How do you fix a computer that has a black screen but no cursor?

Many Windows users face this issue where their Windows 10 PC is stuck at a black screen with cursor only. This issue can be irritating and can restrict you from using your PC or laptop. But there are several fixes that you can use to fix this issue of the black screen with only cursor.

Part 1: What Causes Black Screen with Cursor?

This issue of Windows 10 screen going black with the only cursor can happen for various reasons. It can be a result of Graphic card failure or the failure of connections under your display. But most of the time it happens due to the malfunctioning of some program or software installed on your Windows. There are programs that interfere with the Start-up process of your Windows, and sometimes an error in them can restrict the proper bootup for your Windows.

Part 2: How to Fix Windows 10 Black Screen with Cursor Issue?

There are various methods to fix Windows 10 black screen with cursor issue. Follow any of the below-elaborated methods and see if it helps you in getting rid of the issue.

1. Turn Off Fast Startup

Windows 10 comes with an extremely useful feature "Fast Startup". But in terms of achieving the fast bootup, it restricts your Windows from winding-up properly at the time you are shutting your System down. This puts your Windows 10 at risk of various kinds of malfunctioning possibilities, and one of those is Windows 10 black screen with the cursor.

If you know that the Windows 10 black screen with cursor issue is occurring due to the Fast Startup feature, then turning off the Fast Startup might help.

Step 1. First, you need to start your Windows PC in Safe Mode.

Step 2. Go to Search-panel on Task Bar and search for "Control Panel". Go to "Control Panel" from search results and choose "Small icons" under the "View by" sorting command.

Step 3. Now, look for "Power Options" and click on it. Now, under the "Power Options" window, on the right-hand panel, you will see a "choose what power buttons do" option, click on it.

Step 4. On the new window, under "Define power buttons….", you will see an option "Change settings that are currently unavailable", click on it.

Step 5. You will be now able to access "Shutdown settings" below on the same window. Under the "Shutdown setting" look for "Turn on Fast Startup (recommended)" option. You will see the Fast Startup enabled, uncheck the option to disable Fast Startup.

Step 6. Once you have unchecked the "Turn on Fast Startup" option, click on the "Save" button at the bottom of the window.

After completing the process, shut-down your Windows PC and try to restart it again in normal mode.

2. Uninstall/Reinstall or Update Graphics Card

Graphics Card in your Windows PC is the one component that deals with most of the screen related tasks. Slightest of the problem in your Graphic card can cause various errors in your display, including the issue of the black screen without a cursor. Thus, updating, disabling, or reinstalling of the Graphic card might help you.

Step 1. Try to start your Windows PC in Safe Mode.

Step 2. Go to the search – panel on Task Bar and search for "Device Manager". Click on Device Manager from the results to access the Device Manager window.

Step 3. On the Device Managers window, look for the "Display Adapters" option. Click on Display Adapters to see the Integrated or external Graphics Cards. Now, left-click on the Graphic card you want to take actions on, and choose from the options Update, Disable, or Uninstall, as per your requirement.

3. Update BIOS

BIOS in your Windows 10 system is one of the most important software. It is a Basic Input and Output System and is used by your computer's microprocessor. It helps the processor in getting your Windows ready. It also helps with input from your input devices and output to your output devices. It plays a role in all kinds of data flow inside your system, to your system, and from your system. Sometimes a problem in the BIOS software can result in the error that causes Windows 10 black screen with or without a cursor. Sometimes updating BIOS software can also repair the issue of the black screen with cursor on Windows.

If you want to update your BIOS, you can visit the website of your Motherboard manufacturer and follow the instructions to download and update the latest version of BIOS on your system. But, as BIOS is extremely critical software for your Windows system, and is extremely complicated to deal with, we recommend you to consult a professional to update your BIOS and fix the problem of the black screen with cursor on your PC.

4. Reset Your PC

If the black screen with cursor issue on your PC is a result of a bug in your Windows, then resetting your Windows PC is the most basic yet most useful thing you can do. Though the Reset your PC tool allows you to keep your personal files, we recommend taking a secure backup to avoid data loss.

Step 1. Start your Windows 10 PC having the error of black screen with cursor in a Safe Mode.

Step 2. Once you are in the Safe Mode, from your Desktop, go to the "Start" menu. Click on the "Settings" icon to be redirected to the "System Settings" window.

Step 3. Once in System Settings, click on the "Update & Security" tab to go to the respective windows. Under "Update & Security", look for the "Recovery" tab, click on it to enter the recover panel that will be shown on the left side of the Window.

Step 4. Under the Recovery panel, click on "Get Started" under the "Reset This PC" section. You will be directed to a mini window. You will be asked whether you wish to keep your files or not. Choose the option as per your requirements and proceed ahead according to the instructions.

5. Remove Problematic Software

If you know which software is causing the black screen problem, then you can remove the problematic software.

Step 1. Start your Windows 10 PC having the error of black screen with cursor in the Safe Mode.

Step 2. Once on the Home Screen of your Windows 10 system, use the shortcut "Windows+R" to access the "Run" command window. In the Run search box, type "appwiz.cpl" and press OK.

Step 3. You will be redirected to the "Programs & Features" window where you will see all kinds of programs running on your System listed. From here you can find and remove any problematic software that's causing the issue of black screen on your PC.

6. Troubleshoot in Clean Boot State

Windows allows you to boot your PC in a clean state. It means booting your PC with all the unnecessary programs disabled. This can help you in finding the problem.

