Question Screen randomly going black - - - - is it a monitor or video card problem ?

[sdhaku]

I'm having the issue of my screen going completely black at random times. What's interesting is if I minimize all windows the picture comes back up immediately. It seems like this will happen until enough time passes then it's usually okay. Almost like something had to warm up? Anyhow this alone may not be enough info but I'm curious does this sound like the monitor or possibly the video card? I have replaced the cable but I haven't messed with any other components.

 

[Deleted member 2731765]

Are you using a FRESH copy of Windows OS ? What about GPU drivers ? Tried a clean re-install ? Tried using a different Monitor cable as well ? When does the screen go black, during desktop/browsing idle mode, or while gaming and/or watching/streaming videos ?

Anyways, first off, kindly provide full PC specs, including the PSU's model number.

Complete system specs should ALWAYS be accompanied with any driver, hardware, or performance question. Do not post DXDiag reports as they contain a TON of useless information. Posting a DxDiag in place of a System Spec list tends to ward off potential members from helping you.

Please supply the following system details/information. No need to provide each and every detail though, only relevant to your issue at hand. This is just for reference:

(Complete System Specs)
-CPU make and model# (clock speed/voltage, type of cooler, and "Core" temperature @ idle and load)
-Motherboard make & model# (include Bios version if graphics card is not recognized or you are having stability issues)
-RAM (amount, clock speed, model#/link of kit, configuration)
-Graphics card(s) make and model# (clock speed, voltage if modified, Driver version and GPU temp both @ idle and load)
-Power supply make,model#, "AND" age (note if using 110V or 220V A/C input)
-HDD/SSD configuration (ie: Raid setup/ back up/ OS drive/etc..)
-Case/Chasis make,model# (fan make, model#, and configuration if having thermal issues)
-Operating System (If using Windows note Framework and service pack version)
-Monitor make, model#, and resolution (If model# is unknown list resolution and refresh rate)

*If the unit is a "laptop" or "All-in-one" system you must note the make and model# of the unit. Be sure you are ALWAYS using the OEM/manufacturer's driver updates for the unit.

*If "Crashing":
-Note the nature of the "crash" in detail, as there are several definitions for the word "crash".

*If "performance" related issue:
-Note the "exact" point in which the performance reduction occurred (ie: After Windows update, After Bios update, After Driver update, After thermal system shutdown, After Hardware change/upgrade etc...)

*For diagnostic purposes please disable the following:
-Any/all Antivirus/ Anti-malware software

 

[sdhaku]

Thanks! I know there's much more I could include here. I have a GeForce GTX 1050 Ti. After a lot of research of this random flickering problem that has driven me crazy for too long, I found a post on someone who advised "Setting maximum performance in nvidia control panel - under 3D settings options." I did this today and will keep my fingers crossed.

UPDATE: Nevermind that did not work.

 

[Avro Arrow]

Try using a different video card and see if it keeps doing it. If it does, it's the monitor, if it doesn't, it's the video card.

 

[sdhaku]

I think it's the monitor. What makes me come to this conclusion is when the screen goes black if I try to use the hardware buttons on the monitor for things like brightness, etc. they also do not display. It was a Hanns-G and it lasted a really longtime. I just decided to bite the bullet and get a replacement.

 

[sdhaku]

Opening this back up after about a year...

I ended up getting a new monitor but the problem did still occur but not as frequently. Also I recently changed from GeForce GTX 1050 Ti to a GeForce GTX 1060 6GB. It's only been in there for about a month but seems like an improvement (I heard the Ti cards often have problems).

Only one time so far have I gotten this message:
"Display driver stopped responding and has recovered.
Display driver NVDIA Windows, Kernal Mode Driver, Version 391.35 stopped responding and has successfully recovered."

Not sure if I ever mentioned it but I had a Radeon HD Sapphire in this machine for probably a decade and never had these kind of issues so not sure if it's more common with NVDIA cards.

 

[lava2]

may be your GPU is crashing. Try update your drivers. You may also pull GPU out and put it back in just to make sure it is seated properly