"Why Is My New Computer Showing a Black Screen?"

Copper Contributor

I had configured my new computer to enter sleep mode after 30 minutes of inactivity, so I didn't think much of it when I saw the screen go black. The power light was still on, indicating it was operational. However, when I attempted to wake it up, nothing happened. Pressing the power button did not respond either, and even disconnecting the A/C power cord did not turn it off completely as the internal battery sustained the light.

 

Concerned that my new computer had become unresponsive after just two weeks, I contemplated returning it to Best Buy during the Black Friday sale. In a moment of desperation, I repeatedly pressed the power button, and to my surprise, other small lights began flashing and the computer sprang back to life.

 

It turned out that the computer was in the midst of an automatic software update to Windows 11, even while in sleep mode. It remained inoperable until the upgrade completed. If the computer had been awake, I might have received a notification about the upgrade.

 

To add to the complexity, my Chrome Browser had all its URLs removed, prompting me to re-enter each address manually. I speculate that if I had been using Microsoft Edge instead of Google Chrome, this issue might not have occurred.

2 Replies
Hold the power button for about 10-15 seconds until the computer completely powers off. This should shut it down.
If your computer is unresponsive, press and hold the Power button for 10-15 seconds until the computer powers off completely. Wait a few seconds before turning it back on.