Black Screen instead of Graphics Menu on booting.


cereberus

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Windows 11 Pro + Win11 Canary VM.
I like to have a graphics boot menu, with minimum of host PC and Macrium Reflect boot entry but my new laptop does not display them, just a blank black screen.

I do not like the older text style menu as that only appears in low resolution.

After a lot of sh@gging around, I finally found a partial work around. If I turn on hibernation, the graphics boot menu display shows when starting from a shutdown (not hibernation state).

I never really used hibernation before but found new laptop starts from a hibernated state in around 5 seconds. Sleep is almost instantaneous (<1 second) but uses some minimal power).

There is obviously some bios bug here as, annoyingly, this only started when I updated to latest bios!

I am not using Insider versions on new laptop as native boot. I continue to user older laptop for that.

@Bree, you had some experience with black boot screens (iirc) - did you ever sort it (if not try setting hibernation on?)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro + Win11 Canary VM.
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS Zenbook 14
    CPU
    I9 13th gen i9-13900H 2.60 GHZ
    Motherboard
    Yep, Laptop has one.
    Memory
    16 GB soldered
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated Intel Iris XE
    Sound Card
    Realtek built in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    laptop OLED screen
    Screen Resolution
    2880x1800 touchscreen
    Hard Drives
    1 TB NVME SSD (only weakness is only one slot)
    PSU
    Internal + 65W thunderbolt USB4 charger
    Case
    Yep, got one
    Cooling
    Stella Artois (UK pint cans - 568 ml) - extra cost.
    Keyboard
    Built in UK keybd
    Mouse
    Bluetooth , wireless dongled, wired
    Internet Speed
    900 mbs (ethernet), wifi 6 typical 350-450 mb/s both up and down
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    TPM 2.0, 2xUSB4 thunderbolt, 1xUsb3 (usb a), 1xUsb-c, hdmi out, 3.5 mm audio out/in combo, ASUS backlit trackpad (inc. switchable number pad)

    Macrium Reflect Home V8
    Office 365 Family (6 users each 1TB onedrive space)
    Hyper-V (a vm runs almost as fast as my older laptop)
Turing off Fast Start may help. Also what are your settings under System > Advance system settings > Startup and Recovery | Settings > Time to display list of operating systems? I think the default is 30 seconds but I set mine to 10. I have Hibernation disabled on every system I run except for my Laptop. But the laptop is only Win10 since it's older now.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7/10/11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    I'm a computer enthusiast so have quite a few systems that I run. More like an advanced hobby.
@Bree, you had some experience with black boot screens (iirc)
The problems I had (and still have) are quite different from yours and probably not relevant. For all the Insider 24H2 builds, if it is set as the default OS then the boot menu is corrupted (pink, and shrunk to half width). My workaround is to set any 23H2 build as default.

Out of all my machines with 24H2 builds it only happens on one, ironically the only one that's a supported device.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire 3 A315-23-R9VY
    CPU
    AMD Athlon Silver 3050U
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon Graphics
    Monitor(s) Displays
    laptop screen
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768 native resolution, up to 2560x1440 with Radeon Virtual Super Resolution
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung EVO 870 SSD (from April 2026: 250GB EVO 850)
    Internet Speed
    150 Mbps
    Browser
    Edge, Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    fully 'Windows 11 ready' laptop. Windows 10 C: partition migrated from my old unsupported 'main machine' then upgraded to 11. A test migration ran Insider builds for 2 months. When 11 was released on 5th October 2021 it was re-imaged back to 10 and was offered the upgrade in Windows Update on 20th October. Windows Update offered the 22H2 Feature Update on 20th September 2022. It got the 23H2 Feature Update on 4th November 2023 through Windows Update, 24H2 on 3rd October 2024 through Windows Update by setting the Target Release Version for 24H2, and 25H2 on 30th September 2025 through Windows Update by setting the Target Release Version for 25H2.

