Random screen blackouts

[TenebraeOracle]

Hello everyone, I am in desperate need of help as I cannot seem to solve this issue and neither could my insurance's IT department. After recent Windows 10 updates, my laptop begins to black out for about 2 seconds then brings itself back. Nothing else crashes or stops working, it's just the screen blacking out.

I had updated intel graphics driver but winding it back or having it updated hasn't changed the outcome. Twice, this computer has had a clean install of Windows 10 with no improvement. It has been wiped and reset to its factory state twice with no change. I still have my screen randomly blacking out. I'm not even notified if the 'display driver has crashed' or anything similar. It blacks out for 2 seconds, brings itself back, and everything continues to resume as if nothing happened. This was never an issue before and I'm not entirely sure what has caused it. I think it's a Windows update but I could be wrong. Please help! 

HP Pavilion Notebook

Model: 15-au020wm

System type: 64 bit

Processor: Intel, i5-6200U CPU @ 2.30GHz 2.40 GHz

OS: Windows 10, version 1803

Build: 17134.191

BIOS: Insyde F.05, 4/20/2016

Antivirus: Panda Dome

Resolution: Recommended

[Jeet_singh]

@TenebraeOracle,

Thank you reaching out to us on HP Support Forums! I see from your post that you are having issues with the HP notebook. Don't worry we'll work together to help you find a solution.

To provide you with an accurate solution, I'll need a few more details:

Have you recently made any changes on the PC before the issue started?

Have you tried to boot the computer into the Bios stay for sometime and check if the issue persists? If the screen blackouts in the Bios, then it's a possible hardware failure.

Have you tried to update the device drivers?

In the meantime, let's try these steps here: Perform a Hard reset on the notebook

Many startup errors and other problems can be resolved by decreasing the amount of power stored in hardware components. Decreasing stored power is sometimes referred to as a "Hard Reset". Use the following steps to perform a hard reset on a computer:

1. If Windows is open, click Start and then Shutdown.

   If Windows is not open and the computer has power, press and hold the power button on the computer until the computer shuts off.

2. With the power off, disconnect the power cord from the back of the computer.

3. With the power off and the power cord disconnected, press the power button on the computer for 5 seconds. The power light indicator on or near the power button might turn on briefly but then go out.

4. Reconnect the power cord and turn on the power.

Boot the computer into the Bios screen and check if the screen blackouts.

1. Turn off your computer
2. Make sure you have connected the power cable
3. Turn on your notebook, as it is starting press the  F10 button repeatedly

Once you are in the BIOS, if the screen blackouts, it is likely a hardware failure. The next two steps may resolve the issue. The first one is to do a hard reset. I have included the document 'Performing a Hard Reset or Forced Reset'. The next and final step is to perform a BIOS update. I have included the information here for you 'Updating the BIOS' as well as updating the graphics card drivers from our HP Support website, using this link.

If the issue persists, I would suggest the next step would be to run a test an extensive test on the graphics card which is listed under Component test

You could also try to run an extensive test on the system. (Please capture the failure ID for further assistance).

If the issue persists, check this: I'm sending out a Private message with the information you need to get this sorted,

Please check your Private message icon on the upper right corner of your HP Forums profile 

Next, to your profile Name, you should see a little blue envelope, please click on it 

Keep me posted,

that said, If the information I've provided was helpful, 

give us some reinforcement by clicking the solution and kudos buttons, 

that'll help us and others see that we've got the answers!

Good Luck.

[TenebraeOracle]

Have you recently made any changes on the PC before the issue started? No

Have you tried to boot the computer into the Bios stay for sometime and check if the issue persists?  I know nothing about BIOS

Have you tried to update the device drivers? Yes. I thought it was the drivers so they were rolled back but didn't stop the issue. They were re-updated and it didn't solve the issue.

Hard reset didn't change anything.

This flickering/blacking out does not only occur on startup. This occurs when laptop is in use or idle. My images stagger with lines like its been cut through, the screen goes black, then comes back. Sometimes switching tabs also prompts the browser to go black.

I think I can update BIOS though? I have the one listed in my original post. It appears there is a BIOS update when I go to the HP site for my drivers updates. It seems new.

[Flower_Bud]

@TenebraeOracle

Thank you for responding,

It's great to have you back 😉

It looks like you were interacting with @Jeet_singh, but he is out for the day & I'll be glad to help you out,

I'm the Flower_Bud & I'm at your service.

Follow these steps to get to the BIOS page and check the functionality of the display, 

1. Turn off the computer and wait five seconds.
2. Press the Power button to start the computer and repeatedly press the F10 key to enter the BIOS setup menu.

Yes, you can update the BIOS on your notebook. 

Here is the link, you could refer to perform troubleshooting steps: https://support.hp.com/in-en/document/c03518165

Experiencing a black screen with a non-blinking cursor when starting the computer after updating Windows

Step 2: Connecting an external monitor to test the display​​​​​​​

Step 3: Recovering the notebook BIOS using a key press combination

Let me know how that pans out

I hope you have a good day ahead,

And Feel free to ask any other queries as well,

Considering, this forum has some of the best people in the world available and ready to help.

[TenebraeOracle]

So nothing helped with BIOS. It does it less frequently since being updated but still does it on occasion. Particularly when typing fast or switching tabs.

So what has been done?

Start up in BIOS, nothing. BIOS updated successfully, less frequent blackouts but still happens.

Drivers? Updated and/or rolled back. No changes.

Windows? Up to date.

Unfortunately, HP notebooks seem to fall apart just as they fall out of warranty. I have no hope as far as HP service goes. A different situation happened with my last HP notebook, of course, just as the warranty ended and HP was unable to help. 🙂

[Jeet_singh]

@TenebraeOracle

It's great to have you back and your patience is greatly appreciated.

I see you have exhausted all possible troubleshooting and nothing has helped to resolve this issue.

In this scenario,  I'm sending out a Private message with the information you need to get this sorted,

Please check your Private message icon on the upper right corner of your HP Forums profile 

Next, to your profile Name, you should see a little blue envelope, please click on it 

Keep me posted,

that said, If the information I've provided was helpful, 

give us some reinforcement by clicking the solution and kudos buttons, 

that'll help us and others see that we've got the answers!

Good Luck.