Can't get into BIOS or UEFI BIOS. Just black screen every time even after attempted fixes

Posted by HypnotizedPotato@reddit | buildapc | View on Reddit | 76 comments

I just built this computer less than a month ago (first PC build ever) and have been trying to get into the BIOS after installing Windows to set up fan curves and XMP profiles but everything I try hasn't worked. Mobo is an MSI B550 A-Pro.

I'm at a loss on what to do about this, I've tried multiple fixes from the web but none have worked and allowed me to pull up the BIOS so far. I'm also not confident that I didn't fuck something up either in the initial setup or during the attempted fixes. Computer seems to be working fine otherwise (writing this post on it) and boots into Windows perfectly fine if I don't try to interrupt startup. The other thing that is confusing the hell out of me is that at no point during this process has my computer flashed the message telling me what button to spam for BIOS, just jumps straight to Windows lock screen; although my manual says it should be the "Del" key. Really just looking for anything that could help, I have no idea what I'm doing. At this point, I'm wondering if I need to contact MSI to see if they can help me.

Fixes I've attempted thus far, in no particular order:

Read manual and followed instructions to clear CMOs, used a screwdriver to jump the pins for \~10 seconds
Removed CMOs battery for upwards of 5 minutes before putting it back
Turned off fast boot in Windows 10
Checked DP cables on GPU, also switched to HDMI to see if it was sending signal to that input.
Tried to use onboard graphics to see if defaulted there instead of GPU (tried both DP and HDMI) even though I don't think I have onboard graphics (basically just trying anything I could find at this point)
Tried restarting to UEFI BIOS through Windows menus

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CrazyMarzipan9031@reddit

you can quickly fix it by updating the display port driver https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/drivers/nv-uefi-update-x64/

BagelsWithCoffee@reddit

his doesn't work for laptops does it

i don't see how can this be a laptop issue but u can try

i get black screen every time i go into the pios pages, so the screen is there the bios screen but it's a black screen its so weird

Muted-March-5352@reddit

Do you find any solution for this?

jetx27x@reddit

Bah juste le feu en fait ! T'as réglé mon soucis !!!!!!!!!

Ill_Negotiation8119@reddit

I was looking for fixes, tried every ways possible till I gave up eventually. This shed light! Thanks a bunch! gif

lasdn@reddit

Thxxxxxxx, now the splash screen and everything shows up again and most important I can see the BIOS 🙏🙏🙏

M0ns1gn0r@reddit

For ones seeking for the solution, it is in this post deep in one of the threads.

You basically need to update GPU firmware to support the latest DisplayPort standard.

gabaGoo0@reddit

Makes sense now. I sold my 3080 and ima replace it soon w a 4090. The current placeholder is a 960. Cant get into the bios or uefi and suspected it was the gpu.

_MaZ_@reddit

Upgraded my PC from Intel Xeon to Am5, brought old GTX 1660 to it and noticed that when I make the shortcut to boot to UEFI, it hangs up forever in a black screen.

Sarm-ally_Pirate@reddit

What was the fix. This is exactly what is happening to my pc. Also my xbox app won't open. I was thinking it was a firmware hardware compatibility issue.

Jay_0048@reddit

looking for fix as well, the firmware update only works for cards GTX 1080 and below

I don't know what firmware your talking about but I moved my pc to a different monitor and either the long unplugged action reset what needed or because I plugged it into a different display.

HiImJulyy37@reddit

you just save my day, thank you

BcusZ@reddit

Lmao we’re both recent aren’t we

Main-Wafer-2043@reddit

hahah no way

chillymac@reddit

Did you ever figure out the issue? I'm in the same boat.

HypnotizedPotato@reddit (OP)

Never was able to completely figure out why it happens but I have two screens and only have one plugged in when booting up if I need to get into BIOS. I still don't understand the issue unfortunately but unplugging the one monitor is a consistent success so I've never looked into it any further. Sorry I can't be of more help.

insekz@reddit

Updating GPU firmware fixed it for me, just so you know.

jstq@reddit

what is a gpu firmware? bios?

DerS16Mike@reddit

omg... thank you so much. i just ran into this problem, actually not knowing the root cause but this fixed it for me. didnt even know firmware update was a thing tbh. thank you random internet hero!

East_Development_535@reddit

Solid advice 3 years later!

tatagami@reddit

For me updating didn't solve the issue, but found some other explanation and mostly the monitor/cable were not compatible or changing to integrated graphics for this also solved the problem. I couldn't check the different monitor/cable thing if it works, but using integrated graphics solved it for me. Also after installing linux bazzite the problem doesn't come up again, I can go to BOIS without having to use the integrated card.

