How to Fix the Lenovo Laptop Black Screen of Death Issue?

Written By Ashutosh Kumar
Approved By Rohit Arora
Updated on 19 Mar, 2024
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Summary: The Lenovo laptop black screen of death issue may occur due to various reasons. However, if you deal it with caution, you can resolve it on our own. In this post, we have mentioned the probable causes behind the black screen of death issue in Lenovo laptops and discussed some effective solutions to fix this issue.

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Many Lenovo laptop users have reported a tricky situation while using their laptop. The Lenovo laptop screen turns black when turned on.

Here are some instances of Laptop black screen of death issue reported by users on various forums.

Badcaps Forum

Tom’s Guide

In this post, we will be discussing about ‘what causes the Lenovo laptop black screen issue’, ‘what are the early warning signs’, and ‘how to resolve the Lenovo black screen of death issue’.

Early Warning Signs or Symptoms:

Flickering Screen
Stuttering Screen
Excessive heating
Increasing fan sound
Abrupt opening and closing of unwanted windows
Drive full warning

Causes for Black Screen of Lenovo Laptop

There are various causes for the Lenovo laptop black screen issue. Some common factors responsible for the issue are:

1. Disk Errors

Hard disk errors are one the most common causes behind the Lenovo laptop black screen issue. The typical causes for the hard disk errors, include power outages/ fluctuations, hardware failures, poor system maintenance, viruses, or manual negligence.

2. Graphics Card Errors

Another reason behind the ‘black screen of death’ issue could be an error or malfunctioning of the graphics card. Some early warning signs of the graphics card going to malfunction are stuttering, screen glitches, blue/black screens, or excessive fan noise.

3. Windows OS Behaving Unexpectedly

Sometimes, the Windows OS begins to behave unexpectedly, like slow operation than usual, delay in command execution, making strange notification sounds, unexplained file or folder changes, etc. The reasons for such abnormal functioning may include abrupt power outage, power fluctuations, system crashes, mismatched versions, updating errors, or virus/malware attacks.

4. Faulty Laptop Battery

If your Lenovo laptop is not starting up and showing a black screen, the faulty battery could be the reason behind it. The early signs that your laptop battery is going to fail include overheating, failing to charge, short-run times and shutdowns, replacement warnings, etc.

5. Faulty Laptop Display

One of the elements that differentiate a laptop from a regular desktop is the un-detachable screen. It helps make the computer handy and portable but it takes a toll if not appropriately handled. For example, the sockets or ports connecting the screen to the laptop keyboard might get damaged, thus causing malfunction. The typical indicators of the faulty display are no display screen, lines or dots on the screen, dimmed screen, wrong color display, distorted screen, etc.

6. Virus/Malware Attack

If your laptop crashes frequently, it may be due to the above-discussed technical issues or a malware infection. Suppose, if none of the above problems are apparent, it might be possible that a virus is hindering the functioning of your laptop’s programs. You have no antivirus protection or your antivirus isn’t strong enough to counter the attack.

7. Peripheral Devices Malfunction or Corruption

Sometimes, the Lenovo laptop black screen problem occurs due to the peripheral devices connected to the laptop viz. external hard drive, printer etc. that might be malfunctioning or corrupted due to some error or infection.

Solutions to Fix the Lenovo’s Black Screen of Death Issue

Here are some solutions that you can use to overcome this issue on your own.

Before you proceed, you must take a backup of the crucial data stored on the laptop. In case the data loss happens, you can use Stellar Data Recovery Professional for Windows to recover your data.

1. Reset the Display or Screen Mode

One of the reasons for the black screen issue in Lenovo laptops is the loss of connection between the screen display and the Windows operating system. However, you can fix it easily by resetting the display mode of your laptop. All you need to do is to press Windows () + Ctrl + Shift + B.

2. Connect External Monitor to Test the Display

If the Lenovo laptop is not starting usually and showing a black screen, there may be an issue with the display itself. You can conduct a display check by connecting an external monitor or Smart TV or check BIOS and RAM.

3. Disconnect the Non-essential Peripherals Devices

You might also face the issue due to peripheral devices connected to the laptop, such as external hard drive, pen drive, printer, etc. Remove all the non-essential peripheral devices and check if the issue is resolved. If yes, then start connecting back the devices one-by-one to find the device that is creating the issue. When found, remove it and get it repaired or inspected.

4. Hard Reset your Lenovo Laptop

Do you see some dots spinning during the boot-up process? This means some non-peripheral devices might be responsible for the black screen issue. In this case, your system needs a hard reset. Follow the following steps:

5. Update your Graphics Card Driver

You can perform this step only by running the system in safe mode. Use the below steps to run your system in safe mode.

