A black screen with a cursor after logging into Windows 11 indicates issues with display drivers, Explorer.exe, or other system processes. Unlike a complete black screen where the system is unresponsive, this issue still allows movement of the cursor, indicating that Windows is running but unable to properly display the graphical user interface (GUI). This issue prevents from accessing the desktop, files, and applications, and usually occurs for various reasons, such as driver failures, system corruption, or software conflicts. Most of the time, this issue can be fixed by trying to boot into Safe Mode, performing a system restore, or updating drivers. Here is how to fix Windows 11 black screen with cursor after login problem.
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Fix Windows 11 Black Screen with Cursor
A black screen with a cursor after Login windows, also known as the “black screen of death,” typically indicates a problem with graphics drivers, system files, or Windows updates. This issue can occur randomly after an update, a driver installation, or a system crash.
- Corrupt or Outdated Graphics Drivers – A faulty or incompatible display driver can prevent Windows from loading the desktop.
- Windows Explorer Not Running – If the explorer.exe process is not running, the desktop, taskbar, and icons will not be displayed.
- Fast Startup Issues – Fast Startup can cause conflicts by loading previous system states incorrectly.
- Corrupt User Profile – A damaged user profile can prevent Windows from properly loading personal settings.
- Malware or Virus Infection – Malicious software can disrupt system components and cause display errors.
- Misconfigured Display Settings – If Windows is set to an incorrect display mode, such as projecting to a non-existent screen, the desktop may not appear.
- Third-Party Software Conflicts – Some software applications, such as remote desktop programs or antivirus tools, can interfere with Windows loading properly.
Restart Your Computer
Sometimes, a simple restart can reload system components and fix temporary glitches.
- Press Ctrl + Alt + Del and select Restart from the power options.
- If you cannot access the restart option, hold the power button for a few seconds to force a shutdown, then turn your PC back on.
Restart Windows Explorer
Windows Explorer manages the desktop, taskbar, and file navigation. If for some reason, it stops running or responding, your screen will remain blank except for the cursor.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Locate Windows Explorer under the Processes tab.
- Right-click on it and select Restart.
- If Windows Explorer is not listed, click File > Run new task, type
explorer.exe, and press Enter.
Boot into Safe Mode
Safe Mode starts Windows with minimal drivers and services. If third-party software or drivers are causing the issue, Safe Mode allows you to troubleshoot without interference.
Restart your PC and press Shift + F8 or F8 repeatedly before Windows boots. If you cannot access Safe Mode this way:
- Turn on your PC and force shutdown (hold the power button) three times.
- Windows will enter Recovery Mode.
- Go to Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart.
- Press F4 to boot into Safe Mode, F5 to enable internet access on Safe Mode.
Once the computer starts in Safe Mode, try to update or uninstall problematic drivers to fix such problem.
Update or Reinstall Graphics Drivers
A corrupted or outdated graphics driver are most common reasons, that prevent Windows from displaying the desktop. Updating or reinstalling the driver ensures Windows is using a stable and compatible version.
- Press Win + X and select Device Manager.
- Expand Display Adapters and right-click your GPU (Intel, NVIDIA, or AMD).
- Select Update Driver and choose Search automatically for drivers.
- If updating doesn’t work, right-click and select Uninstall device, then restart your PC.
- Windows should automatically reinstall the graphics driver.
Also, you can visit the device manufacturer’s website to download and install the latest driver for your device.
Disable Fast Startup
Again Fast Startup can sometimes cause boot issues by loading incorrect system states. Disabling Fast Startup forces Windows to perform a clean boot instead of using cached startup data.
- Press Win + R, type
powercfg.cpl, and press Enter. - Click Choose what the power buttons do on the left panel.
- Click Change settings that are currently unavailable.
- Uncheck Turn on fast startup (recommended) and click Save changes.
- Restart your PC normally.
Run System File Checker (SFC) and DISM
Corrupt system files can prevent Windows from loading correctly. running built-in SFC and DISM command scans repair Windows system files and restore missing components.
- Boot into Safe Mode and open Command Prompt as Administrator.
- First run sfc /scannow command then DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
- SFC (System File Checker) scans and repairs corrupted or missing Windows system files, while DISM
/RestoreHealthrepairs the Windows image store - Let the scanning complete 100%, Restart your PC and check if the issue is resolved.
Perform a System Restore
If the black screen started after an update or software installation, Restoring Windows to a previous working state can undo recent changes that caused the issue.
- Boot into Advanced Startup Options.
- Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > System Restore.
- Select a restore point before the issue occurs and follow the on-screen instructions.
- Restart your PC after the restore is complete.
If all else fails, resetting or reinstalling Windows may be necessary. A reset removes all software conflicts and restores Windows to its factory state.