    UPDATE - 11 April 2026: due to mechanical deterioration this PC has been retired from active duty. The OS with all software and files has been migrated to my System Seven below to carry on as my general purpose 'main machine'.

    My SYSTEM THREE is a Dell Latitude 5410, i7-10610U, 32GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro.

    My SYSTEM FOUR is a 2-in-1 convertible Lenovo Yoga 11e 20DA, Celeron N2930, 8GB RAM, 256GB ssd. Unsupported device: currently running Win10 Pro, plus Win11 Pro RTM and Insider Dev, Beta, and RP 24H2 as native boot vhdx.

    My SYSTEM FIVE is a Dell Latitude 3190 2-in-1, Pentium Silver N5030, 8GB RAM, 1TB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro, plus Insider Beta, Dev, and Canary builds (and a few others) as a native boot .vhdx.

    My SYSTEM SIX is a Dell Latitude 5550, Core Ultra 7 165H, 64GB RAM, 1TB NVMe SSD, supported device, Windows 11 Pro 24H2, Hyper-V host machine. Updated to 25H2 on 30th September 2025.

    My SYSTEM SEVEN is a Lenovo Thinkpad T580, Intel Core i7-8650U, 16GB RAM, 512GB NVMe SSD + 2nd 512GB NVMe SSD, a supported device for Windows 11. This is my current general purpose 'main machine'. The installed Windows 11 Home from my System One has been migrated to this machine.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Latitude E4310
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ i5-520M
    Motherboard
    0T6M8G
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics card(s)
    (integrated graphics) Intel HD Graphics
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    500GB Crucial MX500 SSD
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    unsupported machine: Legacy bios, MBR, TPM 1.2, upgraded from W10 to W11 using W10/W11 hybrid install media workaround. In-place upgrade to 22H2 using ISO and a workaround. Feature Update to 23H2 by manually installing the Enablement Package. In-place upgrade to 24H2 using hybrid 23H2/24H2 install media. Upgraded to 25H2 by Enablement Package. Also running Insider Dev, and Canary builds and Windows 10 as native boot .vhdx.

    My SYSTEM THREE is a Dell Latitude 5410, i7-10610U, 32GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro.

    My SYSTEM FOUR is a 2-in-1 convertible Lenovo Yoga 11e 20DA, Celeron N2930, 8GB RAM, 256GB ssd. Unsupported device: currently running Win10 Pro, plus Win11 Pro RTM and Insider Dev, Beta, and RP 24H2 as native boot vhdx.

    My SYSTEM FIVE is a Dell Latitude 3190 2-in-1, Pentium Silver N5030, 8GB RAM, 1TB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro, plus Insider Beta, Dev, and Canary builds (and a few others) as a native boot .vhdx.

    My SYSTEM SIX is a Dell Latitude 5550, Core Ultra 7 165H, 64GB RAM, 1TB NVMe SSD, supported device, Windows 11 Pro 24H2, Hyper-V host machine. Updated to 25H2 on 30th September 2025.

    My SYSTEM SEVEN is a Lenovo Thinkpad T580, Intel Core i7-8650U, 16GB RAM, 512GB NVMe SSD + 2nd 512GB NVMe SSD, a supported device for Windows 11. This is my current general purpose 'main machine'. The installed Windows 11 Home from my System One has been migrated to this machine.
Hey @cereberus Just thinkin' out loud here but do you think it has something to do with the great, wonderful, new, improved, better than sex, answer to all the world's problems...modern standby?
Since you say wake from sleep is instantaneous that tells the laptop is not using sleep at all. I'll bet a dollar to a donut that last bios update changed something in the way the mobo addresses modern standby.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8655
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    2x1tb Solidigm m.2 nvme /External drives 512gb Samsung m.2 sata+2tb Kingston m2.nvme
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    #1 Edge #2 Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26200.8457
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Beelink Mini PC SER5
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 6800U
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics card(s)
    integrated
    Sound Card
    integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Crucial nvme
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    still too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    System 3 is non compliant Dell 9020 i7-4770/24gb ram Win11 PRO 26200.8457

