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

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
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.

Was this answer helpful?

10+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

123 additional answers

Sort by: Oldest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2014-04-12T06:23:15+00:00

    To (re)start in safe mode in Windows 8.1, bring up the charms display, select "Settings", then "Power", and hold down the Shift key while you click on "Restart".

    If you are already in the "black screen" with just the mouse cursor, use the Control-Alt-Delete combination to bring up the Lock/Switch User/Sign Out/Task Manager screen, click on the Power icon in the lower-right corner, then hold down the Shift key while you click on "Restart".

    This is from memory, so cut me a little slack:

    This will allow you to select Troubleshooting, Advanced, Start Options, and click on "Restart". The Restart menu will display a variety of choices; select your preferred option using either the corresponding number key or function key (both work). Example: option 5 is Safe Mode with Networking.

    The computer will restart and offer the normal log-in screen, after which it will enter the selected mode.

    Good to go.

    I found myself with a black screen during the 8.1 upgrade right after I accepted the License terms and I was asked to sign on to complete the process. My email was displayed along with a box containing the word "Password." I could not type over the word, nor could I delete it. I couldn't go forward without entering my password and I could only back up to the License terms. I couldn't bring up the charms menu so I tried alt + ctrl + delete (which I hadn't used in a long time). Do you press the keys sequentially and hold them all down, or press and release sequentially? 

    In any event, I have been unable to turn my laptop off.

    Should I unplug it and remove the battery for a while? Do you have another suggestion?

    Thanks for your help. I'm sort of wandering from thread to thread on my Kindle Fire HD trying to figure out what to do. I got some good advice from Andre about upgrading from the Store, but first I have to get back to the Start screen (or whatever you call it in 8).

    Gloria

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2014-04-12T06:42:38+00:00

    Press and briefly hold all three keys down at the same time, then release.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2014-04-17T09:19:10+00:00

    My computer does not have the f8 option it only shows, f2 to enter setup and f12 to enter multiboot menu. I want to try the option about using a recovery media option then i will talk back. I think the problem may be the settings I selected when doing the upgrade, there were two options and i selected custom settings, could that have caused all my files to disappear and the problems i'm experiencing?

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2014-04-17T10:49:58+00:00

    Yes, if in the custom settings you chose a clean install then you wiped all your old operating system and installed Win 8 witne of your files. Unfortunately now they are gone unless you saved a backup of your old operating system, which you hopefully did.So don't do another install!!! Restore your old system!

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments