Why does my monitor turn off?
Saturday, 24 July, 2010
OLDER QUESTION
I started my PC and after a while the monitor went blank. The power supply didn't turn itself off and on -- it just went blank off, on, off, on then that was it. 15 minutes later it did it again. Two hours later nothing. It's only in the first half hour after start up/
Is my monitor on the way out? Do I need to replace my monitor? Or is it just a bug in the system?
(Originally posted December 2005)
Jason Jones, Varsity Lakes, QLD
 It could be a few things.
First, I'd check the Windows power management settings (go to the Windows desktop, right-click and choose properties) and check that you're not getting the power management kicking in and switching off the monitor. Here's a hint - if the monitor comes back on because you hit a key or move the mouse, it sounds like power management to me.
If that doesn't help, try getting hold of another monitor and just trying it on your system. If the problem continues, there's something funny going on with your PC box. If it stops, your monitor may have something funny going on with it. If it is your monitor, just check the power and video cables are correctly installed and that no pins on the VGA connector have been damaged.
If the cables aren't anchored, you could try replacing the cables and seeing if that helps. If not and you know the monitor is the problem, I'd probably consider buying a new monitor - these days CRT monitors are so cheap and being dumped by most vendors that few would want to bother looking at one anyway.
(As Terry O'Shanassy says, even though you think there isn't a pattern - think carefully. Are you sure it doesn't coincide with something you're doing, such as playing a game or starting a utility? It may be that something is forcing the monitor into a mode that it can't handle. -Paul Zucker)Darren Yates and Paul Zucker
 Reader solutions
sandyPosted: 28/08/2010 re: Why does my monitor turn off? my brightness nd contrast button automatically it is being displayed on my screen...can u please fix my problem asap..please
(Is the "menu" button stuck? Clean it and push it in a few times to unstick it. Otherwise get the monitor checked by a repairer. -PZ) jephtePosted: 24/07/2010 re: Why does my monitor turn off? i have similar problem with mia,
my monitor will turn off on its own,
no yellor nor orange or green blinking in the power led of the monitor... then when i tried to on it again it takes several times for me to press the power button of the monitor, but before that it displays
no signal
or
cable disconnected
or
power saving
it is my first time to encounter this kind of problem...
I did check the power management...
but i don't how to check the exact brightness and contrast of the monitor... if it is exact or too much...
please help me or give some advice, what should i have to do.
thank you in advance...
(The brightness and contrast settings won't matter. Try swapping the monitor with another computer. That will show if the fault is with the computer or the monitor. -PZ) debyPosted: 07/07/2010 re: Why does my monitor turn off? WELL I JUST HAD THE PROBLEM SO I SWITCHED OFF ALL POWER TO MY PC, IT WAS ACTUALLY OVERHEATED , WORKS FINE NOW samirPosted: 23/05/2010 re: Why does my monitor turn off? if i press the power button it doesn;t come on if the pc is not on. it show no computer screen
(What would you expect it to do? -PZ) MarvinPosted: 13/05/2010 re: Why does my monitor turn off? When i Play online games my monitor turn off..And the green on the monitor keeps blinking..But If I will just internet it won't Off..Please Help me
(Just out of interest, try another Internet browser for the games. Or if they aren;'t browser-based, reduce the graphics settings. -PZ)-PZ) tomeePosted: 09/04/2010 re: Why does my monitor turn off? is their a switch inside the screen that i could use if i had access?
(I don't understand what you mean Tomee. There is the "menu" button -- do you mean that? -PZ) faraitinoPosted: 04/04/2010 re: Why does my monitor turn off? I overclocked my p.c. then the p.c. restarted and the monitor went on stand by mode.if i restart the pc the monitor still on stand by mode. dykstraPosted: 11/02/2010 re: Why does my monitor turn off? when i press the power switch the electricity still flows. i sense this phenomena Pavan KumarPosted: 12/01/2010 Why does my monitor turn off? When i starts (on) or restart my pc it doesn't display. its completely displays blank. I need to restart my PC two or even three times before it stays on and once back it stays on for good. sometimes it restarts automatically by itselves., when i on/off monitor switch also, it doesn't and never display again.,, i need to restart in that time. pls Any suggestions?
