Screen problems: flickering, black or blank screen, and distortion
Hardware & Devices · 2 views · 🧭 Guided walkthrough
First we find out if it's the screen or the software, then fix it. Tell me the result of each step.
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Use this for display faults that are NOT physical damage. If the panel is cracked or has ink-like blotches, see 'Broken screen or physical damage — how to report it'.
Key test: connect an external monitor/TV via HDMI. If the external screen is fine but the laptop screen is not, the laptop panel or cable is faulty (hardware). If BOTH are bad, it's the graphics driver or settings.
1. External-monitor test (decides hardware vs software).
2. Restart.
3. Update the graphics driver.
4. Black when idle = sleep settings; force wake with Windows+Ctrl+Shift+B.
5. Distortion/eye strain = set the Recommended resolution and 100-125% scale, turn on Night light.
If colours/lines/garbling persist after the right resolution, it's hardware — raise a ticket.
Key test: connect an external monitor/TV via HDMI. If the external screen is fine but the laptop screen is not, the laptop panel or cable is faulty (hardware). If BOTH are bad, it's the graphics driver or settings.
1. External-monitor test (decides hardware vs software).
2. Restart.
3. Update the graphics driver.
4. Black when idle = sleep settings; force wake with Windows+Ctrl+Shift+B.
5. Distortion/eye strain = set the Recommended resolution and 100-125% scale, turn on Night light.
If colours/lines/garbling persist after the right resolution, it's hardware — raise a ticket.
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