Once the system starts in safe mode, follow the below steps to upgrade the graphics driver:

Press Windows () + R keys simultaneously to open the ‘Run‘ dialog box.
Type ‘devmgmt.msc‘ and hit ‘Enter’ to open the Device Manager.

Click on ‘Display Adapters‘. Right-click on the graphics card and select ‘Properties’.

Press the ‘Driver‘ tab, then press ‘Update Driver‘, and hit ‘OK.’

Click ‘Search automatically for Updated driver software’.

Follow the instructions to update the drivers successfully.
When completed, reboot the laptop for the changes to take effect.

6. Restart the Explorer.exe Process

Explorer.exe helps in various functions, like desktop, taskbar, etc. If it is not running on your laptop, then there are chances that the laptop screen may go black. To restart the explorer.exe process, follow the steps below:

Select Explore.exe and click on End Task

7. Disable Fast Start-up

The Fast Start-up feature is available only with Windows 10. To disable this feature, follow the given steps:

Step 1: Press Windows + R to launch the ‘Run‘ dialog box.

Step 2: Type ‘powercfg.cpl’ in the dialog box and press ‘Enter‘.

Step 3: Press ‘What the power buttons do‘.

Step 4: Click ‘Change settings that are currently available‘ in the next window that appeared.

Step 5: Unselect the ‘Turn on fast startup (Recommended)’ option and click ‘Save Changes’. Close the window.

Step 6: Restart your Lenovo laptop and check if the screen has returned to normal.

8. Resetting the Memory Modules

Resetting the memory modules can fix the problem of the black screen. It also helps in reducing the start-up time and other complexities. Follow the below steps to reset the memory module:

Turn off the laptop. Disconnect the power supply and remove the battery.
Open the service door on the backside of the laptop.
Pull the arms holding the memory slot and carefully release the memory module.
Take out the memory module gently from the hatch.
Use a soft and clean cloth to wipe the memory module.
Slowly push the memory module into the slot.
Close the service door and attach the battery.

Turn on the laptop to check if the issue is resolved.

9. Perform a System Restore

There is a probability that the black screen issue may have emerged due to some recent changes you’ve made. In this case, you need to restore your system to some earlier point. To do so, follow the steps given below:

Click the ‘Search‘ icon on the taskbar, type restore, and click ‘Create a restore point‘.
Click ‘System Restore‘ under the ‘System Protection‘ tab.

Click ‘Next‘ to continue.
Tick on ‘Show more restore points‘, select the restore point, and click ‘Next‘.
Finish the system restore by following the instructions shown on your screen.

What to do if Data is Lost?

It’s generally seen that during repair processes, some of your valuable data may lost due to corruption or during the system restore that may damage the files completely or render the data to be unreadable. In such a case, you can use Professional data recovery software to recover the lost data. Here are the steps to recover data with the help of the Windows data recovery tool.

Step 1: Download and install the Stellar Data Recovery Professional for Windows.

Step 2: Launch the software.

Step 3: Select the type of data you want to recover and click ‘Next‘. In case you are not sure, select the ‘All Data‘ option.

Step 4: Select the folder location or drive volume from where you want to recover your data and click ‘Scan’ at the bottom right corner.

Step 5: Select the files you want to recover and click ‘Recover’.

Step 6: A new window appears. Select the destination to save the files and click the ‘Start Saving’ tab.

The data will be saved at the selected destination.

Conclusion

The Lenovo laptops are one of the best devices available and trusted by users for their optimal performance. Like every machine, Lenovo laptops might develop some issues. The Lenovo laptop black screen is one such issue that the users have reported. In this article, we have mentioned the solutions to resolve this issue. In case you have lost the data, you can use the Stellar Data Recovery Professional software to recover the data.

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About The Author

Ashutosh Kumar

Ashutosh is a Senior Content Writer at Stellar with over 8 years of experience in data recovery, IoT, and AI technologies domain. He is a tech enthusiast who enjoys researching and sharing DIY solutions to resolve complex technical issues. Apart from professional writing Ashutosh is a published poet and spends his weekends building small gadgets.

42 comments

Natalie Turton says:

December 6, 2023 at 12:29 am

Hi, I have a Lenovo Yoga Slim, I left it on standby but plugged in to a working power cable and now it won’t boot up, the screen and keypad keep flashing on and off as if it had been powered off and is trying to start up. I can’t open up the back and there is no reset pin and pressing the power button for 30 seconds changes nothing, nor does having it plugged in to the power outlet or without. Could you please help?