(Takle it to a comouter repair shop. Seriously. -PZ) Priyakant PAtelPosted: 08/09/2009 re: Why does my monitor turn off? my monitoer turns off every time i try to play a game
5 min into gamplay the monitor turns of the power is on but the monitor doesn't work
However when i am not playing an game it works perfectly fine GinaPosted: 22/08/2009 re: Why does my monitor turn off? my Monitor as soon as i turn it on and about 10 min into check facebook my monitor shuts off and when i shut off just the monitor it will come on for 1 seconds and it will shut off again. i have tried everything and i just don't now what else to do plz help me i am in need my computer was purchase new in Nov2008 thank u inadvance....
(Swap your monitor with a friend to see if it's the monitor or the PC that's the problem. If the monitor is broken it will be cheaper to buy a new one than have it repaired. -PZ) creatruePosted: 08/07/2009 re: Why does my monitor turn off? Ok guy's and girls,I took out the Nvidia 9600gt and its drivers, Then I put in a ati card and drivers and now I am happy as can be, lol! JackYack13Posted: 15/05/2009 re: Why does my monitor turn off? I have the same problem. Sometimes when i play GTA San Andreas my monitor turns off and the little green light starts blinking. also, I can hear the sound get stuck in a loop for a while. when the sound is back again I press Alt-Tab. Sometimes it shows me the desktop and i can just go back to the game but sometimes i see only "crazy colors" already mentioned by someone. I know it's not because of my gfx card because my laptop has a worse one and the game works fine and the monitor never turns off. Does anybody have a valid explanation to this? Is it my RAM or something? any help will be appreciated...
(Have you tried turning the graphics down in the game/. Don't dismiss it until yoiu try it. -PZ) SalPosted: 29/03/2009 re: Why does my monitor turn off? My monitor turns off just on Lineage II and PC gets stuck. I can play all other games. I start Lineage and its running about 5 seconds and monitor turns off. ErnestasPosted: 21/03/2009 re: Why does my monitor turn off? I have a similar problem with my monitor:
when i turn on my computer everything is alright, but after ~30min if I want to start a game or somthing that needs loading my monitor turns off. Green light turns off (it only green or black, no orange).but it is theoretically on, because when i push it I turn off my monitor. Then I push on button again, it lights green and after 2 seconds it turns off. Monitor don't show any picture. I need to push the button again and again to turn on my monitor. If I used computer not long monitor turns on after few pushes, but if I used it for a few hours the pushing becomes useless. Once I was pusshing the on button for 50 min but it did't turn on. creaturePosted: 15/03/2009 re: Why does my monitor turn off? Ok, this is whats been done. I unstalled nvidia drivers and what was left in the regedit. Then downloaded the drivers for my series 9 9600GT, it downloads as a binary.Then did a systemconfig turned off some startups and hid windows or microsoft. restart the system then put the cd in that came with my card installed Dx9 first then the drivers and played halo,it seems to work for now! creaturePosted: 12/03/2009 re: Why does my monitor turn off? pz, That low crap don't work. I took all of halo off right down to regedit. reinstalled halo and played half the game and then I heard what sounded like a short in my headphone then the screen went black. I could hear game stuck in a loop,Hmm!
(Visit the game manufacturer's web site. There may be a fix listed or you'l be able to lodge a support question. You'll never know if you don;t try. -PZ) JCPosted: 10/03/2009 re: Why does my monitor turn off? There can be many causes as to why a monitor will display 'crazy colours' or to simply switch 'Off' and 'On' repeatedly..without any warning.
I had a LCD monitor that gave out with 'crazy colours'....if I was to so much as to knock the tower-case ever so lightly (or, give the monitor cable a bit of a wiggle).
The problem turned out to be that the monitor cable was indeed faulty. (This was the original cable that came with the monitor. It slipped through the cracks, of the Quality Control system, when packed.)
Solution?
Replaced the cable, the monitor has been good as gold ever since.
Is the Power supply 'suspect'.....with a 'dry-solder' joint?
Give it the 'once-over' ( a look)...with a good magnifying-glass.
