White Screen of Death in Windows 10 computer | Quick Fixes

“How do I fix the white screen of death?”

Computers are now an essential and indispensable tool in people’s daily life. Every day, they boot up the computer and create, edit, share, and cooperate with others during work and study.

While using, however, whether you are tech-savvy or green-hand, you may run into unexpected errors. One of the annoying errors is WSOD (White Screen of Death). The most prominent symptom is that the screen shows nothing but a blank white screen.

A considerable number of Windows 10 users have suffered from this issue - this is not a rare case, and some Windows 11 users have also reported the Windows 11 white screen issue.

It is genuinely an annoying and upsetting issue that needs to be fixed urgently. This article would be worth reading if you are seeking methods to troubleshoot computer white screen.

First of all, let’s discuss the definition of this error and the reasons behind it.

What is White Screen of Death?

A screen of death is essentially a computer operating system error that shows on your screen, which indicates that the OS has encountered a fatal system error/hardware error/malfunction.

The primary symptom is that the screen shows nothing but all white, while the mouse is still working sometimes. Also, some users mentioned that their taskbar/some apps are still “alive”.

But WSOD is yet different from other screen of death errors like Blue Screen of Death, Black Screen of Death, etc. Its distinctive symptom is showing a completely white screen without error info like “Your device ran into a problem and needs to restart”.

When this issue occurs, it is usually too abrupt for users to save their work in progress; sometimes, it leads to severe data loss because it interrupts the data write-in process.

So, what are the possible causes of Windows 10 white screen?

What causes white screen of death in Windows 10?

We can find out several possible culprits.

Hardware/software issue. Severe hardware or software damage may cause the system to be unable to process and show the desktop properly. 

Outdated graphics card. The Graphics card (display card) converts the display info required by the system. If it is obsolete, you may meet this issue. 

Loose connection. If the connection of the graphics card is loose, it may also cause WSOD. 

Malfunctioned updates. Updates can bring errors and bugs as well. Some users have discovered computer won’t start after the Windows update.

Multiple according methods are gathered in the next part for you.

Troubleshoot: Windows 10 White Screen of Death

Though the computer white screen displays nothing, you can still use your keyboard to operate your device.

However, if your computer is totally irresponsive, giving no reactions when you move the mouse cursor, press the Windows key, etc., you may be out of luck.

Now, follow the instructions to fix the computer white screen issue.

>> Quick Navigation

• Fix 1. Check the connection of the external devices/graphics card
• Fix 2. Reboot/force restart the Windows PC
• Fix 3. Start up the PC in Safe Mode
• Fix 4. Update the display card
• Fix 5. Install/rollback update
• How to recover data from WSOD?

Fix 1. Check the connection of the external devices/graphics card

The first course of action will be to ensure no loose connection between the computer, the peripheral devices & the graphics card.

A loose connection can lead to a malfunction of the display and cause WSOD.

>> Try disconnecting the peripherals and the graphics card, or changing the cables, then re-connect them. While checking, you could use an eraser to clean the interface of the display card.

It is disparate from a black screen of death. If you want to recover data from a laptop with black screen, you might need to check the display first. E.g., connect another external monitor to see if the screen requires a repair.

Fix 2. Reboot/force restart the Windows PC

If the connection is in good condition, but the Windows 10 white screen still bothers you, there might be other problems.

A restart might be helpful. Generally, a restart can fix most computer problems because when rebooted, all programs and running process ends; cleaning the footprint left by the system/apps makes it smoother and faster.

★Tips: 

Remember to restart your computer without external devices connected. 

If the computer is stuck on the restarting screen, please get help.

>> Try to restart your computer to see if it can fix. If it gives no reaction when rebooting normally, try a force restart:

Press and hold the power button for at least 5 sec > the lights will be off, and the running sounds will end > wait for half a min > press the power button to boot up the computer.

Then see if it can bring your PC back to normal.

Fix 3. Start up the PC in Safe Mode

If a hard restart does not help, you should turn to a safe mode restart. A safe mode restart only uses the essential files and drivers. If the computer runs well when rebooting in safe mode, the problems are not from the basic drivers and files.

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. Come to Choose an option screen > Troubleshoot > Advanced options.

Step 3. Choose Startup Settings > Restart > after the restart, choose which mode you need by pressing F4/F5/F6.

Then, see whether the Windows 10 white screen issue is solved.

Fix 4. Update the display card

As mentioned above, an updated display card can also lead to a malfunction of the screen. Try to update it and see if it can run properly again.

Step 1. 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 2. Click the Display adapters > Update driver.

Step 3. Choose Search automatically for drivers.

Hopefully, upgrading the outdated display driver can help solve the white screen of death issue.

Fix 5. Install/rollback update

Except for drivers, operating systems have their regular updates as well. Generally speaking, upgrading the operating system on a regular basis is a good habit to follow the pace and avoid bugs and errors.

But, sometimes, updates may bring some problems likewise. A bunch of users also reported data loss accidents like “Automated Windows 10 updates deleted my files”.

So, on the one hand, you might as well choose to update your Windows OS if you haven’t upgraded it for a long time;

On the other hand, you can uninstall the malfunctioned update if the symptoms occur after an update.

This method works when you can still arouse the Run window. If unlucky, the Run window is irresponsive; there is no luck for you; please try other methods.

>> To update:

Step 1. Press the Win+I key to open the Windows Settings directly, or press the Win+R key to start the Run window > input ms-settings: in the box to open the Windows Settings > click Update & Security.

Step 2. Check for updates.

Then restart your computer to see if the Windows 10 white screen is fixed now.

>> To uninstall update:

Step 1. Follow the same steps to open the Windows settings > under Windows Update, click View update history.

Step 2. Click Uninstall updates.

Step 3. Locate the faulty update > right-click it > Uninstall.

How to recover data from WSOD?

With the help of these solutions, you might have fixed the computer white screen now. But the interruption it causes sometimes leads to data loss, which is the last thing users want to see.

When how to recover lost data from computers with the Windows 10 white screen issue? Is there any safe and easy way to perform data recovery? Sagacious users may choose an efficient Windows data recovery tool to help them.

MyRecover is one of the eligible software – it is equipped with advanced data scanning tech and algorithms, facilitating users to retrieve deleted data from internal/external HDD, SSD, USB, SD card, etc.

It features in its comprehensiveness, convenience, and also compatibility.

All-inclusive. It applies to deletion, formatting, virus, system crash, recycle bin emptying, etc. 

Convenient. Recover 200+ types of data in 3 steps, including photos, documents, zip files, emails, etc. 

Compatible. It is available for Windows 11/10/8/7/Server users. Server users can also use it to recover data from Windows Server 2016, 2019, 2022, etc.

Don’t hesitate to use MyRecover to restore lost files from Windows 10.

Step 1. Install and run MyRecover > Hover the mouse over the drive saved deleted files before, and click Scan.

Step 2. Sort the files by Type, Size, Path, etc. Also, you could input the filenames or extensions to target your files faster.

Step 3. Choose Deleted files > go to the original file location, or the Recycle Bin/Other missing files > select data > click Recover x files.

This powerful tool can also help you if you accidentally formatted hard drives.

Conclusion

This article gathers several solutions to help users fix the white screen of death issue. Users could try checking the connection and the display, rebooting the computer in safe mode, upgrading the display driver, and checking the update.

Also, you might as well choose MyRecover as your helper when you need to restore deleted or lost files from Windows.