How to Fix Windows 10 Display Errors After an Update

A Windows update can sometimes be followed by a black screen, flickering display, distorted image, incorrect resolution, or an unexpected restart. These symptoms do not always mean the update itself is defective. A recently installed graphics driver, an incompatible application, damaged Windows files, or a loose display connection may also be responsible.

This guide starts with the safest checks before moving to driver changes, Safe Mode, system repairs, or removal of the recent update.

Windows 10 support notice: Standard support for Windows 10 ended on October 14, 2025. The operating system still works, but devices without an Extended Security Updates option no longer receive regular free security fixes. Microsoft recommends moving to Windows 11 when the computer supports it.

Before You Start

  • Connect a laptop to its charger.
  • Save your work if the desktop remains usable.
  • Back up important personal files before removing updates or making major system changes.
  • Write down the update number shown in Windows Update history.
  • Do not download graphics drivers from unofficial driver-download websites.

1. Reset the Graphics Driver

If the screen is black, flickering, or temporarily frozen, try resetting the graphics driver without restarting Windows.

  1. Press Windows + Ctrl + Shift + B.
  2. Wait a few seconds.

The screen may briefly flash or go dark while Windows resets the graphics driver. If nothing changes, restart the computer and continue with the next steps.

2. Check the Monitor and Display Connections

A display problem that appears after a restart can sometimes be caused by a cable, monitor input, dock, or external display rather than Windows.

  • Reconnect the HDMI, DisplayPort, VGA, or USB-C cable.
  • Confirm that the monitor is using the correct input source.
  • Try another compatible cable or monitor if one is available.
  • Disconnect docks and unnecessary external displays.
  • On a laptop, test the built-in screen without external display equipment.

3. Check Whether the Driver or an App Is Causing Flickering

Microsoft recommends using Task Manager to help identify the likely source of a flickering screen.

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. Watch whether Task Manager flickers with the rest of the screen.
  • If Task Manager also flickers, the graphics driver is probably responsible.
  • If Task Manager remains stable while everything else flickers, an incompatible application is more likely.

If an application is the likely cause, update it through its official source or temporarily uninstall it to test the display again.

4. Roll Back the Display Driver

If the problem began after Windows installed a newer graphics driver, rolling back to the previous driver is usually more appropriate than searching immediately for another update.

  1. Right-click Start and select Device Manager.
  2. Expand Display adapters.
  3. Right-click the graphics adapter and select Properties.
  4. Open the Driver tab.
  5. Select Roll Back Driver.
  6. Choose the reason for the rollback and follow the instructions.
  7. Restart the computer.

If the Roll Back Driver button is unavailable, continue with the update or reinstall options below.

5. Update the Graphics Driver

  1. Open Device Manager.
  2. Expand Display adapters.
  3. Right-click the graphics adapter.
  4. Select Update driver.
  5. Select Search automatically for drivers.
  6. Restart the computer if a driver is installed.

You can also check the support page for your PC manufacturer or graphics hardware provider, such as Intel, AMD, or NVIDIA. Use a driver listed for your exact device model and Windows version.

6. Reinstall the Display Driver

If updating or rolling back does not help, the installed driver might be damaged.

  1. Open Device Manager.
  2. Expand Display adapters.
  3. Right-click the graphics adapter and select Uninstall device.
  4. Select Uninstall. Do not select an option to permanently delete the driver package unless your device manufacturer specifically instructs you to do so.
  5. Restart the computer.

Windows should detect the graphics adapter and reinstall an available driver during startup. If it loads only a basic Microsoft display driver, install the correct driver from the computer or graphics manufacturer.

7. Start Windows 10 in Safe Mode

Safe Mode loads Windows with a limited set of drivers. It is useful when display corruption prevents you from using Device Manager normally.

If You Can Reach the Sign-In Screen or Desktop

  1. Hold Shift while selecting Power > Restart.
  2. Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
  3. After the device restarts, press 4 or F4 for Safe Mode.
  4. Use Device Manager to roll back, update, or uninstall the display driver.

If the Screen Is Blank but Shows a Cursor

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. Find Windows Explorer.
  3. Right-click it and select Restart.

If Windows Explorer is missing, select File > Run new task, enter explorer.exe, and select OK.

8. Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter

This troubleshooter is designed mainly for problems with downloading or installing Windows updates. It can still be useful when the display problem appeared alongside a failed or incomplete update.

  1. Select Start > Settings.
  2. Open Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
  3. Select Additional troubleshooters.
  4. Select Windows Update > Run the troubleshooter.
  5. Apply any recommended changes.
  6. Restart the computer.

After restarting, return to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and check whether the update completed successfully.

9. Repair Windows System Files

If the update was interrupted or Windows reports additional errors, use Microsoft’s DISM and System File Checker tools.

  1. Search for Command Prompt.
  2. Right-click it and select Run as administrator.
  3. Run the following command:
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

Wait for DISM to finish, and then run:

sfc /scannow

Allow the scan to reach 100 percent, and then restart Windows.

10. Uninstall the Recent Windows Update

Remove an update only when the display problem started immediately after it was installed and the safer driver fixes did not work. Microsoft notes that not every update can be uninstalled.

  1. Open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
  2. Select View update history.
  3. Select Uninstall updates.
  4. Find the most recent relevant update.
  5. Select it and choose Uninstall.
  6. Restart the computer.

Uninstall an Update When Windows Will Not Start Normally

  1. Enter the Windows Recovery Environment.
  2. Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Uninstall Updates.
  3. Choose Uninstall latest quality update or Uninstall latest feature update, depending on what triggered the problem.
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Security note: Uninstalling an update may remove recent security fixes. After confirming that the display works, check Microsoft and your device manufacturer for a corrected update or compatible graphics driver.

Understanding Stop Codes and Device Manager Errors

Stop codes and Device Manager codes are two different types of errors.

PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA

This is a Windows stop code that can be related to a driver, memory problem, damaged system file, or other low-level software issue. The code alone does not prove that the graphics card is defective. Note any filename displayed with the error and check Device Manager, recently installed drivers, and Windows system files.

Device Manager Code 9

Code 9 means Windows cannot correctly identify the hardware because it does not have a valid hardware identification number. Microsoft says invalid device IDs have been detected and recommends contacting the hardware manufacturer because the device or its driver may be defective.

To view the code:

  1. Open Device Manager.
  2. Right-click the device marked with a yellow warning symbol.
  3. Select Properties.
  4. Read the message under Device status.

When the Problem May Be Hardware-Related

Contact the device or graphics-card manufacturer if:

  • The display problem appears before Windows starts.
  • The issue remains in Safe Mode.
  • The same artifacts appear on multiple monitors and cables.
  • Device Manager repeatedly reports Code 9.
  • The screen shows persistent lines, discoloration, or distortion outside Windows.

Final Takeaway

Display errors after a Windows 10 update are commonly connected to a recently changed graphics driver, but incompatible applications, damaged system files, cables, monitors, and hardware faults can produce similar symptoms.

Start by resetting the graphics driver and checking the physical connections. Next, use Task Manager to distinguish between a driver and app problem. Roll back, update, or reinstall the display driver before removing the Windows update. If Windows is difficult to use, perform these steps from Safe Mode.

Sources

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