Same can be said for the socket(internally) which the monitor cable plugs into. This socket is not as robust as people may think it is and people being 'heavy-hand' (forcing a connection) can very easily break it...even if they 'think' they did not use any force.
Is the Graphics-card of a 'decent quality'?
(The 9600 series graphics-card does have 'known issues'..with it's drivers.)
Change it. (Simple enough?)
Are they trying to use the 'on-board graphics' set-up....to run their 'high-end' games?
I might be wrong in saying so....but........the Manufacturers of the Motherboards only started supplying 'on-board graphics' (256 Mbs) equal to what was readily available as an 'add-in' set-up....about the time Vista was released to the public.
Updating those drivers (like using the WRONG ones) can affect both the Graphics-card and the monitor alike.
This is usually the biggest fault of all times. (Of people NOT paying closer attention...to what they are doing.)
Try reverting back to the original drivers, yes, the ones that came on the Installation CD, with the Graphics-card.... or, off the Motherboard's Install CD. (After all, they are the ones 'meant to be used'..for the Graphics-card in question!)
IF the Graphics (or monitor) are still 'suspect', if all else fails, try using the "Safe Mode" (to get back into the computer)... and re-check everything (of the 'Preferences'...of the Graphics-card AND the monitor.)
In other words, RESET everything.....back to their 'DEFAULT SETTINGS'.
And, having done that, heed my advice...."Leave it alone!"
Default settings generally DOES mean.....everything is already 'optimzed'!
To run at a safe level!
chrisPosted: 03/03/2009 re: Why does my monitor turn off? when i play crysis it last for about 10-15mins then my monitor turns on to standby butyou can hear the game sound cuming through the speakers can sum 1 give a solution to sort this out.
this does not happen with eny of my othere games
.
im running
vista 64 bit
intel dual quad core @ 2.33ghz
4 gig ram
9600 gts nvidia grapix
800ddr
(Try reducing the resolution and/or the refresh rate. Do it a lot and then try higher settings if that works. -PZ) creaturePosted: 20/01/2009 re: Why does my monitor turn off? My monitor turns off only on Halo, my other games work fine. when I had ati and just xp monitor never cut off. Got vista and Nvidia Halo shuts it off everytime. I think its the wrong card, I put a new one in and the same sh__. same kind of card, I got 500 watts of power 4kgs of mem. 4gs hard drive space.
(Turn down your graphics in the game. -PZ) Brett CPosted: 06/01/2009 re: Why does my monitor turn off? My monitor does the same this and its a newer computer with a monitor i bought it with but it doesnt turn the monitor off it puts it on standby but my computer is still on with music and running my programs. i have to turn it off to fix it. DanovanPosted: 30/12/2008 re: Why does my monitor turn off? I have switch my graphics with a newer one and i also changed screens but my screen still wont turn on it stays orange plz help
(Try setting the graphics to a loow setting. -PZ) JeraldoPosted: 26/12/2008 re: Why does my monitor turn off? I have the same problem too! I was playing Warcraft3 and Medal of Honor before with my Nvidia 8500 gt fine before I checked out its Nvidia Control Panel, I didnt made any changes to it but when I played warcraft my monitor turns off and green light turns orange and are blinking. Tried new drivers and reverted to the same one i got before but no use. Even restoring the Nvidia control panel settings.
Do you think reformatting my PC would do?
(Try changing the resoolution of the game. Lower it quite a bit. -PZ) FrankPosted: 29/10/2008 re: Why does my monitor turn off? Had same said problem just a few days ago and this is what i found what was wrong with my pc.
On boot you could hear the monitor click in as the graphics card sends the signal, but just as the xp load screen appears i could hear a click and the green monitor light would go back to orange no signal. Strange enough it would work in safe mode but that did not give me any leads to what the problem may be.
Now, as i use the same monitor for testing other computers that i fix i decided to check all connections and the first one i tested was the monitor lead in to the back of the graphics card by removing it and re-plugging it and low and behold it worked fine for a few days but then the same problem started again.
well, time to investigate further so of with the comp side panel to check the graphics card heat dissipating fan was working and that was fine.
