Black screen with cursor in Windows 11: complete guide to causes and solutions

 

You turn on your computer and you find yourself with the Black screen with cursor in Windows 11What happened? Is this a serious problem? What can we do?

Indeed, we have a problem. The good news is that There are several solutions without losing data and without having to immediately call a technician. Below is a comprehensive guide that compiles common causes, essential checks, and step-by-step solutions, both from within Windows and from the recovery environment.

Common causes of the problem

This symptom is presented by very varied reasons: from corrupted or incompatible graphics drivers, hardware failures (GPU, RAM, disk, cables), update errors, conflicting display settings, to system services that get “stuck” during startup.

There are also less obvious factors: customization apps that affect Explorer.exe or the Registry, multiple antivirus programs coexisting, suspicious P2P network software, or a pending Windows activation that results in strange behavior.

On recent laptops and computers it may influence BitLocker encryption If it was automatically activated with your Microsoft account, if you don't know the key, you could be locked out of the drive when attempting a reinstallation or updating the BIOS/UEFI.

Quick checks before anything else

• Disconnect external peripherals (USB, disks, headphones, capture cards, etc.) with the PC off. Hold the power button for about 30 seconds to force a complete shutdown, then turn it on and test. Reconnect one by one to see if any device is causing the conflict.
• Check the monitor and cables: HDMI, DisplayPort, DVIMake sure the connections are firmly seated at both ends. On older monitors with pin connectors, tighten the screws. Test the monitor on another computer or video source.
• If you have dedicated graphics and integrated graphics, temporarily connect the monitor to the motherboard outputIf this works, the problem could be with the dedicated GPU. If there aren't even any beeps from the motherboard upon powering on, suspect the motherboard or power supply.
• Try the key combinations: Win + Ctrl + Shift + B restart the video driver; Win+P Change the projection mode (press P and Enter up to four times to cycle through modes). If Windows responds, the signal sometimes returns.
• If the screen is still black, try turning it off with Alt + F4 and EnterIf there is no response, press and hold the power button for ~10 seconds until it turns off, then turn it back on.

Enter the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE)

From a black or blank screen we can force Auto repair to access Advanced Options (WinRE). This method works on most computers.

1. Hold the power button for 10 seconds to turn off.
2. Press power to start.
3. As soon as you see the manufacturer's logo or the charging circle, hold the button for 10 seconds to turn off again.
4. Repeat the forced power on and off a third time.
5. Let the system enter Auto repair and choose Advanced to enter WinRE.

On the screen Choose an option, go to Troubleshoot and then Advanced Options. From there, you have several tools to recover your startup.

What to do from WinRE

En Advanced You will find utilities that should be tried in this order if you do not yet know the source of the failure.

1) Startup Repair

Allows Windows diagnose and repair automatically Boot problems. If the cause is corrupted boot files, you can fix it without further intervention.

2) Uninstall updates

If the error appeared after updating, go to Uninstall updates and try rolling back the latest quality update and, if applicable, the feature update. This usually resolves recent incompatibilities.

3) Startup Settings (Safe Mode)

Sign in Startup configuration and press Restart. Upon restart, choose 4 (F4) for Safe Mode or 5 (F5) for Safe Mode with Networking. If the system boots in this mode, you can apply several fixes.

4) System Restore

If you had restore points, use System Restore to return to a previous state where everything worked. Keep in mind that the changes made after that point (programs or settings) will be reverted.

5) Command Prompt

Open the console and run system checks and repairs. These commands are usually key when boot files have been damaged.

sfc /scannow
bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /scanos
bootrec /rebuildbcd

Additionally, you can supplement with DISM to repair the Windows image if SFC reports problems it can't fix: DISM / Online / Cleanup Image / RestoreHealth.

Recommended actions if you boot into Safe Mode

If we manage to get in, it is best to board first drivers, services and software potentially conflictive.

Update or reinstall the graphics driver

Open Device Manager (Win + R and type devmgmt.msc), expand Display Adapters, right-click on your GPU and choose Update Driver. If there are no changes, try Uninstall device and reboot to have Windows reinstall it.

Disable the “Application Preparation” service

This service may block startup by preparing apps on first logon. Open Run (Win + R), type services.msc, look for Application Preparation, enter its properties and put the startup type in Disabled. Apply, accept, and reboot. If it's fixed, return it to Manual on the next boot.

