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Bottom of the Laptop Screen is Black: 7 Ways to Fix it
It’s usually a hardware issue to blame
5 min. read
Updated onApril 2, 2024
updated onApril 2, 2024
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When the bottom of the laptop screen goes black, it’s usually a gradual process. First, there is a thin line or bar which will slowly expand, and after a while, you will find that half of the laptop screen is black.
Remember, a black screen in Windows is a common problem, and in most cases, it can be quickly fixed, given you are able to identify the underlying cause.
Why is the bottom of my screen black?
The issue, most often, appears due to a hardware malfunction or a failing display. Also, an outdated or corrupt graphics driver, incorrect display resolution or refresh rate, and problematic system files can cause the bottom of the laptop screen to go black but still run.
How do I fix the black screen at the bottom of my laptop?
Before we start with the slightly complex solutions, try these quick ones:
1. Change the display resolution and scale
Often, a misconfigured display resolution can cause the bottom of the laptop screen to go black. And getting theright display settings for Windowswill do the trick!
2. Reinstall the graphics driver
3. Update the graphics driver
Many users reported finding the bottom of the laptop screen black due to running an outdated or incompatible driver. And in this case,updating the graphics driverdid the trick! This also helps whenWindows shows a black screen after sleep.
If Windows can’t find a newer version, search the manufacturer’s website for it andinstall the latest driver manually.
4. Repair the corrupt system files
Torepair the corrupt system filesin Windows, the best option is to run theDISM commandsand SFC scan, as the two identify and replace all problematic files with their cached copy. Or, even better, you can usededicated repair softwareto proceed with this task automatically.
5. Lower the refresh rate
For a few users, lowering the refresh rate from 144 Hz to 60 Hz did the trick when there was a black bar at the bottom of the screen in Windows 11.
6. Perform an in-place upgrade
To eliminate all software-related issues causing a black bar at the bottom of the laptop screen, an in-place upgrade will help. It’s the same asreinstalling Windows, but you can’t lose the stored files.
7. Get the display checked/replaced
If nothing else works, it’s likely an issue with the screen. Over time, the screen may have dead pixels, but on a new laptop, it’s usually a manufacturing defect unless damaged by the user.
The best option in this case is to contact the manufacturer or take the laptop to a local repair shop. They will take a look and identify whether the screen can be repaired or the entire display has to be replaced.
Nevertheless, this should fix things if you find the bottom of the laptop screen black. Also, if you have an external display connected, learn how tofind the monitor specs and nameand seamlessly fix similar issues in the future.
Before you leave, discover somequick tips to improve your PC’s speedand get the best performance!
For any queries or to share what worked for you, drop a comment below.
More about the topics:Black screen issues,laptop screen
Kazim Ali Alvi
Windows Hardware Expert
Kazim has always been fond of technology, be it scrolling through the settings on his iPhone, Android device, or Windows PC. He’s specialized in hardware devices, always ready to remove a screw or two to find out the real cause of a problem.
Long-time Windows user, Kazim is ready to provide a solution for your every software & hardware error on Windows 11, Windows 10 and any previous iteration. He’s also one of our experts in Networking & Security.
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Kazim Ali Alvi
Windows Hardware Expert
Kazim is specialized in hardware devices, always ready to remove a screw or two to find out the real cause of a problem.
Reviewed byAlex Serban
