Black Screen - Windows 11 After Update

ASUS VivoBook laptop, Win 11, 64bit, 16Gb RAM
It happened more than 4 times to have a black screen after windows update.
The single way of (temporarily) solving the issue was to uninstall the quality update.
Pressing Ctrl + Alt + Delete shows the normal options (on top of that black screen). I could run Explorer from there, hoping to unblock the interface but nothing happened. Restarted but nothing has been changed.
Forced stop OS by pressing the power button more than 10 sec, for three times offered the interface to repair, in fact, to uninstall that mentioned Quality update, which I discovered that solved the problem.
"Get the latest update as soon as they're available" is Off. But this type of update is installed without my confirmation. Now, after uninstalling it it shows "2025-02 Cumulative Update for Windows 11 Version 23H2 for x64-based Systems (KB5051989)" as an option to update my computer. I do not dare to install it, even if I would like to confirm that this is the problematic one... I think I will give it a try after posting the thread and update it according to what will it happen.
I always received good pieces of advice when (rarely) asked for help here...
As an issue which started appearing somehow simultaneous with this strange behavior is a message "New version available: You can update by right clicking the taskbar, choosing "Properties", then "Updates". Click here to learn more about this update. ExplorerPatcher".
It appears immediately after reboot or if I try pressing `Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media`. After pressing this option from System Tray, explorer looks to be restarted, all the taskbar looses its icons and it is repopulated after some seconds. The message saying "`The USB mass storage Device`can now be safely removed from the computer." never appears. This may be something different from the black screen after update problem, but is annoying and obviously something strange...
Thanks in advance!

 

I cannot see a possibility of updating the thread...
So, I am updating it in a reply:
After installing the above mentioned update ("2025-02 Cumulative Update for Windows 11 Version 23H2 for x64-based Systems (KB5051989)") the system ended in the same black screen. I could see something on the screen only after uninstalling the last Quality update.
I would also need to say something else:
On `Windows Update` screen there were two options to install. Above was "Install All" with white font on dark background and on the line of the mentioned update "Install".
I pressed "Install", for the specific update.
I do not know if it also installed some other update not requiring my acceptance.
Now it is also downloading "2025-02 Cumulative Update for Windows 11 Version 23H2 for x64-based Systems (KB5051989)" which kills my computer. At least, how can prevent windows reinstalling it again, please...

 

Related to preventing reinstalling of a specific update, I downloaded Show or hide updates from Microsoft and made hidden the specific one.

 

Mine updated to black screen too, this worked for me:
Win + Ctrl + Shift + B

 

Thanks!
But what should I expect from these keys combination (Win + Ctrl + Shift + B)? What should it do?

 

Restored screen to normal and expected function.

 

When I will have some time I will unhide the incriminated update and install it (only to test this solution). If it works, I will consider it briliant...
In fact, I will do it right now.

 

I tested the above described scenario (Unhide the problematic update and install it). The same black screen, nothing happened after simultaneous pressing "Win + Ctrl + Shift + B".
Also tried "Win + D" (Show Desktop) but it does not work, neither.
Something else to be mentioned, to better understand the behavior:
After BOOT, the Windows wallpaper looks OK. I put my finger on the sensor (fingerprint connection) and it starts loading specific user settings. After that, the result is a black screen. Initially supposed that it may be a mater of video driver incompatibility (between the specific one for my laptop and the one supplied by the update) but I don't think now the same. I can see the initial login screen, pressing `Ctrl + Alt + Delete` I can see the known interface, I can see Task Manager and even run an exe file (tried Explorer), In the bottom left side Pressing `Accessibility` (or something like that) the necessary context menu appears and so on. I mean, the video driver looks doing its job, only the desktop looks not to be loaded...
If it is necessary to run a specific (installed) program, service I think I can do it using Run option from Task Manager...