NaiveCranberry9095@reddit

I am trying to figure out how to update the firmware how did you do it

Malik_V@reddit

Omfg.

Thank you. Fucking Thank you.

From the bottom of my frustrated, aching heart: Thank you for a solution to getting into my bios. 6 hours of Windows failing and trying to get a linux distro installed. Thank you

TopEntertainment7603@reddit

What did you do?

The issue was the screen i had plugged in. for whatever reason bios wont show up on some screens (in my case a tv screen) so i had to use an old monitor to get bios to show up.

My monitor also didn't show anything so I plugged it to integrated graphics card and it worked. Linux doesn't have this problem now I can access BIOS without switching video card.

Silly-Rabbit-4118@reddit

Thanks for this. Saved me pulling any more metaphorical hairs from my scalp. Removed additional monitors, rebooted and got into BIOS 😀

cyber49@reddit

Can confirm "unplugging the one monitor is a consistent success" - thank you!

Thin_Mess_2740@reddit

this tip just ended six hours of hair-tearing frustration for me, thank you so much!

PassionPositive2091@reddit

Yeah this worked in for some reason. Thank you friend

Any workarounds yet?

Never figured it out unfortunately

Just a few questions, what mobo do you have, and have you installed valorant? (secure boot)

Just trying to find some common denominators. Will keep you updated if I find a fix.

Motherboard is MSI MPG B560i Gaming Edge WiFi (MS-7D19)

Accessing BIOS was one of the first things I did when I got this PC, so I hadn't installed anything. I think one thing I was going to try is plug my monitor into all 6 or 8 different HDMI/DisplayPorts, but I didn't have a DP cable/monitor at the time. So maybe I'll try that.

So far everyone I have asked, or every thread I have come across, have all had MSI boards.

This is mega frustrating.

I just got a new monitor a few days ago w/ display port instead of HDMI, and I just tried opening BIOS and it worked. So I would definitely recommend trying all the display out ports on your PC if you're just getting a black screen. For context I had originally wanted to enable the XMP profile, and I finally did just now.

What resolution was your original monitor, and your new one? I feel like Msi has an issue with weird resolutions.

Both 1920x1080. I'm positive I was just not using the correct display out port on my PC, there are like 6 and I was only able to try 2 of them until yesterday.

Which was the one that worked? AMD on NVidia?

Nvidia, but what does it matter? Before I had tried outputting display via HDMI when booting to BIOS. I got a black screen. Last week I instead tried outputting via DisplayPort and it worked. I could go through and tell you each and every component in my PC but I think the only piece of advice I can give you is to try every display-out port or take it to a shop that has many monitors to test with. I have no knowledge or insight beyond that whatsoever.

Yeah, sorry. I am just trying to figure out what common denominators we have.

Using different ports on my GPU did not work, at this point I feel like the only fix is to get a CPU with on board graphics and try that, or get a new mother board, I don't really want to buy a second monitor that I won't really use much, just so I can use the BIOS when I need to.

You might consider taking it to a shop, I imagine they have tons of different hardware combos to test to help you narrow down what piece is causing trouble. Like you say you can't really tell if it's your gpu or monitor or motherboard or what.

It is fixed now, I updated my GPU firmware drivers, and now BIOS loads as normal.

Which is weird, because it loaded on my other monitor, off this GPU, but not my current monitor, I am assuming it is because it used an older version DisplayPort and my new 1.4 DisplayPort wasn't cooperating with the BIOS.

https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?threads/black-screen-when-trying-to-enter-the-bios-windows-boot-fine.347502/page-2

Here is the thread if you are curious.

AnImpromptuFantaisie@reddit

Thank you :)

DignityDWD@reddit

Just wanted to thank you, I'm also having this issue and appreciate you linking the fix!

N7DingoD4ve@reddit

Battlefield?

TwitchXk90@reddit

I have no idea why out of the hundrends of thousonds of PC games I have. EA has decided THIS is the one that needs this stupid setting toggled.

Thesilkyturd@reddit

Indeed

che240@reddit

Yupppp

Yes sir!

Thanks my G

meowzersobased@reddit

life saver

Neither_Berry_100@reddit

Fixed mine. I have two monitors. It was using the second one which has a power switch. The power was off so it couldn't see anything. Hopefully this helps someone in the future. Maybe AI will add this to its training data.

PSY_KAY@reddit

Im a little late but im having the same problem is there a fix yet or?

