Upgrading to a high-end graphics card is quite common, especially among gamers. This hardware upgrade enhances your gaming experience through competitive graphic performance on your PC. However, a handful of users have reported dead or black screens just after installing a new video card or while testing it for the first time.
What can be the reason for a black screen just after you install a new video card? Well, lots of factors can contribute to a black screen, and you might be looking for quick solutions.
This guide will help you to get rid of the black screen just after upgrading to a new video card. Let’s start with the most common causes behind the issue.
Reasons behind a Black Screen Right after Installing a New Video Card
Power insufficiency, loose connections, and incorrect BIOS settings are a few leading causes of a black PC screen after incorporating a new video card. Here are all the reasons:
- Poor Power Supply Connection
The GPU unit needs to receive enough power to work. Otherwise, it won’t turn on, and your PC screen will remain black. Inspect whether the computer’s power supply unit is powerful enough to fuel the video card. Compare both units’ wattage requirements for a solution.
- Loose Cable Connections
You need to detach the old video card from your PC and reattach the new one to your computer. Reconnecting the new GPU to the computer might result in loose cables and wirings.
If any of the connections get loose, then the screen won’t display anything but a black screen. So, check the HDMI, AV, or VGA cables and power supply connections to find the reason.
- Dust Accumulation over Connections
Build-ups of dust, dirt, and debris might start accumulating on your PC’s hardware parts. If they are not cleaned thoroughly, then the build-up can interrupt the electric signal flow. Look out for dust, debris, and grime on your PC hardware setup.
- Defective GPU or Wrong GPU Slot
You might have purchased a brand-new video card. However, the video card might carry manufacturing defects. On the other hand, it can be a faulty GPU if you have borrowed it from your friend. Hence, check the video card’s status by testing it on another PC.
Besides, it can be a broken GPU slot on which you try to install the card. The best video card will refuse to work efficiently if the slot is worn out.
- Incorrect Video Card Placement
Similarly, a video card won’t work properly if you have placed it incorrectly. It’s better to detach the video card and go through the user manual once again to place it properly in its dedicated slot.
- Outdated Drivers
Installing a new video card is not enough for enhanced gaming performance. Your PC screen can still remain blank or dark if the new driver comes with outdated versions. It requires updated installation for a top-notch experience.
- Motherboard Problems
Understand your computer’s motherboard, as it can contain different configurations for specific models. Usually, motherboards have PCI slots for x4, x8, x16, and x32 variants. The number denotes the line quantity in that slot.
Take care of this and the PCI slot configuration of the graphics card while installing the new card. In addition, be very careful and delicate when you are handling the PC’s motherboard.
- Improper BIOS Configuration
Activate the new graphics card through your PC’s BIOS settings. Otherwise, you will experience a blank screen and nothing else. Your computer’s BIOS settings might not identify the new graphics card if the BIOS remains outdated.
- Wrong Screen Resolution
Users have reported that low screen resolution can result in a similar situation. If the new graphics card comes with installed drivers, then adjusting the screen resolution might ease the condition.
How can You Fix the Black Screen just after Installing a New Graphics Card?
As you have seen, multiple reasons can lead to a dark screen right after you finish installing a new video card. Go through the mentioned solutions below to recover your computer’s display:
- Dust Every Internal Connection
A deep clean might be all you need to overcome the issue. Open up your PC’s case and dust all the connections. Be sincere and careful while cleaning sensitive components of your PC. For effective cleaning, use a can of compressed air. Make sure to tighten every connection.
- Inspect the Power Supply Unit
Hopefully, you had noted the new video card’s power requirements before purchasing it. It’s important to compare the card’s power demand with the PC’s power supply wattage. If there’s a huge difference between these two, then you have to consider another GPU that suits the power rating of your machine.
- Seat the GPU Properly
Try this solution if the black screen persists. Perhaps, you have placed it in the wrong slot of the motherboard. And, that’s why your PC screen remains blank. Check out if the GPU’s fan runs when you power on the system.
If it doesn’t, change the GPU’s slot after turning off the PC. Then, turn on the computer again and check if the GPU’s fan starts moving. Keep changing the slot and your video card’s placement carefully until the fan begins working.
- Install Another New Video Card
Make sure that the current video card is not faulty by trying another video card. Check if the operating system detects the graphics card. To check whether the slot is working, connect a monitor to the same slot using a VGA or HDMI cable. Try this with a monitor that has an onboard video card.
- Modify BIOS Settings
The Basic Input/ Output System or BIOS is the startup hardware of any computer. If you don’t configure BIOS settings properly, then booting, identifying, and controlling hardware can be problematic.
Try to resolve BIOS settings issues if you still can see a black screen on your PC. Here’s what you need to do:
- Power on your computer and access its BIOS settings. You need to restart the device and press F10, F8, F12, or Esc according to the manufacturing brand. It’s better to go through the exact steps specified on your computer manufacturer’s website regarding accessing BIOS.
- Navigate to the BIOS settings and find out whether the settings are right or wrong according to the number of monitors.
- Additionally, you need to enable the IGPU monitor or a similar monitor. Make sure to disable other monitors if you use only one.
- Next, look out for PCI-E and PCI settings and set them as needed.
If this doesn’t help you, try updating your PC’s BIOS settings.
- Install or Update the Drivers
Most operating systems tend to install or update all the required drivers automatically. However, you might have to install or update those drivers manually sometimes.
Here’s what you need to follow to check driver status and get necessary updates:
- Navigate to Device Manager and click on Display Adapters to expand it.
- Right-click on the driver that you want to update.
- Click the Driver Details option to find out if it’s up-to-date. If it’s not, then right-click the driver again and select the Update Driver option.
- Go for the Automatic Search option and go through the on-screen instructions.
- Reset BIOS Manually
Are you still stuck on the black screen after installing a new video card? Well, resetting the BIOS component physically might help you. Here’s what you have to follow:
- Turn off the computer and hold down its power button. This will drain all the power out of the computer.
- Remove the power plug. Now, open your computer chassis to access its motherboard.
- Locate the CMOS Reset button with the help of your PC’s user guide. Press the CMOS reset button.
- If there’s no CMOS reset button, find a 3-pin jumper near the battery. Level the jumper to a precise position, such as CLEAR, CLEAR CMOS, and CLR PWD/CMOS.
- Try swapping the jumper through different positions. Change its position from 1-2, and then 2-3 stance.
- Let it be there for 5 minutes or so. Then, return it to its initial position.
- Assemble your computer, power it on, and check if the display works.
If this doesn’t work, try to remove the CMOS battery carefully and then place it back in its place. Make sure that you repeat the entire process while removing the battery.
Wrapping up…
What might be the cause of a black screen right after you install a new video card, still now? Try adjusting the screen resolution. Otherwise, go for an expert suggestion if the issue persists. The professional can tell you what’s wrong with the new video card, the OS, or the PC hardware.
