Computer turns on but screen doesn't? See possible solutions

When we press the power button on a case or laptop, we expect the computer screen to light up and display the boot process. But what do we do when the PC is on and the screen remains blank?

An issue like this involves some simple solutions, dedicated to resolving certain bugs that occur during startup. Therefore, we have separated some possible solutions to solve this issue. Check out more information below.

Force a reboot

We usually only use the restart button when the computer is already on and we can see the buttons to select them. However, in this specific case, using the mouse to click on a button is unthinkable due to the blackout of the screen; therefore, we recommend the following: hold down the power button until the computer starts the shutdown process.

Then, once everything is off, turn your PC back on using the same button. If the blank screen issue was caused by a common bug, the forced restart process should fix the problem.

Check the settings

This tip is for people who use more than one monitor; that is, when one screen is on and the other is off. In this case, it is recommended that you access the settings of the screen that is on and check if the extend screen functionality is active.

This is because sometimes the computer disconnects by itself. So, it is important to check if there was an unintentional disconnection; if so, simply start the process of extending the screen again. The function Windows + P opens the screen extension configuration menu.

Analyze the connection cables

In the case of desktops, it is important to check whether the monitor's display cable is properly connected to the screen and the case; it is also important to remove any excess dust and dirt that may have accumulated in the wires or inputs, and look for any physical damage to the cables.

Finally, it is useful to remove and replace the RAM chips, as this often helps with problems with displaying the image on the monitor; the same goes for the video card, if there is one. Only do this if you know how to open and move the case without damaging or messing with the PC.

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Check if the problem is really the monitor

Still focusing on desktops, it is important to make sure that the problem is actually the monitor. To do this, make sure that it is, in fact, turned on, and then try connecting something to it: headphones or any other device.

If the device connected via cable does not display the connection or charging status, then there is definitely a problem with the monitor. However, if the connection works, then the problem is with the PC and not the monitor.

Test other video outputs

Generally, the motherboard has more than one video output, which is where the monitor image comes out of. Therefore, it is worth trying to disconnect the cable/plug from the current video output and connect it to others to see if the screen turns back on or not.

Trying this is important because it would attest to a hardware problem, more specifically in one of the video outputs, which would already be useful in knowing what to fix.

Disconnect unnecessary peripherals

Although the mouse and keyboard are essential to allow us to access the functionalities of a system, the computer itself does not need them to turn on. Therefore, we recommend that you remove all peripherals (mouse, keyboard, headphones, printer, etc.), whether they are physically or wirelessly connected, and force the restart process.

Then turn your computer back on. If the screen works again, you can plug your essentials back in and start using them again.

If the screen still doesn't turn on, then it's time to seek out a qualified professional to resolve the issue. We recommend that you contact the customer service of the computer brand and ask for support.