Solved Black screen after update

I apologize, I'm on my phone, and I'm not very savvy with it, I'm just to a computer, big screen and mouse.

I updated my Windows 11 23H2 PC last night, turned it on and the screen was black. I know I'm logged in to Windows, CTRL ALT DEL works, I'm at to open apps if I can find the exe. I wasn't able to get ms-settings: to open from Powershell.

If this has been solved, please link me to a post where I can follow along.

Thanks!

Have you checked your monitor? Turn it off and then back on. If you have another monitor, see if that one works.

Are you facing a black screen with only a cursor visible on your Windows computer? This video offers a detailed walkthrough of the troubleshooting methods you can employ to fix this common issue. We will explore several potential causes and provide step-by-step instructions to help you restore your screen functionality. Join me as i tackle this problem and get your system back to normal.

Jacee said:

Have you checked your monitor? Turn it off and then back on. If you have another monitor, see if that one works.

Click to expand...

I don't have another monitor, I'm actually in tech support at a library, but I've never seen this issue. Obviously, the cables weren't an issue, I'd see the POST, I'd see the initial welcome screen with my Username, and I would also see a popup from an app I'd installed to upgrade firmware for my SSDs. I hadn't used it yet, so that wasn't the culprit. Explorer basically wasn't coming up. The problem has been fixed now, I'll mention it after the next quoted text.

FreeBooter said:

Are you facing a black screen with only a cursor visible on your Windows computer? This video offers a detailed walkthrough of the troubleshooting methods you can employ to fix this common issue. We will explore several potential causes and provide step-by-step instructions to help you restore your screen functionality. Join me as i tackle this problem and get your system back to normal.

Click to expand...

The problem was the black screen with the cursor. I found a working solution for me, so far so good. About halfway through your video, I saw the solution to create a Standard/Local account. This logged in just fine, and I was able to see the Desktop and use my computer. After doing this, I was able to sign out and use my own account like normal.

I'll spare someone the trouble of having to watch the video if they want to just go straight to trying this solution.

Timestamp in video:
Create Local Account, Login, Logout, then try your account again.
WARNING: Be sure you know your Windows Login credentials if you normally automatically login!

1. Access the Task Manager (CTRL+SHIFT+ESC)
2. Run New Task (Option either in a menu like in your video or it's a button off to the right side)
3. Type: netplwiz
4. If Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer." is unchecked, then check it. Then, select Add...
5. Select Sign in without a Microsoft Account (Not recommended)
6. Click Local Account
7. Create a new user by filling out the options on the screen, then click Next, then Finish.
8. Go back to the User Accounts window, Select the User, then click Properties
9. Click the Group Membership tab, select Administrators, click Apply, then OK.
10. Press CTRL+ALT+DEL, then Sign Out.
11. Sign-in with your new Local user and wait until the Desktop appears (it may take several minutes)
12. Once the Desktop appears (it may take 15-20 minutes), logout, then log back in to your normal user.
13. If you now see your Desktop, you may now re-configure automatic login if necessary.

If you want to disable/remove your new local account, you may do so now.

Note that Windows took a lot longer to login for the first time for the new Local account than it normally would.

We are glad to hear your issue has been resolved, thank you for letting us know that all is now well!