Applies to: Windows 10
A blue screen error (also called a stop error) can occur if a problem causes your device to shut down or restart unexpectedly. You might see a blue screen with a message that your device ran into a problem and needs to restart.
It won’t happen often, but there may be a time when something goes wrong and your device will display a black or blank screen. Some of the common scenarios that can cause a black or blank screen to occur are connection problems with your display, display adapter driver update issues, or issues with recent updates or installations.
If you're having problems with your PC, the following table can help you decide which recovery option to use. For help with black screen or blue screen errors, see Troubleshoot black screen problems or Troubleshoot blue screen errors.
Your PC isn't working well and you recently installed an update.
Remove an installed Windows update
Your PC isn’t working well and it’s been a while since you installed an app, driver, or update.
Reset your PC
Your PC won't start, you haven't created a recovery drive, and resetting your PC didn't work.
Use installation media to reinstall Windows 10
Your PC won't start and you haven't created a recovery drive.
Use installation media to restore your PC
Your PC won't start and you've created a recovery drive.
Use a recovery drive to restore or recover your PC
You want to reinstall your previous operating system.
Go back to your previous version of Windows
Your PC isn't working well and you recently installed an app.
Restore from a system restore point
There are three options that allow you to reset your PC. If you’ve tried just about everything else and your PC still isn't running well, resetting it might fix the problem.