Clean boot to rule out conflicts

It's a way to start just with minimum services and drivers. Type msconfig into the search box, open the System Configuration tab, select Hide all Microsoft services, and click Disable all. Restart. If it restarts, restart it one by one until you find the cause.

Reduce startup programs

Open Task Manager and go to the tab Home. Disable anything you don't need from startup, especially the startup programsThis reduces conflicts, speeds up startup, and prevents screen freezes.

Create a new local user

In some cases the problem is linked to the User profileCreate a new user from Safe Mode and log in with it. If everything works, migrate your data to the new profile and delete the old one later.

Additional solutions that often work

If the problem persists, there are other useful measures that cover both software and hardware. Go step by step to isolate the cause and apply the appropriate correction.

Review display settings and shortcuts

In addition to Win + Ctrl + Shift + B and Win + P, make sure there is no incompatible resolutions or frequencies configured by mistake. In Safe Mode, the resolution is basic and you can readjust it later.

Control temperatures

Monitor the CPU and GPU temperature with a trusted utility. If overheating occurs, check thermal paste, heatsinks, or power profiles that are putting pressure on the hardware.

Uninstall problematic software

Delete suspicious apps, duplicate antivirus programs, P2P clients from dubious sites, and any program that heavily impacts the system. These are common sources of conflict.

Remove customization apps

If you use tools to modify taskbar, Start menu, or Explorer.exe, uninstall them. Low-level interface changes often cause black screens and other glitches.

Uninstall updates from Windows

Once you're able to sign in, go to Settings > Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall updates. Remove the most recent updates, especially if the problem started after updating.

Adjust GPU Timeout (TDR)

If the GPU is slow to respond, Windows may restart it too soon. Open regedit and go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SYSTEM > CurrentControlSet > Control > GraphicsDrivers. Create (or edit) the 32-bit DWORD TdrDelay and set it to, for example, 8. Reboot.

Complete malware analysis

Spend a full scan with Windows Defender (including offline scans) or your trusted antivirus. Choose the most comprehensive mode to also check startup and memory.

BitLocker, Microsoft account and reinstallations

If your disk appears BitLocker encryption (often activated by your Microsoft account), you will need the recovery key to install another version of Windows or update BIOS/UEFI without any problems.

From WinRE or the console, you can check the status with manage-bde status. If you know the key, unlock the drive or temporarily suspends protectors with manage-bde -protectors -disable C:. The recovery key is usually stored in your Microsoft account portal.

If the Windows installer does not detect the disk, in addition to encryption, it assesses whether a storage controller (RAID/Intel RST) during installation. Loading it allows you to see the drive and continue.

Reinstall Windows: When and How

The “keeping files” reinstallation offered by Windows is useful, but if you are looking for remove any traceThe ideal solution is a clean install from an official USB drive. Remember: back up your data before formatting.

For Windows 10 and 11, the media creation tools are different. Create the USB, boot from it, delete system partitions, and reinstall. If BitLocker is present, unlock or suspend encryption first.

Reset BIOS/UEFI to factory settings

A misconfiguration of the BIOS / UEFI or a GPU change can trigger this issue. Reset the factory settings from the menu: search for Load Optimized Defaults/Setup Defaults/Reset to Default/Factory Reset and save your changes.

Common keys to enter: F2 (ACER, ASUS, DELL, SAMSUNG, SONY), F10 (HP, COMPAQ), Del/Del (ACER and ASUS A series desktops), ESC (some HP, ASUS, TOSHIBA), F1 (Lenovo, SONY, TOSHIBA), F12 (TOSHIBA), Fn + F2 (some Lenovo).

Third-party tools for boot repair

If you prefer a more guided solution, there are professional utilities that create rescue media and automate the repair of BCD, MBR/EFI, and system files. Some include a "boot repair" mode and file system scans from USB drives.

In cases of corrupted boot records or missing files, these tools can speed up recovery, although it is always advisable to try native Windows methods first and use third parties as support.

Most cases of black screen with cursor in Windows 11 are resolved: start with hardware and shortcuts, force WinRE, use Startup Repair and uninstall updates, enter Safe Mode to clean drivers/services, run SFC/DISM/BOOTREC, check BitLocker encryption if you are going to reinstall and leave the clean format as a last resort. The combination of steps offers a very high success rate without losing data unnecessarily.