Monitor turns off and on while displaying dark images

[JeverPilsener]

Hello,

my monitor (Samsung Syncmaster P2770FH, a couple of years old) keeps turning off, the screen goes black for only a second or two, then it turns on again by itself. This happens most frequently when the displayed image is predominantly dark, particularly when playing games or watching movies in full screen mode (for example scenes at nighttime or dark menu screens), but from time to time it also occurs on well lit images or even while browsing the web. I noticed in games it happens less often, the more I turn up the gamma setting (from 2-3 second intervals up to ~30 seconds). With a browser or video editing program it might happen only once in a few hours.

I'm not sure if this is necessarily a hardware or maybe a software problem. If anybody could rule out one or the other for me, I would be very grateful!

This is what my google search has surfaced so far:
A suggestion to turn off DynamicContrast in the monitor setup - But I had never turned it on!
A problem with the power supply - But why would it then occur more often with darker images?
Windows energy options - Everything's turned off
Something being wrong with the backlight, although I couldnt figure out if this applied to my specific problem...

My monitor settings are:
1920x1080 60Hz
MagicBright: Custom
Response Time: Fastest
HDMI Black Level: Low
MagicColor: Off
Color Tone: Custom
Color Effect: Off
Gamma: Mode 1
Auto Source: Off
PC/AV: PC

My PC specs:
Intel Core i7-2600 3.4Ghz
16 GB Ram
Gigabyte G1 Gaming Geforce GTX 980
Gigabyte H67A-UD3H motherboard
Corsair 650W power supply

My apologies for any misspellings or incorrect wording, as English is not my first language.

Thanks in advance!

 

[xanxaz]

Use it in another device/computer to check if it's the monitor. If it is, the power supply might be getting old/damaged and when it tries to transition from a low power state(black image/stationary) to a high power state it restarts. Also check if the monitor is connected to an UPS or a Surge Protection or Master/slave power strip. Try setting the brightness at the minimum to see if it goes away

 

[JeverPilsener]

Use it in another device/computer to check if it's the monitor. If it is, the power supply might be getting old/damaged and when it tries to transition from a low power state(black image/stationary) to a high power state it restarts. Also check if the monitor is connected to an UPS or a Surge Protection or Master/slave power strip. Try setting the brightness at the minimum to see if it goes away

Thank you for your advice! Here are my test results:
- Used monitor with laptop: same issue, it's the monitor
- Monitor blacks out repeatedly even on static dark screens such as game menus
- Plugged the monitor into its own power socket: same issue although a bit less frequent
- Setting the monitor brightness to zero didn't seem to make a difference

So I guess it has something to do with the power supply, do you think this is repairable? Would a new power brick do the trick or will I have to replace the monitor? Thanks!

 

[xanxaz]

does it have an external power supply? Probably is an internal problem, if you know any electronics repair shop take it there to check power supply before you get a new one. dont take it to a computer shop. It's repairable but the question is how much the shop will charge for it. i would get a new 24" FHD monitor for 120-140 dollars if they want more than 50-70 for repair

 

[xanxaz]

THe most common failure is the power inverter for lcd light or the light it self. Price depends on monitor. But if the car has no gas it will not run so power brick then inverter

 

[ewok93]

They'll probably charge you at least $75 for repair, if that's the case, just go for a new one.