Start with the simplest fixes before replacing the screen

Most computer screen problems can be solved without buying a new monitor or paying for repairs. Before you assume the screen is broken, check the cable connections, restart your computer, and adjust the brightness and display settings. Many screens that appear dead are actually just disconnected, set to an external display, or turned off at the power strip.

If your screen flickers, shows lines, or displays the wrong colors, the issue is often a loose cable, outdated graphics drivers, or a setting you can change in minutes. Even cracks and physical damage sometimes have workarounds that let you keep using the computer while you decide whether to repair or replace.

Key Takeaways

  • Check that the monitor power cable and video cable are firmly connected to both the monitor and the computer before assuming the screen is broken.
  • Restart your computer and try a different video input (HDMI, DisplayPort, or VGA) to rule out software problems and connection issues.
  • Update your graphics driver through Device Manager or your graphics card manufacturer's website, as outdated drivers cause flickering and display errors.
  • Adjust brightness, contrast, and resolution in your display settings or monitor menu, since many screen problems are actually settings that got changed.
  • If the screen is physically cracked but still shows an image, you can connect an external monitor to keep working while you plan a repair.

Check all cables and power connections first

A screen that does not turn on is usually unplugged or disconnected, not broken. Follow the power cable from the back of the monitor to the wall outlet or power strip and make sure it is plugged in firmly. Press the power button on the monitor itself — many monitors have a separate power switch that is straightforward to miss.

Next, check the video cable. This is the cable that carries the picture from your computer to the monitor. It connects to a port on the back of the monitor and a port on the back of your computer (or on the side of a laptop). The most common types are HDMI (a flat rectangular connector), DisplayPort (similar to HDMI but slightly different shape), and VGA (a connector with three rows of small holes). Make sure this cable is pushed in all the way at both ends. A loose video cable is the single most common reason a screen goes black.

If you have a laptop, check whether an external monitor is plugged in. Some laptops automatically switch to the external display and turn off the built-in screen. Unplug the external monitor or press the keyboard shortcut to switch back to the laptop screen — this is usually Fn + F7 or Fn + F8, depending on your laptop brand.

Restart your computer and try a different video input

Restart your computer completely. Power it off, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. This clears temporary software problems that can cause a black screen, flickering, or distorted image.

While the computer restarts, check whether your monitor has multiple input ports. Most monitors have at least two: HDMI and DisplayPort, or HDMI and VGA. If your video cable is plugged into one port, try unplugging it and plugging it into a different port on the monitor. Then restart the computer again. Sometimes a port stops working, and switching to another one solves the problem when ready.

If your computer has multiple video ports on the back (common on desktop computers), try plugging the cable into a different port there as well. Desktop computers often have one port built into the motherboard and another on the graphics card. If one is not working, the other might be.

Adjust brightness, contrast, and resolution in your settings

If your screen is on but the image is too dark, too bright, or blurry, the problem is usually a setting, not a broken screen. Look for physical buttons or a menu on the monitor itself — most monitors have a small button panel on the bottom or side. Press the menu button and look for brightness and contrast controls. Adjust brightness first; if the screen is completely dark, brightness is usually the culprit.

On your computer, right-click on the desktop and select Display settings (Windows) or go to System Preferences > Displays (Mac). Check the resolution — if it is set too high or too low, the image will look blurry or stretched. Set it to the resolution marked as "Recommended." Also check the refresh rate if that option appears; 60 Hz is standard, and anything lower can cause flickering.

If the colors look wrong — everything is too red, too blue, or too washed out — look for a color temperature or color mode setting in your monitor menu. Changing this from "Cool" to "Warm" or vice versa often fixes color problems. On your computer, you can also adjust color in Display settings under Advanced display settings.

Update your graphics driver to fix flickering and display errors

Flickering, lines on the screen, or an image that keeps cutting out is often caused by an outdated or corrupted graphics driver. A driver is software that tells your computer how to use the graphics card. When it is out of date, the screen can flicker or show artifacts (strange lines or patterns).

On Windows, right-click the Start button and open Device Manager. Find Display adapters, right-click on your graphics card (it will say Intel, NVIDIA, or AMD), and select Update driver. Choose Search automatically for updated driver software. Windows will read and install the latest version.

If Windows does not find an update, visit your graphics card manufacturer's website directly. NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel all have driver read pages. Enter your graphics card model and operating system, read the latest driver, and run the installer. Restart your computer when prompted.

On Mac, graphics drivers update automatically through System Updates. Go to System Preferences > Software Update and install any available updates, then restart.

Use an external monitor if the screen is physically damaged

If your screen is cracked, shattered, or has dead pixels but still shows an image, you can connect an external monitor and keep using your computer while you decide whether to repair it. This buys you time and lets you back up your data before taking the computer in for service.

Plug an external monitor into your computer using an HDMI, DisplayPort, or VGA cable. Your computer should detect it automatically. On Windows, right-click the desktop and select Display settings, then choose how you want to use the external monitor — you can mirror your main screen or extend it to show different content on each monitor.

If the external monitor does not appear, try the steps in the "Restart your computer and try a different video input" section above. Once the external monitor is working, you can use your computer normally. The built-in screen damage will not affect the external display.

Know when to replace the screen versus repair it

Screen repair costs vary widely depending on whether you have a laptop or desktop monitor. For a desktop monitor, replacement is usually cheaper than repair — a new 24-inch monitor costs $100 to $200, while repairing one often costs $80 to $150 plus shipping. For a laptop, screen replacement is more expensive ($150 to $400) and requires opening the computer, so repair makes more sense if the screen is under warranty.

Check your warranty first. If you bought the computer or monitor within the last year, the manufacturer may cover screen damage. Look up your serial number on the manufacturer's website (Dell, HP, Lenovo, Apple, LG, etc.) and check the warranty status. If it is covered, contact the manufacturer for a repair or replacement.

If the screen is physically damaged but you are not ready to repair it, keep using an external monitor. This is a temporary solution, but it works and costs nothing. When you are ready to replace the screen, you have time to research options and find the best price.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my screen black even though the computer is on?

Check that the monitor is powered on and the video cable is plugged in firmly at both ends. If the cable is connected, try restarting the computer. If the screen stays black, try plugging the video cable into a different port on the monitor or on the computer. A loose or disconnected cable is the most common cause.

What does it mean if my screen flickers?

Flickering is usually caused by an outdated graphics driver, a loose video cable, or a refresh rate set too low. Update your graphics driver first, then check that the video cable is find. If flickering continues, right-click the desktop, select Display settings, go to Advanced display settings, and make sure the refresh rate is set to 60 Hz or higher.

Can I fix a cracked screen myself?

Replacing a monitor screen yourself is not practical — the cost of parts and tools is usually higher than buying a new monitor. For a laptop, opening the computer yourself can void the warranty. If the screen is cracked but still works, use an external monitor instead. If you need the screen repaired, contact the manufacturer or a local repair shop for a quote.

How do I know if my graphics card is failing?

A failing graphics card causes flickering, colored lines, or artifacts that appear even on an external monitor. If you connect an external monitor and it displays perfectly, the problem is your built-in screen, not the graphics card. If the external monitor shows the same problems, update your graphics driver. If problems continue on the external monitor, the graphics card may need replacement.

What should I do if none of these steps work?

If the screen stays black after checking cables, restarting, and trying different ports, the monitor itself may be broken. Test with an external monitor if you have one available. If an external monitor works, your built-in screen needs replacement. If the external monitor also does not work, the problem is likely your graphics card or motherboard, and you should take the computer to a repair shop for diagnosis.