Monitor goes black, dim picture or won't turn on? Step by step
A monitor that goes black or shows no picture is often just going to sleep because there's no signal. Before you assume a fault, check the cable, input and settings.
- Most common cause
- no signal, cable or power supply
- Time
- 10–20 minutes
- Repair shop
- 270–820 zł
Don't open the monitor casing. The power supply has capacitors that hold a charge after unplugging. If you smell burning, unplug the monitor.
Step by step
Check the power
Check the power cable and the socket. If the monitor has an external power brick, check its LED is lit.
Check the monitor's LED
An orange or blinking LED usually means sleep mode, i.e. no signal from the computer. Then the problem is in the cable or the computer.
Check the cable and input
Choose the right input in the monitor menu. Unplug and replug the cable, and try another cable and another port on the graphics card.
Shine a torch at the screen
If the picture is very dark, shine a torch at it up close. If you can see an outline of the image, the backlight has failed and the rest works.
Check brightness and power saving
Raise the brightness and turn off “Eco” modes or automatic brightness in the menu. On the computer check the screen-off settings.
Reset the monitor to factory settings
In the monitor menu find “Reset” or “Factory settings”. This only restores picture settings and doesn't delete anything on the computer.
- you can see the picture only under a torch
- the monitor turns off a few seconds after switching on
- the power supply whines or you smell burning
- the LED doesn't light at all with a working socket
How much does a repair shop charge?
| Monitor power supply repair | 200–480 zł |
| Backlight repair | 340–680 zł |
| Panel replacement | often more than a new monitor |
| New external power brick | 80–270 zł |
Typical prices at independent repair shops in Poland, October 2026. Authorised service centres and big cities can be more expensive.
Repair or buy new?
The power supply and backlight are usually worth repairing in better monitors. In a cheap 500–700 zł monitor, repairing the panel or board rarely makes sense.
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Why does my monitor go black after a while?
Most often because there's no signal and it sleeps, or because the power supply is failing. Less often the backlight.
What does an orange LED on a monitor mean?
Usually sleep mode, meaning the monitor isn't getting a picture from the computer.
Is it worth repairing a monitor?
The power supply and backlight, yes, if the monitor is worth more than a few hundred złoty. Replacing the panel usually isn't.