A black screen on your HP laptop can be alarming, especially when the device powers on but nothing appears. Whether it's caused by a software glitch, hardware failure, or a simple setting, there are several proven methods to fix it. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you troubleshoot and resolve the issue.
🔄 Step 1: Perform a Hard Reset
A hard reset clears temporary data and resets hardware connections.
• Turn off the laptop completely.
• Disconnect all external devices and power cables.
• If your laptop has a removable battery, take it out.
• Press and hold the power button for 15 seconds.
• Reconnect the power adapter (without the battery) and turn the laptop on.
🌞 Step 2: Check the Brightness and Display Settings
Sometimes the screen is working but too dim to see.
• Use the brightness keys (usually F2/F3 or F11/F12) to increase brightness.
• Connect your laptop to an external monitor to check if the issue is with the internal display.
🔧 Step 3: Update or Roll Back Graphics Drivers
Corrupt or outdated drivers can cause display issues.
• Boot into Safe Mode by pressing F8 or Shift + F8 during startup.
• Open Device Manager → Display Adapters → Right-click your graphics driver.
• Choose Update driver or Roll back driver if the issue started after a recent update.
🧠 Step 4: Disable Fast Startup and Hibernation
These features can sometimes interfere with proper booting.
• Go to Control Panel → Power Options → Choose what the power buttons do.
• Click “Change settings that are currently unavailable.”
• Uncheck Turn on fast startup and disable Hibernate mode.
🧩 Step 5: Reseat RAM and Check Internal Connections
Loose RAM or internal cables can cause a black screen.
• Power off and unplug the laptop.
• Open the back panel and carefully remove and reinsert the RAM sticks.
• Check display cable connections if you're comfortable opening the device.
🕰️ Step 6: Perform a System Restore
If the issue started recently, a system restore can revert your laptop to a working state.
• Boot into Safe Mode.
• Search for “System Restore” and follow the prompts to restore to a previous point.
🧼 Step 7: Disable App Readiness
Some users report success by disabling this service.
• Press Win + R → type → find App Readiness.
• Right-click → Properties → Set Startup type to Disabled.
Conclusion:
A black screen doesn't always mean a dead laptop. With these steps, you can often resolve the issue yourself. If none of these work, it may be time to consult HP support or a technician.
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