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    25H2 10.0.26200 26200.8655
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Beelink SER8 Mini
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS
    Motherboard
    AZW SER8 AMD Promontory/Bixby FCH
    Memory
    DDR5-5600 / PC5-44800 DDR5 SDRAM SO-DIMM32G
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon 780M
    Sound Card
    AMD Zen - Audio Processor - HD Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 LG HDR 32"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Crucial NVMe
    2TB Crucial NVME
    WD 1TB SSD SATA to USB3
    1 Seagate BUP Slim 2TB SATA to USB3
    1 Seagate BUP Slim 4TB SATA to USB3
    Samsung SSD 1TB SATA to USB3
    Samsung 500G SATA to USB3
    500G Crucial SSD to USB3
    PSU
    Beelink Proprietary
    Case
    Beelink Proprietary
    Cooling
    Beelink Proprietary
    Keyboard
    Logitech Backlit USB
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Internet Speed
    T-Mobile 5G 500 T-Mobile Home Internet -Asus ZenWifi AX Mesh
    Browser
    Edge, Firefox, Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Security 1.451.235.0 version created 6-2-2026
    Other Info
    Macrium X Build 10.0.8843
    Minitool Pro Ultimate 13.6
    REVO Pro 5.5.0.0 Portable
    JAM Treesize 9.7.2.2203 Perpetual Outdated.
    JAM Ultrasearch Pro 4.9.1.1204 Perpetual Outdated.
    Malwarebytes Pro 5.5.7.255 Update 1.0.110434 Component 157.0.5633
    Screenpresso Pro 2.2.12.3 beta (.Net 4.8) 2026-5-026
    Hamrick Vue Scan Pro 9.8.51.13
    Visio 2021 Pro 2021 MSO (Version 2605 Build 16.0.20026.20076) 64-bit
    Droid Transfer-Android 26.2.26.0
    Thunderbird 151.0.1
    em Client 10.4.5326
    Affinity Suite 3.2.1
    Microsoft 365 MSO (Version 2605 Build 16.0.20026.20076) 64-bit
    Adobe Creative cloud Version 6911 Apps 6.9.0.618 CCLibrary 4.16.2 (Photo subscription)
    HXD Hex Editor Version 2.5.0.0
    DAW Software Reaper-Izotope Plugins
    TGRMN Software ViceVersa Pro Build 6015 and VVEngine 3 Build 3000
    ISOBuster Pro 5.8.0.0
    Microsoft Visio Pro 2021 Version 2605 Build 16.0.20026.20076
    Many Other free and paid applications
    WYSIWYG Web Builder 21.07
    Filezilla 3.70.5
    Putty .83 and Putty Gen .83
    System Informer 4.0.26144.416 Stable
    O&O Regedit Version12 Build 2172
    WINRAR 7.22
    Lockhunter 3.4.3.146. x64
    Advanced IP Scanner 2.5.1
    Epson Eco Tank Printers and Epson Scanners.
    Bluestacks for Ring Cameras
    PEAK DCA Transistor Graphical USB Interface for Viewing Transistor Operational Curves. Win 10 Version and has functioneded on Win11 perfectly. Version 1.1.1963.
    Games - Card Games -Microsoft FSX "Pro Gold Flight Sim with add ons. Still works perfectly.
    Still run a few older onese successfully on win11 as well with no graphic issue.
  • Operating System
    Win11 Pro OEM 25H2 OS Build 26200.7019
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Beelink
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS
    Motherboard
    AMD
    Memory
    DDR5 32G
    Graphics card(s)
    Beelink SER7
    Sound Card
    Beelink SER7
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell
    Screen Resolution
    Native
    Hard Drives
    1TB Crucial NVMe SSD 2G SATA
    PSU
    Beelink Proprietary
    Case
    Beelink Proprietary
    Cooling
    Beelink Proprietary
    Keyboard
    gaming keyboard
    Mouse
    MS
    Internet Speed
    T-Mobile 5G
    Antivirus
    Defender Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    Microsoft 365 Family Office
    Macrium X Subscription1 Version 10
    Mini-Tool Ultimate 13.0 Lifetime
    Malwarebytes Premium w/VPN 5
    Revo Pro Portable Pro 5
    Roboform 9.7.7.
    Others. (All legit)
Turing off Fast Start may help. Also what are your settings under System > Advance system settings > Startup and Recovery | Settings > Time to display list of operating systems? I think the default is 30 seconds but I set mine to 10. I have Hibernation disabled on every system I run except for my Laptop. But the laptop is only Win10 since it's older now.
Nope - the opposite. With hibernation and fast start off, I get the problem. With them on it works fine.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro + Win11 Canary VM.
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS Zenbook 14
    CPU
    I9 13th gen i9-13900H 2.60 GHZ
    Motherboard
    Yep, Laptop has one.
    Memory
    16 GB soldered
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated Intel Iris XE
    Sound Card
    Realtek built in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    laptop OLED screen
    Screen Resolution
    2880x1800 touchscreen
    Hard Drives
    1 TB NVME SSD (only weakness is only one slot)
    PSU
    Internal + 65W thunderbolt USB4 charger
    Case
    Yep, got one
    Cooling
    Stella Artois (UK pint cans - 568 ml) - extra cost.
    Keyboard
    Built in UK keybd
    Mouse
    Bluetooth , wireless dongled, wired
    Internet Speed
    900 mbs (ethernet), wifi 6 typical 350-450 mb/s both up and down
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    TPM 2.0, 2xUSB4 thunderbolt, 1xUsb3 (usb a), 1xUsb-c, hdmi out, 3.5 mm audio out/in combo, ASUS backlit trackpad (inc. switchable number pad)

