How to Fix Black Screen Issue When Playing Videos on Windows 10

Eleanor Reed

Jan 15, 2024 • Filed to: Photo/Video/Audio Solutions • Proven solutions

You are watching your favorite movies on Windows 10, and then the screen goes black – all you can hear is the audio playing. This is a fault caused by recent updates to software, a poor hardware connection, and sometimes corrupt video. This article shows you some of the simple tools and methods you can use to fix the black screen video fault on your Windows 10 computer.

Part 1. Why Screen Goes Black When Playing Videos

There are times when Windows 10 completely refuses to play videos or suddenly stops playing when the video was partway through. The "Black screen when playing video on Windows 10" error may be due to two types of errors:

Video black screen occurs when the video files are corrupted.

• The files were stored on bad storage media, such as a corrupted SD card.
• The head section of the video is ruined.
• Viruses and malware could also change the structure of the video files.
• Editing video using untrustworthy video editors.

A computer black screen occurs when there is an issue with the computer or software and not the video file itself.

• The media player being used is not working properly.
• There is an issue with your Windows 10 OS.
• There could be hardware-related problems, such as having little RAM to play your videos because your computer memory is almost full.
• Malware attacks that change system files.

This article teaches how to fix the corrupted video and Windows 10 OS and Media Player errors.

Part 2. How to Solve File Black Screen When Playing Videos

There are several ways in which you can repair corrupted video files. These methods include both free and premium tools.

Method 1: Use Wondershare Repairit Video Repair

Wondershare Repairit Video Repair is a powerful, easy-to-use video repair tool that restores corrupted and damaged video files. The tool helps in repairing jerky, blurry videos in a wide range of formats. In three simple steps, you can repair the videos and enjoy watching them once more.

Some of the powerful features of the tool include:

• You can repair several different video formats, including MP4, MOV, M4V, FLV, AVI, amongst many others.
• You can repair videos stored on various external devices such as digital cameras, flash disks, mobile devices, and more.
• You can fix videos of any size or length.
• Full HD and 4K videos can also be repaired with ease.

A step-by-step guide to repairing videos using Wondershare Repairit Video Repair

The tool has basic and advanced modes, which you use to repair both simple and critical errors in your videos. The process involves three simple steps as laid out below:

Step 1. Add corrupted video

Launch Wondershare Repairit Video Repair and then add the video on the home screen. You may load corrupted videos in two ways:

• Click on the area marked "Add video and start repairing."
• Click on the "Add" button.

You can add a wide range of video formats, including MOV, M4V, MP4, MKV, M2TS, 3GP, FLV, and AVI. You may also add multiple formats at the same time.

Step 2. Repair corrupted videos

Once you have loaded the corrupted video(s), click on the "Repair" button to proceed. Once the repair is complete, a pop-up window will tell you to save and preview the video. Click "OK" to save.

Step 3. Preview the repaired video

To preview the repaired video, click on the triangle. This helps you check whether the repair was effective so you can save it.

Step 4. Add sample video via Advanced Mode

This method is used for severely corrupted video files. Start by selecting "Advanced Repair."

Click on the folder icon to add a sample video to repair. The sample video is a video created in the same format and the same device as the corrupted video. Information from the sample video will be used to repair the corrupted video.

Now click on the "Repair" button. You will be presented with the option to save the repaired video before you proceed with advanced Repair. This is because Advanced Repair does not automatically save the repaired video. Select "Yes" or "No" as you prefer.

Step 5. Save the repaired video

When prompted, select "Save" and then choose the destination path. Make sure that you chose a different destination from the original to avoid corruption once again.

For example, you may choose the local disk to save the file. When you choose the "recover" button, the video will be saved on the local disk. You may also click on "New Folder" and then click on "Recover." The video will be saved in a new folder on the local disk. Rename the new folder to the name of your choice.

This is a simple yet effective tool for repairing damaged and corrupted videos. In a few straightforward steps, your video will be restored to its former glory.

Method 2: Use the VLC Media Player

This free media player is popular when it comes to playing videos on Windows 10. Apart from video playback functions, it can also be used to repair corrupted videos. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Launch VLC Media Player and navigate to "Media > Convert/Save."

Step 2: Click on "Add" to select the corrupted video and click on the "Convert/Save" button.

Step 3: Choose the destination path and click on "Start."

Method 3: Replicate Video with VLC Media Player

Replicating a video gives you access so you can repair it. In method 1, you are simply saving the video so you can play it in a convenient format. In this case, you are changing the header section (input or codec) to repair it. Here are the simple steps:

• Copy the video and paste it in a different location.
• Change the extension to AVI. (E.g. "Video.MOV" to "Video.AVI")
• Launch VLC Media Player and navigate to "Tools > Preferences > Input or Codecs."
• Next to "Repair AVI files," click on "Always fix," then click on save.
• Now play the replicated file without any errors.

