Is Anyone facing black background issue in lock screen after cold boot. It is happening to me since August 2026.

Ksheetiz Sharma 0 Reputation points
2026-10-11T00:32:16.4266667+00:00

After cold boot, Lock screen background is just black with weather widget and clock. First I thought it was a windows spotlight issue but it still happening even after fixing a single wallpaper for lock screen.
The frequency of this issue is moderate. Like 5 in 10 cold boot.
It started happening after a window update in august 2026. which somehow took 2hrs in restart based installation.
I thought my windows files were corrupted so I did DISM and SFC, after then also resintalled window from recovery (the one in which app, setting and files are not deleted; repair version). Yet it is still happening.

Can Anyone help?

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Windows update
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  1. Hendrix-V 19,940 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-10-11T06:00:50.8466667+00:00

    Hi Ksheetiz Sharma,

    Since you’ve already tried changing the lock-screen image, DISM/SFC, and a Windows repair reinstall, I’d avoid repeating those steps.

    As this specifically occurs after a cold boot, please try:

    1. Disable Fast Startup in Control Panel > Power Options.
    2. Fully shut down and test several cold boots.
    3. If it persists, install the latest compatible graphics driver from your device/GPU manufacturer.

    If the problem remains, report it through Feedback Hub (Win + F) with your Windows build and the steps needed to reproduce it.

    Please note that this is a user-to-user support forum. Moderators, contributors including external Microsoft employees cannot directly intervene in Microsoft product features or access back-end systems. Our role is limited to providing technical guidance on reported issues, requests, or ideas.

    I hope this helps narrow it down.

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  2. AI answer

    2026-10-11T00:32:34.98+00:00

    This matches a known Windows issue pattern introduced by August 2026 updates.

    Two different black-screen behaviors are documented:

    1. Desktop background turns solid black after the August 27, 2026 update
      • This affects desktop settings loading after KB5120998 and can make the background appear black.
      • Microsoft states this was resolved by updates released September 8, 2026 and later, such as KB5124008.
      • If the device is still on an update released before September 8, 2026, the documented workaround is:
        1. Open Microsoft Store.
        2. Select Downloads > Check for updates.
        3. Install the latest Auto Super Resolution Package update, version 1.0.19.0 or later.
    2. Black screen after sign-in / desktop not loading
      • On some devices after August 2026 updates, users can see a black screen after sign-in.
      • A temporary workaround is:
        1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
        2. Select Run new task.
        3. Enter explorer.exe and select OK.

    Since the issue described is specifically on the lock screen after cold boot, and repair install, SFC, and DISM did not change it, the most relevant supported action is to make sure the device has the latest Windows update installed, especially any update released on or after September 8, 2026, because Microsoft marked the August 2026 black background issue as resolved there.

    For general black-screen recovery when it happens:

    1. Press Windows + Ctrl + Shift + B to reset the graphics driver.
    2. Press Windows + P, then P again, then Enter to cycle display modes.
    3. Press Ctrl + Alt + Del and see whether the security screen appears.
    4. If needed, hold the power button for 20 seconds to force restart.

    If the black screen is only on the lock screen before sign-in, the context does not provide a separate lock-screen-specific fix for Windows 11 Home beyond installing the newer Windows updates and using the general blank-screen recovery steps.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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