Next, remove lock down screw and remove graphics card, checked the gold contacts for wear and possible fingerprints which leave a oily residue and then checked the AGP slot for dust and foriegn matter, all clear.
As i replaced the card i noticed that when i locked it down with the screw it would pull the back end of the contacts slightly out of the AGP slot due to a slightly malformed backing plate and lockdown slot.
Tested it without the lockdown screw it worked fine but as soon as i secured it i would loose the signal again.
My solution to my problem was to elongate the lockdown slot (the slot the screw goes in to secure the graphics card)with my baby tinsnips and "wallah" no more proplems. The card now seats properly in its position.
Not all comp cases and graphics cards are built the same so make sure that it seats properly and does not pull slightly out of its slot when you lock it down.
Also, remember heat does expand items and as they cool the will contract which can also cause a change of position so investigating it is the key.
That said and done, there are many other problems what can cause issues such as this which i just dont have time for to explain plus i have taken up enough space and Paul`s time just for this.
Frank N Stein GaidisPosted: 26/10/2008 re: Why does my monitor turn off? i think i found the reason why monitors turn off when you do nothing or play games etc etc,
Its simply too high resolution have been put on.Check the manuals of your screens guys and find out what is the max resolution screen supports! My one was turning off too every single 5 mins of game play or simply on its own.And when i checked the resolutions apparently my one was set on max what screen could support and offiecly it was a bit too mutch for the thing to handle. Only one suggestion:get a new screen with better max resolutions. For example 1900x1200 or higher.
It has nothing to do with your cards or PSU`s. CrysisPosted: 15/10/2008 re: Why does my monitor turn off? I also have a little problem here, when i play any of my games and even when i was watching Stargate my monitor turns off, everytime... do you know what problem may that be? Antonio1Posted: 08/10/2008 re: Why does my monitor turn off? I'm here because I have this problem, and I also want to found the bug, and to solve it. I have a CRT 19" which sometimes, it is switching off/on for 1 sec even I'm doing nothing, just reading a document. Sometimes it turns off and remains on, maybe after 20 min start on again. This is happening from about 4 months. I'm am here because I'm thinking to some virus for this moment, and reading your documents, too many people having the same problem lead me also to think to a virus. Anyway if I exclude the virus, I'm thinking also to the adapter from DVI to analog at the video card end. I'll change it and I hope to solve if it is not a virus, but how you explain that more and more people has this problem? Maybe it is done by some leaders to make us to change the CRT with LCD. I want to investigate, and I can say that I don't think that my monitor is the problem, but who knows. gautamPosted: 18/09/2008 Why does my monitor turn off? Same problem as others. In my case it is only while starting that the monitor goes from ON [green] to OFF [orange]. I have to restart my PC two or even three times before it stays on and once back it stays on for good. Any suggestions? DBAPosted: 12/09/2008 re: Why does my monitor turn off? Same problem here... my monitor turn off if I play games eg wow, cod4... I try to shut down my pc for 3days, but still the same...
KurtPosted: 20/08/2008 re: Why does my monitor turn off? Mine turned off a lot,It's only been doing it for a couple of days after I installed some drivers to play COD4.Which right as it did that.That's why I'm thinking certain computers should be update on only required fields anything bonus like Soundblaster,Visualboost,etc.
If you installed something bonus for a game like audio,visual,and all that,You might have to figure a way to uninstall those.I got a new video card as well as removed those.It should act like it's going to sleep,but you can still hear the audio.
Try any of those tips maybe It should help?You may be able to get a new video card I would try that first.70% of all monitor failures Are of the video card.If it doesn't still work Try the other tips... JimPosted: 31/07/2008 re: Why does my monitor turn off? I have had the same problem now, without finding any solution for months. I have tried everything, from taking it to Best buy, big help they were, because they claimed nothing was wrong with it, so I boughyt a new monitor, and now I am just about to give up on this issue... What's the deal with this problem? jason e.Posted: 13/07/2008 re: Why does my monitor turn off? I have same problem imy monitor truns off whrn i play halo 2 on vista. miaPosted: 05/07/2008 re: Why does my monitor turn off? ..i'm having that problem,too..
