If you turn on your computer and find that there is no display on your monitor, there are a few common reasons why this can happen. Here are some quick answers to common questions about blank displays:
Q: Is the monitor getting power?
Make sure the monitor is plugged in and the power light is on. If not, plug it into a different outlet or check the power cables.
Q: Is the video cable plugged in properly?
Check that the video cable running from the monitor to the computer is securely plugged into the correct ports on both devices.
Q: Do any fans or lights turn on when you power up the PC?
If the PC powers on but the monitor doesn’t display anything, focus your troubleshooting on the video connection and graphics settings.
Q: Have you tried restarting the devices?
Try power cycling the monitor and PC to reset any settings. Unplug them from power, wait a minute, and plug them back in.
Check the video cable connections
One of the first things to check when troubleshooting a blank display is whether the video cable running from the monitor to the computer is properly plugged in. Here are some things to verify:
- Make sure the cable is plugged securely into the video port on the back of the computer. This is typically a VGA, DVI, HDMI or DisplayPort connector.
- Ensure the other end of the video cable is firmly connected to the video input port on the monitor.
- Try swapping the video cable for a different one, in case the cable is faulty.
- Verify that you are using the correct type of video cable for your PC and monitor. Some common options are VGA, DVI, HDMI and DisplayPort cables.
Reseating the connections at both ends can often fix display issues if the cable had become slightly loose. Using a different video cable also helps determine if the problem is due to a bad cable.
Check display settings in Windows
If your PC powers on but nothing displays on the monitor, the problem may be incorrect display settings in Windows. Here’s how to check and reset the display configuration:
- Restart your PC and enter Safe Mode by pressing the F8 key as the computer starts.
- In Safe Mode, right click on the Desktop and choose Graphics Properties.
- In the Display Settings window, check that the correct monitor is selected under Multiple Displays.
- Click Apply to switch to the currently selected device, then try resetting to the recommended resolution for your monitor.
- Restart the PC again to exit Safe Mode and see if the proper display now appears.
This will revert any customized display settings that may be preventing an image from showing on the screen. If the monitor works properly in Safe Mode, the problem is with the normal startup configuration.
Update or reinstall graphics drivers
Graphics and video card drivers are an important piece of software that allow Windows to communicate with the display hardware. Problems, bugs or conflicts with the drivers can result in blank screens or failed displays. Here’s how to troubleshoot driver issues:
- Go into Windows Safe Mode and use a program like Display Driver Uninstaller to completely remove the current graphics drivers.
- Download fresh drivers for your graphics card from the manufacturer’s website.
- Install the updated driver package and restart the PC.
Updating to the latest graphics drivers resolves many display problems caused by buggy, outdated or incompatible drivers. As an alternative, you can try rolling back to a previous driver version that was known to work properly.
Check graphics card seating and connections
Loose connections or power issues with a discrete graphics card can also lead to blank display problems. If your PC has a separate graphics card installed, check:
- Make sure the graphics card is properly seated in the PCIe slot.
- Check that all power cables are firmly connected to the card.
- Reseat the graphics card by removing it and carefully plugging it back into the slot.
- Try moving the graphics card to a different PCIe slot on the motherboard.
Loose cards can lose contact in the PCIe slot, resulting in no video output. Reseating the card often fixes slot connection issues. Also inspect the card for any sign of physical damage or overheating.
Test with integrated graphics
If you can’t get your dedicated graphics card to output video properly, try switching to integrated graphics to isolate the problem:
- Remove the discrete graphics card from the PC.
- Connect the monitor video cable to the motherboard video outputs.
- Boot into Windows using the onboard graphics built into the CPU.
If the integrated graphics work fine, then the dedicated graphics card is likely faulty and may need to be replaced. But if the integrated graphics also do not display, focus troubleshooting on the monitor, video cabling or PC system components.
Replace the graphics card
If you have tested a graphics card extensively and cannot get it to produce video output, it may need to be replaced. Things to try:
- Switch to integrated graphics to verify that the motherboard video outputs are working.
- Try the graphics card in a different PCIe slot or PC to isolate the problem.
- Test the card in another system if available to confirm the fault.
- As a last resort, install a new replacement graphics card.
Before buying a new card due to display issues, exhaust all other troubleshooting like drivers, connections and cabling. But if tests conclusively show the graphics cards is faulty, replacement is necessary.
Check connections to motherboard
Loose or improperly connected cables going to the motherboard can prevent proper video output. Check that all of the following are securely plugged in:
- 4/8-pin CPU power connector – Provides power to the processor and RAM.
- 24-pin main ATX power connector – Primary power supply cable to the motherboard.
- PCIe power cables – Supply power to PCIe slots and graphics cards.
If the motherboard is not receiving adequate and stable power, it can experience all kinds of errors including no display. Reseating all power connectors can help restore normal operation.
Test with a different monitor
Hooking up an alternative monitor to your PC is an easy way to determine whether the problem lies with the display itself.
- Connect a different monitor to your PC using the appropriate cable.
- Power on the monitor and reboot the PC.
- See if the new display successfully outputs video when powered on.
If the second monitor works properly, then the original display is likely faulty and requires replacement. But if both monitors do not work, the underlying problem is with the graphics output from the PC.
Check monitor power and connections
Monitors can also develop their own power or internal signal issues that lead to blank screens:
- Try connecting the monitor to a different PC or video source to test functionality.
- Inspect all video and power connectors on the monitor for any sign of damage.
- Check that the monitor is receiving power and the status lights are indicating normal operation.
- Reset or update the monitor settings and firmware to factory default.
Isolating the monitor and checking its power and internal signaling can reveal problems with the display itself. Attempt to rule out issues with the monitor before focusing on PC troubleshooting.
Test the PC with basic hardware
To determine if a hardware failure on the PC is causing the blank display, strip down the computer to basic components:
- Disconnect all non-essential devices like drives, add-in cards etc.
- Remove external peripherals like printers, scanners and cameras.
- Use onboard video instead of a graphics card if possible.
- Only connect the system drive, CPU, 1 RAM stick and power supply.
- Connect monitor to onboard video output and power on system.
This basic configuration isolates hardware problems that may prevent booting. If stripped down system fails to display, components like the power supply, RAM, CPU or motherboard itself may be defective.
Look for visible damage on components
Carefully inspect the PC’s internal components for any signs of physical damage that could cause video issues:
- Check for burnt, broken or bent pins on connectors and ports.
- Examine capacitors on the motherboard for any bulging or leaking.
- Inspect GPU, RAM and other components for cracked chips or damaged circuits.
- Make sure expansion cards and CPUs are properly seated without bending.
Damage due to overheating or static discharge can prevent proper video signals. A magnifying glass helps view small components in greater detail. Replace any visibly damaged parts.
Test system components in another PC
To isolate display failures to specific hardware components in your PC, test them individually in another system:
- Remove GPU and use integrated graphics instead.
- Test RAM modules one stick at a time in different slots.
- Try installing the CPU in another compatible motherboard.
- Connect hard drive to another PC and check video files.
By moving pieces to a working system, you can pinpoint exactly which component is causing the video output failure. Replace whichever part still exhibits problems in the test PC.
Conclusion
Blank displays and monitors not displaying anything can be frustrating to diagnose. However, methodically checking connections, display settings, component seating, and testing parts individually can help identify the underlying cause. If issues persist after troubleshooting, replacement of graphics cards, monitors or internal PC components may ultimately be needed. With careful and systematic checking, even difficult no-display situations can be figured out.