Reply
1. Satyeshu Kumar says:
  
  December 7, 2023 at 8:15 am
  
  Hi Natalie,
  You can try connecting your laptop to an external monitor.And Check if the issue persists on the external display.Or you can visit Lenovo’s support site for BIOS or UEFI updates.Install any available updates to address stability issues.
  If its under warranty, contact Lenovo support for guidance.
  They might offer assistance or arrange repairs.
  
  Reply
Dominique says:

November 15, 2023 at 3:52 pm

Hello
I have Lenovo ideapad 1i my screen display for one second and went completely black. I powered and and on several times nothing has changed. All I see is the mouse cursor

Reply
1. Satyeshu Kumar says:
  
  November 20, 2023 at 6:47 am
  
  Hello Dominique,
  Please ensure you’ve followed all the steps outlined in the blogs. If not, try the following:
  If your Lenovo Ideapad 1i screen briefly displays and then goes completely black, showing only the mouse cursor, attempt to resolve the issue by restarting the laptop, inspecting external connections, and entering Safe Mode to eliminate third-party influences. Update graphics drivers, modify brightness settings, and execute Windows Update for system and driver enhancements. If the problem persists, contemplate performing a System Restore, conduct a malware check, and assess the situation using an external display. If these measures prove ineffective, it might be a hardware concern, and reaching out to Lenovo support or visiting an authorized service center is recommended.
  
  Reply
Mehrshad says:

October 26, 2023 at 10:03 am

Hi i have a lenovo legion 5 slim and after starting the laptop and after the logo appears laptop screen goes black for a min or two and after that laptop reset and legion logo apeears again and windows starts how can i fix this problem ?

Reply
1. Satyeshu Kumar says:
  
  October 27, 2023 at 5:32 am
  
  Hi Mehrshad,
  If your Lenovo Legion 5 Slim is encountering a recurring black screen issue during the boot process, several troubleshooting steps can help identify and resolve the problem. Firstly, check for any pending updates, particularly drivers and BIOS, and ensure they are up to date, as outdated software can sometimes cause such irregularities. Additionally, verify the power settings in the Control Panel to ensure they are configured appropriately. Running a system file check through the Command Prompt with the ‘sfc /scannow’ command can help identify and repair any corrupted system files. Moreover, performing a clean boot by disabling third-party applications and services can pinpoint if any software conflicts are causing the problem. Running a thorough scan for malware can rule out any potential malicious software interfering with the boot process. If the issue persists, attempting a system restore to a point before the problem occurred might help, and as a last resort, consider resetting Windows through the recovery options in the settings menu. If the problem persists despite these efforts, contacting Lenovo customer support or a professional technician is advisable to address any potential hardware-related complications.
  
  Reply
Eddie says:

October 18, 2023 at 2:29 am

Screen was flickering; did hard reset now it won’t turn on?…

Reply
1. Satyeshu Kumar says:
  
  October 20, 2023 at 3:41 am
  
  Hi Eddie,
  If your device was experiencing screen flickering and is now unresponsive after a hard reset, it’s important to first check the power supply and charging cable to ensure they are functioning properly. Attempt a soft reset by removing the battery (if applicable) and reinserting it after a few minutes. Look for any signs of power, such as LED lights or display backlight. If there are no signs of life, it’s advisable to contact the manufacturer’s technical support team, especially if the device is under warranty. They can provide specific guidance or recommend appropriate steps. If the issue persists, visiting an authorized repair center or a trusted technician for professional examination is recommended. Consider backing up any important data if feasible, and be open to the possibility of device replacement if the repair cost outweighs the device’s value. Handling hardware issues without expertise can potentially cause further damage, so seeking professional assistance is crucial if initial troubleshooting steps do not yield any results.
  
  Reply
Richard Fellows says:

October 5, 2023 at 4:30 pm

I have a lenova idea pad 3 so no removable battery, tried to plug into a second screen but nothing shows on the second screen. Black screen on laptop with on button flashing when pressed. Have tried as much as i can from the above list.. any suggestions

Reply
1. Satyeshu Kumar says:
  
  October 10, 2023 at 4:55 am
  
  Hi Richard,
  If your Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is displaying a black screen with a flashing power button, there are several troubleshooting steps to consider.
  First, ensure that the laptop is receiving power by checking the power adapter’s connection to both the laptop and a working power outlet. You can attempt a hard reset by turning off the laptop, unplugging it, and holding down the power button for about 15 seconds to reset hardware components.
  
