FIX: Toshiba Laptops Black Screen

A laptop powering up to a black screen can be indicative of a lot of things. This can happen all of a sudden with the laptop freezing and can be hard to diagnose. If you are getting beeping noises from the laptop (or are getting some signs of the PC booting up) then you can try the tips and tricks mentioned in this article that should definitely help you out.

Most of the time the issue is caused by the collection of electric charge within the laptop interior (We will discuss methods in detail for this below)  but some of the time, the reasons can be a lot more chronic like LCD or motherboard related issues.

The following methods will guide you throughout the process of fixing your laptop if it powers up but all you see is a black screen.

Method 1: Electric Discharge

In this method, we will be discharging the laptop completely and then turning it back on to see if we solve the problem:

1. Turn your computer off by long-pressing the start button.
2. Now remove the battery from the back of the computer. (If you don’t have a removable battery, please see method 2)
3. Once again long-press the start button for around 60 seconds.
4. Release the button now and plug the computer into a power source.
5. Press the start button again and you should now get the display back.
6. Turn the computer off and put the battery back in.
7. Turn the computer back on again.
8. If this doesn’t work for you the first time, try to repeat all the steps mentioned above for at least 4 times. If you get no results even after trying methods 3 and 4, try our method 5 to diagnose what the actual issue is.

Method 2: Electric Discharge for Laptops without Removable Batteries

If your laptop doesn’t have a removable battery, then you should try the following steps:

1. Press the power button to shut off your computer but don’t take your finger off the button even when the computer has completely turned off. Keep it placed there for another 60 seconds.
2. Now release the key and turn the computer back on after waiting for 10 seconds.
3. If this doesn’t work for you and method 3 and 4 don’t too, then try the method 5 to try to diagnose the actual issue.

Method 3: Shift + F8 Power

This is another method that has worked on specific models for some users.

1. Turn your laptop off by pressing the power button.
2. Remove the battery from the laptop and once again long-press the power button for around 60 seconds.
3. Now plug the battery back in and long-press the Shift, F8 and power keys together for another 60 seconds.

Method 4: Using the Power, Function (Fn) and F5 Keys

This is one last method you can try and see if the problem gets solved. The “power”, “fn” and “F5” key method could work especially if you have a Toshiba device. Try these steps:

1. Turn your laptop off.
2. Long press the power button for around 60 seconds.
3. Now press and keep a hold of the power, the function (fn) and the F5 keys for a maximum of 60 seconds.
4. Repeat step 3 at least 3-4 times before stopping.
5. If this method didn’t work for you either then you can try the last method where we discuss diagnosing the issue for more chronic cases.

Method 5: Diagnose the Issue

If none of the above methods work for you, then the problem can possibly be a little more severe. You will either have you to troubleshoot your laptop yourself or take it in for service. Try these steps for some basic diagnosing of the issue:

1. Get your hands on an external monitor (You can purchase one or lend one if you don’t own any) and connect it to your laptop.
2. Power your laptop on and if you see the display, then either your LCD is at fault or the cables that connect with it are malfunctioning.
3. If you don’t see any display then the problem is most probably with your memory or the motherboard in general. At this stage, you will have to disassemble your laptop to further investigate. You can search a specific tutorial for your laptop’s model and follow it to
4. Check if your RAM is properly installed.
5. If the BIOS battery needs a replacement or not.

If you don’t feel confident in proceeding with the disassembly yourself then you can contact the support center for your manufacturer for expert help and guidance.