sometimes my pc will go to black screen when idle for a couple minutes on the login screen

Hi Andrew. I'm Greg, an installation specialist, 10 years awarded Windows MVP, and Volunteer Moderator, here to help you.

1) Update your drivers and BIOS/UEFI firmware from PC or motherboard maker's Support Downloads web page, using the full model number, Serial Number or Dell Service Tag on sticker. Compare the latest drivers available for download with the ones presently installed in Device Manager reached by right clicking the Start button. Make sure you have the latest BIOS or UEFI firmware, Chipset, Display (Video), Sound, USB3, Bluetooth, Network and all other drivers, or else download and install the latest now.

Updating drivers from the Device Manager or Windows Update is rarely enough. The most basic thing we need to learn to maintain a PC is keep the latest manufacturer's drivers installed from their Support Downloads web page.

2) Go over this checklist to make sure the install is set up correctly, optimized for best performance, and any needed repairs get done: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

Start with Step 4 to turn off Startup freeloaders which can conflict and cause issues, then Step 7 to check for infection the most thorough way, then step 10 to check for damaged System Files, and also Step 16 to test a new Local Admin account. Then if necessary continue with the other steps to go over your install most thoroughly.

3) If nothing else works then do a Repair Install, by installing Media Creation Tool, open tool and choose to Upgrade Now. This reinstalls Windows while keeping files, programs and most settings in place, is the most stable method to advance to the latest version, and solves most problems. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m...

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But remember that in Windows 10 everything depends upon the quality of the install, and Factory or Upgrade installs are inferior installs which most enthusiasts won't even run because they'd expect endless issues. Consider now or later doing the Clean Install in this link which compiles the best possible install that will stay that way as long as you stick with the tools and methods given: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

There is also an automated Fresh Start that reinstalls WIndows while shedding corrupting factory bloatware, saves your files, but doesn't clear the drive to get it cleanest: https://www.howtogeek.com/265054/how-to-easily-...

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. If you'll wait to rate whether my post helped you, I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

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Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

Hey Greg, thanks for the fast reply. I recently reinstalled windows 10 competely. My other install was messed up and i couldnt update anymore or connect to anything such as my printer. I built my computer so there is no bloatware. So i shouldnt need to reinstall, would there be anything else that would help? 

Hi Andrew:

Did the problem with the black screen begin after the reinstall?

Did you follow the steps in the Clean Install tutorial to delete all partitions off the drive first before reinstalling which is what makes it "Clean?" Did you follow the steps for drivers that are so important they are printed in red? http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

Go over the other steps I gave to make sure it's set up correctly, has the latest manufacturer's drivers, and find and fix problems.

Back in the morning.

Yes i did all of those things. This problem was happening before the reinstall. And all of my drivers are up to date. 

Did it happen before or after the BIOS update? Try resetting the BIOS to default, after checking the settings in UEFI Setup for UEFI, Legacy/CSM, Secure and Fast Boot, SATA controller setting (should be AHCI) and Boot Priority order - should be Windows Boot Manager for UEFI install or Windows HDD for Legacy/CSM.

Well it seems as though im going to have to reinstall windows. I accidentally turned on amd raid in my bios and didnt realize it and i killed my windows install. So i guess we’ll see if it fixes the problem. 

Andrew -

Did you try changing the SATA controller setting back to where it was - which in Windows 10 optimally is AHCI? 

If that doesn't help and you can't get it started, then Set the SATA controller to AHCI in BIOS Setup, enable UEFI, disable CSM/Legacy BIOS, boot the media as a UEFI device, during a Custom install delete all partitions down to Unallocated Space, then choose the space and click Next to let it auto-create and format partitions and begin install.  

Follow the gold standard Clean Install in this link which compiles the best possible Install of Windows which will stay that way as long as you stick with the tools and methods given, has zero reported problems, and is better than any amount of money could buy:  http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki/windows_10-windows_install/clean-reinstall-windows-10-upgradefactory-oem/1c426bdf-79b1-4d42-be93-17378d93e587

        

Ok well i had a brain dead moment. I didnt realize that my boot order changed and i fixed it by changing back to my ssd and i was able to boot to windows just fine. I believe the main problem has to do with windows specifically. I get the bios pop up screen but then i get a black screen when trying to boot to windows. This time there was no log in screen. It immediately brought me to a black screen. Again, turning off the pc, then turning it on fixed it. But im sure it will happen again. It seems to happen once every 48 hours. 

Andrew, I notice you mentioned that you fixed boot order by changing it back to SSD first. But for a UEFI install the Windows Boot manager normally needs to be set first to boot at all times. Do you have a UEFI BIOS? If so did you set it to UEFI enabled, boot the media as a UEFI device, delete all partitions down to Unallocated Space to reset formatting if it's not GPT for UEFI? This is important because if you've installed to Legacy on a UEFI install, it disables all of the modern Security improvements that UEFI brings.

What are the settings in UEFI/BIOS Setup for UEFI, CSM/Legacy BIOS, Secure and Fast Boot, SATA controller, and Boot Priority order now?

I believe i have everything set to legacy. It wouldnt let me install windows on my ssd as a uefi version because there was “mbr files already on it” so when i originally had to reinstall windows, i installed it as legacy. My motherboard bios is also set in legacy.