A delayed display at normal startup, while Windows otherwise boots, commonly points to a display driver issue. Safe Mode behavior is relevant here because Safe Mode uses only basic drivers, and display problems that happen only in normal startup are often caused by the graphics driver.
Try this in order:
- Reset the graphics driver when the screen is still blank.
- Press Windows + Ctrl + Shift + B.
- A beep or brief screen flicker indicates the graphics driver reset worked.
- Check whether the display driver needs to be updated, rolled back, or reinstalled.
- Open Device Manager.
- Expand Display adapters.
- Right-click the graphics adapter.
- First try Update driver.
- If the problem started after a recent driver change, open Properties > Driver > Roll Back Driver.
- If that does not help, use Uninstall Device, then restart so Windows can reinstall the driver.
- Note: uninstalling or rolling back drivers requires administrator privileges.
- If the screen is difficult to use normally, start in Safe Mode with Networking and change the driver there.
- Hold the power button for 10 seconds to shut down.
- Repeat startup interruption 2–3 times until Recovery Mode appears.
- Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart.
- Press F5 for Safe Mode with Networking.
- Then update or roll back the display driver in Device Manager.
- Test for a display output issue.
- Press Windows + P, then press P again and Enter to cycle display modes.
- This helps if Windows is sending output to the wrong display mode during startup.
- Check the physical display path.
- Reseat the monitor cable.
- If available, test with a different cable or monitor.
- If using any external adapters, remove them for testing.
If the issue began only after installing the current graphics driver, the most relevant next step is to roll back that driver or uninstall and reinstall it. If Windows Update recently changed the driver, rollback is specifically recommended in the display troubleshooting guidance.