I have a blank screen

[cinque8]

Hello,

I have a Dell Windows 10 computer. My computer boots up normally. But the desktop pops up briefly, then disappears. Then a blank screen pops up, and won't go away. The only thing on the screen is the arrow, the taskbar is not on the screen.
Is there a way that I can fix this?

Thank you

 

[Bighorn]

Also posted at https://www.tenforums.com/general-support/189209-i-have-blank-screen.html#post2349858
Double-posting can cause confusion between possible solutions.

 

[Trouble]

See if your machine will start in safe mode

Start your PC in safe mode in Windows - Microsoft Support

Find out how to boot into safe mode in Windows from Settings, the sign-in screen, and a black or blank screen.

support.microsoft.com

IF it does then it is likely a third-party driver, process or service starting.
Use clean boot to further diagnose the problem.

How to perform a clean boot in Windows - Microsoft Support

Describes how to use the clean boot process to troubleshoot a problem in Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7, or Windows Vista.

support.microsoft.com

 

[nathanricker01]

The main cause of the Dell black screen issue is a bad connection between your graphics drivers and your operating system. Another possible cause is a display adapter driver update issue. You may also run into a Black Screen of Death after system updates or installations, which you may need a reinstallation of Windows.
You can try to fix Dell black screen issue by -

• Restart your graphics drivers
• Force shut down your laptop
• Boot into Safe Mode
• Update your graphics driver
• Restart your explorer.exe process
• Repair your PC without losing any files
• Reset or update the Bios

Find which one is worked for you.

 

[davehc]

Or:

How to Fix Black Screen on Dell Laptop [Full Guide] - Driver Easy

Dell laptop keeps giving you black screen? This is an error screen due to improper functioning of in-built system features. Don't panic, it's easy to fix.

www.drivereasy.com

 

[Callistemon]

• Force shut down your laptop

This isn't a great solution. It is no more thorough at shutting down Windows, which should be done by SHIFT + Click the Shut Down button. That's not very effective for restarting the Embedded Controller either, and isn't safe for SSDs, which erase and rewrite blocks when any contents within a block are modified, storing them in volatile cache while rewriting. If the power is cut while writing to an SSD, blocks being rewritten will be destroyed. If the affected blocks contained mapping tables, the entire SSD can be bricked.

The power button is only a signal recognized by the Embedded Controller. It doesn't cut the power to the entire computer like removing the power cord and battery. That's why pressing it for 10 seconds sometimes does nothing. Some laptops can drain power while starting to press the power button while on and leaving it pressed once off, but it's much better to Shut Down First, then remove battery before continuing to press it.

 

[clementishutin]

Backing up programme files is pointless in and of itself... applications have drivers, registry keys, start menu items, and directories in numerous locations.

You could utilise disc imaging (full compressed copies of entire partitions) or a specialist tool to move installed programmes to another PC, such as Laplink PCMover, to secure an installed system (one-off licence fee).