"Blue Screen of Death" Transforms to Black Screen: How to Solve the Windows 11 Black Screen Issue

Windows 11 Black Screen of Death Error

Windows 11 was released on June 24, 2021, and existing Windows 10 users will be able to upgrade and download Windows 11 for free when the official version is available.

Windows 11 delivers significant enhancements to system functionality and user interface. One of the most noticeable interface alterations is that the infamous Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) now turns black. This marks the first major redesign of that aspect of the Windows interface since Microsoft introduced QR codes to it back in 2016.

Windows 11 BSOD, or the Black Screen of Death, is an error screen that displays the message "Your PC ran into a problem" and prompts for a restart, along with a specific error code like CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED, VIDEO_TDR_TIMEOUT_DETECTED, and so on.

Here are the translations in American English: Chinese (Simplified): Chinese (Traditional): English: Please note that the image shown is the same for all languages and seems to illustrate a problem with the "Black Screen" error on Windows 11.

The Black Screen of Death (BSoD) appears when a Windows system encounters a severe issue. When a black screen happens, the Windows system becomes unresponsive, fails to boot, and all hard drives become inaccessible.

Quick Navigation:

The Causes of Windows 11 Black Screen of Death
Recover Files from Black Screen of Death on Windows 11 First
Fix 1: Restart Windows 11 in Safe Mode
Fix 2: Uninstall or Update Drivers to Resolve Black Screen Error
Fix 3: Repair Corrupted MBR to Solve Black Screen of Death on Windows 11
Fix 4: Fix BDC Error via CMD to Address Windows 11 BSOD
Fix 5: Remove Virus or Malware
Additional Tips to Resolve Black Screen of Death on Windows 11

The Causes of the Windows 11 Black Screen of Death

The Black Screen of Death on Windows 11 is typically caused by the following issues:

• Application compatibility issues
• Memory stick incompatibility/corruption or poor contact
• Hardware failure
• Master Boot Record (MBR) or system file error
• Boot Configuration Data (BCD) errors
• Virus or malware attack

Considering the reasons mentioned above that might lead to the black screen error on Windows 11, here are the solutions to try!

?Also Read: Windows 11 Black Screen After Login

[2] Recover Files from Black Screen of Death on Windows 11 First

Though the Windows 11 black screen of death doesn't typically delete files, when this issue arises, you're unable to access your computer's hard drive or data. If the BSOD error is linked to a hardware issue, you might need to format and re-partition the hard disk, or even re-install the system, which would inevitably result in data loss.

Therefore, we highly recommend you export and back up the crucial data on the hard drive beforehand. How to recover data from a computer that won't boot? Utilize the Data Recovery Wizard tool to retrieve files from a damaged hard drive.

Step 1. Create a bootable disk

Launch the Data Recovery Wizard, choose "Crashed PC Recovery" and click "Go to Recover".

Select an empty USB to create a bootable drive, then click "Create."

Warning: When creating a bootable disk, Data Recovery Wizard will erase all data saved on the USB drive. Back up important data beforehand.

Step 2. Boot your computer from the bootable USB

Connect the bootable disk to the PC that won't boot and change your computer's boot sequence in BIOS. For most users, it works well to restart their computer and press F2 simultaneously to enter BIOS.

Set your computer to boot from the "Removable Device" (the USB boot disk) instead of the hard drive. Press "F10" to save and exit.

Step 3. Recover data from a crashed system/PC

Boot from the Tools Data Recovery Wizard bootable disk, then select the drive you wish to scan to find all your lost files. Preview and recover the files you need to a secure location.

After recovering data from your computer with a black screen of death, start taking the following methods to troubleshoot.

Further Reading:

How to Fix Windows 11 Black Screen with Cursor | 100% Works

Are you looking to resolve the Windows 11 black screen with a cursor issue? Follow this guide to fix it promptly and return your PC to a normal state.

Fix 1: Restart Windows 11 in Safe Mode

The Windows 11 black screen of death is typically caused by issues with drivers. The Safe Mode boot environment only loads essential system files and drivers, which helps eliminate the interference from third-party software or drivers.

Follow the steps below to boot into Safe Mode on Windows 11:

Step 1. Turn on and shut down your computer repeatedly to enter the Windows Recovery Environment.

