Start with the simplest fixes first

A blank or broken computer screen usually comes from one of three places: the cable connecting the monitor to the computer has come loose, the monitor itself is off, or the computer has gone to sleep. Before you assume the screen is damaged, check these three things in order.

First, look at the cable running from the back of your monitor to the back of your computer tower or laptop dock. If it is a desktop, you will see a thick cable with small metal pins on the end — this is the video cable. Push it firmly into the port on the back of the computer until you hear or feel a click. If the cable is loose, reseating it often fixes the problem when ready.

Second, check that the monitor itself is powered on. Look for a power button on the front or bottom edge of the monitor — it is usually a small circle or rectangle. Press it. If the monitor has a power light, it should glow when turned on. If nothing happens, check that the power cord is plugged into the wall outlet and that the outlet itself works (plug a lamp into it to test).

Third, move your mouse or press a key on the keyboard. Many computers automatically dim or turn off the display after a period of inactivity. Waking the computer often brings the image back.

Key Takeaways

  • Reseat the video cable connecting your monitor to your computer by unplugging it and pushing it firmly back in until it clicks.
  • Check that both the monitor and the computer are powered on and that the power cord is plugged into a working outlet.
  • Move your mouse or press a key to wake the computer from sleep mode, which can make the screen appear blank.
  • If you see an image but it is distorted, flickering, or discolored, the problem is usually a loose cable or incorrect display settings rather than a broken screen.
  • Call a repair technician if the screen remains blank after these steps or if you see physical cracks or damage to the monitor itself.

Adjust display settings if the image is there but wrong

Sometimes the screen is on but the image looks wrong — it might be too dark, too bright, sideways, stretched, or flickering. These problems usually come from settings you can change yourself without opening the computer.

If the image is sideways or upside down, right-click on an empty area of your desktop and look for an option called "Display Settings" or "Graphics Options." In Windows, this opens a menu where you can rotate the display back to normal. On a Mac, go to System Preferences, then Displays, and look for a Rotation option. If you do not see a rotation menu, the graphics card software may need updating — see the section below on driver updates.

If the image is stretched, blurry, or does not fill the whole screen, the resolution may be set wrong. In Display Settings (Windows) or Displays (Mac), look for a setting called "Resolution" and try changing it to match the native resolution of your monitor. The monitor's manual or the manufacturer's website will tell you what this is — for most modern monitors, it is 1920 × 1080 or higher. Changing the resolution often fixes stretching and blurriness when ready.

If the screen flickers, the refresh rate may be too low. In Display Settings on Windows, click "Advanced Display Settings," then look for "Refresh Rate." Try setting it to 60 Hz or higher. On a Mac, this setting is usually in Displays under "Refresh Rate." If flickering continues after adjusting these settings, the cable may be loose — reseat it as described above.

Update or reinstall your graphics driver

The graphics driver is software that tells your computer how to send an image to the monitor. If the driver is outdated or corrupted, the screen may not display correctly even though the hardware is fine.

On Windows, right-click the Start button and select "Device Manager." Look for "Display Adapters" and click the arrow next to it to expand the list. Right-click the graphics card listed there and select "Update Driver." Windows will search for a newer version online. If one is found, install it and restart your computer.

On a Mac, go to the Apple menu, select "System Preferences," then "Software Update." If updates are available, install them and restart. Mac graphics drivers update automatically with system updates, so this is usually the only step needed.

If updating the driver does not work, you can try uninstalling it and letting Windows reinstall a basic version. In Device Manager, right-click the graphics card and select "Uninstall Device." Restart your computer — Windows will automatically reinstall a standard driver. This often fixes display problems caused by a corrupted driver file.

Check the monitor cable and ports for damage

If the screen is still blank after reseating the cable and checking power, inspect the cable itself and the ports it connects to. Look at both ends of the video cable for bent pins, corrosion, or visible damage. If the pins are bent, you can sometimes straighten them gently with a small tool, but if the cable is cracked or the pins are broken off, the cable needs to be replaced.

Look at the port on the back of the computer where the cable plugs in. If you see bent pins inside the port, corrosion, or debris, the port may be damaged. Gently clean the port with a dry cotton swab or compressed air — do not use water or liquid cleaners. If the port is visibly bent or broken, the computer will need professional repair.

Try a different video cable if you have one available. Borrow a cable from another monitor or computer if possible. If a different cable makes the screen work, your original cable is faulty and should be replaced. Video cables are inexpensive — a standard HDMI or DisplayPort cable costs between ten and thirty dollars.

Restart your computer in safe mode

If the screen is flickering or displaying incorrectly and driver updates have not helped, restarting in safe mode can narrow down the problem. Safe mode loads only the essential software your computer needs to run, which can help you tell whether a program or driver is causing the display issue.

On Windows, restart your computer and press F8 repeatedly as it boots up (before the Windows logo appears). Select "Safe Mode" from the menu. If the display works correctly in safe mode, a program or driver installed after Windows is likely the cause. Restart normally and uninstall any recently installed software or graphics-related programs.

On a Mac, restart and hold Shift as the computer boots. This starts safe mode. If the display is normal in safe mode, restart normally and check for software updates or uninstall recent additions.

Know when to call a repair technician

If you have tried all the steps above and the screen is still blank, flickering, or distorted, the problem is likely hardware damage that requires professional repair. Call a technician if:

  • The screen remains blank even after reseating the cable, checking power, and updating drivers.
  • You see physical cracks, dark spots, or lines on the monitor screen itself.
  • The monitor port or cable connector is visibly bent or broken.
  • The screen flickers or shows artifacts (strange lines or colors) even after adjusting settings and updating drivers.
  • The computer overheats and the display cuts out — this can indicate a failing graphics card.

A repair shop can test the monitor, graphics card, and cables with specialized equipment to identify exactly what is broken. Depending on what fails, they may replace the monitor, the graphics card, or the cable. If your computer is still under warranty, contact the manufacturer before paying for repair — they may cover the cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my screen go black when I am using it?

A screen that goes black during use usually means the computer is overheating or the graphics driver has crashed. Check that the vents on your computer tower or laptop are not blocked by dust. Clean them with compressed air if needed. If the screen goes black and the computer restarts, the graphics card may be failing — this requires professional repair.

My monitor shows "No Signal" — what does that mean?

This message means the monitor is on but not receiving a video signal from the computer. Reseat the video cable first. If that does not work, restart the computer. If the message persists, try a different video cable or connect the monitor to a different computer to test whether the monitor or the cable is the problem.

Can I fix a cracked monitor screen myself?

No. A cracked screen cannot be repaired at home — the entire display panel must be replaced. For a laptop, this is expensive and requires disassembling the computer. For a desktop monitor, it is usually cheaper to buy a new monitor than to replace the panel. If the crack is small and does not affect the image, you can continue using it, but the crack will not heal on its own.

What is the difference between HDMI and DisplayPort cables?

Both carry video signals, but they use different connectors. HDMI is more common on older monitors and devices. DisplayPort is newer and supports higher resolutions and refresh rates. Check what port your monitor has and buy the matching cable. Some computers have adapters that let you use one type of cable with the other port.

Why is my screen resolution stuck at a low setting?

This usually means the graphics driver is missing or outdated. Update the driver using Device Manager on Windows or Software Update on Mac. If the resolution options still do not appear, the graphics card may not be recognized by the computer — restart and check Device Manager again to see if the graphics card is listed.