Windows 7 Gets Stuck on Black Screen at Login? Try These Fixes

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Repair a black screen login screen with these quick tips
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Are you getting a black screen when logging in to Windows 7? This is a frustrating issue, especially because it's not always clear how to fix it. In this article, we'll teach you how to fix a black login screen on Windows 7. Keep reading to learn how!

Note: Microsoft has ended support for Windows 7 as of 2020.[1] If you'd like to update to the latest version of Windows, you'll need to update your Windows 7 to Windows 10, then Windows 10 to Windows 11.

Fixing a Black Windows 7 Login Screen

  • Boot your computer in Safe Mode and disable your video drivers to get around the black screen.
  • Perform a Startup Repair to fix any issues your computer has with starting up.
  • Once you hit the black screen, use Task Manager to forcefully open Windows Explorer so you can perform a virus scan to fix the issue.
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Disabling Your Video Drivers

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  1. Step 1 Reboot your computer.
    Your video card drivers may be causing problems when Windows loads. Removing them will allow you to boot normally and then install the latest working drivers.
  2. Step 2 Rapidly tap F8.
    This will open the Advanced Boot Options menu if you are quick. If Windows tries to load, you'll need to reboot and try again.
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  3. Step 3 Highlight Safe Mode and press ↵ Enter.
    This will load Windows in Safe Mode, which will usually work even if Windows normally shows a black screen.
    • If Safe Mode does not work, try a Startup Repair.
  4. Step 4 Press ⊞ Win+R after Windows boots into Safe Mode.
  5. Step 5 Type devmgmt.msc and press ↵ Enter.
  6. Step 6 Expand the Display adapters category and right-click the first item in the list.
    You may have one or more display adapters listed here.
  7. Step 7 Click Uninstall and check the Delete driver software box.
    Click OK to continue. Repeat this step for any other "Display adapter" items.
  8. Step 8 Restart your computer and allow it to boot normally.
    If the video drivers were causing the problem, Windows should now boot normally, though at a lower resolution than you may normally use.
  9. Step 9 Install the latest drivers for your video card if you can boot.
    If removing the old display drivers fixed your problem, you'll want to install the latest available drivers to get your display capabilities back:
    • Open your web browser.
    • Visit the driver download page for your graphics adapter. You're likely using either Intel, AMD, or NVIDIA. If you aren't sure, just try the auto-detection software for each one.
    • Run the auto-detection tool on the driver site to scan your computer and retrieve the proper files.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Performing a Startup Repair

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  1. Step 1 Reboot your computer.
    A Startup repair will reinstall essential system files that Windows uses to boot. This could fix the black screen problem you're experiencing.
  2. Step 2 Rapidly tap F8.
    If you time this correctly, you'll enter the Advanced Boot Options menu. If Windows tries to load, you'll have to reboot and try again.
  3. Step 3 Highlight Repair Your Computer and press ↵ Enter.
    This will open a dialog box.
  4. Step 4 Select your keyboard type.
    Your regular keyboard should be selected by default.
  5. Step 5 Select the user you want to log in as.
    Logging in as an administrator will give you access to the Command Prompt as well as the other repair options.
  6. Step 6 Click the Startup Repair option.
    Wait while Startup Repair scans your computer.
  7. Step 7 Follow any prompts for repairing problems.
    Depending on what errors Startup Repair encounters, you may be given different options. In many cases, Startup Repair will fix problems without your intervention, and your computer will reboot one or more times.[2]
    • If Startup Repair prompts you to perform a System Restore, click the Restore button and select the most recent restore point.
  8. Step 8 Try logging into Windows.
    After Startup Repair has finished any of its repairs, try rebooting and loading Windows.[3]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Running Explorer

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  1. Step 1 Boot Windows until you get to the black screen.
    You may be able to force Windows Explorer to load, which will then allow you to scan for malware and remove the problem.
  2. Step 2 Press Ctrl+⇧ Shift+Esc.
    This should open the Task Manager.
    • If you aren't able to open Task Manager, try performing a Startup Repair.
  3. Step 3 Click on File > New Task.
    This will open a new window.
  4. Step 4 Type explorer.exe and press ↵ Enter.
    In many cases, your Windows interface will load after a moment.
    • If it's been several minutes and Windows still hasn't loaded, try disabling your video drivers.
  5. Step 5 Open your web browser.
    If you are now back in Windows, you'll want to scan for the problem that caused the black screen. The quickest way to do this is with a free program called Malwarebytes.
  6. Step 6 Go to malwarebytes.org...
    Go to malwarebytes.org and click the Free Download button. The free version of Malwarebytes has all the features you need for this method.
  7. Step 7 Run the installer after downloading and follow the prompts to install Malwarebytes.
    You can leave the settings at their defaults during installation.
  8. Step 8 Start Malwarebytes after installation.
    It will typically start automatically after installation, but you can also find a shortcut on your desktop or in your Start menu.
  9. Step 9 Click the Check for Updates button.
    The update check may take a few minutes to complete.
  10. Step 10 Click the Scan Now button.
    Wait while the scan finishes. This can take about half an hour to complete.
  11. Step 11 Click the Quarantine button if anything is found.
    This will remove any malicious files that Malwarebytes has found, which should help prevent the black screen issue from appearing again.
    • If anything is found, reboot your computer and run the scan again after quarantining the items.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    When I sign on to my ISP, the screen goes black for a few seconds, then comes back on displaying my ISP's web page. What causes that?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    The black screen is simply a blank screen while the page loads. Run an anti-spyware scan on your system to ensure that there's nothing on your end slowing the connection.
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References

  1. ↑ https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/end-of-support
  2. ↑ https://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/681-startup-repair.html
  3. ↑ https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/windows-7-black-screen-when-booting-up/93a2c6e2-9418-4f45-b217-2a152fcce665

About This Article

Stan Kats
Reviewed by:
Stan Kats
Professional Technologist
This article was reviewed by Stan Kats and by wikiHow staff writer, Hannah Dillon. Stan Kats is a Professional Technologist and the COO and Chief Technologist for The STG IT Consulting Group in West Hollywood, California. Stan provides comprehensive technology solutions to businesses through managed IT services, and for individuals through his consumer service business, Stan's Tech Garage. Stan holds a BA in International Relations from The University of Southern California. He began his career working in the Fortune 500 IT world. Stan founded his companies to offer an enterprise-level of expertise for small businesses and individuals. This article has been viewed 174,730 times.
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Co-authors: 19
Updated: September 19, 2025
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Categories: Windows 7
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