Fix Black Screen After Windows 10 Updates & Recover Data

Don’t know how to fix the black screen after Windows updates? Get 8 effective ways to fix this error easily and recover your valuable data after data loss safely.

By @Lori Last Updated December 11, 2024

"My desktop computer is black screening after an automatic Windows 10 update. I think the update should be a recent version since I have updated my PC within the last month. I clicked shutdown and updated last night and I woke up to my computer still on with a black screen. I do not think that I did anything else abnormal on my PC yesterday. Why is my screen black after Windows 10 update? Moreover, how do I get Windows out of black screen?"

- A user from Microsoft Community

Facing a "Windows 10 black screen after update" issue can indeed be frustrating. Indeed, Update Windows aims to fix bugs in older versions. However, many users often encounter problems when they install Windows updates. If you are also one of those, keep reading.

This article will share 8 effective methods with you to fix the black screen after Windows updates. Also, recover data from your drive and save any important data if lost during the fix period.

Why Is My Screen Black After Windows Update?

Before fixing the Windows 10 black screen after update error, let’s take a look at the causes of this error.

  • Display drivers issue
  • Virus affected
  • Corrupted graphic card driver
  • Damaged hardware
  • System image files malfunctioning
  • Windows 10 update incomplete installation
  • Power supply problems
  • Overheating

If your Windows 10 or 11 black screen is caused by an incomplete installation or a pending Windows Update. You can learn more about Windows 10 black screen with cursor after login.

How Do I Fix a Black Screen after Windows Update? (8 Ways)

The reason for the issue of the Windows 10 or 11 black screen after update has been explained above. If you're experiencing a black screen error, there are 8 effective methods to resolve the issue.

Way 1. Disconnect All External Hardware

Sometimes, faulty external hardware connected to a computer causes a Windows 10 black screen error. You can check this by disconnecting all your external hardware devices such as USB. How’s do:

1️⃣ Unplug all external hardware connected to your computer.

2️⃣ Then, turn your system back on without the external devices connected.

3️⃣ Reconnect each external device one by one to your PC.

Way 2. Try Windows Key Sequence to Wake the Screen

Usually, after the Windows update screen is black, you may think restarting your computer is the only solution. Don't do that, you can try using Windows keys to wake up your device's screen. Using this method, you can also fix the problem related to the display adapter.

Step 1. Start your computer and wait for the black screen to appear.

Step 2. Press Win + Ctrl + Shift + B simultaneously. Then, the screen will begin to dim after hearing a short beep sound.

Step 3. Wait for a minute, and you will be able to see the desktop again.

Way 3. Restore System Files

System Restore is a helpful feature in Microsoft Windows that enables users to restore computer to earlier date. To be more precise, it help users revert their computer's state, including system files, installed apps, Windows Registry, and system settings, back to a previous point in time.

This functionality is essential to fixing system malfunctions or other issues that may arise during computer usage. So if your Windows black screen after updates System Restore might help you.

Step 1. Connect the Windows installation media (DVD or bootable USB drive) to your PC to enter Windows RE (Recovery Environment). Click Next.

Step 2. On the install Windows screen, Choose to Repair your computer.

Step 3. Click Troubleshoot Advanced options System Restore.

Step 4. Click Next on the pop-up window.

Step 5. Choose a system restore point and click Next to go on.

Way 4. Login with a Different User Account

If you're encountering a persistent black screen issue on your computer, it might be related to your login credentials. To address this problem, you can try the following solution in Safe Mode if previous methods haven't worked. Here are the steps:

Step 1. Turn off your computer by pressing the power button for 10 sec > power on > when you see the manufacturer’s logo, power off again > repeat this cycle 3 times > enter the WinRE (Windows Recovery Environment).

Step 2. In the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot Advanced options.

Step 3. Choose Startup Settings Restart. After the restart, choose the Safe Mode by pressing F4/F5/F6.

Step 4. Access your computer desktop and insert your login details.

Step 5. Open This PC and enter the following address C:\Users\Second Account Name\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Caches.

Step 6. Copy the newly opened folder and log in again using the old account credentials.

Step 7. Access the same folder by entering the same address mentioned above.

Step 8. Paste the Cache folder and replace the old one.

Step 9. Restart the computer again to check if the screen is functioning appropriately or not.

Way 5. Update Your Display Adapter

Sometimes, the Windows 10 update does not instantly install the newer version of the driver. The problem might be associated with your display driver. We suggest you update your display driver.

Step 1. Turn off your computer by pressing the power button for 10 sec > power on > when you see the manufacturer’s logo, power off again > repeat this cycle 3 times > enter the WinRE (Windows Recovery Environment).

Step 2. In the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot Advanced options.

Step 3. Choose Startup Settings. Press F4/F5/F6 to enable Safe Mode.

Step 4. Press the Ctrl+Alt+Del keys to enter the Secure login screen > Task Manager > File > Run new task > input devmgmt.msc in the box.

Step 5. Locate your Windows Graphic Card Driver under the option Display Adapters > Update Driver.

Step 6. Click Search automatically for drivers.

Way 6. Uninstall Windows Security Updates in Safe Mode

Did the above method solve it? If Windows turns to a black screen after upgrading, it may be due to a problem with the Windows installation package. Try uninstalling the Windows update package you installed.

