Black screen after Restart, before Log in Windows

[DR M]

I'm having an issue with a Dell Inspiron laptop, that I upgraded from Windows 7 to Windows 10, using the Media creation tool.

Everything went OK, all the updates are done, but the problem is the following:

When I select Restart, the computer starts, there is the Dell screen, then the Windows logo, and then a black screen (no white moving arrow). It's not the black when the computer is turned off, but it's black. What "solves" the problem: Click the power button once, the computer gets in to sleep mode, and then once more, to wake it up. After this, the log in screen appears. The log in screen appears also when I close the lid (the computer gets into sleep mode), and then open it again. In other words, the computer needs to sleep and then wake up!

No problem at all if I shut down and then press the Start button. The problem is only when I select Restart.

I already checked the display driver (Intel) checked for updates, uninstalled and reinstalled but nothing changed.

A topic I found suggests bios updating, but I'm not sure if I can do this.

So... I'm asking here for help, hoping that a simple and unexpected solution will occur, as always!

Thank you!  :)

[Paddy]

Pano's found this for you to look at ..

https://www.thewindowsclub.com/windows-10-goes-to-sleep-automatically-randomly


Paddy.. ;)

[DR M]

Hi, Paddy. Thanks. :)

I already have it to Never sleep option, either on battery or plug in.

But the problem is not that the computer gets to sleep mode by its own. It needs me to do this for it, and then wake it up. Really strange behavior! 

:o

[Digerati]

Coming out of sleep mode works.
Shut down and start works.
But a restart does not work.

That is an odd problem. I've never seen it before either.

What is the full model number?

It sounds to me like the monitor is not getting a signal to wake after a restart. This could be because the notebook thinks it is connected to an external monitor. There should be a Fn + F-key combination to cycle through notebook monitor, external monitor or both. There is no industry standard for these key assignments so you will need to check your keys. Hopefully they have a recognizable icon printed on them or you will need to check your manual. On my Toshiba it is Fn + F5. Next time you see that "blank" screen, press that key combination and see if you get a display. Hopefully you will and hopefully it will remember that setting from then on. Fingers crossed.

[DR M]

Hi, Digerati.

All the strange and unusual things here! 

I have tried this too, it is the Fn + F1 keys, as well as the Windows key + P, that give this option. No luck...

I also tried to "wake up" the graphic drivers: Windows key + Ctrl + Shift + B. Nothing.

The black screen goes away when the computer goes for a nap and then wake up.  ;D

[Corrine]

I was surprised by the number of search results for "black screen at startup".  The one that appears to be the most related is How to Fix a Black Screen in Windows 10 by Andre Da Costa where he addresses black screens after Windows 10 install:

Black screens are sometimes encountered when you install Windows 10 for the first time. This may happen during the Windows 10 install process or just after the Windows setup is complete. There are a few potential causes.

See his post for the potential causes.

Was it Version 1903 that you installed?

Have you run SFC and and DISM?  I realize you know how to run both.  Instructions merely provided for completeness.

1) Click Start, and then type cmd in the Start Search box.
2) Right-click cmd in the Programs list, and then click Run as administrator. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type your password or click Continue
3) Type:  sfc /scannow. (Note the space after sfc) and hit Enter.

Run Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM):

• Click on the Start button and in the search box, type Command Prompt
  
• When you see Command Prompt on the list, right-click on it and select Run as administrator
  
• Enter the command below and press on Enter;
  

Code Select Expand


DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

• Let the scan run until the end (100%). Depending on your system, it can take some time.
  

Another final option is to run the internal disk checker program: 

• Click Start and select "Computer"
  
• Right-click C:
  
• Select the "Tools" tab
  
• In the Error-checking area, click "Check Now"
  
• Click "Start"
  
• Check the option to "Automatically fix file system errors" and click Start.
  

You will receive a message that the operation cannot be performed while the system is in use and ask if you want to check when you restart your computer.  Click "Schedule disk check" and then restart the computer, allowing disk check to run at startup.

To find the disk check log that is produced please do the following:

Please download ListChkdskResult by SleepyDude to the desktop.

• Double-click on the icon and click Run
  
• The log will appear on your desktop as a .txt file and the notepad will open.
  

Please copy and paste the results in your next reply.

[techie]

Have you checked the bios? Usually it's F2, but could be the Delete key as well. I would reset it to default. I would also check to see if the current Bios version is installed. Check Dell for the current Bios and video driver version they have. Sometimes a generic video driver from the manufacture conflicts.

The other thing that sometimes works is to go to your device manager and uninstall the current driver, check to remove it completely. You may have to do this a couple of times. You can check for a updated version from Windows or install the one from Dell.

[DR M]

Thank you.

These were already done:

• uninstalling graphic driver
• DISM
• SFC
• CHKDSK

The only thing I didn't try is updating BIOS. I didn't do that again, and I don't want to mess up anything. So I will return the computer tomorrow.

This is the link I found, describing a similar problem, solved by updating the BIOS:
https://www.tenforums.com/drivers-hardware/74059-black-screen-after-restart.html

Thanks again.