SOLVED: Black Screen with Cursor in Windows 10/11

Starting up your PC, seeing the login screen, and then suddenly facing a black screen with only the cursor can be a frustrating experience. No matter how many times you restart, the screen remains black, making it seem like your computer is stuck. Don’t worry—this is a common issue in both Windows 10 and 11, and we’re here to help you solve it.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to fix the black screen with a cursor problem, along with some extra methods to try if the first solution doesn’t work.

Key Takeaways

• Uninstalling the latest quality update can often resolve the black screen issue without affecting your files.
• Using the recovery environment and the command prompt are alternative methods to fix the problem.
• If all else fails, resetting your PC might be necessary.

Step 1: Access the Windows Recovery Screen

To start, you’ll need to access the Windows recovery screen. Here’s how:

1. Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete on your keyboard. This should bring up a few options.
2. In the bottom right corner, click on the power icon.
3. Hold down the left Shift key on your keyboard and then click on Restart.

Your computer will now restart and boot into the Windows recovery screen.

Step 2: Uninstall the Latest Quality Update

Once you’re in the recovery environment:

1. Click on Troubleshoot.
2. Next, select Advanced Options.
3. Choose Uninstall Updates.
4. You’ll see two options: Uninstall the latest feature update and Uninstall the latest quality update. Choose Uninstall Latest Quality Update.

You will be prompted with a message explaining that this won’t affect your files or apps. Click on Uninstall Quality Update and wait for it to complete. Once done, click on Continue to boot back into Windows.

Prevent Future Issues

After successfully booting into your desktop, consider pausing Windows updates temporarily. This can prevent the same issue from happening again while Microsoft resolves potential bugs. To do this, go to Windows Update and choose to pause updates for a specific time.

Alternative Methods if the First Solution Doesn’t Work

If uninstalling the latest quality update didn’t fix the issue, don’t worry. Here are a couple of other methods you can try.

Method 1: Use the Command Prompt

1. Boot into the recovery environment again (follow the steps from Step 1).
2. This time, select Command Prompt from the Advanced Options menu.
3. Type in the following command and press Enter:

SFC /Scannow

4. Wait for the command to finish running, then close the command prompt window.
5. Restart your PC.

Method 2: Perform a System Restore

1. In the recovery environment, select System Restore from the Advanced Options menu.
2. Choose a restore point that was created before the issue started happening.
3. Click on Finish to start the restoration process.
4. After the restore is completed, select Continue to boot into Windows.

Last Resort: Resetting Your PC

If none of the above methods worked, you might need to reset your PC. Resetting can fix the black screen issue, but it will remove all installed programs and reset your settings. However, you can choose to keep your files. If you need help with this process, check out the following guides:

• How to Reset Windows 10
• How to Reset Windows 11

Conclusion

Facing a black screen with a cursor in Windows 10 or 11 is frustrating, but it’s fixable with the right approach. Whether it’s uninstalling a problematic update or using the command prompt, the methods discussed here should help you get your system back up and running. Remember, if none of these solutions work, resetting your PC might be the only option left.

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FAQs

1. Why do I get a black screen with a cursor in Windows 10/11?

This issue is often caused by problematic Windows updates or corrupt system files. Occasionally, a misconfigured graphics driver can also lead to this problem.

2. Will I lose my files if I uninstall the latest quality update?

No, uninstalling the latest quality update will not affect your personal files or installed apps.

3. What should I do if the command prompt method doesn’t work?

If the command prompt method doesn’t fix the issue, try performing a system restore or consider resetting your PC as a last resort.

4. How can I prevent this issue from happening again?

Pausing Windows updates temporarily after resolving the issue can help prevent it from happening again until Microsoft releases a more stable update.

5. Is resetting my PC safe?

Yes, resetting your PC is safe, and you can choose the option to keep your personal files. However, it will remove all installed applications and reset system settings.