Windows 10: monitor is blinking and screen goes black

I got a weird issue a few days ago. I booted my computer, and my monitor was black. Everything was connected. I took the graphics card out and connected it again. The monitor then blinks, you can see the desktop for about one second, then the screen goes black, then it shows the desktop for about a second and goes black again and continues like that. I have had my computer for quite some years so i tried with a different graphics card (gtx 750ti) same problem. I also tried with the onboard graphics card and the problem is the same. Sometimes if I reboot my computer 7-8 times, it just works miraculously. What gives and whats the solution? I have tested with both hdmi and dvi-d cables, and I have tested with a different monitor as well.

:)

 

Accidentally pressed Ctrl + Alt + F1 on Microsoft software!

I am on a Toshiba computer and am paired with a Dell monitor, I have accidentally clicked Ctrl + Alt + F1, and then the computer screen goes black except for the monitor.

If I click Ctrl + Alt + F3 the monitor goes black and the computer screen is able to be used. How do I Get back two using two screens, open and not black?

 

Update KB4022716 causing black screen after screen timeout [Four Displaylink USB adapters in system]

Lenovo T460, 2nd monitor is connected through display port, with a "DVI to Displayport" adapter.

Same problem, after sleep, screen is black with blinking cursor. Unplugging and plugging the monitor back in fixes it, or a restart.

No 3rd party antivirus, just windows defender.

 

Hi Cerawy.

Have you check Windows Update history. You are looking for what got install two days ago when problem started. If you can readily identify then you could back it out.

Some MB don't like having hardware swapped without resetting BIOS. If you do this, reset your BIOS, know your settings so you can restore.

Next track, does your machine display the same behaviour in Safe Mode. (Minimal apps, basic graphics driver.) The way I would start the process off of entering Safe Mode, hold shift key down, click restart. Two failed attempts to boot will also summons the advance startup options.

Boot to Advanced Startup Options in Windows 10

If screen is fine, although poor resolution, then I believe you have confirmed hardware okay. The next question, is it the graphics driver or an application. Since it does it with Graphics card and onboard graphics I leaning towards app issue if the screen is okay in safe mode.

If display flickers in Safe Mode I might be inclined to remove CMOS battery, disconnect and reconnect all connections, especially power cables at both ends if it is one of those "use what you need" models. Any chance you have spare power supply if only to test as you need to isolate cause.

You could uninstall the graphics driver and software and then re-install a known working version.

On reboot if screen continues to flash, with older working driver, you may have an application issue. In that case you could try a clean boot to see if that resolves issue. If screen does not flicker on clean boot then you got an app / program issue. The tutorial walks you through the identification process.

Perform a Clean Boot in Windows 10 to Troubleshoot Software Conflicts

One other idea, use system restore to go back in time to a working version.

As with all problem diagnostics, Windows can be cranky. One member last week did a clean boot and wound up restoring his entire system from an Image. Should not have happen however it did.

Have your data backed up, boot media available and it is always sound practice to have an Image created with a tool like Macrium Reflect.

Backup and Restore with Macrium Reflect


Ken

 

Well the problem continues after a fresh install of windows. I have tried reseting bios to default as well. I cannot really test it in safemode, because the monitor goes black before getting to the point where you can choose to boot in safemode. I also find that once my computer manages to start without problems, I can usually shut it down and restart it without problems for the rest of the day. The problem always comes back the next day after my computer has been turned off for about 8 hours. I have tried to reinstall the gfx drivers and they are updated to the latest version from nvidias website.

 

Okay, good to know. Please disable hibernation which in turn will kill Windows Fast Startup. This is for a test.

To Command Prompt (Admin) or Power Shell (Admin) enter the following.

powercfg -h off

to reverse change the word off to on in the command.

Power down your device. Power on, it should be fine. You can do the longer test, the two day version, and see if issue remains solved.

Ken

 

Try with a different monitor.....it's sounds like the monitor might be the issue here. I had an HP system do the exact same thing and it ended up being the monitor....a new monitor and it worked right ever since.

Oh crap....didn't see the end of your post. So disregard.

 

However maybe try a different monitor cable if you can?

 

The problem is, once i get to my desktop without my monitor blinking, i can pretty much do what, i can reboot my pc, l turn it off and on again without problems. But I did the command as you said.

I have tried both an hdmi and dvi-d cable, i have tried with two different graphics cards (gtx 650 + gtx 750ti) and with one of the cards the screen goes black, with the other card my monitor starts blinking. But I can try another monitor.

I should problably also say that I have to remove all pci devices to get to my desktop without my monitor blinking, but the next day after my computer has been shut off for about 8 hours, the problem comes back again.

 

Ok, so i think i have found the problem. Seems like whenever i start my computer after i have left it overnight, the monitor starts blinking as soon as i get into my desktop in windows. But after taking out my wireless networks cards from the mainboard, i can boot my computer just fine. I can then connect my wireless networks card again without problems.. what gives?

 

Possible radio / electrical interference.

Can you locate the wireless card further away from video? Also watch wiring / antennas both internally and externally.


Ken

 

I have tried a different pci slot.. same result.. I have been using this hardware for years without problems..

 

What's the make/model of your PCI network card? And from post #8 you use the word "network" as plural "networks" ..... which leads us (well at least me) that you're using more than 1 network card. Is this true?

 

and you said if you leave overnight. It sounds like this happens even when you sleep for a short duration, correct?

Ken

 

TP Link archer T9E, I have had this card for years in the same pci-slot without problems, I should problably clarify and say that I only got this card.

Well it happens if i try to turn my pc on after leaving it overnight.