Why does my screen keep going black when playing videos?

[Moe-007]

On my HP Spectre x360 convertible my screen keep going black when playing videos?

[Raj_05]

Hi @Moe-007,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

The black screen issue you're experiencing while playing videos on your HP Spectre x360 convertible could be caused by several factors. Here are some possible causes and troubleshooting steps.

Graphics Driver Issue

• Outdated or corrupted graphics drivers could cause video playback issues.
• Solution: Update your graphics drivers. You can do this by:
  • Going to Device Manager > Display Adapters, right-clicking on your graphics card, and selecting Update driver.
  • Alternatively, visit the HP website or the graphics card manufacturer's website (Intel, NVIDIA, AMD) to download the latest drivers for your system.

Power Settings

• Sometimes, the power settings on your laptop can cause the screen to go black during video playback to save energy.
• Solution: Go to Control Panel > Power Options and ensure you are not using a power-saving mode that could be dimming or turning off the screen during video playback. Set it to Balanced or High performance for optimal performance.

Hardware Acceleration

• Some video players or browsers use hardware acceleration to improve video playback, but this can sometimes cause issues with certain devices.
• Solution: Disable hardware acceleration in your browser or video player settings.
  • For Chrome: Go to Settings > Advanced > System and toggle off Use hardware acceleration when available.
  • For VLC or other media players, check the preferences to disable hardware acceleration.

Faulty Display Cable or Connection

• If there’s an issue with the display’s connection or cable, it could cause the screen to go black intermittently.
• Solution: Ensure the display is properly connected, especially if you are using any external monitors or docking stations.

Windows or Software Bugs

• Sometimes, software bugs or a Windows update can cause video playback issues.
• Solution: Make sure your system is fully updated by going to Settings > Windows Update. Check for any updates and install them.

Overheating

• Overheating can cause the system to shut off the display to prevent damage.
• Solution: Ensure your laptop is not overheating by checking for blocked vents and cleaning out any dust. You can also use a cooling pad to help manage heat.

[Raj_05]

Faulty Display Panel

• In rare cases, the display hardware itself may be failing.
• Solution: If the issue persists after trying all the above steps, consider contacting HP support to run diagnostics on the display panel or consider having it checked for hardware issues.

Background Apps and Processes

• Sometimes, background apps and processes can interfere with video playback, causing the screen to go black.
• Solution: Close unnecessary apps and check if the issue still occurs.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

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Alden4

HP Support 

[Devjoe-lara]

Your screen might be going black due to outdated graphics drivers, overheating, or a system power-saving setting. Update your display drivers, check for overheating, and ensure your power settings aren't dimming the screen during video playback. If the issue persists, test with a different video player or browser.