Windows Server 2025 Hyper-V: Black Screen after "Loading Files"
Posted by notmyocean@reddit | sysadmin | View on Reddit | 7 comments
Hey everyone, i'm starting to upskill being sysadmin but right now I’m stuck trying to set up a Windows Server 2025 lab on Hyper-V and could use some fresh eyes.
I start the VM, hit the "Press any key to boot from CD/DVD" prompt, it shows the "Loading Files" progress bar, but then goes to a permanent black screen. The VM state stays "Running," but no Windows purple setup screen appears.
What I’ve tried so far:
- Created both Generation 1 and Generation 2 VMs.
- Disabled Secure Boot (Gen 2).
- Assigned 4GB RAM (Static) and 2 Virtual Processors.
- Disabled Enhanced Session
- Performed "Cold Boots" (Turn Off -> Start) after every setting change.
Any help is appreciated!
Adam_Kearn@reddit
I would try increasing the RAM to about 8GB
It has to load the installer into memory at this point which is probably just going slightly over your 4GB.
I think windows ISOs are about 6-7GB when I last downloaded one with a single language pack.
It could also be just a display driver issue as well so try installing the hyper-v tools on another computer and see if you can remotely connect to this HOST and view the screen that way.
bcredeur97@reddit
If you close the vm console and reopen it, do you get a display?
notmyocean@reddit (OP)
I tried closing and reopening VMConnect, and I also toggled between Basic and Enhanced sessions. Unfortunately, it's still black screen for me.
bcredeur97@reddit
Run windows update? Idk man. It’s messed up for sure lol
Winter_Engineer2163@reddit
This usually happens with Hyper-V when the VM boots fine but the display/output never properly initializes, so you’re basically stuck on a black screen after Loading Files.
First thing I’d check, make sure you’re using a Gen 2 VM for Windows Server 2025. If you created it as Gen 1, weird boot/display issues like this are pretty common.
Then check Secure Boot. Try disabling it temporarily or switching the template to Microsoft Windows. I’ve seen installs hang exactly like this because of that.
Also worth checking the ISO itself. If it’s corrupted or half-broken, it can load files and then just die silently. Mount it on your host and make sure it opens нормально, or just re-download it to be sure.
Another common one, video. Hyper-V sometimes bugs out with enhanced session / display. Try connecting via basic session (no enhanced mode) or just restart VMConnect after boot.
And yeah, give it more RAM if you’re running it tight. Server setup can hang or look frozen if it’s starved, especially on newer builds.
If I had to bet, it’s either Gen 1 VM or Secure Boot config. Those two cause this exact behavior all the time.
notmyocean@reddit (OP)
I'm using a Generation 2 VM.
Regarding Secure Boot: I've tried disabling it entirely, and I also tried switching the template to 'Microsoft UEFI Certificate Authority' both resulted in a black screen.
I verified the ISO file by mounting it on my host it opens perfectly, and I can access setup.exe and the sources folder without issues.
For resources, I’ve tested with both 2 GB and 4 GB of Static RAM (Dynamic Memory disabled). The VM successfully 'Loads Files,' but the display fails to initialize immediately after, leaving me on a permanent black screen.
Winter_Engineer2163@reddit
If you already ruled out Gen 2, Secure Boot, ISO and RAM, then it’s probably not your config but Hyper-V itself not liking that build.
Could be a host compatibility thing. If your host OS isn’t fully up to date, newer Server builds can hang right after “Loading Files” like that. Worth checking what version you’re running.
Also try creating a completely fresh VM and don’t change any settings at all, just attach the ISO and boot. Sometimes Hyper-V gets into a weird state even after tweaks.
Another easy check is to boot the same ISO in VMware or VirtualBox. If it works there, then the issue is definitely Hyper-V.
At this point it really looks more like a host or Hyper-V quirk than something you’re doing wrong.