HP Flat Panel LCD Monitors - Monitor is Blank

This document pertains to HP flat panel monitors.

A monitor is connected to the computer but does not display anything. Use the steps in this document to resolve this issue or to determine if the monitor is defective.

Before you begin

Do the following items to prepare for troubleshooting:

Turn off the computer.
Disconnect all connected devices from the computer except the mouse, and keyboard. This includes removing thumb drives and camera-type memory cards.
If the monitor has a detachable cable, obtain a second monitor cable for testing purposes.

Step 1: Checking power

Disconnect the video cable from the monitor and make sure the monitor power cable is plugged into a power outlet.

With the monitor plugged in, press the power button on the monitor. There should be a power indicator light located on the monitor case. What happens to the light?

If power light remains off when you press the power button, either the monitor is not receiving power or the monitor is defective. Check all of the following items before attempting to service or replace the monitor:
- Make sure the power outlet has power and the power outlet matches the power rating for the monitor.
- Connect the a different power outlet.
- Try a different power cord.
If the light comes on, the monitor has power. Continue to the next Step.

Step 2: Displaying a built-in on-screen message

Use the following steps to see if a built-in on-screen message displays.

Connect the video cable and turn on the computer.
Turn on the monitor and wait about ten seconds while the computer starts.
While the computer is starting, disconnect the video cable. What happens?
- If a message appears on the monitor, the display panel is working and the problem is related to the video signal. For further troubleshooting steps, see Message about No Signal, Signal out of Range, Sleep, or Power Save.
- If the monitor remains blank, turn off the computer and continue to the next Step.

Step 3: Fixing a bad video connection

Use the following steps to make sure the video connection between the PC and monitor is good:

Remove the video cable from the computer and monitor.
Check for bent or broken connector pins or broken pins that have become lodged inside the holes of the video connector on the computer. With the monitor and computer off, straighten bent pins with a small metal tube, like the tip of an empty mechanical pencil or the tip of a retracted pen. If any of the pins have broken off from the cable and are stuck in the small holes of the video connector (on the computer), remove the broken pins using a metal sewing pin (or similar metal pin that is thin and has a point).

Figure : Video connector
Connect another video cable to the computer and monitor. If possible use a different cable. For example, if your monitor has an HDMI connector and a DVI connector, use the other cable type if possible. If not, use a new cable of the same type.

Continue to the next step.

Step 4: Testing the video connection

Turn on the computer. What happens?

If the monitor works, one of the previous steps corrected the issue. You are done.
If the monitor remains blank, connect the monitor to another computer using a different cable to determine if the monitor is bad. Skip to the Step connect the monitor to another computer.
If the monitor shows startup screens but does not show Windows, use the following steps to set the computer to a compatible resolution:

note:
Find the native display resolution for your monitor in the User Manual or in the product specifications for the monitor model. If you are unable to find the native display resolution for your monitor model, temporarily use 1024x768 for troubleshooting purposes.
1. Turn on the computer and press the F8 key repeatedly when the first startup screen appears.
2. If you are using Windows Vista, select Enable low resolution video (640 x 480), press Enter, and wait until Windows opens.
  
  If you are using Windows XP, select Enable VGA Mode, press Enter, and wait until Windows opens. Continue using these steps to set display resolution.
  
  If you are using Windows 98 or ME, select Safe Mode and perform the following steps to enter into a standard VGA mode:
  1. Once Windows opens to the desktop in Safe Mode, click Start, and Run.
  2. In the Open field type msconfig and press Enter.
    
    The MS Configuration Utility window appears.
  3. Click the Advanced button, and select VGA 640 x 480 x 16 if it is available.
  4. Click OK and restart the computer.
  5. After Windows opens, click Start, and then click Run.
  6. In the Open field type msconfig and press Enter.
  7. Click the Advanced button, and remove the checkmark next to VGA 640 x 480 x 16.
  8. Click OK. Do NOT restart the computer.
3. After Windows opens, right-click on an open area of the desktop and select Properties (Windows XP, 98/Me) or Personalize (Windows Vista).
4. In Windows Vista, Scroll down and click Display Properties.
  
  In Windows XP, 98, or Me, click the Settings tab.
5. In Windows Vista, select the native display resolution size using the Resolution slider. Set Colors to Highest (32 bit).
  
  In Windows XP, select the native display resolution size using the Screen resolution slider. Set Color Quality to Highest (32 bit).
  
  In Windows 98 or Me, select the native display resolution size using the Screen Area slider. Set Colors to True Color.
6. Click Apply after you have made your adjustment.
  
  The screen should blank out temporarily and come back.
7. If you are satisfied with the new display settings, click Yes on the Monitor Settings windows. If you are not satisfied or if the screen just goes black, wait: Windows sets the screen back to the way it was before. Try another setting until you find a display configuration that is compatible with the monitor and meets your needs.
  
  note:
  If the native resolution is not available, download and install updated video driver software for your computer. Updating the video driver software can add more resolutions (graphics modes).
8. Restart the computer. The monitor should now display a full screen image in high quality. You are done.

Step 5: Connecting the monitor to a different computer

Using a different cable, connect the monitor to another computer that has video. Turn on the monitor and the newly connected computer. What happens?

If the monitor works, the video hardware on the original computer is likely to be the source of the problems. You can try connecting the original computer to another monitor that works to update its video drivers.
If the monitor remains blank, repair or replace the monitor.