Windows 11 Black Screen After Sign-In? Start With the Cursor

Check the monitor power, select the input that matches the connected HDMI or DisplayPort cable, and reseat the cable. For a laptop connected to a dock or an external monitor, disconnect those accessories and try the built-in screen. If you saw Windows load and the display then went blank, try Windows + Ctrl + Shift + B to reset the graphics driver. You may hear a beep or see the screen flash.

In Task Manager, find Windows Explorer, right-click it and choose Restart. If Task Manager does not open with Ctrl + Shift + Esc, try Ctrl + Alt + Delete and select Task Manager from the security screen if it appears. If Windows Explorer is missing from the process list, choose Run new task, enter explorer.exe and press Enter. If the desktop and taskbar return, Windows was responsive even though the desktop failed to load. A repeat failure needs further diagnosis.

If you can reach the sign-in screen, hold Shift while choosing Power → Restart. In Windows Recovery Environment, choose Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart, then select Enable Safe Mode. Have your BitLocker recovery key available if the drive is encrypted. If Safe Mode works and the problem began immediately after a graphics driver update, check Device Manager → Display adapters → your adapter’s Properties → Driver for Roll Back Driver. On a work PC, pass the symptoms and update timing to IT.

A black screen before the manufacturer logo, a blinking text cursor during startup and a movable mouse pointer after sign-in describe different failures. If you never see a logo on a known working display, use the PC manufacturer’s startup diagnostics. If the logo appears but Windows never reaches sign-in, use Microsoft’s Windows Recovery Environment guide and start with Startup Repair if recovery opens.