How to fix black screen after resuming from Sleep/Hibernate/Display power off for Windows 10/8/7

[KiwiHoshi]

I decided that I want to reply with another possible solution. Your "Turn off display after..." settings and "Go into Sleep after..." settings may be conflicting.

To fix: Search "Power & Sleep settings" in your Windows search bar. (I am using Win 10, by the way.) Under Power & Sleep, look at Screen. It should say, "When plugged in, turn off after..." Pay attention to whether it says 1 minute, 2 minutes, etc. Now, look at Sleep (just below it.) What does your "When plugged in, PC goes to sleep after..." say? If the time for both is the same, you will want to switch one of them. The Screen time will always need to be set at less time than Sleep. For whatever reason, they seem to conflict (at least, on my computer) if both are set to the same time. Example: Set "When plugged in, turn off after..." to 2 minutes; "When plugged in, PC goes to sleep after.." to "3 minutes.

If this doesn't work, Hybrid Sleep might help. How to set Hybrid Sleep: Search "Power & Sleep settings" in your Windows search bar. Under Power & Sleep, go to Related settings. It will say, "Additional power settings." Click that. A new window will open. Click "Choose when to turn off the display" on the left side. (You'll notice it will show the same settings that you have set on the other "Power & Sleep" window.) Click "Change advanced power settings." A new window will open called Power Options; it allows you to change all of the same settings as the other windows and a few additional options. Click the + sign next to Sleep. Click the + next to Allow Hybrid Sleep. If you hold your mouse over the text, it will explain to you what it does. You can activate it/turn it on for just Plugged in, just On battery, or for both. Click Apply to save your choice.

Why I am posting this solution: I came across this thread, while researching why my own screen was going black after being idle. I would press keys and move my mouse, but I wouldn't be able to return to my screen. It would stay black; therefore, I would have to shut down my computer.

I decided to troubleshoot. I made one change at a time, so that I might figure out what was going on. Initially, I thought my computer might be going into Sleep, but getting stuck. First, I took the suggestion above. I went into my Bios to see if there was any setting not allowing me to use keys or my mouse to get out of Sleep. I didn't find anything.

Second, I researched whether my screen was really going into sleep or if my display was just turning off. Further, I researched the different Windows power options and settings. I discovered it was actually just my display turning off. However with more troubleshooting, I learned that my power settings for my screen and my sleep options were conflicting.

I hope this helps you, and good luck!

On a side note: If you are having any other errors or problems (like a BSOD, unexpected shutdown, etc.), you can always check your Event Viewer to see logged errors and search about the error on the internet. (Right click on your Windows start icon and click "Event Viewer.") Event Viewer is something more advanced, so make sure you understand how to look at it. When having problems, I usually recommend using Windows Troubleshoot Settings (which you can find by searching Troubleshoot in the Windows search bar.) Choose which area you think might be affected (or do them all!) and try to let it troubleshoot/fix your problems. Most of the time, it can fix the problem since it's usually a problem that was created after a Windows update.