Black screen after trying to connect external monitor via HDMI (AZ3-600)

I made the big mistake of trying to connect an external monitor to my all-in-one Acer AZ3-600 using an HDMI cable. This caused the Acer screen to go black immediately and I have not been able to get it back. I've tried restarting and Cntl+Alt+Delete and F8 during start up but nothing. The computer is "on" but the screen is still black. I later learned the HDMI port is an "HDMI in" and is not meant to send outgoing signals. Apparently there is no way to hook up an external monitor to this unit. I'm afraid I may have messed up the video card or something. Is there a way to restore the screen or reset the unit somehow? Thank you!!

Accepted answers

billsey

You are correct in that the HDMI port is HDMI in, not HDMI out. I haven't heard of anyone else with your problem though, and I would expect that plugging in like you did happen reasonably often. Try this, press and hold the power button for 30 seconds to force a full power off. Wait a bit then try to turn it on normally and see if the display come up.

All comments

billsey

You are correct in that the HDMI port is HDMI in, not HDMI out. I haven't heard of anyone else with your problem though, and I would expect that plugging in like you did happen reasonably often. Try this, press and hold the power button for 30 seconds to force a full power off. Wait a bit then try to turn it on normally and see if the display come up.

Sjenest

Hi DanielRD:

Try these...

Option 1 ...

1. First, while the computer is off, connect an external monitor.
2. Next turn on the computer and allow it to fully load.
3. Once loaded, press the "Windows Key" + "P" to open the "Easy Display Switcher".
4. In here select "Computer only".
5. Now shut down the computer and disconnect the external monitor.
5. Disconnect the external monitor
6. And finally restart the computer.

Option 2 ...

Make sure you wait until the computer would be fully loaded before trying this, and not try it right away like you would to say get into BIOS. This needs you to actually be where you would be when Windows Explorer loads.

1. Press "Shift" repeatedly until the "sticky keys" window shows up.

2. Now click the the link there that will lead to the "Ease of Access Center".

3. Next click "Cancel" on the the bottom right corner of the "Set Up Sticky Keys" window.

4. From here you want to click "Control Panel" on the upper left corner (it should be right beside the "Make Your Computer Easier to Use" title.

5. Locate the "Computer Settings" menu and then choose the "Recovery" icon (make sure that your view of this is by either large or small icons for easier access).

6. Now click and open "System Restore".

7. Here you want to click next on the bottom right corner (a few times) until the button "Finish" shows up and then click it. (Just follow everything prompt that the window says which will lead you to recovering your previous system, in a certain time.

8. The computer will now do the work it needs to and then reboot.

if that doesn't work, you can try the following...

You can also try doing the Ctrl+Alt+Delete and see if you can get "Task Manager" to show.

If the "Task Manager" windows shows, then choose "New Task" and then type in EXPLORER. If the desktop shows up then you need to go into "Start", "Programs", then "Accessories" and finally "Command Prompt". (Or you can do a search for CMD.)

Make sure you load the "Command Prompt" with Administrator access. Then when it loads type in....

SFC /SCANNOW

It will do a file check.

Click on "Like" if you find my answer useful or click on "Yes" if it answers your question.

Thanks.

DanielRD

Thank you! I held down the power button for about 10 seconds during start up--past the beep--and eventually the Acer logo came on the screen for the first time in many restart attempts. It booted up and seems to be working normally now. Such a relief. Thank you.

billsey

Sweet! It's always great when the simple fixes ... fix it!

Aespanavis

I seem to be having problems with my screen too! I have been using my Xbox to connect to my acer monitor for many years now- until it had decided to turn black in the middle of a game. I’m quite confused as to why? And i am unsure as to what I can do to fix this problem. Please help!

Aespanavis

I’ve tried many various ways to reset the monitor but nothing seems to work. All that’s visible, is a blue light (near the power button) despite the screen displaying nothing but a black background.

billsey

@Aespanavis you should start your own thread (use the Ask a Question button) instead of posting here where the question has already been answered. Include your full model number (Z3-600-xxxx if the same as this thread), what you are seeing as the problem and what you have tried so far. Does the monitor work when you boot the computer? Or is it only failing when used as an external monitor for a different system?

Aespanavis

The model is KA222Q
every time I switch it on a blue light shows but a black screen shows too I can’t even access the menu because all of the buttons except the power button don’t work. I’ve never had this problem before so I’m confused. Please help

Aespanavis

I have tried to reset it many times but nothing has been resolved. I’ve waited a few days for it to work but that did not solve the issue (this was connected to a new xbox) not a computer btw. The hdmi cable and the xbox seem to work on my tv so I think the problem is with the monitor for some reason.

billsey

So a KA222Q connected to an Xbox should work fine, but you are in the wrong category. This one is for All In One computers. I'll ask the moderators to change it for you. Is the Xbox set to send out 1920x1080@60Hz?

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