It is normal to activate the sleep mode option when the device is inactive. In this case, the monitor screen goes out, and the computer or laptop itself goes into hibernation mode . The functionality of the device provides for this possibility, providing energy savings, and the time interval is set in the energy saving settings.
But if we are not talking about turning off the screen while the computer is idle, but about periodic shutdowns of the monitor for no apparent reason, then we can already talk about a malfunction that should be eliminated by finding out what triggered the problem.
Such spontaneous shutdowns can occur at different times, for example, during a game, when watching a video or working with programs, when using scrolling on a laptop, etc., and only the display is turned off, while the computer itself continues to work, which can be determined by sounds. which he publishes. At the same time, the problem may be accompanied by the noise of the video card, the monitor may turn on after restarting the device and turn off again after a while, or it may display a message stating that there is no signal. There can be several reasons for this behavior of the equipment. Let’s consider the most common sources of the problem and ways to solve it.
Monitor problem
One of the most common reasons why the monitor suddenly turns off is a malfunction of the information output device itself. In this case, the problem can manifest itself in different ways, for example, the monitor goes out and makes various sounds, first blinks, after which it turns off, lights up and goes out, etc.
Self-diagnosis will not always help to identify the cause, but before you go to the service, you should try to perform some steps:
- If the monitor has overheated, you can tell immediately by touching it. When the device is hot, it should be provided with a cool condition. The electrolytic capacitors of the power supply may also burn out in the monitor (this is not an uncommon problem for LCD monitors).
- By turning off the computer and starting it again, you can observe the behavior of the monitor. If at the start it lights up and immediately goes out, a possible cause of the malfunction is the backlight lamps (in LCD monitors). As for LED backlighting, it is more durable and more economical; now monitor manufacturers have switched to it. The lack of backlighting may be due to CCFL lamps or LED strips, but if they are not lit at all, the picture will be so dim that you cannot see anything on the monitor. To see that the image is still transmitted, although it is not highlighted, it will be possible only under a stream of light. If so, there may also be a problem with the voltage inverter.
- You can connect the monitor to another computer in order to clarify the picture and exclude or confirm the guess that it is a malfunction of the output device. And when, when the cable is disconnected from the system unit, the inscription “no signal” does not appear, this already indicates that the problem is in the monitor and it is time for service, if you are not a specialist. In this regard, it is easier with a desktop computer monitor, unlike a laptop.
Bad contacts (wires, connectors, adapters)
Another common reason that the monitor turns off spontaneously during computer operation is poor contact with the device cable connecting it to the system unit. The reason may also be a cable malfunction, damage, etc. You can check if the problem is a bad connection by following these steps:
- We check the contact of the monitor cable with the video card and make sure that the cord is inserted tightly and all the way. If we are talking about DVI, we twist it well to ensure a reliable connection.
- We inspect the cable for damage and kinks.
- Trying to connect the cable to a different port (if available). If the connectors are different, you can use adapters.
- Provided that an adapter is used to ensure the connection, we try to replace it. Perhaps this is it.
- We connect using another working cable.
- In the case of a laptop, there may be problems with the contact connectors that connect the display to the device case. Sometimes the issue is solved by cleaning the contacts, which will require disassembling the device.
Malfunction of the video card
In the case when the monitor turns on, displaying a picture, and goes out after 1 second, you can also suspect the video card. It is her tasks that are processing and displaying images on the screen. A malfunctioning video adapter leads to various problems, including a situation in which the monitor turns on for 2 seconds and turns off. To find out if the lack of image supply to the screen is connected with the video card, you can connect another device to the system unit to transmit the image (if there is no second monitor, a TV will do as well). If the picture is displayed on the screen, then you can not suspect a component malfunction. Specialized software is also used to check the video card. You can test the device using the AIDA64 utility .
Another reason that the monitor turns on and off after 1-2 seconds may be equipment incompatibility . For example, you have a new screen and an old video card or vice versa. In the process of upgrading your computer, be sure to consider these points. To solve the problem in this case, you will need to replace the hardware or monitor so that the components can work together.
Overheating of the video card
Often, a malfunction of the video adapter, which manifests itself in interruptions in the supply of the image, is caused by overheating. Typically, the problem occurs when working with resource-intensive programs or games, while the fan noise may also be observed and the longer the computer continues to work, the more often the monitor screen goes blank. You can check the temperature of the video card using specialized software. If the indicators exceed the permissible limits or are close to that (for different devices, the maximum temperature may differ depending on the manufacturer and model, but in general t ° above 80 ° C is already an alarming sign), then measures should be taken to cool the equipment.
To lower the temperature, you can do the following:
- If overclocking takes place, you should return the video card to its original settings. When planning for overclocking in the future, you need to make sure that the device remains within safe temperature limits after the procedure.
- We clean the fan and radiator. Dust becomes a frequent culprit in reducing their performance, which over time can literally be lined with carpets inside the system unit.
- Changing the thermal paste. The thermal paste between the GPU and the heatsink dries up and cracks after a while, losing its properties and requiring replacement. To do this, you need to remove the fan and radiator, remove the remnants of the spent thermal paste and apply a new one.
- We change the faulty fan or install a more efficient cooling system. If the element is out of order or does not do its job well, it is better to replace it.
Errors in software operation
In some cases, the monitor turns off, and the system unit works at startup, while playing or watching video content. These situations are often associated with software glitches. To solve the problem, we perform the following actions:
- We update the video card drivers manually using Windows or using special software.
- We update the DirectX libraries (we take the software on the official Microsoft website).
- We update or install codecs (for example, K-Lite Codec Pack).
Power problems
The reason why the screen goes blank while the computer is running may also be incorrect power settings. To set the correct parameters, do the following:
- We go to the “Control Panel” – “Power supply” or in the context menu “Start” we find the item “Power management”.
- Here you can choose and configure the power supply scheme, the default will be “Balanced”.
- Click opposite the active scheme “Setting the power supply scheme”.
- See here what are the values set to turn off the display and immerse the device in “sleep mode”. If not satisfied, we change and save.
RAM malfunctions
Another common reason for the phenomenon when the monitor lights up and immediately goes out is the incorrect operation of the RAM. You can diagnose a RAM malfunction using Windows tools or using third-party software. The built-in system memory checker tool is invoked using Run (Win + R) and the mdsched command . To diagnose memory, you can use AIDA64 or check the bars with the Memtest86 utility (write the bootable USB flash drive with the program, set the boot priority from the USB drive in the “Boot” section in the BIOS and boot from the removable media to test the memory).
Even one faulty RAM module can cause the problem under consideration, despite the fact that there are several of them installed. So, if problems are found, you will need to replace the faulty RAM strips.
Incorrect BIOS setting
The monitor often goes out, while the computer is running, when using scrolling due to an incorrectly set parameter in the BIOS (relevant for laptops). Consider what to do in this case:
- We go to the BIOS (the methods differ on different devices, depending on the motherboard of the device).
- Once in the BIOS menu, we find here the option related to the touchpad mode (usually this is the Main – Touchpad section).
- Must be set to Basic mode. If not, change and save the setting.
In the event of a problem after updating the BIOS, it is better to roll back to the previous version, then the backup copy saves, which must be created before manipulating the low-level software. An outdated version can also cause a problem, and then, on the contrary, an update is required. Moreover, if the motherboard is still under warranty, you should not do it yourself. When updating the software, remember that it is important to have accurate information about the installed motherboard (you can clarify the data using special software).
The above methods quite effectively cope with sudden screen shutdowns in one case or another, so before going to the service, you can try to identify and fix the problem yourself. If all else fails, you will still need to resort to the help of specialists.
