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Black Screen of Death

This is the third time this Surface Pro 3 has been hit with the Black Screen. Each time right after a update. So I went through all the listed procedures with and without keyboard, including power button combinations, Win+Ctl+Shift+B, even the shift+F8 without any luck. The charger is working, and the battery appears to be good. When forced on, the screen dimly illuminates with and without charger. I left it on for four hours and it maintained the same dim illumination. It hasn't been dropped or thrown so I don't think there's any Hardware damage. That leaves Software! Now this is not a new problem for MS, it's been around for awhile and by many Surface users, and, I haven't even heard of a Fix for it. Thanks to my grandson I no longer have a Recovery Drive but I let him live, Grandma just forgot to mention he took it. What are the chances of downloading and installing Win 10 for the Surface Pro 3. It would be cheaper then the $600.00.

[Moved from: Surface / Surface Pro 3 / Display and screen]

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> I no longer have a Recovery Drive
 
 
different Windows computer if yours is not working properly)  and download a
recovery image for your Surface. You will need a 16GB USB stick formatted FAT32.
Unzip/extract the recovery zip to the formatted USB stick and then-
 
To reset your Surface from a USB recovery drive:
Step 1:    Make sure your Surface is turned off and plugged in (hold down the power
button for 30 seconds).
Step 2:     Insert the USB recovery drive into the USB port on your Surface.
Step 3:    Press and hold the volume-down button while you press and release the
power button on your Surface.
Step 4:     When the Surface logo appears, release the volume button.
Step 5:    When prompted, select the language and keyboard layout you want.
Step 6:     Select Troubleshoot > Reset your PC.
    If prompted for a recovery key, select Skip this drive at the bottom of
the screen.
Step 7:     Select the target operating system you wish to reset. This
refers to the current operating system installed on your Surface.
Step 8:    Select Yes, repartition the drives, and on the next page, select Next.
Step 9:     Choose Just remove my files.
Step 10:    Select Reset.
    Surface restarts and the Surface logo displays while the reset process
continues (this can take a while).
 
 
Barb - Windows and Devices for IT MVP
*Please click Yes below if your problem is resolved. This may help others with the same issue.*

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Black Screen. Each time right after a update. 

If your speakers are working see if Narrator can guide you through your darkness.  Win+Ctrl+Enter.

BTW "screen dimly illuminates" makes me think that you could be looking at a secondary screen for an Extended Display configuration.  Then to get out of that scenario you could try pressing Win+P, Home, Enter (for PC Screen Only).  Were you using the tablet with an attached monitor?

Good luck

Robert Aldwinckle

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Hello Barb,

Didn't go as expected, but I know I still have a screen. I did as you instructed, down loading resulted with Surface 3 BMR 70_7.154.0.zip.. First attempts I had the Keyboard attached, the Surface Logo never appeared. I then detached the Keyboard, went through the same steps, Surface Logo appeared and then this screen-

The very bottom of this screen reads: "Version 2.17.1246 Copyright (c) 2015 Megatrends, INC"

Not knowing if this was internal programming or from the jump drive- Recovery Drive, I left it alone. I have photos of the subtask. The "Device Information" listed the correct serial number for my Surface. Leaving well enough alone I decided to get back with you first. All help is appreciated, Tom Mallon

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Hello Robert,

I wasn't using a external monitor, but I tried your procedures any way with no results. Screen remained the same. 

I just read a article where Avast was suspect for the Black Screen. I only use Windows Defender alone.  Just more info.

Thank you,

Tom Mallon

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Select Exit and see what happens. See if it continues to boot from the USB stick
and you can proceed.
 
Barb - Windows and Devices for IT MVP
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Hi Barb,

Nothing at all except the original "dim" screen. So I know I have a screen, battery, charger working, and the internal electronics/hardware appears to be working. There were no other Security Programs then Win Defender (no Avast). The extracted Recovery file is the only item on the jump drive (USB).  So something is not kicking in. I don't know what the Start Up sequence was, but what if? C: , SD, USB?

Bear with me,

Tom Mallon

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Please confirm this is a 16GB USB stick formatted FAT32.
 
>The extracted Recovery file is the only item on the jump drive (USB).  So something is not kicking in.
 
Barb - Windows and Devices for IT MVP
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Correct, FAT32, 58.4G, No File errors and only the extracted Recovery files on the disk.

Tom Mallon

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16GB is what you need.
 
>Correct, FAT32, 58.4G
 
Barb - Windows and Devices for IT MVP
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Hi Barb, Are you saying I should be using a smaller 16G drive?

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Last updated July 7, 2023 Views 7,600 Applies to: