I’m installing Windows 8.1, and after a reboot, it has a black screen.

Anonymous
2013-10-29T18:13:23+00:00

I’m installing Windows 8.1, and after a reboot, it has a black screen, with just a cursor. How do I solve this?

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Anonymous
2013-10-29T18:14:57+00:00

This may be an issue with your display drivers. Try entering Safe Mode and updating the drivers:

  1. When you boot your PC, try hitting the F8 key. This may take you to the Startup Settings that include Safe Mode.
  2. If hitting F8 doesn’t work, and you have media for Windows 8.1 (such as a DVD or USB), you can boot from media using the instructions here. Further instructions about Safe Mode can be found here.
  3. If you do not have media, use the power button to restart your computer during the boot process three times (do not let it get to the end of the boot process) . This should bring up the Windows Recovery Environment.
  4. Once you have started in Safe Mode with Networking, check for updated drivers:
  • Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings, and then tap Change PC settings.

(If you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, click Settings, and then click Change PC settings.)

  • Tap or click Update and recovery and then tap or click Windows Update.
  • Tap or click View details, and tap or click Check for updates. (If you don't see View details, there aren't any optional updates available.)
  • Under Optional, tap or click the update that you want to install, then click Install.

If no updated drivers are available through Windows Update, check the website of the manufacturer of your video card to see if they have updated drivers available.

If this does not resolve your issue, post in this thread.

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-09-18T21:12:29+00:00

    The problem is that there are many different "black screen" (AKA blank screen) issues.  Some are obviously graphics driver related, but others are not.  I guess in certain cases HDD/SDD drivers could play a role too. In my particular case I suspect UEFI and internet, but it's very hard to find solutions, because the "black screen" symptom is extremely vague.  I would much rather see a screen with hundreds of hex numbers and incomprehensible - but Googlelable - computer lingo.

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-09-18T06:21:26+00:00

    Can somebody check if it has anything to do with the HDD/SSD drivers? Uninstall/reinstall or uplug or replug it back and check. Doesn't seem to be a problem with graphics since this issue is happening for Intel, AMD and Nvidia.

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-09-03T00:16:32+00:00

    If you cannot enter Safe Mod, simply boot the laptop and when you get to the black screen with the cursor, press Ctrl Alt and Del, choose Task Manager, from there choose File > Start A New Task and type Control Panel, from there navigate to Windows Update and check for the updates.

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-08-30T04:52:10+00:00

    In windows 8 you have to log in so I would press the F8 button after putting in his password and still nothing just a black screen.

    If you have the login screen you can use its Shift-Restart (in its Shut down menu at the bottom right).

    Congratulations.  W8 boot options are working as designed.   <eg>

    C.f.

    http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2012/05/22/designing-for-pcs-that-boot-faster-than-ever-before.aspx

    In particular watch at least the last 30 seconds of the video.

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