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Monitor Going Black Randomly (Causes and Fixes)

As an owner of a computer monitor, I’ve experienced the frustration of it going black randomly. I was determined to find out what the cause was and how to fix it. After doing some research and testing, I’m here to share the solutions I discovered to help others who are facing the same issue. In this blog post, I’ll be exploring the common causes of monitor going black randomly and the various fixes that can be applied.

The main causes of your monitor going black randomly are either a bad power supply, mismatched cable connections, or bad drivers. The culprit could also be outdated operating system files. 

CauseDescriptionSolution
Bad Power SupplyIncorrect voltages may not be delivered to keep the computer running, or bad wiring in your home may be the issue.1. Try a different power supply cable.
2. Check and replace your PSU if necessary.
3. Fix any bad wiring in your home.
Mismatched Cable ConnectionsBroken or malfunctioning HDMI/VGA cables can cause the monitor to black out.1. Check if the cable is securely connected on both sides.
2. Use a new cable or one from a different monitor.
3. Switch to a different connection type if available.
Faulty Graphic Drivers and Third-party DriversCorrupted or out-of-date graphic drivers can cause communication issues between the hardware and the operating system.1. Uninstall existing drivers using DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller) in safe mode.
2. Install the latest graphics drivers by updating Windows or from the manufacturer’s website.
Outdated OS FilesIncomplete or corrupted operating systems can cause bugs, leading to monitor blackouts.Update Windows to the latest version.
Additional TipsThird-party programs or applications manipulating graphics can cause black-screen issues.1. Uninstall/disable the suspected third-party applications causing the issue.
2. Save the temp configuration file for the application to reinstall without losing settings if needed.

4 Causes of Monitor Going Black Randomly

Here are a few possible reasons why your monitor may be going black randomly: 

  1. Bad Power Supply

The most common reason for a monitor going black is a bad PSU (Power Supply Unit). It could be possible that the correct voltages aren’t being delivered to keep your computer running.

It could also be that your home has bad wiring, and this causes the monitor to flicker.

  1. Mismatched Cable Connections

Another major culprit of monitors going black is a bad cable connection. The HDMI/VGA cables that connect the computer to the monitor may be broken or malfunctioning.

When touched, a broken cable can cause the monitor to black out. It could also malfunction at random times.

  1. Faulty Graphic Drivers and Third-party Drivers

Graphic drivers are crucial in connecting the hardware to the operating system. If these are corrupted or out-of-date, the two systems will be unable to communicate well.

This could cause problems with your monitor, such as blacking out.

If you use third-party graphic drivers such as AMD or NVIDIA, you may find your monitor blacking out due to them not being in sync with the operating system.

  1. Outdated OS Files

Incomplete or corrupted operating systems could be the root of the issue. Bugs can be induced into the system when you haven’t updated Windows in a while, as these updates are meant to fix any problems in the current system.

These fixes will enhance your graphics system’s performance, so not updating the operating system may cause the monitor to black out.

How to Fix the Issue of Your Monitor Going Black Randomly

Now that we know what causes the issue to begin with, here are some ways to fix it:

  1. Check Your Power Supply

If you suspect that the PSU is the issue, you could try a different one. Switch the cable connecting the PSU to the main electrical outlet. After that, check if the problem persists.

If it does, then you need to check and possibly replace your PSU.

Plus, you’ll have to fix bad wiring, should your home have them. That’s because using damaged wires could be dangerous, as they may spark and cause electrical fires.

  1. Check Cable Connections

The HDMI/VGA/DVI cable connecting your monitor to the computer is fairly easy to examine. 

Check if the cable is securely connected on both sides. You could also fix the issue by using a new cable or taking one from a different monitor. 

Some types of monitors have two different ports, one for VGA and another for HDMI. Switch to a different connection if changing the cables doesn’t work.

  1. Update Graphics Drivers

To update your graphics drivers, you’ll need to follow these instructions:

  1. Install DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller) from the official website
  2. After installation, launch your computer with safe mode on.
  3. Once DDU is launched, select “Clean and Restart” to uninstall all currently installed drivers on your computer.
  4. After uninstalling, boot up your computer without safe mode. 
  5. Press Windows + R, type “devmgmt.msc” in the dialogue box, and press Enter
  6. Right-click anywhere and select “Search for Hardware Changes.” The default drivers should be installed. 
  7. You’ll have to install the latest drivers by updating Windows or going to the manufacturer’s website and then installing them. 
  8. Once you have installed the latest drivers, reboot your computer and check if the problem is solved.

4. Uninstall/Disable Third-Party Programs

If third-party programs or other applications that manipulate graphics are present, try uninstalling them to see if they’re causing your black-screen issues:

  1. Press Windows + R, type appwiz.cpl, and then press Enter.
  2. Once you’re in the application manager, look for the application that you suspect is causing issues.
  3. Right-click on that application, and select Uninstall.
  4. Once it’s uninstalled, check if the issue has been resolved.

You could save the temp configuration file for the application so that you can install it back without losing any of the settings you’ve set.

  1. Update Windows

If you haven’t updated your Windows for some time, you should do so right away.

Before installing the latest Windows update, make sure you’re logged in as an administrator. Afterward, do the following:

  1. Make sure you’re connected to the internet first.
  2. Press Windows + S, type “update,” then open the application.
  3. Once Settings is opened, click Check for Updates. 
  4. Your computer will then search for any uninstalled Windows updates. 
  5. Your PC will automatically install the latest Windows update.

Conclusion

When your monitor randomly blacks out, the reasons could be a bad power supply, mismatched cable connections, third-party graphics, or outdated OS files. 

Fixing these issues involves checking up on your power supply, fixing the cable connections, and updating graphic drivers. You may also have to disable third-party programs and update your Windows version.