My computer boots to a black screen, what options do I have to fix it? - Ask Ubuntu

i trying boot ubuntu on computer. when boot ubuntu, boots black screen. how can fix this?

table of contents:

1. if trying install ubuntu
2. if have dual boot system
3. if update or else caused problem

if trying install ubuntu

1. ensuring cd/dvd or usb flash drive burned/written correctly , not damaged:

• how md5 test ubuntu isos. see also: where find checksums of ubuntu iso images? or md5 hash ubuntu .iso (14.04 through 17.04)
• check out these steps see how check cd once boot make sure it's ready go.
• verify integrity of burned cd/dvd or written usb flash drive (this checks it's accessible computer on wish install).

2. black/purple screen when try boot livecd

the ubuntu installer's startup portion incompatible graphics cards. fixing , getting ubuntu desktop try or install can surprisingly easy fix: nomodeset parameter. see if works you:

• boot desktop live cd , press ↓ key when see below:

  

• press enter , select english:

  

• press f6, use ← ↑ → ↓ keys go down nomodeset, , press enter. x appear left. press esc, , press enter "try ubuntu without installing."

  

you can try acpi = off , nolapic if nomodset shows black screen.

3. black screen

or

"you need load kernel first" , "can not read file/cd0" errors

when installing uefi capable machine:

ubuntu's installer 'when attempting run in uefi mode) hang , stop due different manufacturer's implementations of uefi specification , hang in different ways. identify if machine booting in installer uefi mode see

ref: uefi community ubuntu documentation section 2.4

if machine csm capable (which full uefi implementation emulated bios layer) after selecting option grub list system hang @ black screen.

the picture above confirms dvd/usb booted using uefi , there means in firmware settings ensure drives booted in order make uefi installer run (a solution may possibly simple ensuring sata set ahci) - check vendors manual! check uefi community documentation section 2.3 more details.

what need first disable secure boot in firmware settings. if not ubuntu installer running, try disabling mentioning uefi in firmware settings. or
if cannot find uefi settings enable csm - disable uefi booting of installer , allow legacy/bios install of ubuntu.
installing grub-efi afterwards allow uefi re-enabled. again refer uefi community ubuntu documentation @ section 4

some machines use full bios emulated uefi layer may throw errors described ie "you need load kernel first" , "can not read file/cd0"

not of these machines implement secure boot. selecting uefi in bios settings configure uefi mode on hard drives. there no solution these errors , workaround disable uefi enable ubuntu installer run in legacy mode; after boot-repair can used install grub-efi allows/needs uefi switched on before ubuntu boot using uefi. once again refer uefi community ubuntu documentation @ section 4

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black/purple screen after boot ubuntu first time

this happens because have nvidia or amd graphics card, or laptop optimus or switchable/hybrid graphics, , ubuntu not have proprietary drivers installed allow work these.

the solution boot ubuntu once in nomodeset mode (your screen may weird) bypass black screen, download , install drivers, , reboot fix ever.

• start computer, , press right shift when booting up, grub menu. use ← ↑ → ↓ keys navigate/highlight entry want (usually first one).

  

• press e edit entry, show details:

  

• find linux entry shown above, use ← ↑ → ↓ keys it, , press end key line's end (which may on next line!).

  

  • enter nomodeset shown, , press ctrl+x boot can install graphics drivers.

if running ubuntu 12.04 or 12.10, , have ati/amd graphics card, have follow instructions here, otherwise run problem every time restart computer.

luks encryption

in case you've installed ubuntu luks encryption / lvm option, ubuntu asks password - , cannot see it. if have black screen, try pressing alt+← , alt+→ switch tty, may bring password query , turn backlight on.

if have purple screen (maybe need set nomodeset-option also?) , have encrypted complete ubuntu installation, try type encryption/luks-password after waiting seconds (or minutes, sure) , continue press on enter. if successfull, should see login-screen few seconds later.

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1. try alternate installer - text based installer might work better livecd depending on hardware.
   if this, may black screen before hit grub. simple ctrl+alt+del gets users usable grub screen

2. if have nvidia optimus card should not install nvidia drivers, use built in driver, see here:

   • is nvidia geforce optimus technology supported ubuntu?

3. after selecting boot options have opportunity edit boot flags manually using keyboard. replace quiet splash no splash idea of step system failing at. using information search forums or internet answers community.

4. if still can't install ubuntu unfortunately you've run hardware specific bug, please see here: how report bug?