Here are the translations of the given phrases into English: 1. Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds to turn off your computer. 2. Re-press the power button to start the computer. Hold the power button for 10 seconds to turn it off. 3. Press the power button again to turn on your computer. 4. Once Windows starts, hold the Power button again for 10 seconds to turn it off. 5. Retry powering on your computer until Windows fully restarts and enters WinRE (Windows Recovery Environment).

Step 2. On the Choose an option screen, select "Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart".

Step 3. Follow the on-screen prompts to press F4, F5, or F6 to start Safe Mode in different scenarios.

Here's the translation of the text in the image: "Enter Safe Mode" This image displays a screenshot of the Windows 7 boot menu, with the option to start the computer in Safe Mode.

If there are no issues with a black screen or endless restarting in Safe Mode, it's typically an issue with a third-party software or driver. You can troubleshoot by uninstalling them one by one.

Solution 2: Uninstall or Update Drivers to Resolve Black Screen Error

The "black screen of death" issue in Windows 11 can occur when incompatible or outdated drivers are installed on your computer. In such cases, resolving the black screen issue partially involves uninstalling problematic drivers or updating them to their latest versions.

Steps to Update Device Drivers: 1. Identify the device: Determine which device's driver needs to be updated. You can do this by checking for any hardware issues, system notifications, or by going to Device Manager on your computer. 2. Check for updates manually: - Windows: Press 'Windows key + X', then select 'Device Manager.' Find the device in the list, right-click on it, and choose 'Update driver.' - macOS: Go to 'Apple menu' > 'System Preferences' > 'Software Update.' If there are any driver updates available, they'll be included in the overall software update. 3. Automatic update: - Windows: In 'Device Manager,' select 'Search automatically for updated driver software.' - macOS: Use 'Software Update' to check for and install any available driver updates. 4. Visit the manufacturer's website: If the automatic update doesn't work, go to the manufacturer's official website. Look for the Support or Downloads section, find your device model, and download the latest driver. 5. Install the driver: Once downloaded, run the installer file and follow the on-screen instructions to install the new driver. 6. Restart your computer: After installation, restart your computer to apply the changes and ensure the new driver is functioning properly. 7. Verify the update: Recheck Device Manager to see if the driver has been updated successfully. The device should now display the latest driver version. 8. Keep your system up-to-date: Regularly check for driver updates to maintain optimal performance and compatibility with new software.

Step 1. Enter Device Manager in the Search box, and then click Device Manager.

Step 2. Expand Disk driver. Right-click your disk drivers and choose "Update Driver Software".

Step 3. Choose "Search automatically for updated driver software." Then, wait for your computer to search and install the latest driver software.

Update device driver

Steps to Uninstall Problematic Drivers: 1. Open Device Manager: Press the Windows key + X on your keyboard and select Device Manager from the menu. 2. Locate the Problematic Device: In the Device Manager window, expand the category that corresponds to the device causing issues. For example, if it's a graphics card issue, expand "Display adapters." 3. Identify the Problematic Driver: Right-click on the device and select Properties. In the Properties window, go to the Driver tab, and you'll see the driver information. 4. Disable the Driver: Before uninstalling, it's a good idea to disable the driver first. Click on Disable Device, then confirm the action when prompted. 5. Uninstall the Driver: Return to the Device Manager, right-click on the problematic device again, and this time select Uninstall Device. Confirm the uninstallation process. 6. Restart Your Computer: After uninstalling, restart your computer. This will ensure that the system reloads the default drivers or prepares for the installation of new ones. 7. (Optional) Install Updated or Generic Drivers: If available, download the latest drivers from the manufacturer's website or allow Windows to automatically search for updated drivers. Alternatively, you can install generic drivers provided by Microsoft. 8. Check for Improvements: Once the new or updated driver is installed, test your system to see if the problem has been resolved. 9. (If Needed) Roll Back the Driver: If the issue persists, you can roll back to the previous driver. In the Device Manager, right-click on the device, select Properties, then the Driver tab, and finally click on Roll Back Driver. Note that this option may not always be available. 10. Seek Further Assistance: If none of the above steps work, consider seeking technical support from the hardware manufacturer or a professional IT specialist.

Step 1. Open Device Manager as mentioned above. Expand the disk drivers, right-click on the faulty driver, and select "Uninstall".

