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
    2014-12-10T00:37:36+00:00

    What is safe mode and howe do I use it when all I see is a blank screen and nothing else

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2015-01-31T19:59:33+00:00

    Hello, 

    I bought my lenovo flex2 with windows 8.1 installed on 20 jan 2015, just 10 days down, i have the black screen issue after it automatically updated & restarted. I tried everything mentioned both on Microsoft's website & lenovo's but nothing works. But working through all possible solutions it is clear that the issue is entirely due to windows 8.1 and not due to any hardware or third party softwares. Is microsoft coming up with a better solution?

    awaiting an answer

    Garry Christopher

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2015-08-04T21:04:15+00:00

    I am having the same problem.  No safe mode.  Have been on hold waiting to talk to ms tech. Why did I downloadthis problem?

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2015-08-04T21:46:54+00:00

    I am not familiar with the details other than having the black screen, but by now you should have auto upgraded to Windows 10.  During the upgrade, I got the black screen, but I am confident I know what it is.

    I had the same problem back when I installed windows 8.1.

    During install of the NVidia Graphic Drivers, at least in my case on my machine, the DVI and regular VGA drivers are installed deactivated leaving the HDMI drivers active.  I get black on DVI and VGA video, but the HDMI driver/screen is there and viewable.  So during the installation, the upgrade to windows 10 too, I just switched the monitor switch to HDMI and the screen is there, but with Windows 10 upgrade, it automatically returned to the DVI so my HDMI went blank.

    In other words, since my monitor has the three inputs HDMI, DVI, and VGA all connected, during the install some drivers are installed in the not active state and then become active, or I have to switch the switch on my monitor to see the screen.  During that process there are black screens; but in my case the Nvidia drivers install process goes all right.

    I suppose if I disconnect the HDMI input to my monitor, the install would never go black aside from the short term blanking when the drivers are installed.

    I you have such inputs to your monitor you might want to disconnect all but the VGA.  After the software/drivers are installed, you can reconnect the various inputs and go to the Nvidia Control Panel and do as you wish.

    When I installed windows 8.1 over a year ago and got the black screen, I though something went really wrong during the installation since the screen was black.  In fact, the installation went all right.  I just wasn't aware of why the screen was black and later discovered the active input was the HDMI, which my monitor doesn't auto switch to so I had to manually switch the monitor to HDMI.  Once the OS is installed with the drivers, you simply right click on the display and go to the Nvidia set up application and set it as you like, keeping in mind your monitor's functions.

    My situation might not be like yours, but that is how it's been for me over the past year and more since I installed Windows 8.1.

    Cheers

    Clarence

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments