Random black screens but the PC keeps running

[bedouinbro]

I'm getting a random black screens and no audio from the monitor, The PC keeps running the monitor loses signal, and its light indicator keeps blinking ( I always keep it on the standby mode so no LED indicator when using PC ). I also use unified remote app, and Chrome Remote Desktop.

When the display loses signal I can see the mouse cursor and all the processes running, and if I use Bluetooth I get audio from headphones. whats causing this ? I posted detailed stress testing here:
Question - No display/sound on Samsung 27" inch curved monitor ?

any idea whats causing this ?

 

[ChatGPT]

It sounds like you are experiencing a problem where your monitor loses signal while your PC continues to run. Given the information and screenshots you've provided, let's troubleshoot the issue step by step. Possible Causes and Solutions 1. Check Connections and Cables - Ensure that all cables are securely plugged in. A loose HDMI/DisplayPort cable can cause signal loss. - Try using a different cable to rule out a faulty one. - If your monitor has multiple input ports, try switching to another port. 2. Graphics Driver Issues - Outdated or corrupt drivers can cause display issues. Update your GPU drivers to the latest version: 1. Go to the GPU manufacturer's website (NVIDIA/AMD/Intel). 2. Download and install the latest drivers for your GPU. 3. Monitor Settings - Check the monitor's settings to see if there is any power-saving mode that might be causing it to go to standby. - Reset the monitor settings to factory defaults. 4. Power Settings - Incorrect power settings in Windows might cause the monitor to turn off. Adjust settings as follows: 1. Go to Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options. 2. Click on Change plan settings on the selected power plan. 3. Set Turn off the display and Put the computer to sleep to Never. 4. Click on Change advanced power settings and ensure 'PCI Express > Link State Power Management' is set to Off. 5. Test with Another Monitor - If possible, connect another monitor to see if the issue is with the original monitor or the PC. 6. Hardware Issues - Overheating or failing graphics cards can cause display signal loss. Use software like HWMonitor to check your GPU temperatures. - If temperatures are too high, clean dust from your PC and ensure proper airflow/cooling. 7. Unified Remote and Chrome Remote Desktop - Ensure that these applications are not interfering with the display settings. Try disabling them and see if the issue persists. 8. BIOS Updates and Settings - An outdated BIOS can sometimes cause hardware compatibility issues. Check your motherboard manufacturer's website for any BIOS updates. - In the BIOS settings, ensure onboard graphics (if present) are disabled when using a discrete GPU. Given the provided images, it seems you are able to access system settings through a secondary interface like Unified Remote or Chrome Remote Desktop even when the monitor goes black. This suggests the system remains operational, and the issue is most likely with the graphics card, cables, or the monitor itself. Please provide updates on the outcome of these steps or if you need further assistance.

 

[bedouinbro]

It sounds like you are experiencing a problem where your monitor loses signal while your PC continues to run. Given the information and screenshots you've provided, let's troubleshoot the issue step by step.

Possible Causes and Solutions

1. Check Connections and Cables
- Ensure that all cables are securely plugged in. A loose HDMI/DisplayPort cable can cause signal loss.
- Try using a different cable to rule out a faulty one.
- If your monitor has multiple input ports, try switching to another port.

2. Graphics Driver Issues
- Outdated or corrupt drivers can cause display issues. Update your GPU drivers to the latest version:
1. Go to the GPU manufacturer's website (NVIDIA/AMD/Intel).
2. Download and install the latest drivers for your GPU.

3. Monitor Settings
- Check the monitor's settings to see if there is any power-saving mode that might be causing it to go to standby.
- Reset the monitor settings to factory defaults.

4. Power Settings
- Incorrect power settings in Windows might cause the monitor to turn off. Adjust settings as follows:
1. Go to Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options.
2. Click on Change plan settings on the selected power plan.
3. Set Turn off the display and Put the computer to sleep to Never.
4. Click on Change advanced power settings and ensure 'PCI Express > Link State Power Management' is set to Off.

5. Test with Another Monitor
- If possible, connect another monitor to see if the issue is with the original monitor or the PC.

6. Hardware Issues
- Overheating or failing graphics cards can cause display signal loss. Use software like HWMonitor to check your GPU temperatures.
- If temperatures are too high, clean dust from your PC and ensure proper airflow/cooling.

7. Unified Remote and Chrome Remote Desktop
- Ensure that these applications are not interfering with the display settings. Try disabling them and see if the issue persists.

8. BIOS Updates and Settings
- An outdated BIOS can sometimes cause hardware compatibility issues. Check your motherboard manufacturer's website for any BIOS updates.
- In the BIOS settings, ensure onboard graphics (if present) are disabled when using a discrete GPU.

Given the provided images, it seems you are able to access system settings through a secondary interface like Unified Remote or Chrome Remote Desktop even when the monitor goes black. This suggests the system remains operational, and the issue is most likely with the graphics card, cables, or the monitor itself.

Please provide updates on the outcome of these steps or if you need further assistance.

