My computer monitor going black while I’m playing my favorite video game can be an annoying experience. The good news is that there are some simple fixes that can help you get back to gaming quickly. There are several possible reasons why your gaming monitor could be going black, and understanding why this is occurring is the first step to resolving the issue and getting back to your game.
Hardware Malfunction
The most common cause of gaming monitors going black is a hardware malfunction. This could be caused by a faulty graphics card, a loose connection in the graphics card, or a malfunctioning monitor. If the monitor is faulty, you may need to consider replacing the model with a new one. If the issue is with a connection or the graphics card, you’ll need to check to ensure all connections are firmly in place and that there isn’t a system issue.
Software Issues
It’s possible that there could be a software issue causing your monitor to go black as well. The graphics card needs to be able to work properly with the game that you’re playing in order for it to display properly. If the incorrect driver is installed or the graphics card is underperforming, this could cause the display to go black. You should ensure that you have the most up-to-date graphics driver installed and that your graphics card is functioning properly.
Turning Off V-Sync
V-Sync is a graphics setting that prevents the monitor from being able to display a frame rate that is higher than the refresh rate of the monitor. Too high of a refresh rate can lead to the display going black. So if your monitor has a refresh rate of 60 Hz, then setting V-Sync to only show frames that are 60 Hz or lower can help reduce the issue.
Installing Updates
In some cases, updating both your graphics card driver and the game you are playing can help reduce the issue. Ensuring you are running the most recent version of both optimizes the performance and can help reduce any potential issues with monitor blackouts.
Reducing Display Resolution
If none of the above steps work, then reducing the display resolution of the game you are playing can also help reduce the issue of the monitor going black. This can be done by adjusting the settings in the game menu. By reducing the resolution, the frame rate should drop, which can help reduce the likelihood of your monitor going black.
Lowering Graphics Settings
If the issue persists, then you may need to consider adjusting the game’s graphics settings to lower ones. This may involve changing the quality of the textures, reducing the number of objects on screen, and tweaking other settings. Lowering the graphics settings in the game won’t have a significant effect on the look of the game, but it could help reduce the prevalence of the monitor going black.
Overclocking
Overclocking the graphics card can be a potential solution, but should be done with caution. Doing so can lead to increased GPU performance, but it can also cause a system to crash or cause the monitor to go black. If you choose to overclock your GPU, you shoulde ensure that you are doing so safely and be prepared to reduce the settings if the monitor goes black.
Heat Considerations
Heat can also be a factor in causing your monitor to go black. If the graphics card is overheating then it needs time to cool down and get back to a functional temperature. When the graphics card starts to overheat, the monitor will often go blank in order to prevent it from being damaged further. If you find that this is occurring due to the temperature of the GPU, you should consider adding additional cooling to the system to help reduce temperatures.
Upgrading Your System
Finally, if your system is outdated and your graphics card is old or underpowered then it won’t be able to properly power the monitor and will often lead to display issues. If this is the case then you may need to upgrade your current system and replace the graphics card with a newer, more powerful model.
Troubleshooting
Before attempting any hardware or software changes, it can be beneficial to start with simple troubleshooting. You should check that the power cables are correctly inserted, check the display settings of the monitor and make sure that the graphics card is correctly seated within the system. Doing this can help determine if the issue is with the system or something else.
Assuming Monitor Settings Are Correct
In some cases, if the monitor settings are incorrect then it is possible that this could cause issues with the display. You should make sure that the monitor is set to the native resolution of the display, the correct refresh rate is set, and that other settings like brightness and contrast are adjusted correctly. This will ensure that the monitor is displaying the image to its fullest capabilities.
Graphics Card Drivers
It’s also possible that the graphics card has not been updated with the most recent drivers, which can cause issues with the monitor. To ensure that the GPU is functioning correctly and that the display will stay on, it’s important to make sure the up-to-date software is installed. This should be done periodically in order to maintain optimal graphics performance.
Cleaning Out the System
In some cases, the accumulation of dust in the system could cause the graphics card to overheat and cause the monitor to go black. This can occur even if the cooling system inside the computer is functioning properly. You should regularly open up the system and clean out the dust in order to maintain optimal system performance.
