Some background information. PC has been running great, was having an issue with a game freezing so I was going to uninstall my current gpu driver and install an older version (as that is a suggested fix from multiple sources.) I’ve never installed old drivers before so I was following a YouTube video to make sure it was done correctly. Per the video, it states to restart in safe mode. So I win+r and ran msconfig then changed the boot settings to boot into safe mode and restarted the pc.
The pc will power on but my monitor does not detect any input. I have tried different hdmi cables, a different monitor and nothing.
I’ve never had to go into the bios or boot in safe mode before so unsure what could have happened. Any info or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
As soon as you powerup start tapping the F12 key and see if she will start in the pre-boot menu. If so, undo whatever you did from the YouTube advisor. Do you have nVidia or AMD graphics card?
Yeah, getting into Safe-Mode is tricky now-days (I think due to SecureBoot). The only time I've used it in many years, was to just see if it still worked or was even possible.
AFAIK, it is not needed to allow a "clean install" of video drivers.
Not sure about recent AMD drivers, but I know Nvidia driver-packages have a box to click during initial screens that does a full/clean/perfect-resetting install of the drivers.
I had this issue too, wanted to share what ended up fixing it for me, in case it helps someone else!! :)
I also had those black screens and thought that it was an unstable new driver, and so I also followed the advice online to first go into safe mode, with the plan to then run DDU and install an older, more stable driver. Only to then not have any monitor output at all when in safe mode!! Turns out the issue was not actually my GPU or unstable drivers… it was my monitor setup since switching to a standing/adjustable desk.
I had my monitors connected through a USB docking hub (via a single USB cable into the front of the PC), instead of directly connecting my monitors into my NVIDIA RTX 2060 SUPER, in the specific ports at the back of my Alienware Aurora. This type of setup uses software-based display (e.g., DisplayLink), not direct GPU output.
This caused multiple problems:
- System freezes under load (especially in my case during video animation/editing)
- Black screen + “no signal” for a few seconds, then recovery
- Complete black screen when attempting Safe Mode (because USB display drivers don’t load there)
When I tried to boot into Safe Mode, I lost all video output entirely, which made it seem like a major hardware failure.
Fix:
I connected my monitors directly to the GPU (HDMI/DisplayPort), bypassing the USB hub.
After that:
- Display worked again (including boot/BIOS)
- I was able to exit Safe Mode normally
- System stability has significantly improved
Takeaway:
If you're using a USB display adapter/dock for your main monitors on a desktop, especially with GPU-heavy workloads, it can cause instability and misleading symptoms. Direct GPU connection is much more reliable.
Theupsidesx
1 Rookie
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2 Posts
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August 1st, 2022 15:00
The pc will power on but my monitor does not detect any input. I have tried different hdmi cables, a different monitor and nothing.
I’ve never had to go into the bios or boot in safe mode before so unsure what could have happened. Any info or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Vanadiel
6 Professor
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7.1K Posts
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August 1st, 2022 17:00
Is this an original OEM video card, or aftermarket?
ProfessorW00d
4 Operator
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2.4K Posts
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August 1st, 2022 17:00
As soon as you powerup start tapping the F12 key and see if she will start in the pre-boot menu. If so, undo whatever you did from the YouTube advisor. Do you have nVidia or AMD graphics card?
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
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17.4K Posts
0
August 2nd, 2022 12:00
Yeah, getting into Safe-Mode is tricky now-days (I think due to SecureBoot). The only time I've used it in many years, was to just see if it still worked or was even possible.
AFAIK, it is not needed to allow a "clean install" of video drivers.
Not sure about recent AMD drivers, but I know Nvidia driver-packages have a box to click during initial screens that does a full/clean/perfect-resetting install of the drivers.
ProfessorW00d
4 Operator
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2.4K Posts
0
August 2nd, 2022 13:00
but this video was on YouTube . . . how could it be wrong??
steadler
2 Intern
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210 Posts
0
August 2nd, 2022 13:00
try : Ctrl+window key+ shift+B keys. if the rest is working ,it could reset your video driver depending win version
Vanadiel
6 Professor
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7.1K Posts
0
August 2nd, 2022 13:00
HollyID
1 Rookie
•
3 Posts
0
April 1st, 2026 13:34
Hi there! Exact same scenario, did you ever find a solution?
HollyID
1 Rookie
•
3 Posts
0
April 1st, 2026 18:36
I had this issue too, wanted to share what ended up fixing it for me, in case it helps someone else!! :)
I also had those black screens and thought that it was an unstable new driver, and so I also followed the advice online to first go into safe mode, with the plan to then run DDU and install an older, more stable driver. Only to then not have any monitor output at all when in safe mode!! Turns out the issue was not actually my GPU or unstable drivers… it was my monitor setup since switching to a standing/adjustable desk.
I had my monitors connected through a USB docking hub (via a single USB cable into the front of the PC), instead of directly connecting my monitors into my NVIDIA RTX 2060 SUPER, in the specific ports at the back of my Alienware Aurora. This type of setup uses software-based display (e.g., DisplayLink), not direct GPU output.
This caused multiple problems:
- System freezes under load (especially in my case during video animation/editing)
- Black screen + “no signal” for a few seconds, then recovery
- Complete black screen when attempting Safe Mode (because USB display drivers don’t load there)
When I tried to boot into Safe Mode, I lost all video output entirely, which made it seem like a major hardware failure.
Fix:
I connected my monitors directly to the GPU (HDMI/DisplayPort), bypassing the USB hub.
After that:
- Display worked again (including boot/BIOS)
- I was able to exit Safe Mode normally
- System stability has significantly improved
Takeaway:
If you're using a USB display adapter/dock for your main monitors on a desktop, especially with GPU-heavy workloads, it can cause instability and misleading symptoms. Direct GPU connection is much more reliable.
Good luck!