How to Fix Windows Server Black Screen after Login (3 Ways)

You can learn 3 top ways to fix Windows Server black screen after login and recommend backing up Windows Server to prevent irretrievable data loss.

Miya

By Miya Updated on March 28, 2024

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Why does Windows Server black screen after login?

Upon logging in to your computer, you may be presented with a black screen and a cursor that is movable, or possibly nothing at all instead of your desktop. This issue is often associated with a malfunctioning or corrupted Windows Explorer process, as well as display drivers, third-party antivirus software, and Windows updates.

If you are able to access the Task Manager, restarting the process may offer a temporary solution. However, in some cases, Windows may become unresponsive and require some useful fixes.

Windows Server Black Screen After Login

Top 3 ways to fix Windows Server black screen after login

So, in this section, we will provide three top ways to help you fix Windows Server black screen after login.

1. Turn off Windows Audio Service

This fix is specifically for users who experience Windows Server 2019 black screen after login. These are the steps to implement this solution:

Step 1. Launch the On-Screen Keyboard on your computer and maximize its window.

Step 2. Establish an RDP connection to the server experiencing the black screen issue.

Step 3. Once connected, press the Windows + R key combination within the RDP session to open the Run command.

Press the Windows R Key

Step 4. Within the Run command, type cmd and then click on the OK button.

Type Cmd

Step 5. Upon opening the Command Prompt, type the following command and press the Enter key:

TASKLIST /FI "ImageName eq audiodg.exe"

Executing the command will generate a result for the "audiodg.exe" process, which should include its corresponding PID. Please take note of this PID.

Enter Imagename Eq Audiodg Exe

Tip: If you find that your situation matches this scenario, then you can skip the remaining steps in this section and proceed to the second fix.

No Tasks Are Running

Step 6. Execute the following command to terminate the Windows Audio Service:

▶ TASKKILL /PID

In my example, I will use the following command: 

▶ TASKKILL /PID 13248

Tip: If you encounter an "access denied" error while executing the command, you can specify an alternative account with administrator privileges by using this command: TASKKILL /PID /U /P.

If you find that turning off Windows audio service does not fix the Windows Server 2016 black screen after login, please try the next fix.

2. Add "NT AUTHORITY\INTERACTIVE" Account to the Local "Users" Group

Several Windows Server users have successfully resolved the issue that Windows Server 2012 r2 black screen with cursor by adding the NT AUTHORITY\INTERACTIVE account to the local Users group. Here are steps:

Step 1. Opening the On-Screen Keyboard on your computer and maximizing its window.

Step 2. Establish an RDP connection with the server experiencing the black screen issue, and within the RDP session, press the Windows + R key combination to open the Run command.

Step 3. In the Run command window, type "lusrmgr.msc" and click on OK.

Type Lusrmgr Msc

Step 4. Once Local Users and Groups is opened, click on the Groups node.

Click Groups

Step 5. Next, locate the Users group and double-click on it to open its properties.

Locate Users Group

Step 6. Within the properties dialogue for the Users group AUTHORITY\INTERACTIVE is not listed, add it by clicking on the Add button.

Click Add Button

Step 7. Upon opening the Select Users, ComputersService Accounts, or Groups window, click on the Locations button.

Click Locations Button

Step 8. If the server is part of a domain, you will be prompted to authenticate your domain credentials. Please click on the Cancel button.

Click Cancel Button

Then click on the server name and choose OK.

Choose Ok

After canceling the domain authentication prompt, you will be redirected back to the Select Users screen. In the Enter the object names to select field, type interactive, and then click on the Check Names button.

Click Check Names

Step 9. To complete the process of adding the user to the Users group, click on OK.

Click On OK

If applying this solution fails to resolve the black screen on Windows Server after login, you may attempt the final method.

3. Turn off UAC (User Account Control)

Similar to the other fixes outlined in this guide, disabling UAC has successfully resolved the Windows Server black screen issue after login for many users.

Step 1. Open the Run command window, and type control panel in it and click OK.

Type Control Panel

Step 2. Once the Control Panel window is open, click on System and Security.

Click System And Security

Step 3. Within the System and Security group, click on Change User Account Control settings.

Click Change User Account Control Settings

Step 4. In the User Account Control Settings window, move the highlighted bar to the bottom-most position (labeled "Never notify"). Once done, click on OK to save the changes.

Labeled Never Notify

After making the changes, log off of the RDP session and then log back in. The black screen issue on Windows Server after login should now be resolved.

Extra tip: backup your Windows Server with best server backup software

Besides the black screen problem of Windows Server, it is also likely to have system failure, data loss, virus attack, physical disaster, etc. Have you spent a lot of time and money installing the system and downloading many applications? Have you even become very frustrated because of the above-mentioned situations? If you have ever encountered these problems and want to avoid them, then you can backup your Windows Server. In this way, when you encounter a disaster, you can recover your system or files from it and recover your computer quickly.

So here I recommend the best and most professional backup software - AOMEI Backupper Server, it has many powerful features:

AOMEI Backupper
Best and Easy Backup Software
  • Various backup options: You can create system, file, hard drive, and partition backups. It also enables you to create Windows Server recovery disk.
  • Fascinating Backup Scheme:  You can automatically remove outdated backups in order to free up
  • Flexibel Backup Methods: You can create full, incremental, and differential backup, catering to various requirements. It allows you to perform daily, weekly, or monthly backups, as well as event triggers or USB plug-in. 
  • Wide compatibility: This software supports all Server OS including Windows Server2003, 2008 (R2), 2012 (R2), 2016, 2019, and 2022, and it is compatible with a range of file systems, such as NTFS, FAT32, EXT2, and EXT3.

You may download the 30-day free trial version to test the software and follow the following steps to backup your Windows Server.

Step 1. Open AOMEI Backupper Server and select Backup from the main menu. Next, choose System Backup from the available options.

Tip: You can also select other backup options, like Disk Backup, File Backup, and Partition Backup to create a copy for your target items.

System Backup

Step 2. Next, specify a destination where the Windows Server system image will be saved.

Select Backup Destination

Step 3. Click on Schedule Backup and Backup Scheme to configure them according to your requirements. Once done, click on Start Backup to initiate the creation of the system image backup for Windows Server.

Start Backup

Summary

This article describes three detailed and effective ways to solve the problem of Windows Server black screen after login and recommends a professional Windows Server backup software. This software is simple and friendly for newcomers. Now follow the steps in this article to try it!

Miya
Miya · Editor
Miya has an excellent insight and receives professional and systematic technical training since joining AOMEI. She has a comprehensive understanding of computer issues, aiming at helping users troubleshoot all kinds of problems. A lot of computer users around the world have found her articles very helpful!