Step 2. Wait for the process to complete, then restart your computer. The system will automatically reinstall an updated device driver for your disk.

If removing certain drivers doesn't help, you can also sort by date to identify recently installed software, uninstall those, and then restart your computer to check if the black screen issue persists.

Fix 3: Repair Corrupted MBR to Resolve the Black Screen of Death on Windows 11

If the MBR is corrupted on the system disk, you'll probably encounter a black screen issue. To resolve this, attempt to repair the damaged MBR using tools like Partition Master.

This partition management software allows you to partition your hard drive and resolve the issue by creating a WinPE bootable disk when the computer fails to boot correctly.

Step 1. Create a WinPE bootable disk

Translate the following text into English: < li > Launch AOMEI Partition Assistant, and click "Bootable Media" on the toolbar. Select "Create bootable media". < /li > < li > Click "Next" to complete the process. < /li >

Step 2. Boot the Partition Master Bootable USB

Connect the bootable USB or CD/DVD to your PC. Press F2 or Del when you restart the computer to enter the BIOS screen. Set and boot your computer from "Removable Devices" or "CD-ROM Drive". Then, the Partition Master tool will run automatically.

Step 3. Rebuild MBR

Click "Toolkit" and choose "Rebuild MBR".

Rebuild MBR

Select the disk and the type of MBR, then click "Rebuild".

Then you will see "MBR has been successfully rebuilt on Disk X".

Fix 4: Resolve BDC Error in CMD to Fix Windows 11 Blue Screen of Death

You can fix the BDC error that leads to the black screen of death in Command Prompt. Translation: You can resolve the BDC error which results in the black screen of death within the Command Prompt.

Step 1. Boot your computer from a Windows bootable drive or installation CD or DVD.

Step 2. Follow the wizard to choose "Repair your computer" > "Troubleshoot" > "Advanced" > "Command Prompt".

Fix the damaged MBR from Command Prompt

Step 3. In the Command Prompt window, type the following commands and press Enter after each one.

These are commands used in the Windows operating system to troubleshoot and repair boot issues. Here they are translated into English: bootrec /Fixmbr This command repairs or replaces the Master Boot Record (MBR) on the system disk. bootrec /FixBoot This command writes a new boot sector to the system partition. bootrec /ScanOs This command scans all disks for Windows installations and lists them. bootrec /RebuildBcd This command attempts to locate all missing Windows installations and rebuilds the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) store.

Step 4. When it's done, exit Command Prompt. Restart your computer and see if Windows 11 can boot without a black screen.

Fix 5: Remove Virus or Malware

Download and install a reliable antivirus software. Conduct a full disk scan to thoroughly check for any threats in your computer files and remove viruses.

Once the virus is removed, the black screen issue can be resolved by applying all necessary updates.

Conclusions

Here are the solutions and remedies for the Windows 11 Black Screen of Death. As recommended in the article, before addressing the issue, ensure you backup crucial data initially. Next, attempt to resolve the black screen error by accessing Safe Mode to inspect driver or application issues. You can then effortlessly repair corrupted MBR using a partition manager with just a few clicks.

Additionally, fixing the BCD error in CMD can be helpful. Lastly, scan and remove viruses or malware using powerful antivirus software.

Other Tips to Fix the Black Screen of Death on Windows 11

If the above methods fail to resolve the BSOD error on Windows 11, you can still attempt to check for issues with the memory stick or CPU.

Tip 1: Reconnect or Clean the Memory Stick

A bad memory contact or dust accumulation can also result in a black screen. Disconnect the memory module from the motherboard, and then use an eraser to clean the gold fingers, ensuring not to touch water. Reconnect it to the motherboard and power it on. If it still doesn't work, try swapping the memory module to a different slot. This procedure generally resolves most blue screen issues.

Tip 2. Cool the Computer

High temperatures within the computer's internal hardware are another frequent cause of black screen issues. Temperature concerns typically revolve around the CPU, graphics card, and hard disk as key factors. If the computer's internal temperature is elevated when the black screen occurs, it might be due to inadequate cooling.

You can power on the device to check if the CPU fan and graphics card fan are rotating normally. If they are, it's recommended to enhance the heat dissipation of the host, such as by adding case cooling.