Method 4: Clear Temporary Files and Cache

Temporary files can also take up system resources leading to videos going blank when you are playing them.

Remove temp files

To clear your temporary files, go to "App Data > Local > Temp" to get all temporary files on your computer.

Now select all by using "Ctrl + A" and then hit the "shift + Del) keys to permanently remove them from your computer.

Remove Cache files

To clear temporary files and the cache, you should use the Disk Cleanup utility.

In the search panel, type Disk Cleanup to launch the utility.

Proceed to select the drive that you want to clean and then click on "OK."

Disk Cleanup will scan the selected disk and then give you the results in various categories. Click on the categories that you want to be cleared, and then click on "OK."

Proceed with the cache cleanup by clicking on "Clean system Files,' and the system cache will be scanned for files to delete. Click on "OK." To delete the cached files.

Method 5: Properly Format Your Storage Devices

To format an external disk, follow the simple steps laid out below:

Plug the external hard disk into your computer using a USB cable.

Open Windows Explorer, and you should see the drive listed on the panel to the left.

Select the drive and then click on the "Manage" tab at the top of the window.

In the "Manage" panel, click on "Format."

Now you will be prompted in the Format Window to choose the "File System."

There are various options such as:

• NTFS – can only be used by Windows computers
• FAT32 – Works on both Windows and Mac but can only store up to 32GB, with the largest file being 4GB.
• ExFAT – This runs on Mac, Windows, Linux, etc., and has no file storage limit.

If the drive was formatted before, you could select "Quick Format."

For an unformatted drive, click on "Start" and click on "OK."

Part 3. How to Solve Computer Black Screen When Playing Videos

Your computer hardware or software may be the reason why your computer has a black screen. Here are ways to troubleshoot and fix issues related to computer black screen problems.

Check Connection

Sometimes, there may be a bad connection between your computer and the display. The first step to try and fix a computer black screen issue is to check the connection cables.

When you see a black screen on your computer, there could be many reasons for this behavior, including problems with hardware, software, or a combination of both. In the instructions outlined below, you'll find troubleshooting steps to resolve this issue.

The display is connected through various ports such as DisplayPort, DVI, HDMI, VGA, and Thunderbolt) Updating video drivers may sometimes change the requirements; try connecting through these ports and see if the videos will play again.

You should also check the discrete card if you use a system with a discrete and integrated graphics card.

You should also check the on-board monitor settings should you connect the laptop to an external monitor.

Also, try to connect your display to another computer and see if the problem will be resolved.

Reconnecting the display might not fix the problem outright. At times the problem is because the Windows 10 system has failed to recognize the display, even if there is no problem with the connections.

Check Recognition by Windows 10

To detect the display once more, use "Windows Key + Ctrl + Shift + B." This is a way to restart the video driver, allowing Windows 10 to recognize the display once more.

If Windows 10 is responsive, use "Windows Key + P" to launch the "Project" menu> Now hit the "P" key followed by "Enter." This is a switch of the display modes to see if the Windows 10 black screen will disappear. You can do this 4 times to go through all the options available.

Video tutorial: Fix Black Screen Video on Computer or When Playing Videos

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Part 4. How to Prevent Black Screen Issues

You can do certain things to ensure that you do not get a black screen when playing videos on Windows 10. Follow the tips laid out below, and your videos will play in the manner that they should at all times.

Method 1: Prevent Computer Black Screen

Here you are protecting your hardware and software from corruption or damage, so your videos are recorded and stored properly.

• Always format your computer and external storage devices properly.
• Take care of your computer and recording devices, so they do not fall and get damaged.
• Ensure that you transfer videos from the recording device to your computer using the original cables that came with the recorder.
• Make sure that you update your video playback tools and operating system files.
• Shut down your computer and recording device in the proper manner. Force-shutting a device or computer may corrupt critical functions and files.
• Format your storage media properly. Use formats that are supported by the video recorder and the computer.

Method 2: Prevent Video Black Screen

In this scenario, you are protecting the fidelity of the video files themselves. Always follow these steps.

• Ensure that you record and play videos using the same video codecs.
• Use proper video editing tools.
• Ensure that you operate the video recording device in comfortable environments, especially when it comes to temperature.
• Avoid physical damage to the recording device to avoid the corruption of the original recording.
• Make sure that you are using a high-quality recording device. Some recording devices have a habit of creating bad video files, making them impossible to view or fix.

Closing Words

Getting a black screen when playing videos in Windows 10 may be due to corrupt video files, corrupt video playback tools, and corrupt system or hardware tools. The article shows you how you can fix these errors, especially using Wondershare Repairit Video Repair. It is also advised that you be careful when recording, transferring, and watching video files. Always use high-quality recording devices to avoid the corruption of the original video file.