..my monitor turns on and off by its own..
..i have checked the power management but its still turning on and off..
..and the monitor settings the "contrast,brightness,languages,etc.."
always appears even i'm not opening it..
..any suggestions?!
..i can't fix it anymore by myself..
:((
(Well, if you can, try another monitor to see if it's the PC or the monitor. -PZ) joshPosted: 28/06/2008 re: Why does my monitor turn off? i am currently facing the same problem. My monitor blanks - but only when playing games. And even so, not all the time. It's happened before, a few months back, was alright for awhile, then just recently started again. The monitor blanks when I'm about 10-15 minutes into a game (predominantly Warcarft III), but the cpu remains on.. for awhile. I can tell because there's still sounds of the game coming from the speakers. Only a few seconds after the monitor blanks does the sound itself start juddering. I figured the problem must be due to overheating, so I switched on the air cond and pointed a fan directly at my cpu. Worked for awhile.. until now. Any ideas? Darwin RobesPosted: 26/06/2008 re: Why does my monitor turn off? same problem here maybe the problem is from Video
Card DanPosted: 18/12/2007 re: Why does my monitor turn off? It could be that your power supply isn't giving the video card enough power. check the graphics card manual to see what wattage and ampage power supply they recommend. Its not so much how much watt your supply has (e.g 450watt) its the ampage on the 12v rail, open the case up and check the specs up, if you have two 12 volt rails (e.g +12v1=20 amps +12v2=20amps then thats great, you have 40 amps altogether. Most newer cards on the market need around 36amps to get full potential out of it, but they will still run with say 20amps on one 12 volt rail..but could encounter problems such as ... THE monitor loooosing signal!
basically, your power supply may not be up to the job of supplying the video card with enough power because its using the ampage up elsewhere. If you have 2 cdroms or 1 dvd and 1cdrom, try unplugging one and see how you go, this should put a bit more power to the card.
If that fails, you may want to invest in a good quality power supply, when doing this, CHECK the antage on the 12 volt rails, i would recommend a 550watt psu with two 12 volt rails that combined will give a total of above/near 36ants.
Hope this helps. jochaPosted: 12/12/2007 re: Why does my monitor turn off? i was serving the net when suddenly the the monitor went blank.i turn off the power n turn it on againbut it was blank throughout with only the light flashing green to orange thn to green agrain but there was still nothing..its totally blank.Is my monitor spoiled or whit???
(Whit! - PZ) Gerald WintermeyerPosted: 17/11/2007 re: Why does my monitor turn off? There seem to be an interface problem between my PC and the monitor. When I turn on my PC, the monitor light immediately goes from ON (green) to Off (yellow). I have tried both a CRT monitor and a flat panel and they both do the same thing. The strange thing is that both monitors work satisfactorily with another PC -- both PCs are run by XP pro. I have checked the cables and fuses and everything that is not nailed down but I cannot isolate the problem. Any suggestions.
(Yes, try booting into Safe mode so that the graphics are set to a low level. If that works, set the screen resolution to a much lower level and work back up. If you can't get it going, perhaps the video card is broken of perhaps the PC isn't booting anyway. -PZ) ccloudPosted: 24/09/2007 re: Why does my monitor turn off? i have the same problem as other people on this site. i was just playing halo recently and after an hour or so the game freezez and the monitor turns completely off and the led light turns orange. The only way of getting back on is by rebooting my comp. It also happens to me when im just normally browsing the net. Could it possibly be my monitor or my graphics card? My graphics card is recently just bought a: Saphire x1650 Pro ATI radeon 512 ddr2 memory
(It sounds like a heat problem to me. Perhaps you should get the PC checked professionally. -PZ) SmithPosted: 29/08/2007 re: Why does my monitor turn off? I have the problem which billy described.
I couldn't get my tv-out working so i downloaded Tvtool software and installed it and then i accidently pressed somekind of monitor power off button. I think what happened is the program turned off my monitor and uses tv as primary display.
When i start my computer, it loads as normally, but when the logon screen is supposed to appear my monitor goes blank and I assume it switches to tv, but my tv-out still isn't working!
