It can be frustrating when your monitor is getting power but not displaying anything on the screen. There are several potential causes for a monitor getting power but no display that are worth checking into.
Quick Overview of Potential Issues
Here is a quick overview of some of the most common potential issues that could lead to a monitor getting power but no display:
- Loose or damaged video cable connections – If the video cable connecting the monitor to the PC is loose or damaged, it can prevent a proper connection.
- Incorrect input source selected on monitor – Many monitors have multiple input sources like HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI, etc. Make sure the correct one is selected.
- Outdated, corrupt, or missing drivers – Video drivers that are outdated, corrupted, or missing can prevent the monitor from displaying properly.
- Monitor brightness/contrast settings – Check if brightness got turned all the way down or contrast got changed incorrectly.
- Faulty power supply in monitor – If the monitor’s internal power supply is faulty, it may power on but not have enough consistent power to display.
- Backlight failure – LED backlights can sometimes fail in monitors, allowing power on but no display.
- DisplayPort MST issues – Multi-Stream Transport setups with DisplayPort can sometimes have issues preventing display.
- GPU/integrated graphics issues – Problems with the graphics processing components can prevent display signal.
- BIOS/firmware factors – Outdated BIOS or incorrect firmware settings may affect external display capabilities.
Carefully checking each of these potential issues can help narrow down and identify the specific reason a monitor is getting power but no display. The solutions will depend on the underlying cause determined through troubleshooting.
Check Video Cable Connections
One of the first things to check when a monitor has power but no display is the video cable connection between the monitor and computer. This is frequently the culprit when a monitor suddenly stops displaying after previously working properly.
Here are some steps for checking the video cable connections:
- Make sure the video cable is firmly plugged into the output port on the back of the computer. This is typically a port like HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI, or VGA. Wiggle the cable at both connection points to check if it’s loose.
- Check that the video cable is not damaged. Inspect the full length of the cable for any cuts, tears, or bent pins. Test with a different video cable if possible.
- Try connecting the monitor’s video cable to a different output port on the PC if multiple types are available. For example, connect to the HDMI port instead of DisplayPort.
- Reseat both ends of the video cable, unplugging from both the PC and monitor, then plugging firmly back in. This can resolve loose connections.
- Test the monitor and video cable with a different PC, laptop, or video source if available to help rule out or identify issues.
Reconnecting video cables is a simple fix that can get monitors displaying properly again. However, if the connections seem fine, it’s likely another issue causing the problem.
Check Input Source On Monitor
After the video cable connections, the next thing to check is the input source selected on the monitor itself through the monitor’s on-screen display menu. Many monitors have multiple input sources like HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI, and VGA ports. The monitor could be set to the wrong one.
Follow these tips for checking the monitor input source:
- Turn the monitor on and open the on-screen display menu using the menu buttons.
- Look for the Input Select or Input Source option in the menu.
- Cycle through the available options like HDMI 1, HDMI 2, DisplayPort, DVI, VGA, etc.
- Set the input to match the video connection from the PC to the monitor.
- Consult the monitor’s documentation to find the correct menu options if unclear.
Setting the monitor to the proper input source for the video cable in use often resolves instances of power but no display. Just needing to select the correct one in the menu can get the display working again.
Check and Reinstall Graphics Drivers
Graphics and video drivers are an essential component for getting a signal to monitors from computers. Outdated, corrupted, or missing drivers can prevent displays from functioning properly.
Here are some recommendations for checking and reinstalling graphics drivers if needed:
- Identify the make and model of graphics card or integrated graphics in the PC.
- Go to the hardware company’s website, like NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel, and search for the latest drivers for the graphics hardware.
- Download the driver installer file and run it to check for driver updates.
- Use a utility like Display Driver Uninstaller to fully uninstall existing graphics drivers as part of a fresh reinstallation.
- Reboot the computer and run the graphics driver installer again to freshly install updated drivers.
- Restart the computer again after installing new graphics drivers.
Updating to the latest graphics drivers often resolves monitor display issues, as new drivers frequently address display bugs. Fully reinstalling drivers can also fix problems with corrupted driver files.
Check Monitor Brightness and Contrast Settings
In some cases, a monitor may appear to have no display due to brightness and contrast settings being improperly configured or accidentally changed.
Try the following steps related to brightness and contrast settings:
- Open the monitor’s on-screen display menu using menu buttons.