    Macrium Reflect Home V8
    Office 365 Family (6 users each 1TB onedrive space)
    Hyper-V (a vm runs almost as fast as my older laptop)
Hey @cereberus Just thinkin' out loud here but do you think it has something to do with the great, wonderful, new, improved, better than sex, answer to all the world's problems...modern standby?
Since you say wake from sleep is instantaneous that tells the laptop is not using sleep at all. I'll bet a dollar to a donut that last bios update changed something in the way the mobo addresses modern standby.
Using sleep ok - just fast on my laptop (nvme, i9 ,16GB).

Been double checking - Fast Startup on - graphical boot menu, off - blank screen.

I do not think this is a modern standby issue.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro + Win11 Canary VM.
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS Zenbook 14
    CPU
    I9 13th gen i9-13900H 2.60 GHZ
    Motherboard
    Yep, Laptop has one.
    Memory
    16 GB soldered
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated Intel Iris XE
    Sound Card
    Realtek built in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    laptop OLED screen
    Screen Resolution
    2880x1800 touchscreen
    Hard Drives
    1 TB NVME SSD (only weakness is only one slot)
    PSU
    Internal + 65W thunderbolt USB4 charger
    Case
    Yep, got one
    Cooling
    Stella Artois (UK pint cans - 568 ml) - extra cost.
    Keyboard
    Built in UK keybd
    Mouse
    Bluetooth , wireless dongled, wired
    Internet Speed
    900 mbs (ethernet), wifi 6 typical 350-450 mb/s both up and down
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    TPM 2.0, 2xUSB4 thunderbolt, 1xUsb3 (usb a), 1xUsb-c, hdmi out, 3.5 mm audio out/in combo, ASUS backlit trackpad (inc. switchable number pad)

    Macrium Reflect Home V8
    Office 365 Family (6 users each 1TB onedrive space)
    Hyper-V (a vm runs almost as fast as my older laptop)
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