To fix this issue, you can delete Windows update files on Windows 10/11 in safe mode because the safe mode needs Windows operating systems only to run necessary drives and files. Follow the steps below.

Step 1. Turn off your computer by pressing the power button for 10 sec > power on > when you see the manufacturer’s logo, power off again > repeat this cycle 3 times > enter the WinRE (Windows Recovery Environment).

Step 2. In the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot Advanced options.

Step 3. Go to the Startup Settings. Press F4/F5/F6 to enable Safe Mode. Log in to your computer with the administrator privileges.

Step 2. Type Programs and Features in the search box to open it.

Step 3. Click View installed updates and locate the installed update before the black screen of death occurs in the Windows tab.

Step 4. Right-click the Windows update file and choose Uninstall. Then, try to restart your Windows 10/11 computer normally.

Way 7. Uninstall Third-party Apps

After a typical Windows 10 update, third-party apps might have trouble adjusting to new settings, leading to malfunctions and even a black screen.

In such cases, uninstalling third-party apps can help resolve the issue. Safe Mode allows you to work with minimal features, making it easier to diagnose and fix problems caused by third-party programs.

Step 1. Turn off your computer by pressing the power button for 10 sec > power on > when you see the manufacturer’s logo, power off again > repeat this cycle 3 times > enter the WinRE (Windows Recovery Environment).

Step 2. In the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot Advanced options.

Step 3. Go to the Startup Settings. Press F4/F5/F6 to enable Safe Mode.

Step 4. Press the Ctrl+Alt+Del keys to enter the Secure login screen > Task Manager > File > Run new task.

Step 5. Enter services.msc on the dialogue box and proceed.

Step 6. Look for App Readiness and double-tap on that option.

Step 7. In the new box, choose Startup Type and then click Disabled > OK.

Way 8. Reset Your PC

If the above methods don’t work for you, try resetting your PC. It removes any additional software and files from your system. Remember to back up your data before resetting to avoid losing anything important.

Step 1. Restart your PC > come to the login screen.

Step 2. Click Power>Restart> Hold the Shift key > Come to the Windows Recovery environment > click Troubleshoot.

Step 3. Click Reset this PC.

Step 4. Click Remove everything.

Step 5. Specify whether you only want to delete files or clean the drive as well > click Reset.

How to Recover Lost Data During Windows Updates?

After going through the above 8 solutions, you might have solved the issue of the black screen after Windows updates. But the interruption it causes sometimes leads to data loss, which is the last thing users want to see. Don’t worry, let powerful data recovery software like MyRecover recover deleted and lost files easily.

MyRecover
👍Professional Data Recovery Software
  • Recover the deleted/lost files from HDD, USB, SD cards, and other storage devices.
  • Recover 1000+ file types: It is able to recover deleted Microsoft Word, Excel, PPT, PDF, PPTX, JPG, PNG, MP4, MOV, MP3, CDA, 7Z, ZIP, MSG, EML, and more.
  • Advanced scanning method: MyRecover runs Quick Scan & Deep Scan automatically to search all the recoverable files.
  • Enabling file filtering and preview by Files Type, Size, Date, etc. to save your time and effort.
  • 🔥 500 MB of data can be recovered for free.

So don’t hesitate to download it on your Windows 7, 8, 10, 11, or Windows Server!

Step 1. Download and run MyRecover on Windows. Then hover the mouse over the partition/disk that includes your desired files and click Scan.

Step 2. The software will scan your drive rapidly and completely. You can search or view all the deleted and other missing files during scanning.

Step 3. You will see a list of data that MyRecover found on your drive. Select the files you want to recover and press Recover x files.

Step 4. After the files are recovered, you will then be asked to select a new location to prevent the recovered data from being overwritten.

FAQs

Can I prevent black screen problems after future updates?
 
Keeping drivers updated, avoiding incompatible software, and using reliable and free backup software like AOMEI Backupper Standard to create backups can reduce the risk of post-update issues.
Why does my computer screen go black but the computer is still on?
 
It could be due to several hardware issues. The problem might be with your CPU, motherboard, RAM, power supply, or graphics card. To troubleshoot, try reseating these components to ensure they are properly connected. Additionally, testing these components on another computer can help determine if they are working correctly or not.
Can third-party software cause the black screen issue?
 
Yes, incompatible or outdated third-party applications can conflict with Windows updates and lead to black screen problems.
Does the black screen problem affect specific PC brands or models?
 
No, the issue can impact any Windows 10 device regardless of the brand or model. Black screen issues can occur after various Windows 10 updates due to different system configurations.
Can RAM cause no display?
 
Yes, if your system's RAM is faulty or corrupted, it can lead to a no-display problem. RAM issues can prevent the computer from booting up properly, causing the screen to remain blank.

Summary

This article gathers 8 quick solutions to help users fix the black screen after Windows updates issue. Also, you might as well choose MyRecover as your helper when you need to restore deleted or lost files from Windows.

By the way, to protect your data from such conditions, we recommend you create regular file backups using this free backup software for Windows like AOMEI Backupper to safeguard your data from any data loss.