I've been experiencing random black screens on my PC while gaming, browsing, or even just idling and chatting with friends on Discord. I've tried updating and uninstalling drivers, going back to older versions, and reseating my GPU and RAM. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to check the CPU due to not having thermal paste. I'm at my wits' end after dealing with this for three days, even resorting to factory resets three times!
I used Windbg to analyze the issue, but I'm not very tech-savvy, so I'm reaching out for help. If anyone has advice on what I should be looking for or what else I might try, that would be great! I'm happy to share screenshots or any additional details if needed. Here are my specs:
- Intel Core i5-11400F
- B560 DS3H AC-Y1
- 32 GB DDR4 @ 3200 (currently shows 2400 in BIOS)
- EVGA SuperNOVA 750 GT, 80 Plus Gold 750W
- Kingston SNVS500Gb (Main Boot Drive)
- Fanning S101 1Tb (Secondary, for games)
- Windows 11 Home 64
3 Answers
If your CPU is loose, it can cause all sorts of problems, but it shouldn't directly lead to black screens. I'm currently installing drivers for an old GTX 1050 to see if it helps. I did notice some errors related to the PCI Express root port in the event viewer right before the crash.
A CPU thermal issue wouldn’t typically cause black screens. I’d start by checking your video card drivers and the GPU itself. Also, take a look at the cable connecting your monitor. It's worth ensuring your monitor's refresh rate and resolution settings are correct too. If you can, try using a different monitor or plug your PC into a TV to see if the issue persists.
I’ve already reinstalled my video card drivers, but I’m not sure how to check if the GPU is the problem. I used an HDMI cable and still encountered the same issue. My display runs at 1920x1080p and 144Hz, so I’ll try connecting to a TV later today and check if it crashes again. Also, should I update to the latest Windows 11 version (25H2)? It’s really random; sometimes it runs for hours before failing.
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