Your external monitor will not turn on, or it turns on but stays black with no picture, menu, or No Signal message. If the monitor clearly shows No Signal, use a no-signal troubleshooting path instead.
Does This Affect You?
“Monitor not working” usually means either no power at all or power with a blank screen. The first branch checks wall power and cables; the second checks the monitor menu, video input, and internal display behavior.
No Power at All: No Light, Nothing
Start here if the power indicator never turns on.
- Confirm the power cable is seated firmly at the monitor and wall outlet.
- Try another outlet that works with another device.
- Check a power strip switch, reset button, or surge protector.
- If the monitor uses an external power brick, reseat both ends of the brick cable.
- Hold the monitor power button for a few seconds. Some models need a longer press from deep power states.
- Try another compatible power cable if you have one. Many monitors use standard IEC C13 cables.
Powers On but Screen Stays Black
Use these if the power light comes on but nothing appears.
- Reseat the video cable at the monitor and computer.
- Press the monitor Menu button. If the on-screen menu does not appear, the issue is likely inside the monitor rather than the PC signal.
- If the menu appears, select the correct input source.
- Check brightness and contrast in the monitor menu. Extremely low settings can imitate a black screen.
Reset the Monitor
A reset clears stuck monitor settings.
- If the on-screen menu opens, find Factory Reset, Reset All, or similar.
- If the menu does not open, unplug the monitor from power for 60 seconds, then plug it back in.
- Reconnect the video cable and test again.
Connect the monitor to another computer, laptop, or console. If it works elsewhere, the original computer, port, or cable is the issue. If it still shows nothing, the monitor likely has a hardware fault.
A monitor that was dropped, moved roughly, or exposed to a surge is more suspicious for hardware damage. Burning smell, discoloration near power, or clicking sounds are repair-or-replace signs. Do not open monitors at home; internal power boards can retain dangerous charge.
Sources
- Samsung Support – Monitor will not turn on troubleshooting (2025)
- LG Support – Monitor no power or blank screen (2025)
- Microsoft Support – Fix screen resolution and display issues in Windows (2025)