Step 1. On the search-panel of your Task Bar, type "MSConfig" and press Enter. Now go to the "Services" tab on the window panel that pops up.

Step 2. Once you are under the "Services", go to the "Hide all Microsoft Services" option located at the bottom edge of the window on the right side, and then click the Check-box next to it. Once done, click on the "Disable All" option located at the bottom left of the window.

Step 3. Now, switch to the "Startup" tab located next to the "Service" tab on the same window. On the Startup tab, you'll see the "Open Task Manager" option. Click on it to open Task Manager.

Step 4. On the Task Manager window, look for any Startup program that you think might be causing a problem. Disable all such Startup programs one by one using the "Disable" button at the bottom left of the window.

Step 5. Once it's done, close the Task Manager by using "X" for the selective window, and then click on "OK" on the Startup tab.

Step 6. Now Restart your PC.

Now your PC will restart only with essential programs. You can then see if the problem of the black screen with cursor on your Windows PC still persists or it's solved. You can try and access all the enabled tools and programs to see if one of them is causing the issue. If none of the essential programs shows any issue, you need to then find the issue in the disabled programs and services. You can repeat "Step 1- 2", and this time by keeping half of the "Non-Microsoft" services enabled, and restart your PC. You can do this again and again by enabling or disabling the remaining "Non-Microsoft" services until the error or program that's causing a black screen is found.

Note: Do not disable the essential services to Windows. 

In addition, you can learn how to fix Acer laptop black screen issue.

Bonus: Recover Lost Data After the Black Screen with Cursor Error in Windows 10

When you encounter the black screen with cursor error, it means all data on your computer can't be accessed. Don't worry. Here is a powerful utility to help you recover lost data even when the computer becomes a black screen. That's Wondershare Recoverit.

Recoverit Data Recovery tool is the best recovery tool that you can use to recover lost data. It can recover 100% of lost files and also allow you to recover data from crashed Windows. Thus, if you want a secure and reliable recovery of your data, you should only use the Recoverit tool. Follow the below instruction to make it.

Video Tutorial on How to Recover Deleted Files on Windows 10/8/7 Easily?

1. After successfully installing Recoverit on your computer, click on the icon to launch the software. From the recovery options provided in the menu, select "Recover from Crash Computer" and click the "Start" button.

1. You will be required to select a bootable drive. The options include a USB bootable drive and a CD/DVD bootable drive. In this case, we will select a USB bootable drive. Click on the "Create" button to initialize the process.

1. A pop window will immediately appear prompting you to format your USB drive. Ensure that you have backed-up all the data on your USB drive to avoid further data loss. Click the "Format" button once you are certain.

1. The process of creating a bootable drive immediately begins. Avoid removing the USB flash drive to ensure you don't interrupt the process.

1. This process will often take a while. Don't be alarmed and feel the need to interrupt it. Once it is complete, three simple steps will be displayed on your screen. You can simply choose to follow the steps or view the full guide.

1. An important step before starting your recovery process is changing your computer boot sequence. Simply restart your pc and enter the BIOS menu. In the menu, set your computer to boot through the USB drive you just created by selecting "Removable devices". Save the changes and exit. Learn how to set the computer to boot from a USB drive 

1. Once you boot your computer from the USB drive, the Recoverit software will immediately be launched. You can now simply recover data from your drives.

By following the above-mentioned steps, you'll be able to recover all of your data lost while fixing the error of the back screen on your Windows PC.

Conclusion:

Without fixing the issue of Windows 10 black screen with only cursor, you won't be able to use your System. Thus, it's necessary that you follow one of the above-mentioned methods to fix this issue of the black screen with only cursor.

People Also Ask

• Windows 10 black screen with cursor and no task manager

  You can fix this error by pressing the Windows key in addition to the "Ctrl" "B" and "Shift" keys. Also, use the "Ctrl", "Alt" "Del" keys to open your "Task Manager" and start Windows Explorer.

• Windows 10 black screen with cursor before login

  Rollback your system to its previous version by powering on, then off when you see the Windows logo. Do these three times to get into the "Advanced Recovery" window. Use the Advanced options and "Troubleshoot" to go back to the previous version.

• Windows 10 black screen with cursor and ctrl alt del doesn't work

  Start fixing this error by booting your computer in Safe Mode. Go under the "Advanced Options" to do a "System Restore" or "Startup Repair". Both can fix the errors in your system that could be causing this black screen.

• Windows 10 black screen with cursor after sleep

  Fix the error by doing any of these: restore the power plan's default settings, make an update of the display graphics driver, or turn off the options for "Hibernation" and "Fast Startup".

  How do I fix a black screen on my laptop without the cursor?

  The Windows 10 black screen without cursor issue can be caused by corrupt boot files. You can fix this issue quickly by uninstalling and reinstalling your display and monitor drivers in Safe Mode. Another effective solution to this problem is to repair your boot files using a media installation tool.

  What to do when your screen is completely black but the computer is on?

  If you experience a black or blank screen on your Windows device, try the following:.

  To wake the screen, use one of the following keyboard shortcuts: Windows logo key + P or Ctrl + Alt + Del..

  For a black screen, use the following keyboard shortcut: Windows logo key + Ctrl + Shift + B..

  Why is my screen black but I can see the mouse?

  Black screen with cursor, otherwise known as a black screen of death error, is typically a result of a Windows system crash – it occurs during a critical error, and the OS is not capable of booting. As a result, all users see is a movable cursor, but nothing else is visible on the screen, apart from a black background.