Windows PC randomly going black screen during gaming but none of the other fixes are working?? (Idk where to put this in the tag form it’s a Windows PC)

Understanding and Troubleshooting Random Black Screen Issues on Windows PCs During Gaming

Experiencing unexpected black screens while gaming can be both frustrating and perplexing. If your Windows PC suddenly goes dark during gameplay—whether in titles like Team Fortress 2 or The Elder Scrolls Online—and conventional troubleshooting methods haven’t resolved the problem, it’s essential to approach the issue systematically. Here, we explore potential causes, diagnostic steps, and solutions to help restore stability to your gaming experience.

Identifying the Issue

Symptoms:
– Random black screens during gameplay
– Occasional occurrence during non-gaming activities
– Persistence despite restarts and updates
– Blackouts happen around specific times (e.g., 10–11 p.m.) but also intermittently during the day
– Other users across forums report similar issues

Observations:
– The monitor remains black, but audio communications (e.g., Discord) continue functioning, indicating the system hasn’t entirely crashed
– The black screens can occur after periods of stable gameplay, sometimes unpredictably
– No consistent signs of overheating, as thermal issues typically manifest as system shutdowns or visual artifacts like flickering or artifacts on the display
– Occasional confirmation of anomalies (e.g., dead pixels, screen flashes) during GPU stress or artifacts

Potential Causes

1. Graphics Card (GPU) Issues:
2. Overheating: GPUs are susceptible to thermal throttling or shutdown if overheating occurs, though persistent black screens without other artifacts may suggest otherwise
3. Driver Problems: Corrupt or outdated graphics drivers can cause display issues

4. Hardware Failure: Deteriorating GPU hardware, such as a dying VRAM, can lead to black screens

5. Software or Malware Interference:

6. Malicious software or malware can interfere with system operations

7. Unexpected behavior following system modifications or third-party tools

8. Power Supply and Connections:

9. Insufficient or failing power supply units (PSU) might cause power dips, affecting GPU performance

10. Loose or damaged cables connecting monitor and GPU

11. System Settings or Corrupted System Files:

12. Incorrect display or system configurations
13. Damaged Windows system files

Troubleshooting Steps

1. Update Graphics Drivers
2. Visit the GPU manufacturer’s website (NVIDIA, AMD, etc.)
3. Download and install the latest stable driver

4. Use Device Manager to check for driver updates

5. Monitor Temperatures and Hardware Health

6. Use tools such as HWMonitor or MSI Afterburner