Display screen goes black with rainbow lines

[Garbiecat]

The hp chrome-book  opened to mostly black screen, with white and an area of rainbow lines.
we unplugged it, shut it on and off then restarted it multiple times.

. The buttons are not  responsive. No damage happened as it has been sitting on a desk away from the window and not plugged in.

It just randomly did this when opened with no previous issues

what can I do? Please advise.

[Nal_NR]

Hi @Garbiecat,

Welcome to the HP Support Community. 

I'd be happy to help you! 

I understand that you are having issues with your HP Chromebook.

A mostly black screen with white and rainbow lines on your HP Chromebook suggests a possible hardware issue with the display or internal connections. Here are some steps you can follow to diagnose and potentially resolve the problem:

1. Hard Reset the Chromebook

1. Turn off the Chromebook completely.
2. Press and hold the Refresh key (circular arrow) and tap the Power button.
3. Release both keys when the Chromebook starts up.

2. Check External Monitor

• Connect your Chromebook to an external monitor using an HDMI cable.
  • If the external monitor displays correctly, the issue is likely with the Chromebook's internal display or its connections.
  • If the external monitor shows the same issue, it could indicate a deeper hardware problem.

3. Inspect for Loose or Damaged Cables

• If you are comfortable opening your Chromebook, you can check the internal connections:
  1. Power off the Chromebook and unplug it.
  2. Remove the back panel (usually requires a small Phillips screwdriver).
  3. Carefully check the display cable connection to the motherboard. Ensure it's securely connected.
  4. Look for any visible damage to the cable or connectors.

4. Perform a Powerwash (Factory Reset)

If the display works intermittently and you can access settings:

1. Press Esc + Refresh + Power to restart the Chromebook in Recovery Mode.
2. Follow the on-screen instructions to reset the Chromebook.
   • Note: This will erase all local data, so ensure you have backups of any important information stored locally.

5. Check for Software Issues in Recovery Mode

1. Press Esc + Refresh + Power to enter Recovery Mode.
2. If the display works in Recovery Mode, there might be a software issue. Follow the on-screen instructions to restore the operating system.

If the above steps do not resolve the issue, it may be a hardware failure that requires repair. Contact HP phone support.

Hope this helps! Keep me posted for further assistance

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