How to fix a white screen issue on a Windows laptop? [Confirmed Methods]

Display issues are common with the Windows operating system. One of the most noticeable problems that Windows users encounter is a white screen on boot. The "Windows 10 white screen crash," or WSOD (White Screen of Death), refers to a situation where the OS encounters an issue, causing the computer to stop functioning and display a blank white screen.

Others say that their laptop screens turn black, and that they occasionally experience a freeze after a white screen. While hardware issues are the most common cause of the “white screen of death,” there are also cases in which the problem stems from software glitches in the Windows operating system.

In addition, it can cause your operating system to fail to start up and lead to lost files; even if you can access your computer, you may have corrupted files and apps. This article will show you how to fix the problem successfully.

Reason: Laptop displays a white screen.

The "White Death Screen" issue with Windows can be caused by several factors. Here are some known causes:

• Outdated or problematic drivers: Issues with display drivers, especially when starting your computer, often lead to a white screen of death. You can resolve this by updating or reinstalling the drivers in Windows Safe Mode.
• Presence of malware: A virus might cause your computer to display a completely white screen upon startup. You can fix this issue by performing a malware scan using Windows Defender or another best antivirus software for Windows.
• Damaged system files: Corrupted system files can give rise to various issues, including the one you're experiencing now. Running an SFC scan can help address this problem.

How to Fix a White Screen Issue on a Windows Laptop? [ Numerous Tips ]

Want to learn how to fix the white screen issue? The detailed solutions below will help you resolve it. Make sure to try these methods with administrative privileges.

1. Method 1: Force Restart Your PC
2. Method 2: Use Third-Party Software
3. Method 3: Check Your Drivers
4. Method 4: Start in Safe Mode
5. Method 5: Scan for Malware
6. Method 6: Uninstall Recently Installed Windows Updates
7. Method 7: Run an SFC Scan
8. Method 8: Use System Restore
9. Method 9: Update Windows

Method 1: Force Restart Your Computer

If you're encountering the BSOD while trying to boot up your computer and don't actually make it to the Windows login screen, you should try force-restarting your computer first. If the issue is caused by a specific app or a minor system error, this will likely resolve things.

Hold the power button for a few seconds. This will force your computer to shut down, and the screen should go black. Wait a few seconds, then press the power button again to turn your computer back on.

After that, restart your Windows device and check if the white screen issue still exists.

Method 2: Using Third-Party Software

Here is a tool to fix boot errors automatically: tools Partition Master. It comes with a bootable media feature that can fix the white screen issue on a Windows PC. Importantly, it's very user-friendly and easy to use, especially for newbies. Now, follow the step-by-step guide below to get rid of this error.

Step 1: Connect the USB flash drive/external hard drive to a working computer, launch AOMEI Partition Assistant (Rescue Media Builder), and then click "Create Bootable Media".

Step 2: Choose the tools and starter kits you need, then click "Next."

Step 3: Select your mobile device, and then click “Start” to burn the image file to your USB/drive. You can also burn the Windows ISO to media.

4. Confirm the warning message, and then wait for the creation process to complete.

Step 5. Connect the bootable drive you created to the problematic computer and press “F2” or “Del” to enter BIOS. Set the WinPE bootable drive as the boot disk, then press “F10” to exit.

Step 6: Your computer will enter the WinPE desktop. Open BootRepair, select the system you need to repair, and click “Repair”.

Wait for a moment, and you'll see a message that the system was successfully repaired. Click "OK" to finish the startup repair process.

You can also use Boot Repair to fix other issues, such as:

How to Fix Windows 10 Boot Loop

Is your Windows 10 stuck in a boot loop? Don't worry. Check this tool-based troubleshooting guide to fix the error and use your Windows 10 PC safely.

Method 3: Check the Drivers

Next, you can try checking for any driver issues. Here's how:

Step 1: Hold the Shift key and click the Power button, then choose “Restart.”

