Black screen, no boot, but only during startup?
Black screen, no boot, but only during startup?
Laptop Model:
Lenovo Legion 5i Pro 16ITH6H
CPU: i7-11800H
GPU: RTX 3060
This device is approximately three years old and no longer covered by warranty.
I’m experiencing an unusual problem.
It occurred after installing the newest nvidia GeForce game driver about a week ago (don’t assume it’s connected to the issue).
After completing the installation, I had to restart the laptop. Once restarted, I encountered a black screen with no booting option.
Pressing the power button for 60 seconds and then turning it on required around 100 attempts before it finally started.
The problem continues even now. It only happens when I restart the laptop. Whether I shut it down normally or perform an update, it still fails to boot.
When I manually turn it off and then back on, the keyboard flashes and the screen backlight illuminates, but it doesn’t start. The fans are audible, yet it remains black until several resets occur.
I’ve tried various solutions:
- Connecting an external monitor
- Reinstalling Windows
- Installing different drivers
- Changing RAM slots one by one
- Booting without using the SSD
- Cleaning the fans and checking the battery connection
Disconnecting/reconnecting the battery also didn’t resolve it.
The same issue persists every time I restart, requiring me to press the power button repeatedly—often over 100 times—until it finally boots without a black screen.
Occasionally, before it starts, the BIOS restoration options appear. However, this might just be due to excessive button presses.
It’s quite peculiar that it works when I click shutdown, but restarting seems to cause total failure until some unexpected action gets it running again.
This suggests a hardware problem (POST stalling), with potential causes including the CPU, motherboard, RAM, GPU, and/or power supply unit.
Additional confirmation comes from the clean Windows installation you performed, which eliminates software-related issues.
Even though the laptop is no longer under warranty, repairs are still possible by taking it to a repair shop for diagnostics and fixes. The cost will be your responsibility, not the manufacturer’s.
Still, it’s preferable to have it functioning properly rather than risking complete failure at any time.
Choose to pay for repairs or opt for a new laptop. Your decision is yours.
For repair services, Northridge Fix is a reputable option in the USA, and they also offer international shipping for repairs worldwide (for customers outside the USA).
You can learn more about their work on their YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@NorthridgeFix/videos
For example, one video covers laptop power restoration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pdaQsv189Y
They also provide a range of electronic repair supplies such as soldering stations, microscopes, flux, capacitors, MOSFETs, connectors, etc.
I handed it off to a repair shop, they told me they couldn't get it working and the capacitors were damaged. During cleaning, they mentioned that a part of the bios chip broke off and I'd have to replace an entire module.
Caps typically fail because of excessive heat. In laptops, with limited airflow and no dust maintenance, internal components can overheat. This is the most probable scenario. Although caps may occasionally fail due to manufacturing defects, it usually affects just one cap rather than several at once.
BIOS chips generally feature 6-8 solder points (or legs when located outside the chip). If one leg detaches, the chip remains functional and can be re-soldered.
Here’s a collection of BIOS chips:
https://images-cdn.ubuy.co.in/66557cf600...tm-itx.jpg
It seems repair shops might lack the tools or expertise to fix the broken leg.
Alex from Northridge Fix has experience re-soldering damaged BIOS chip legs, as shown in his repair videos.
Sure, I'll consider referring to someone else and ask if a professional from the EU is recommended.
Well, i'm at EU myself, but when need be, i'd ship my stuff across the pond for Alex to work on.
Since for Alex, i can personally validate his expertise (thanks to the in-depth videos he makes of electronics repairs).
For other shops, i have 0 clue on how competent they are, since anyone can advertise that they are the best in the area.
Now, in my local area, i know of one shop who does good mobile phone repairs. But mobile phones are different from laptops/GPUs and i'm not sure that they have the knowledge regarding PC electronics.
As for as Alex goes, he has repaired stuff sent to him from India and even from South Africa.
E.g here's the vid with shipping from South Africa, short circuited laptop MoBo btw:
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObRjLO6BCq4