 

Try reading this:

https://www.tomshardware.com/software/windows/fixing-windows-update-or-upgrade-into-black-screen

 

Firstly, thanks for the link you supplied! It looks interesting.
In my case (only after specific updates) the system is booting up to the login prompt screen, but showing only the fingerprint option.
Putting the correct finger on the sensor it displays the username and starts loading specific drivers.
After a while (about two minutes) it displays only a black screen. Using the touchpad the cursor appears.
It looks that the OS is loaded as it should be with all its capabilities, except showing the Desktop and/or Explorer.
Pressing `Win + Ctrl + Shift + B` (Graphics adapter driver reset key combination) it does not solve the problem. The laptop produces a beep and the cursor blinks, meaning that the command has been sent but it cannot do what needed for black screen problem being solved.
Pressing `Win + D` (Show Desktop) does nothing.
Pressing `Ctrl + Alt + Delete` it brings the known interface where from I firstly tried `Switch user`. It brought me back to the initial login prompt screen. I have a single user installed, so I put the finger on the sensor and the same Odisseia started.
Tried also `Sign out` without having a hope and the same as above happened.
Then choose `Start Task Manager` and played with running some applications:
`devmgmt.msc` to run Device Manager. It worked. I then tried updating the drivers for the two existing Display Adapters. I tried the option of finding the drivers on computer, tried all of them but no result.
`devmgmt.msc` to run Services. It worked. I started some (stopped) services which looked (to me) somehow related to the problem, they started but nothing has been changed, in terms of black screen problem.
`cmd` to run Commander (it works even As Administrator) and it worked. Tried `IpConfig` and it correctly show what to be shown.
I have Radmin installed on the problematic laptop and tried connecting to it from another computer. I could do it, then run `Chrome` and the browser window has been open. I went to History and open the last tabs, logged in here and now I am writing from that computer!
Starting to think that Explorer may be the problematic issue and tried running `Explorer`. Nothing happened...
Then, I looked to some known applications process, executed right click and choose `Open File Location` (hopping that maybe an Explorer window will be opened) but nothing happened. After about a minute Task Manager sent the message `Server execution failed`...
I looked to processes in Task Manager (alphabetically ordered) and no any Explorer process was/is present.
It looks that it is very probable that this `Explorer` to be the problematic issue. A supposition, of course...

Now, can you suggest anything able to better diagnoze this issue?
What would you try, in such circumstances, if you would be instead of me?
I can run any exe file (until now, except Explorer), Services, Device Manager, Commander (As Administrator) and (probably) many others...
But I am out of ideas related to what specifically would be good to be tried.
Pressing Windows key itself does nothing.

Now I will uninstall the problematic Quality update, hide it to not be reinstalled and wait for help. I can live with this pseudo solution, but I would like to understand what specifically is happening after accepting that specific update...
And now it is a whole world to be explored, at list to better understand, I think/hope.

Thanks in advance!

 

P.S. As I said in my initial post, the laptop has a problem (I think related to Explorer).
When I have a USB stick inserted (even if not) and I try to safely remove it by pressing `Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media` from System tray all the taskbar icons disappear, SO shows that hourglass equivalent, and the taskbar reappears after 20 - 30 seconds.
Immediately after that the next warning/error message is shown to the screen bottom left side:
`File Explorer
New version available
You can update by right clicking the taskbar, choosing "Properties", then "Updates". Click here to learn more about this update.
ExplorerPatcher`
It also appears each time after reboot!

Pressing the warning window it goes to `https://github.com/valinet/ExplorerPatcher/releases/tag/22621.4317.67.1_b93337a`
I usually trust github area but I do not like to be forced to install something not belonging to Microsoft. Does somebody receive the same message with the same behavior of that system tray button?

Besides that, what "Properties" to be seen on Taskbar to expose "Updates" in Windows 11?
Anyhow, I only wanted to re emphasize this aspect which may be related to the problem I have. I I am also asking myself How an application (not a Microsoft one) raising the message knows that my Explorer had a crush?

Thanks again!

 

At some point, you installed ExplorerPatcher on this machine. This is not any sort of accusation: I use the program myself, also on an ASUS VivoBook. However, it will make the following suggestion (if you take it) a little bit more time-consuming.

There are times when the nuclear option, reinstalling Windows, is probably the best choice, and your machine seems to have enough going on that, if it were mine, I would do so.

Right-click on your taskbar, and select 'Properties'; ExplorerPatcher should open. On the left, select 'Settings and uninstall'. Select 'Uninstall ExplorerPatcher'. After it has been removed, then try the following:

If you can open Task Manager, click on 'Run new task'. Type 'explorer' in the box that comes up, and check the 'Create this task with administrative privileges' box; a File Explorer window should open. In the menu bar, click on the three horizontal dots; select 'Properties': a Windows Settings window should open. Even though it opens to 'System', select 'System' at the left. Scroll down and select 'Recovery'.