- Locate settings for brightness and contrast.
- Increase brightness from minimum to 50% or higher.
- Set contrast to 75% or standard setting.
- Attempt to display a mostly white/bright image if possible.
- Reset monitor to factory default settings if available.
While unlikely, monitors somehow getting configured with zero brightness or overly-high contrast can make it seem like they have no display. Returning brightness and contrast to normal levels typically resolves these cases.
Check Internal Power Supply in Monitor
Monitors have internal power supplies that convert AC power into lower DC voltages for components like LED backlights. If this power supply is faulty, it could cause power on but no display issues in some situations.
Troubleshoot the monitor power supply in the following ways:
- Listen and feel for fan noise/vibration from power supply when monitor is turned on.
- Check for LED indicator lights on the power supply showing status.
- Test power supply voltages with a multimeter if possible.
- Visually inspect for blown capacitors or other damage on supply.
- Contact monitor manufacturer support about possible power supply issues.
- Replace power supply board or adapter if failures are identified.
While less likely than video cable issues, faulty monitor power supplies can still result in power on without an image, so inspecting the supply is worthwhile in cases with no display.
Check for Backlight Failure in Monitor
LED backlights are responsible for lighting monitor panels uniformly from behind and are essential for image display. Rarely, LED backlights can fail while allowing the monitor power to still turn on.
Check for backlight issues using the following steps:
- Shine a bright flashlight at monitor screen to check for faint image.
- Look closely from angle for any dim lighting of panel.
- Check if monitor menus still display if possible.
- Try known working backlight assembly if monitor is replaceable.
- Test power voltages to backlight circuit if possible.
- Replace LED backlight strip or entire monitor if backlight failure confirmed.
Backlight failures will require LED strip or full monitor replacements in most cases. But identifying backlight issues can explain some power on without display problems.
Check for DisplayPort MST Issues
The DisplayPort interface supports a feature called Multi-Stream Transport (MST) for daisy chaining multiple monitors through one output. DisplayPort MST problems can sometimes cause powered monitors to not display properly.
Things to check for DisplayPort MST issues:
- Confirm PC and GPU support MST if attempting to daisy chain.
- Verify monitor supports DisplayPort MST for daisy chaining.
- Check that monitors are connected to all needed DisplayPort outputs.
- Reboot PC and monitors after configuring MST display chaining.
- Disable MST and directly connect monitors if issues persist.
DisplayPort MST can be convenient but also introduces complexity. Isolating MST-related problems and simplifying configuration can resolve associated display issues in some cases.
Check GPU and Integrated Graphics
Problems with graphics processing units (GPUs) and integrated graphics components can also lead to monitors receiving power but not displaying properly in some situations.
Troubleshoot GPU and integrated graphics using these tips:
- Confirm graphics card is fully seated in PCIe slot if discrete GPU.
- Try connecting monitor to different GPU output if PC has multiple graphics cards.
- Test monitor with integrated graphics by removing discrete GPU.
- Check GPU fan and heat sinks for proper operation when powered on.
- Reseat graphics card in motherboard slot and inspect for issues.
- Update BIOS, chipset, and VGA drivers from system and GPU manufacturers.
Graphics components like GPUs process display signals before sending to monitor, so issues with those devices can also result in blank screens while powered on in some cases.
Check BIOS and Firmware Factors
System BIOS settings and firmware versions can also affect external display capabilities in certain situations. Check firmware-related factors using the following recommendations:
- Enter PC BIOS setup and confirm video/graphics options are correctly set.
- Reset BIOS to default settings to undo any problematic custom changes.
- Update system and component firmware like BIOS, SSD, etc. to latest from manufacturer.
- Check display adapter manufacturer sites for firmware updates.
- Confirm external display ports are enabled in BIOS, UEFI, and chipset settings if present.
While not as common, BIOS, firmware, and motherboard settings can impact monitor connectivity. Checking for firmware updates and issues in this category provides another troubleshooting angle.
Conclusion
Monitors getting power but no display can be a frustrating issue. But methodically checking the monitor video cable connections, display input source, graphics drivers, brightness settings, power supply, backlight, GPU issues, and firmware factors can help narrow down the potential causes. Carefully inspecting each area using a process of elimination approach can eventually uncover why a monitor has power on but no image and point toward solutions. Persistence in exploring the various possibilities outlined can ultimately get computer displays working properly again when blank but powered on.