Step 2: After rebooting, you should see a blue "Recovery Options" screen with three choices: "Continue to Windows," "Troubleshoot," and "Shut down." Choose "Troubleshoot" > "Advanced options" > "Startup Settings," and then click the "Restart" button.

Step 3: After rebooting, select “Enable Safe Mode with Networking” from the list of options.

Step 4. Once your computer boots up, press Win + X and choose “Device Manager.” Click the arrow next to “Display adapters” to expand the list, right-click on the driver, and select “Update Driver” from the context menu.

Step 5: In the pop-up window, choose the "Search automatically for updated driver software" option and install any available drivers.

When the search is complete, install all available updates.

In Windows 10 and 11, if you encounter a white screen issue when attempting to open specific apps, it might be due to outdated graphics drivers. In this case, you should check and attempt to update the drivers. You can also do this directly on the manufacturer's official website.

Read more: Windows 11 Black Screen with Cursor

Method 4: Boot in Safe Mode

Starting a computer in Safe Mode can fix many issues, like HP laptop stuck in boot loop and HP laptop stuck on HP screen. You can try to start your computer in Safe Mode.

Step 1: Press the Windows key + R to open the “Run” dialog box, type msconfig in the Open field, and click “OK.”

Click "OK" to open the System Configuration tool.

Step 2: In the System Configuration window, click on the "Boot" tab, and under Boot Options, check "Safe Boot." Then click "OK."

Step 3. Click the "Restart" button in the "System Configuration" window to reboot your computer into Safe Mode immediately.

Your computer screen turning white could be due to a damaged application or a third-party program. To address this, you should attempt to boot your computer in Safe Mode, which will help identify any malfunctioning applications. In Safe Mode, many standard startup programs do not run, allowing you to pinpoint the app that might be causing the issue.

Also read: How to boot Windows 10 in Safe Mode in various ways

Method 5: Scan for Malware

Here's how to check for malware on your computer. You can run a full scan from within Windows Settings.

Step 1: Type “virus” into the Windows search bar, and click on “Virus & threat protection.”

Step 2. Then, click on the “Scan” option, choose the scan mode (Deep Scan is recommended), and hit “Start Scan”.

A white screen on your Windows PC can sometimes be caused by malicious malware. Better yet, you can use a third-party antivirus to get rid of the most deadly viruses.

Read more: Acer laptop screen black

Method 6: Uninstall Recently Installed Windows Updates

If your computer started having white screen issues after installing new Windows updates, the quickest solution is to uninstall the recent updates. Here's how:

Step 1: Press the Windows key + I to open Settings, and then click Windows Update from the left pane. On the right, click on Update history.

Step 2: Next, scroll down and click “Uninstall updates” under “Related settings.”

Uninstall the update

Step 3: In the “Installed Updates” window, click on the most recently installed update and then click the “Uninstall” button. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

The next sentence only needs to be translated into American English: ""

Method 7: Run an SFC Scan

The SFC /scannow command is one of two built-in Windows tools that repair system files. If a corrupted or incorrect file is causing your white screen on startup, running this scan should fix the issue.

Step 1. Type “cmd” in the search bar of the Windows Start menu, right-click on “Command Prompt” (cmd.exe), and select “Run as administrator” from the drop-down menu.

Open CMD as Administrator

Step 2: In the Command Prompt window, copy and paste the following command, then press Enter:

＜strong＞sfc/scannow＜/strong＞ This line refers to a command in the Windows operating system used to run the System File Checker. In Chinese, it can be translated as "System File Checker scan." This command is used to detect and repair corrupted or missing system files.

Run the SFC command to scan for corrupted files on a Windows PC

If there are any errors or corrupted system files, it will notify you. It will replace damaged files with cached copies from the compressed folder. After the scan, check if the white screen still appears.

Method 8: Use System Restore

Restoring your PC to a previous state might help resolve the white screen issue, so you can try the following:

Step 1. Open the Control Panel from the Windows Start menu, type Recovery in the Control Panel search bar, and then click Recovery.

