Dell XPS Screen Goes Black

Are you sick of your Dell XPS laptop screen suddenly going black? It is obvious.  This is one of the most common issues XPS users face. But you don’t need to panic. It is easily fixable. 

Most Dell XPS black screen problems are caused by software conflicts. The main issue appears in graphics drivers. Modern XPS laptops are based on Intel integrated graphics. Their incompatibilities with other drivers can create display communication errors. 

Our expertise in Dell devices and troubleshooting errors can help you fix the issue immediately. In this blog, we will provide practical solutions to resolve the Dell XPS screen going black, whether it happens during startup, regular use, or after waking from sleep mode.

Why Dell XPS Screen Goes Black 

There are several factors that can lead to a black screen on a Dell XPS laptop. It may be due to hardware, software, or connection issues. Here are some common reasons. 

Display or Hardware Issues 

Hardware and display issues are the main causes of the XPS black screen. 

Loose or faulty display cable

Physical hardware problems cause black screen issues on Dell. The internal display cables in laptops become loose over time. It happens in models that are frequently opened and closed. The issue also appears due to a connection between the motherboard and the screen that may be loose or damaged.

Improper power settings

The screen goes black due to Incorrect configurations. If the system is in sleep or hibernate modes, the screen remains black.

Power Management Problems

There is a sophisticated power management system in Dell XPS laptops. It helps to preserve battery life and manage heat. Sometimes these systems get disturbed and cut power to the display. It commonly happens when waking from sleep mode or hibernation. In this case, the system fails to properly restore power to all components.

Battery failure

The black screen on a Dell model can be caused by a failing battery or charger. It leads to insufficient power.

Software and Driver Conflicts

Outdated graphics drivers

The issue with graphics drivers is the main cause of a black screen in the Dell XPS. The driver may be Incompatible or corrupted. It can prevent the screen from displaying properly.

Windows or BIOS issues

If your screen goes black, there may be an issue with Windows. New Windows updates introduce new graphics protocols that may not be compatible with existing driver installations. leading to sudden screen blackouts.

Improper settings in BIOS and operating system, and other software glitches also cause black screens.

Malware or corrupted system files

Viruses or corrupted files may interfere with normal display functionality.

How to Fix the Dell XPS Black Screen

Adjust the Brightness

The black screen could appear because its brightness is turned down. You can adjust the brightness issue by following these steps.

• Press the Function key and the brightness increase key. It is typically Fn + F7 or Fn + F8, depending on your XPS model.
•  Hold the Function key and press the brightness key multiple times to increase the brightness. 

Restart Graphics Driver 

An issue with the graphics driver can cause a black screen. You can fix it with the keyboard shortcut. Windows has a built-in feature to restart your graphics drivers without rebooting. 

• Press Windows + Ctrl + Shift + B.
• Your screen will turn black with flickering for a moment.
• You will hear a beep sound. 
• Wait a few seconds for the process to complete

This simple keyboard shortcut can resolve many temporary driver problems. 

Perform a Hard Reset

A hard reset of your laptop can resolve a temporary issue by eliminating residual power:

• Power off your XPS laptop completely.
• Disconnect all external devices such as USB drives, monitors, and chargers.
• Remove the battery if removable.
• hold the power button for 30 seconds.
• Reconnect the battery and charger
• Power on the laptop.

Intel Graphics Driver Reinstallation

If you have a Graphics driver issue, you can download the latest Intel graphics drivers from Intel's website or Dell's support page. There, you can use your XPS service tag. 

Before installing new drivers, you need to uninstall the old graphics drivers in  Device Manager. 

• Right-click on your graphics adapter
• select ‘Uninstall device,’ 
• Check the box to delete driver software. 
• Restart your system
• Install the fresh drivers.

System-Level Solutions

Windows Update Management

You can look for Windows Update history to check recent installations that may have caused your black screen issues. By locating it, you can uninstall problematic updates.

