Troubleshooting Black Screen After Installing Nvidia Game Ready Driver 576.40

Hello, fellow tech enthusiasts!

Today, I’d like to share a common issue that many new PC builders may encounter when updating their graphics drivers for the first time. Recently, I attempted to install the Nvidia Game Ready Driver version 576.40 – WHQL on my MSI RTX 5070, and I faced an unexpected problem: my screen went completely black during the installation process.

Having checked that my HDMI cables were securely connected and ensured that all components were snug in their slots, I found myself unable to boot into Safe Mode. Additionally, attempts to power down my system using the power button yielded no results, which was quite frustrating.

At this point, I’m contemplating unplugging my PC directly from the wall, but I’m hesitant to do so due to concerns about potential damage. My operating system is Windows 11—perhaps that could influence the issue as well.

If you have any advice or solutions, I would greatly appreciate your insights! It’s always helpful to learn from the community, especially when facing a sticky situation like this as a newcomer to PC building. Thank you for your assistance!