You could try the 'Fix problems without resetting your PC' option first, but I wouldn't bother. Go down and select 'Reset this PC'. Select 'Keep my files'. This should give you a nice, new, squeaky-clean installation of Windows 11 (24H2, if your hardware supports it) and keep all of your personal files. There are no guarantees, however, and you will have to reinstall any apps/programs that you use.

This will take some time, a couple of hours at least.

If you choose, you can reinstall ExplorerPatcher afterward; I've had no problems with it, and it makes working with Windows 11 just a little bit easier.

 

Firstly, thanks for your comment and ideas!
Secondly, your assumption about `ExplorerPatcher` prior installation was correct. I found it installed on 2023.
I did not remember about its installation and I can only assume that I had some problems with the Microsoft Explorer to make such an installation...
I found and uninstalled it using `Programs and features`.
Anyhow, I do not see a `Properties` option on the right click task bar context menu. I can see only two options: `Task Manager` and `Taskbar Settings`. Anyhow, this is not something eloquent, I would say.
I frequently run applications from `Task Manager`. I mentioned some of them in one of my above comments. So, I could run `Explorer` and could select `Recovery`, as suggested.
Starting from that point, I couldn't really do anything using 'Fix problems without resetting your PC'...
There it is also `Fix Problems using Windows Update`, mentioning "Reinstall your current version of Windows(your apps, files and settings will be preserved)". I am tempted to firstly use this option. What do you think about that?
Choosing `Reset PC`, where from will it take the necessary drivers, files etc? Wouldn't it also use the internet to update? In fact, what difference would be between these two alternatives/options?
I have a lot of applications installed, more of them on Windows 10. It has been upgraded to Windows 11. For some of them I do not even have the installation kits, keys and I feel inconfortabile to assume the risk of loosing them. Of course, if it is not a must... The whole system works very well, except this black screen after (specific) updates.

Now, I am asking myself if only uninstalling `ExplorerPatcher` could not solve the real problem (black screen after update)...
Maybe the new Microsoft Explorer is better than the one I tried replacing in 2023.
What would you do, from this point of view? Of course, a problematic installation has to be fixed. But, I cannot stop asking myself if the respective update was not able to deal with this third party application and only it being the problem.

I will loose some time reinstalling that update provoking the black screen, but at least, I would know that the problem does not come from this application...

 

I suspect, but am not absolutely certain, that the "Reinstall your current version of Windows(your apps, files and settings will be preserved)" route uses local files to try to repair Windows and, if your OS is having problems, I would want fresh files from an outside source.

I would suggest that you try to find installers for the programs you believe you absolutely need, save them to an external drive of some sort, and reinstall Windows. I still have the feeling that your machine has more than one cause for that black screen, and this is probably the best way to clear it up and start fresh.

 

Thanks again for your interest in helping me!
Starting from your suggestions, as I said in my previous comment, I was tempted to use `Fix Problems using Windows Update`. I studied a little on the internet and I understood/deduced that using this option, the system will download the last version of the installed SO and practically will replace all (maybe, problematic) drivers/files using the ones from the downloaded file.
So, I used this option.
The system firstly downloaded `Windows 11, version 23H2 (repair version)` (indeed) and starting repairing...
It took more than three hours. Finally, I had a new repaired system already updated to version 23H2, which used to create the mentioned black screen (on my ill installation, of course...).
I checked for updates and the respective one was not available for me, being included in what I have.
Now everything goes smooth, explorer runs as it should and even the whole system looks a little faster.
I tested all important applications installed in years and all of them work well or better.

I have a (probably, bad) habit: I never reinstalled OS on my computers! I always tried repairing and I always could do that. I reinstalled systems only on friends/colleagues computers, not having time to dig deep enough. I usually used such situation to learn something new on a specific issue...
I can admit that a fresh install may be sometimes a good solution but (fortunately) I'd never been forced to do it.

I thank you again for your help!
I am afraid I would not try the global approach of repairing the entire SO, being afraid of loosing some important applications not having their installation kits and license keys, anymore.

Now, is it a way to mark this thread as solved?

 

If you are satisfied with the result, we are done here.

Happy computing, and surf safely!

 

OK, thanks again!