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38680
17 R4, black screen when switched on.
Hello,
When I switch on my Alienware laptop, the FX lights up (keyboard, sides etc.) but the screen remains black. After a while I hear the fans going on max speed but nothing else happens. Not even the face recognition lights up red under the screen for sign in.
I had it on earlier and it worked fine, then just switched it off through the Windows shut down button. Came back few hours later and now it’s doing this, I didn’t even move the laptop.
This happened a few times before, but turning it on/off few times or leaving it on overnight till it runs out of battery would do the trick, but no such luck now. I tried draining the battery too and still nothing.
GreenwoodArcher
1 Rookie
1 Rookie
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8 Posts
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February 15th, 2021 08:00
@crimsom Thanks for your reply. The laptop started working again after switching it on/off a few more times, and it's been fine since then. I was just doing the exact same thing I did most of Sunday, and it just randomly worked.
I did try to shine a light when it wasn't working, and there was no faint image, nothing.
I ran a bunch of scans through SupportAssist, and they found nothing. I ran the ePSA diagnostics and it told me passed, no error codes.
Dr.Pilgore
1 Message
1
February 24th, 2022 17:00
Dude I could friggin French ya right now, the hold D key trick solved the issue.
cheers and thanks
crimsom
7 Technologist
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6.1K Posts
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February 15th, 2021 01:00
Hi @GreenwoodArcher this is user to user discussion forum and not Dell Support.
Press and hold the D key and power on the computer to enter LCD built-in self-test (BIST) mode.
If screen is put in oblique light (e.g. shine torch along length of screen) and there a very faint image, replace backlight.
Is it possible to use HDMI socket and run a cable to an external TV or external monitor to confirm that GPU is working. If external screen works, try Dell F12 ePSA diagnostics test to check computer hardware.
Look at the FN keys at the top of the keyboard to find key (F8) that has two monitor icon. See if toggling this two key combination gets the computer screen to work.
Please click on Kudos to say thank you for response from another user. Please share an update on progress, so that other users derive benefit from your experience. Thank you.
AdrianG001
4 Operator
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4K Posts
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February 15th, 2021 02:00
Make sure the BIOS is up to date.
Try running an ePSA/Diagnostic test on the system, click here to view a Dell article that explains how to run this test. Let us know if you receive any errors.
GreenwoodArcher
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February 15th, 2021 08:00
@AdrianG001 Thanks for your reply. My BIOS is up to date and I ran the ePSA diagnostics, recieved no error codes, just that it passed.
juanruiz88
3 Posts
0
April 10th, 2022 02:00
I tried to start mine after a while stored in a box, I changed the boot priority, putting my operating systems before the network boot, and it fixed the problem.
coralinejones
1 Message
0
October 14th, 2022 23:00
this worked for me as well! Was getting a black screen but all lights on. tried restarting the laptop a few times and nothing. Held D and voila
WheelerLabs
1 Message
0
January 25th, 2024 12:14
@crimsom I have this same issue and toggling FN F8 turns the main display back on. This is a bandaid fix, do you happen to know WHY it's doing this so I don't have to press it ever time I wake the laptop?