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?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Install and upgrade

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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
    2013-11-01T23:35:59+00:00

    I'm having this exact issue. Twice already I've had to re-install Windows 8 after a failed Windows 8.1 upgrade. Went all the way through the update, even confirmed my msft account with a code sent to my phone. Then black screen and cursor. The second time around I did all the updates that I can possibly find. When I tried doing the Intel HD4600 update straight form their website, it told gave me an error saying that I should install the one provided from the PC manufacturer's site (Dell) - Which I had done.

    Now, my PC (Dell Inspiron 23 touch) has both and Intel HD4600 Graphics and a AMD Radeon 8690A. I've noticed AMD has a beta driver out there now, which I have installed, but its just concerning that nowhere in their site there is an official announcement that this is the driver to fix this issue. I have not tried the update since then. I'm waiting for something official somewhere that confirms this driver fixes my problem. I do not want to go through resetting my PC to factory settings a 3rd time...

    Another thing. This is a brand new PC, with something called UFEI with secure-boot, there is no functionality for the F8 key right before it boots. The only keys that get me anywhere are F2 and F12.

    Again. F8 key will not take me to the start up in safe mode option. This was really hard to get through Dell's support technician's head...and yes I'm doing it right.

    Any suggestions? I've played around the F2 and F12 menus before boot, and nowhere in there do I get the option to boot in safe mode with networking.

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-11-01T23:40:55+00:00

    From your Windows 8 start screen: search for "Device Manager" in the settings, hit enter and expand 'Display Adapters'.

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-11-02T02:15:05+00:00

    Hi, 

    Your System/Motherboard Maker and/or the video device maker and their forums should

    have information and help on this issue. The System/Motherboard Maker will be able in

    most cases to tell you what video device is in your computer.

    Check this video and the other methods below :

    Windows 8.1 Black Screen Easy Fix

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoBPAdYJ2bI

    WinKey + X or put mouse cursor in the lower left corner - select RUN - type in -> msconfig

    on Boot tab - Boot options tick Safe boot - Apply - OK - then Restart Computer. To return

    to Regular Mode reverse that setting.

    Or WinKey + Q = type in msconfig   OR   System Configuration - see above.

    Or on the Start Scree just start typing - msconfig   OR   System Configuration - see above.

    Once in Safe Mode - Disable the Display Driver (Video Driver) in Control Panel - Device

    Manager.

    Once you have booted back into Windows go to the System Maker (Motherboard Maker

    for custom systems) or the actual video device maker's site and update the video driver

    to the latest. Also ask their support and forums about any known issues.

    =======================================================

    You may need to use a Windows 8.1 Boot Disk if you have problems getting into Safe

    Mode using the methods above. Use to access Safe Mode.

    Download Windows 8.1 ISO Using your Windows 8.0 Key

    http://mcakins.com/2013/10/19/download-windows-8-1-iso-using-you-windows-8-0-key/

    Download Windows 8.1 iso

    http://philipyip.wordpress.com/download-windows-8-1-iso/

    Hope this helps.

    Rob Brown - Microsoft MVP <- profile - Windows Expert - Consumer : Bicycle <- Mark Twain said it right!

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-11-02T21:04:04+00:00

    I have run into this situation with windows 7 install too.  It happened again when I did the update from windows 8 to 8.1.

    I read of another person solving this by hitting the windows key and shift key and using the left or right or up arrows to shift the video screen.  I my case the video was being project at a place other than my screen.

    Back in the day of windows 7 install when I first encountered this, I installed three times thinking something went wrong with the install.  On the third time I said to my self, really it couldn't have been a bad install. There was no auto reboot and the drive activity was going, same as the first two installs.  So I just left the thing alone for a  long time and the screen appeared.  I think the video driver auto downloaded and installed in that case, but during it all there was just a black screen.

    If I'm out in left field on this, then ignore; however, if there's an MS expert around seeing this, please investigate and post the solution so it can easily be handled if and when a generous consumer, like we all are here, encounters the issue.

    thanks,

    Clarence

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