Hot-Work-8519@reddit

Hi everyone, I had this problem yesterday. My hardware is a Ryzen 7 700 series, a B650M Gaming Plus WiFi motherboard, an RTX 5070, and a 2K monitor connected via DisplayPort 2.1. The solution was as follows: I updated the graphics card firmware and installed the Nvidia Graphics Firmware Update Tool. I connected the DisplayPort 2.1 cable to the motherboard, restarted, and it let me into the BIOS. Once I was in, I performed a normal boot and downloaded the latest BIOS update for my motherboard. I updated the motherboard, and once everything was updated, I reconnected the DisplayPort 2.1 cable to the graphics card. The second time I turned on the PC, the BIOS appeared at startup! I hope this helps; these were the exact steps I followed. Good luck to everyone!

InterestingStock1654@reddit

Thanks guys.
After I switched from CSM to UEFI, I cant get into my BIOS. But after updating both the GPU driver and Nvidia displayport drivers it is now working, I can get back and enabled also secure boot and so far it it works good. Finally I can try BF6.

Rex__Nihilo@reddit

Howd you update the gpu drivers? was it just loading into windows? I just have a black screen.

derepix@reddit

Also male sure that your keyboard and mouse are not connected to a usb hub - this made it for me

Technical_Process871@reddit

Bro I got exact same issue. Literally builded my pc 4 days ago and now I got hit with that. Stressed as hell, but I just unplugged DP from GPU an plugged into mobo. And bios is opening perfectly fine. Maybe thats some problem with GPU drivers.. idk

Emotional-Party-2949@reddit

Só funcionou zerando a BIOS tirando a bateria e esperando por um bom tempo > 5 minutos

False-Will-7494@reddit

I had this exact issue, How I fixed it was by

Turn off and Unplug PSP.
Remove GPU Safely
Remove CMOS Battery from Mobo
Start PC WITHOUT GPU and with an HDMI cable plugged directly into the Mobo. From there, you should atleast be able to accses the bios and revert your settings, if the CMOSS battery did not work.

moneygrind7@reddit

Thank you it worked

sloppy_toaster@reddit

This worked for me. Thanks!! 🙌🏽

Heavy_Progress_7047@reddit

So people mentioned it already but to keep it simple, your monitor apparently might not be able to display bios lmao

I run dual monitor setup. New 32inch is main, secondary is my older 27 inch curve. Both 2k I unplugged my 32, and plugged my 27 into the first display port and boom. Bios popped up.

proteldon@reddit

I have the same problem with:

MSI MPG B550 Gaming Plus
Sapphire NITRO+ SE Radeon RX 5700 XT 8 GB

Some earlier answers suggest to upgrade the GPU firmware to support the latest DisplayPort standard but I have not idea how to do that and also the GPU is connected to the monitor through HDMI, not DisplayPort.

Any other idea how to solve this?

BarWorth3871@reddit

✅ The fix:

Turn off your PC and remove the GPU.
Plug your monitor into the HDMI or DisplayPort on the motherboard.
Turn the PC back on and spam DEL or F2.
BIOS should now display properly.
After you're done, you can reinstall the GPU and use it normally again.

This worked perfectly for me. Hopefully, it helps someone else out there!

Turn off your PC and remove the GPU (GTX 1070).
Plug your monitor into the HDMI or DisplayPort on the motherboard.
Turn the PC back on and spam DEL or F2.
BIOS should now display properly.
After you're done, you can reinstall the GPU and use it normally again.

Curious-Ad-9930@reddit

Thanks I downgraded from a 4070 to a 970 i needed to access my BOIS but it would just go blank I updated my drivers but no fix but then I searched Nvidia firmware update and downloaded the one with the displayport update and bam it works now thanks!

Guilty-Knee-7514@reddit

Fixed by shutting off the secondary monitor for me, lol Both were using DP

xNeo-Chanx@reddit

Thank you so much!

lkidza@reddit

I had to remove my display cord and just use an hdmi cord

Special-Helicopter27@reddit

I tried everything here, but nothing worked. The only fix i found was to download the "Reboot to UEFI" from asrock and run it. After running the program, pc restarted and entered bios (thank god).

I ran into this problem while OCing RAM. Windows booted after cmos clear and applying an auto repair, but bios wouldnt load.

Time_Impression_8593@reddit

i use cintiq as my display so they only have hdmi plug. cant see the booting screen and bios also black and kinda given up because i already setting the xmp before i put the gpu. now because i have cursed cheap pc case my hdmi couldnt plugged in fully so i buy hdmi female to dp male adapter so i can plugged in fully and it also fixed the black screen on booting and BIOS... so maybe try put it in display port. my gpu is second hand 3090.