan for hardware changes.
The driver should appear back in the Display adapters list. If it does not, then restart your PC and it will appear back.
Right-click on the display driver again and choose Update Driver.
Select Search automatically for drivers. Windows will scan for available driver updates and download them.
Restart your PC to apply the changes.

If it didn’t work, again right-click on the display driver and choose Update Driver but this time select Browse my computer for driver software.
Then select Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer.
Select the driver you want to install, generally, it is the pre-selected top option in the list and click Next.
Restart your PC to apply the changes.

If even that doesn’t work, you can try going to your laptop or graphic card manufacturer’s official website and downloading the latest drivers for your specific model from there and then simply install the drivers and restart your PC to apply the changes.
The following are links to GPU manufacturer driver download websites:

6. Restart Windows Explorer

Windows Explorer is a system that serves as the graphical interface for several tools such as File Explorer, the taskbar, and the Start menu. Instead of restarting the system to resolve difficulties, just restart the Windows Explorer process, which can solve the Black Screen with Cursor issue. Take the following steps:

To access the task manager, press Shift+Ctrl+Esc, or Right-click on the taskbar and select “Task Manager.”
In the Task Manager window, navigate to the “Processes” tab.
Select Windows Explorer.
Right-click on Windows Explorer and select the Restart option.

7. Uninstall Windows recent updates

If you are experiencing issues after installing an update, consider checking for solutions or waiting for Microsoft to release a fix for the Black Screen with Cursor problem.

Go to the Windows Settings.
Click “Windows Update” from the left-hand side menu.
Then go to the Update history > Uninstall Updates.

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8. Perform a System Restore

If the Black Screen with Cursor issue started after a recent change or update, you can use System Restore to revert your system to a previous working state.

Type “System Restore” on the Windows search box
Click on “Create a Restore Point”.

Click on System Restore under the “System Protection” tab.

It will prompt you to select a certain date and open the restoring window.

If you previously created a restore point, you should utilize it; otherwise, the computer will display a recommended date for restoration. Then click “Finish” to complete the process.
The finishing time is a few minutes. When finished, your computer will reboot.

9. Run SFC (System File Checker)

Corrupted or missing system files can also lead to the Black Screen with Cursor problems. You can use the System File Checker utility to scan and repair these files.

Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
Type the following commands to perform a quick fix on your PC: sfc /scannow
Be patient and wait till the scanning is complete.

10. Reset your computer

You may need to reset Windows components if none of the aforementioned solutions work for you. The utility “Reset this PC” will fix damaged system files and return Windows to its default settings.

Press the Windows key + I to open Windows “Settings.”
Click “System” from the left-hand side menu.
Scroll down and, select the “Recovery” option.
Under Recovery click on the “Reset PC.“

Choose from Keep my Files and Remove everything. Then follow the guidelines on the screen to complete the resetting process.

11. Check for Malware and Viruses

Malware and viruses can cause the “Black Screen with Cursor” problem. To check for issues, conduct a complete computer scan using an authorized antivirus or antimalware tool. Make sure your antivirus software is up to date. You can download a free Malware detector tool. Malware or viruses can tamper with system settings, including services, and limit your control over them. Running a thorough malware scan can help identify and remove any malicious software.

Windows Defender, now known as Microsoft Defender Antivirus, is a built-in security feature in Windows operating systems, including Windows 11 and Windows 10. It serves as a robust and comprehensive antivirus and antimalware solution, offering a range of features to protect your computer from various security threats. Windows Defender, the built-in antivirus program, is capable of performing this scan:

Type “Windows Security” in the Windows search bar and select “Windows Security” from the results.
In the Windows Security window, click on “Virus & Threat Protection.“
Under “Current threats,” click on “Quick Scan” to perform a basic scan.
For a more comprehensive scan, you can choose “Full Scan.“
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the scan.
If any threats are detected, Windows Defender will provide options to remove or quarantine them.

After the scan is complete, restart your computer and check if the issue with the Black Screen with Cursor is resolved.

Conclusion

The Black Screen with Cursor issue in Windows 11 can be a frustrating experience, but it’s not insurmountable. By following the troubleshooting steps outlined in this guide, you can identify and resolve the problem that’s causing this issue. Whether it’s a simple software glitch or a more complex hardware-related issue, you now have the knowledge to tackle it effectively. Remember to back up your data before attempting any major system changes, and don’t hesitate to seek professional help if needed. With patience and the right approach, you can get your Windows 11 system back to its normal, working state.