• Go to Settings 
• Find Update & Security 
• Select View Update History
• Click Uninstall Updates.

Why Dell XPS 15 7590 Screen Blacks Out For No Reason

The screen of your Dell XPS 15 7590 may black out due to several issues, such as a hardware defect with the OLED display when powered off and on quickly. A software issue, a driver conflict, loose internal connections, a power supply problem, and physical damage can also cause a Dell black screen on different models. 

If your XPS 15 7590 has an OLED screen, a forced or quick shutdown followed by immediate power-on can cause the display to go black for a short period. The panel needs a few seconds for residual voltage to dissipate. 

If the screen remains black for no reason, try these troubleshooting processes. 

• Force restart your computer. Disconnect all external devices.  Press and hold the power button for 15-20 seconds to drain residual power.
• Reconnect only the AC adapter and try turning it on again. 
• Update the driver in Device Manager. 
• Press Windows Key + Ctrl + Shift + B to restart the video driver. This works in Windows 10, 11, and some older versions. 
• If your screen appears black but you hear sounds of the laptop booting up, it means there is an issue with brightness. Press Fn + F6 or Fn +f7 to adjust the Brightness. 

Dell XPS 13 9320 Screen Goes Black 

There is a common problem with the Dell XPS 13 9320 Screen display. It goes black when the screen is moved to 90 degree angle. It occurs due to a physical issue with the display cable or its connections to the motherboard. A faulty lid closure sensor can also cause this issue. 

To fix this issue, try these steps.

• Hard reset your computer
• Update graphics driver
• Update your system and BIOS 
• Check the display cable
• Replace the Lid sensor

XPS 13 Black Screen After Splash Screen

A black screen on a Dell XPS 13 after the splash screen is caused by software issues like driver conflicts, a failed Windows update, or a corrupted BIOS. the hardware problems, such as a loose display cable, faulty RAM, or an issue with the graphics card and display panel itself. 

For initial troubleshooting, perform an RTC reset 

• Turn off your computer.
• Connect the AC adapter
• Press and hold the power button for 30-35 seconds. The power LED will blink three times.
• Release the power button.
• The RTC reset is complete after the power button is released.

Dell XPS Screen Goes Black But Won't Turn On

If your Dell XPS goes black and won't turn on, there may be software or hardware issues. To troubleshoot this issue;

• Perform a Hard Reset
• Check Power and Accessories
• Test with an External Monitor
• Troubleshoot RAM 
• Check BIOS and Drivers

Dell XPS Black Screen With Cursor

If your Dell XPS shows a black screen with a cursor, it may be due to a software issue, a corrupted user profile, or system files. The hardware problems, like a faulty graphics card and loose connections, may also cause the issue. 

To resolve this issue, try these steps. 

Hard Reset

Press and hold the power button until the laptop shuts down, then press it again to turn it back on. 

Windows Key Shortcut

Press the Win+Ctrl+Shift+B keys simultaneously to restart the graphics driver. 

Restart Explorer.exe

If you see a black screen with a cursor, press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager. In the Processes tab, find and click on "Windows Explorer," then click "Restart". 

BIOS/UEFI Recovery

• Try holding F2 while powering on, even if the screen appears black.
• Try F12 for the boot menu even with a black screen
• Some XPS 13 models respond to Ctrl+Alt+Delete even at this stage

XPS 8300 Won't Boot, Black Screen With Blinking Cursor

A blinking cursor on a black screen for your Dell XPS 8300 shows that it can not find the operating system, or there is a hardware issue. 

• Copy all important files to another computer.
• Take your Dell XPS 8300 hard drive to your local computer repair shop.
• Get them to run repair software on the hard drive. Clone your drive to an SSD. Use this to boot up your Dell XPS 8300.
• Buy a new hard drive. Install it for storing data and for backup.
• Buy an adapter/caddy for the failing hard drive so you can access the files via a USB cable if you need to.  
• Do not rely on this drive as it is failing.