I tried uninstalling Tvtool in safe mode and it uninstalled it correctly, but monitor still goes blank. In safe mode it works, so I think the tvtool changed some settings which safe mode doesn't start.
Can any of you suggest what to do?
(Reinstall Windows? -PZ)
billyPosted: 28/06/2007 re: Why does my monitor turn off? this problem my be caused by a duel input graphics controller like the x1950, if you have tow connections for your monitor try using the other one this solved the problem for me NamelessPosted: 11/02/2007 re: Why does my monitor turn off? I have the same problem as Adrian (screen receives no signal after playing games with high polygon count for half an hour or so) although I have an ATI Radeon X1650PRO card. Is there anything I can try? Bruce ClarkPosted: 09/02/2007 re: Why does my monitor turn off? Similar problem, 19" CRT turns off at random times for a few minutes or more, usually within a minute of boot up. I suspect some component in the monitor's power supply is about to cark it. Every time it happens, I threaten to turf it out and get a nice new 21" slimline model. The damn thing comes good almost instantly and works for weeks with no problem. One day I will throw it out. LeighPosted: 08/02/2007 re: tom rigby I'd suggest you look at your video card, The monitor sounds like it's losing signal. Have you got either a spare monitor, or a spare video card that you can use to test? I'd swap one of those components and see how you go. The card, may only be loose in the socket. Take the lid off, give the thing a good dust out, and re-seat your card. tom rigbyPosted: 07/02/2007 re: Why does my monitor turn off? i have the same problem monitor will just turn off usually within the first hour of use like alot of other people have reported on hear. here is what happens to my system . the monitor btw which is crt old 19 inch crappy thing led will turn orange and the screen will blank out as if turned off . any way the way i hve to get it back on is to reboot ...i have tried all power options in bios and also in the controll panel and have every thing set to never turn off.i have scanned with numerous antivirus anti spyware softwre s. i also reformatted twice which didnt solve it so im guessing its nothing to with the windows installation or software related:@.i think it is definatly the crt .but any way i think the best thing to do is just get a nu tft lcd and hopefully this will fix the issue.if anyone has a solution to this problem i would love to know what it is ... AdrianPosted: 27/06/2006 re: Why does my monitor turn off? This problem happens with my computer but only while playing a game that has a high poly count.
Then I need to reboot.
My graphics card is a Gigabyte NVIDIA GeForce 6600GT and has worked well for the past 18 months since new.
This is not a solution, I'm really hoping that someone else might know the answer.
Thanks. george semeniano jrPosted: 15/12/2005 re: Why does my monitor off and on my problem monitor is off I press on it's ok after 1mins off and I press on every 1mins off on pls. help me where circuit my monitor problem M. DodsonPosted: 06/12/2005 re: Why does my monitor turn off? My monitor started turning off after about half an hour recently. I noticed the fans were changing speed as the computer was working. I put a volt meter on a 12 volt line and noticed the voltage was changing so I fitted a new power supply which fixed the problem. B.T SwanPosted: 05/12/2005 re: Why does my monitor turn off? Ok I may be only 15 but this has happened to me before the problem I had was my motherborad actually overheated and caused my monitor to be blank.
Another possibility is your graphics card it might be to old and you will need to get a new one I recommend the Nvidia 6800gt Ultra but it depends on your computer and motherboard. And make sure you dont have anything magnetic near your monitor that can cause colour disfigureation. P. J. CoombePosted: 05/12/2005 re: Why does my monitor turn off? I've seen strange problems like this before. The fact that it only happens in the first half-hour makes me think it might be a solder joint fault in the monitor itself.
Solder joints can go bad over time (or even be bad from manufacture) and when this happens, they sometimes cause breaks in the circuit. Often, I have seen a "dry solder" play up when the device was cold, but once the circuitry had warmed up the problem ceased.
(Good point. I reckon there must be thousands of unwanted CRT monitors around the country, so Jason should have no trouble getting another one free. -Paul Zucker) MikePPosted: 05/12/2005 re: Why does my monitor turn off? If you have a sharp kink in the cable the monitor can blank out. A kink can also cause failure of one of the colour chanels as well giving you a colour cast |