How to fix glitch in screen going black?

Recently, I have been experiencing an annoying issue with my computer where the screen randomly goes black. It’s really frustrating because it disrupts whatever I’m doing, whether it’s working on important documents, watching a video, or just browsing the internet. I can’t seem to pinpoint any specific pattern or cause for this glitch. Sometimes the screen goes black for just a few seconds before coming back on its own, while other times it stays black until I force a restart. I’m not sure if this is a hardware problem, an issue with the display drivers, or something else entirely. This glitch has been a major inconvenience and I’m looking for any guidance on what might be causing it and how I can fix it.
6 Answers

A friend suggested checking the monitor settings directly:
1. Use the monitor’s built-in menu to reset it to factory settings.
2. Visit the manufacturer’s website to check for firmware updates for your monitor model.
3. If using multiple displays, ensure that the monitor alignment is accurately set in Display Settings.
4. Test with another monitor to determine if the issue lies with the existing screen or the system.

To address potential software conflicts, follow these steps:
1. First, boot your computer in Safe Mode to determine if the issue continues.
2. Use Task Manager to disable non-critical startup programs.
3. Run a comprehensive malware scan with a trusted antivirus program to check for any malicious software.
4. Visit the Windows Update section to ensure your operating system is up-to-date as updates often contain critical fixes.

As a more technical solution, I recommend adjusting BIOS settings and checking virtual memory:
1. Access your BIOS/UEFI settings during the boot process by pressing the appropriate key (usually F2, F12, or Delete).
2. Navigate to graphics or video settings and set the primary display output correctly.
3. If using a separate graphics card, ensure onboard graphics are disabled to prevent conflicts.
4. Save the settings and exit BIOS.
5. Inside Windows, open Device Manager and look for any devices flagged with issues under Display Adapters.
6. To optimize virtual memory:
– Navigate to System Properties -> Advanced system settings -> Advanced tab.
– Under Performance, click Settings and then the Advanced tab.
– Click on Change under Virtual memory, uncheck ‘automatically manage paging file size’.
– Set the initial size to match your RAM size and the maximum size to double your RAM size.
– Restart your computer to apply changes.

A common cause of black screens can be related to power issues. Here’s what you can do:
1. Verify that all power connections to both the monitor and the computer are secure and not loose.
2. Inspect the video cables (HDMI, VGA, DisplayPort) to ensure they are undamaged and properly connected.
3. Check your power settings in the control panel to ensure there aren’t any sleep mode or power save settings kicking in unexpectedly.

Disabling certain scheduled tasks in Windows Task Scheduler might be a quick fix:
1. Open Task Scheduler via the Start menu.
2. Browse through the scheduled tasks and disable any non-essential tasks, especially those linked to background applications.
3. Restart your computer to check if the issue has been resolved.

In my case, the problem turned out to be overheating caused by dust accumulation. Here’s a detailed step-by-step cleanup process:
1. Shut down your computer and unplug it from the power source.
2. Carefully open the computer casing and use a can of compressed air to gently remove dust from fans, heat sinks, and other internal components.
3. Ensure all cables are securely connected, and there is no physical obstruction to airflow.
4. Close the casing and power up the computer.
5. Consider installing software like HWMonitor to monitor your system temperatures and ensure your cooling system is functioning properly.