1. the problem occurred with another monitor too, I replaced that monitor but the problem is still persisting, the other monitor had problems, it was dying from 10 years of use, black bars at the bottom, the current monitor is used also and have vertical black bars

2. the drivers are up to date
3. Power-saving features are off
4. these settings are set as you recommended
5. I already did and the answer is the same as no 1
6. these are the stress testing results

7. these apps are running in the background but they don't connect unless I do from the Android app source
8. bios is up to date

If it is a GPU or PSU problem how do I figure it out ? Which stress tests ? since the signal loss Is so random and even without any power-hungry or GPU intensive tasks,

 

[bedouinbro]

Given the additional information and the stress test results you've provided, it appears that the issue might not be related to your monitor, cables, or power settings. Instead, the random nature of the signal loss points towards a potential issue with your GPU or PSU. Here are some further steps you can take to narrow down the cause:

1. Check GPU Temperatures and Performance:

• From the stress test results, it seems your GPU temperatures are within a reasonable range (46°C to a maximum of 84°C). However, ensure these are not spiking dangerously high during intense tasks as this can cause instability.
• Use software like FurMark to stress test your GPU further, monitoring for any shutdowns or signal losses.

- Download and install FurMark.
- Run FurMark and start a stress test.
- Monitor the GPU's temperature and performance in FurMark. Look out for any sudden drops in GPU activity which could indicate instability.

2. Test the PSU:

• A failing power supply can sometimes provide inconsistent power to the components, leading to issues like random signal loss.
• Use a multimeter to check the voltage outputs from the PSU. Ensure they match the specifications (±5% of the nominal value):

1. +12V should be between 11.4V and 12.6V
2. +5V should be between 4.75V and 5.25V
3. +3.3V should be between 3.14V and 3.47V
- You can also use software tools like HWMonitor to check the voltages under load, though this is less accurate than a multimeter.

3. CMOS/BIOS Settings:
- Sometimes, resetting the CMOS/BIOS can resolve hardware instability issues:
1. Turn off your PC and unplug it.
2. Open the case and locate the CMOS battery.
3. Remove the battery for a few minutes, then reinsert it.
4. Alternatively, you can use the CMOS reset jumper if your motherboard has one.
- Once done, enter BIOS and load the default settings.

4. Swap Components:
- If possible, try using a different GPU or PSU in your system. If the problem goes away, you've identified the faulty component.

Steps for Further Stress Testing:

A. GPU Testing with FurMark:
1. Download and install FurMark from the official website.
2. Run FurMark and select the resolution and options suitable for your setup.
3. Start the stress test and closely monitor the GPU temperatures and performance.

B. PSU Testing with OCCT:
1. Download and install OCCT, a free stability checking tool.
2. Run OCCT and select the PSU test option.
3. Start the test and monitor the voltages, looking for any instability or significant drops that could indicate a failing power supply.

The random nature of your issue makes it tricky, but focusing on these stress tests and voltage monitoring should help identify if your GPU or PSU is at fault.

Let me know if you need further assistance or have any updates from these tests!

Heres the occt psu test

 

[ChatGPT]

From your update, it seems you've been quite methodical in addressing the black screen issue with your PC, but some specific actions and insights could be beneficial in pinpointing the cause. Let's summarize the key points and suggest additional steps to help diagnose whether it's a GPU or PSU issue.

Key Points from Your Analysis​

1. Multiple Monitors: You've tested with another monitor, confirming that the issue continues, which suggests it's likely not a monitor failure since you've swapped to different monitors (though the current monitor does show vertical black bars).
2. Driver Status and Software: Your GPU drivers are updated, and the potential background interference from Unified Remote or Chrome Remote Desktop appears minimal since they only connect when prompted.
3. Power Settings and BIOS: Both have been adjusted and confirmed to be fine.
4. Stress Tests: Images of stress test results indicate stable performance under load, but they do not rule out intermittent failures that could occur under non-peak loads.

Key Diagnoses Steps to Identify GPU vs PCIe PSU Issues​

1. Visual Inspection: If you haven't already, visually inspect the GPU for any signs of physical damage or dust accumulation. Ensure that:
   • The GPU is firmly seated in its PCIe slot.
   • Power connectors (if applicable) are securely attached.
2. Monitor Temperatures: Use a software tool (like HWMonitor or MSI Afterburner) to monitor GPU temperatures continuously during regular use. Look for fluctuations:
   • If temperatures spike unexpectedly before a black screen, it may indicate cooling issues.
   • Regular usage should show a temperature range that aligns with your GPU's design, typically below 80°C under load.
3. Run GPU Benchmarking Software: Use tools like:
   • FurMark: A GPU stress test that can reveal overheating or instability when pushed to its limits.
   • Unigine Heaven: Another benchmark which stresses the GPU and can show artifacts or crashes if there’s a fault.
4. System Power Monitor: If possible, use a watt-meter to check power draw while running intensive tasks to ensure the PSU is supplying adequate wattage as per your system requirements.
5. Stress Test the PSU: While more complex, consider using a multimeter or a PSU tester to check stable voltage outputs while the system is under load. Look for:
   • 12V rail delivering ~12V
   • 5V and 3.3V rails should also be close to their nominal values (check the PSU ratings).
6. MemTest86 for RAM: Run a memory test for an extended period (several passes recommended) using MemTest86. Even if RAM is not directly related to display, sporadic errors here could lead to system instability.

If Issue Persists​

If, after following these steps, you continue to face issues:

• Consider Replacing Hardware: It may be necessary to consider replacement of either GPU or PSU if testing shows abnormalities in their behavior or output.
• Last Resort - Professional Diagnosis: If not resolved, a visit to a local computer repair shop could provide a definitive diagnosis by professionals with spare parts to easily swap in for testing.

Conclusion​

Your methodical attempts to troubleshoot have already eliminated several common issues, and the next steps I provided will help narrow down the possible sources of the problem. Let me know how it goes after trying these, and feel free to share any further results or anomalies you encounter!