  If you’re using an external monitor, confirm it’s correctly connected and turned on, and use the appropriate key combination (typically Fn + F4 or F5) to switch to the external display. Resetting the BIOS settings to default can also help; access the BIOS/UEFI setup utility (often with keys like F2 or Delete) and find the reset option.
  RAM or storage issues can cause boot problems, so consider reseting the RAM modules or the storage drive if you’re comfortable doing so. Lastly, since your laptop has a non-removable battery, allowing it to completely drain before reconnecting the power adapter and attempting to power it on might be worth a try. If these steps don’t resolve the issue, it’s advisable to seek professional assistance.
  
  Reply
Richard Fellows says:

October 5, 2023 at 11:33 am

Black screen with flashing on button, connected to external monitor and nothing displayed there.
Followed steps above that i am able to but battery is internal so unable to remove. Lenovo Idea Pad 3. Any suggestions?

Reply
1. Satyeshu Kumar says:
  
  October 10, 2023 at 5:20 am
  
  Hi Richard,
  Since the laptop has an internal battery that cannot be easily removed, you can try a hard reset. To do this, press and hold the power button for about 15-20 seconds. This can sometimes resolve power-related issues. You said that you tried connecting to an external monitor and not seeing any display there. This could indicate a problem with the laptop’s graphics card or internal display. You may want to try connecting to the external monitor again and use the laptop’s keyboard shortcut (often Fn + one of the F keys) to toggle between display modes. This could potentially force the laptop to output the display to the external monitor.
  
  Reply
N K says:

September 19, 2023 at 5:57 pm

Thanks for the troubleshoot info. I am facing similar issues but still not able to recover. My lenovo ideapad had a blackscreen and I was using this laptop with my external HP monitor. in order to revive my laptop, I accidently disabled graphics interface and external monitor also turned black. I tried few options as mentioned in the blog but it didnt work as I dont see any BIOS screen on my external monitor. Any help is highly appreciated. Thanks

Reply
1. Satyeshu Kumar says:
  
  September 20, 2023 at 4:31 am
  
  Hi NK,
  If your Lenovo Ideapad is experiencing a black screen issue after accidentally disabling the graphics interface while using an external HP monitor, here’s how to troubleshoot it. Begin by performing a hard reset to drain residual power and check cable connections. Try booting into Safe Mode to enable the graphics interface. If you can’t see the BIOS screen on the external monitor, access the BIOS/UEFI menu and restore default settings. Verify the correct input source on the external monitor and test with a different monitor or cable. Use function key shortcuts to cycle through display options. Check for physical damage on connectors and ports. If these steps fail, consider professional assistance or contact Lenovo’s customer support for warranty-related concerns.
  
  Reply
Kevin says:

September 5, 2023 at 1:36 pm

I’m currently facing the same issue. Last night I installed the graphics driver update. The next day I tried to open my lenovo legion laptop and it’s not displaying anything. Only the keyboard and light indicator lights up. Tried connecting to and external monitor, tried the 60s power button press but nothing works

Reply
1. Satyeshu Kumar says:
  
  September 26, 2023 at 5:41 am
  
  Hi kevin,
  I’m sorry to hear that you’re facing issues with your Lenovo Legion laptop after updating the graphics driver. It can be quite frustrating when your laptop fails to display anything, but there are several troubleshooting steps you can take. Firstly, attempt a hard reset by disconnecting the laptop from any power source and removing the battery, if possible. Then, hold down the power button for 60 seconds to drain any residual power before reconnecting the battery and power source and trying to turn it on again. You mentioned connecting an external monitor, which is a good way to check if the issue is related to the laptop’s screen. Also, try accessing the laptop’s BIOS/UEFI settings to ensure the hardware is functioning correctly. If you can access these settings, it’s likely not a hardware problem. Booting into Safe Mode can help identify if the issue stems from the graphics driver, and you can consider rolling back the driver or using System Restore if available. If none of these steps work, it’s advisable to contact Lenovo’s customer support or seek professional assistance to diagnose and potentially repair any hardware issues. Remember to back up important data before attempting any actions that might result in data loss.
  
  Reply
Madhab khadka says:

September 3, 2023 at 1:43 pm

Display black

Reply
1. Satyeshu Kumar says:
  
  September 5, 2023 at 7:16 am
  
  Hello Madhab,
  
  If your display remains black, please attempt all the methods outlined in the blog. If you continue to experience issues, kindly inform us for further assistance.
  
  Reply
NO name says:

August 11, 2023 at 1:24 pm

i still facing this problem ,
what shoud i do
……….. H E L P ,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Reply
1. Satyeshu Kumar says:
  
  August 18, 2023 at 8:35 am
  
  Hello,
  I’d greatly appreciate it if you could share the problem you’re encountering.Could you please provide more details about the specific issue you’re currently facing?
  
  Reply