Recovery options in Control Panel

Step 2. In the Recovery window, choose Open System Restore.

Click "Open System Restore".

Step 3: Click the “Next” button in the System Restore window.

Step 4. Next, choose the restore point you wish to revert to and click “Next.” Select the drive from the given list and hit “Next” again.

Select a System Restore point

Step 5: Click “Finish” to confirm the restore point.

Your computer will be restored to its original condition.

Method 9: Update Windows

A Windows black screen error might be caused by issues with the operating system. When this occurs, you'll need to download the latest version of Windows to resolve the problem. Here's how you can do it: 1. **Backup your data**: Before making any significant changes, ensure that all important files and documents are backed up to an external storage device or cloud service. 2. **Boot into Safe Mode**: Restart your computer and repeatedly press the F8 key during startup to enter the Advanced Boot Options menu. Choose "Safe Mode with Networking" to start your computer in a minimal environment. 3. **Update Windows**: In Safe Mode, press the Windows key + X, then select "Windows Update." Click on "Check for updates" and install any available updates, including critical and optional ones. 4. **Run System File Checker**: Open the Command Prompt as an administrator (right-click on the Start button and choose "Command Prompt (Admin)"). Type `sfc /scannow` and press Enter. This will scan your system files and repair any corrupted ones. 5. **Perform a Windows Update Troubleshooter**: Press the Windows key + I to open Settings, then go to "Update & Security" > "Troubleshoot" > "Windows Update." Run the troubleshooter and follow the on-screen instructions. 6. **Reset or Refresh your PC**: If the above steps don't work, you may need to reset or refresh your Windows installation. This will keep your personal files but remove apps, settings, and updates. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery, and click "Get started" under "Reset this PC" or "Refresh your PC." 7. **Clean Install**: As a last resort, you can perform a clean installation of Windows. Download the latest version of Windows from the official Microsoft website, create installation media, and follow the installation process. Remember to always be cautious when making changes to your system and ensure you have reliable backups to avoid losing crucial data.

Step 1: Press the Windows key + I to open Settings.

Step 2. Select the “Windows Update” option in the left pane.

Click "Download Now" to start your download update.

Step Three: Click the “Check for updates” button. If an update is available, click “Download” to get the latest version of Windows.

Further reading:

How to Fix a Computer Stuck Restarting

Is your computer stuck restarting? Follow this quick and easy guide to fix the issue of a computer that's stuck in a continuous reboot loop. Just work through the steps, and you'll be able to use your computer again.

The bottom line?

Every user encounters the common issue that leads to a white screen on their computer, and though it can be a scary experience, we've listed the best fixes for WSOD, such as force-restarting your computer, checking your drivers, and booting in Safe Mode.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do you have more questions about a white screen issue on a Windows laptop? Check out these common queries and their answers:

1. How do I fix the black and white lock screen on Windows 10? 2. My Windows 10 lock screen has turned black and white, how can I restore the colors? 3. How do I resolve the issue of a black and white login screen on Windows 10? 4. How can I get my Windows 10 lock screen to display colorful images again? 5. After upgrading to Windows 10, my lock screen is in black and white. What can I do to fix it?

You can quickly toggle the Windows 10 color filter by pressing Ctrl + Windows key + C. If you accidentally trigger it, press those keys again to reset the filter. You can also turn off the Windows color filter. In Windows 10, open Settings (press Windows + I), click “Ease of Access,” and then select “Color filters” from the left pane.

Why is my camera on Windows 10 showing in black and white?

If your camera settings aren't correct, it might be outputting a black and white image. Additionally, an outdated camera driver or the Windows operating system on your computer can cause this issue.

3. How to fix the black screen issue after an update?

Instead of rebooting, press Windows+Control+Shift+B. While you hold those keys down, you'll hear a soft beep, and the screen will go black. Wait a moment, and your desktop will reappear.