How to Fix Black Screen with Cursor After Login in Windows 10

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Encountering a black screen with only the cursor visible after logging into Windows 10 can be a frustrating issue. This problem typically indicates that there are issues with the user interface, graphics drivers, or system files. This guide outlines effective solutions to resolve the black screen with cursor issue and restore normal functionality to your Windows 10 system.
How-To-Fix-black screen-with-cursor-after-login-to-windows-10-and-8.1

1. Perform a Hard Restart

A hard restart can clear temporary glitches causing the black screen.

  1. Hold Power Button: Press and hold the power button on your computer until it shuts down completely.
  2. Restart: Wait a few seconds, then press the power button again to restart your computer.

2. Boot into Safe Mode

Safe Mode can help you troubleshoot and fix issues that prevent normal booting.

  1. Interrupt Normal Boot: Restart your computer. As soon as it starts, press and hold the Shift key while clicking "Restart" from the login screen. Alternatively, repeatedly press F8 or Shift + F8 during startup.
  2. Select Safe Mode: Once the "Choose an option" screen appears, select "Troubleshoot," then "Advanced options," followed by "Startup Settings." Click "Restart" and press 5 or 6 to enter Safe Mode with Networking or Command Prompt.

3. Update Graphics Drivers

Outdated or corrupt graphics drivers can cause display issues.

  1. Open Device Manager: Press Windows + X and select "Device Manager."
  2. Update Graphics Drivers: Expand "Display adapters," right-click on your graphics adapter, and select "Update driver." Choose "Search automatically for updated driver software."
  3. Restart Your Computer: Restart your computer to apply any updates.

4. Roll Back or Reinstall Graphics Drivers

If updating drivers doesn’t work, rolling back or reinstalling may help.

  1. Open Device Manager: Press Windows + X and select "Device Manager."
  2. Roll Back Drivers: Right-click on your graphics adapter, select "Properties," go to the "Driver" tab, and click "Roll Back Driver" if the option is available.
  3. Reinstall Drivers: If rolling back doesn’t help, right-click on the graphics adapter, select "Uninstall device," and restart your computer. Windows will automatically reinstall the drivers.

5. Check for Corrupted System Files

Corrupted system files can lead to display issues. Use SFC and DISM to repair them.

  1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator: Press Windows + X and select "Command Prompt (Admin)" or "Windows PowerShell (Admin)."
  2. Run SFC Command: Enter the following command and press Enter:
    sfc /scannow
  3. Run DISM Command: If SFC finds issues, run the following command to repair the system image:
    DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
  4. Restart Your Computer: Restart your computer to apply repairs.

6. Disable Fast Startup

Fast Startup can sometimes cause display issues. Disabling it may help.

  1. Open Control Panel: Press Windows + R, type control, and press Enter.
  2. Navigate to Power Options: Click on "System and Security," then "Power Options."
  3. Change Settings: Click "Choose what the power buttons do" on the left pane. Click "Change settings that are currently unavailable."
  4. Disable Fast Startup: Uncheck "Turn on fast startup (recommended)" and click "Save changes."

7. Check for Windows Updates

Installing the latest updates can fix bugs and improve system performance.

  1. Open Settings: Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.
  2. Navigate to Update & Security: Click on "Update & Security."
  3. Check for Updates: Click "Check for updates" and install any available updates. Restart your computer to apply them.

8. Perform a Clean Boot

A clean boot helps identify if background services or startup programs are causing the issue.

  1. Open System Configuration: Press Windows + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
  2. Configure Boot Options: Go to the "Services" tab, check "Hide all Microsoft services," and click "Disable all."
  3. Disable Startup Items: Go to the "Startup" tab and click "Open Task Manager." Disable all startup items.
  4. Restart Your Computer: Click "OK" and restart your computer to perform a clean boot.

9. Restore System to a Previous State

If the problem started recently, a System Restore can return your system to a prior state.

  1. Open System Restore: Press Windows + R, type rstrui.exe, and press Enter.
  2. Select a Restore Point: Choose a restore point from before the issue began and follow the prompts to restore your system.

10. Check for Malware

Malware can cause various system issues, including display problems.

  1. Run Windows Defender: Open Settings by pressing Windows + I, go to "Update & Security," and click on "Windows Security." Click "Virus & threat protection" and select "Quick scan."
  2. Use Third-Party Antivirus: If you have a third-party antivirus program, run a full system scan to detect and remove malware.

11. Reinstall Windows 10

As a last resort, reinstalling Windows 10 can resolve persistent issues.

  1. Backup Your Data: Ensure all important data is backed up to an external drive or cloud storage.
  2. Reinstall Windows: Go to "Settings" > "Update & Security" > "Recovery." Under "Reset this PC," click "Get started" and choose "Remove everything" to perform a clean installation.

Conclusion

The black screen with cursor issue in Windows 10 can be caused by various factors, including display driver problems, system file corruption, and startup configuration issues. By following the solutions outlined above, you can address the root causes and restore normal functionality to your system. Regular maintenance, such as keeping drivers updated and running system scans, can help prevent similar issues in the future. If the problem persists despite these efforts, consider seeking assistance from a professional technician for further troubleshooting.

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