The fastest way to wake your screen

If your screen is dark but your computer is running, press any key on your keyboard or move your mouse. That almost always wakes the screen from sleep mode. If the screen stays dark after that, hold down the power button on the monitor itself (usually on the front, lower edge) for two to three seconds until you see the light turn on.

If your computer itself is off, press the power button on the tower or laptop. Wait 10 to 20 seconds for it to start up. The screen should light up on its own once the computer has booted. If it does not, check that the monitor power cable is plugged into both the wall outlet and the back of the monitor.

Most screens have a small light indicator on the front or bottom edge. If that light is off or amber instead of green or blue, the monitor is either powered down or in sleep mode. Press its power button to turn it fully on.

Key Takeaways

  • A dark screen usually means the monitor is asleep, not broken—pressing any key or moving the mouse wakes it.
  • If the keyboard and mouse do not work, press the power button on the monitor itself for two to three seconds.
  • Check that the monitor power cable is plugged into the wall and into the back of the monitor before assuming anything is broken.
  • The small light on the monitor tells you its power state: off, on, or in sleep mode.
  • If the screen stays dark after the computer starts up, the monitor and computer may not be connected properly with a video cable.

Check the monitor power cable and connections

The monitor needs two things to work: power and a video signal from the computer. Start by looking at the back of the monitor. You should see a thick cable plugged into it—that is the power cable. Follow it to the wall outlet and make sure it is plugged in firmly. If the outlet has a power strip, check that the power strip itself is turned on.

Next, look for a thinner cable connected to the monitor. This is the video cable, and it carries the picture from your computer. Common types are HDMI (rectangular, flat), DisplayPort (smaller rectangular), or VGA (blue, with three small holes). Make sure this cable is plugged into both the monitor and the back of the computer tower or laptop. If it is loose, unplug it and plug it back in firmly.

If you have a laptop, the screen is built in and does not have separate cables. Instead, check that the laptop power adapter is plugged in and that the laptop itself is powered on.

Restart your computer if the screen stays dark

If the monitor is powered on and connected but the screen is still black, your computer may be frozen or not starting properly. Hold down the power button on the computer tower or laptop for 10 seconds until it shuts down completely. Wait 30 seconds, then press the power button again to turn it back on.

During startup, you may see a logo or text appear on the screen. This is normal. The computer can take one to three minutes to fully load. If the screen remains completely black after five minutes, there may be a deeper problem with the graphics card or motherboard, and you should contact a computer repair technician.

What to do if you see a message but no desktop

Sometimes the screen turns on but shows only a black background with a cursor, or a login screen, or a message asking for a password. This means the monitor and computer are working correctly—the computer is just waiting for input. Type your password if prompted, or click the mouse to wake the screen fully.

If you see a message like "No Signal" or "Check Video Cable," the video cable is either unplugged or not seated properly. Turn off the monitor, unplug the video cable from both ends, wait 10 seconds, and plug it back in firmly. Turn the monitor back on.

Brightness and display settings

If your screen is on but very dim, the brightness may be turned down. Look for buttons on the monitor itself, usually near the power button. These are often labeled with a sun symbol or plus and minus signs. Press the plus button or sun button to increase brightness. You may need to hold it for a few seconds to see the change.

Some monitors also have an on-screen menu. Press the button labeled "Menu" on the monitor, then use the arrow buttons to find brightness or contrast settings. Adjust them and press OK or Enter to save.

On a laptop, brightness is usually controlled by keyboard shortcuts. Look for keys with a sun symbol, often in the top row. Hold Fn (function key) and press the brightness key to adjust. The brightness level should appear on screen as you adjust it.

When to call a professional

If you have checked the power cables, restarted the computer, and the screen is still completely dark or shows "No Signal" after five minutes, the problem is likely with the graphics card, motherboard, or monitor itself. These are not things you can fix at home. Contact a local computer repair shop or the manufacturer of your computer or monitor.

If your laptop screen will not turn on but the laptop is running (you can hear the fan or see lights), the display cable inside the laptop may be loose or broken. This requires opening the laptop, which can damage it if done incorrectly. Take it to a repair technician.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my screen go black even though the computer is still running?

Your monitor is likely in sleep mode to save power. Move your mouse or press any key to wake it. If that does not work, press the power button on the monitor itself. You can also adjust sleep settings in your computer's power options so the screen stays on longer before sleeping.

My monitor has no power button. How do I turn it on?

Some older monitors turn on automatically when you plug them in. Check that the power cable is plugged into both the monitor and the wall outlet. If the monitor still does not light up, the power cable may be damaged or the monitor may need repair.

The screen turns on but shows only a blue or black screen with no picture.

This usually means the video cable is loose or unplugged. Turn off the monitor, unplug the video cable from both the monitor and the computer, wait 10 seconds, and plug it back in firmly. Turn the monitor on again. If the problem continues, try a different video cable if you have one available.

Can I damage my monitor by pressing the power button too many times?

No. Pressing the power button will not damage the monitor. It is safe to turn it on and off as needed. However, if the monitor is very hot, let it cool for a few minutes before turning it back on.

My laptop screen is black but I can see the keyboard lights are on. What should I do?

The laptop is running but the display is off. Try pressing Fn and the brightness key (usually with a sun symbol) to turn the brightness up. If that does not work, restart the laptop by holding the power button for 10 seconds, waiting 30 seconds, then pressing it again.