Thursday, August 21, 2025

How to Fix Windows 7 Black Screen After Login (Blank Screen with Cursor)


 







Fix: Windows 7 Black Screen After Login with Cursor Only

Are you stuck on a black screen after logging into Windows 7, seeing only the mouse cursor? This is a known issue and can be caused by corrupt profiles, services not loading properly, or malware.

Here’s how to fix it step-by-step.

Symptoms:

  • You log in, then screen turns black

  • Only the mouse cursor is visible

  • No desktop icons, no taskbar

  • Safe Mode may or may not work

Solution 1: Use Task Manager to Launch Explorer

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager

  2. Click File > New Task (Run...)

  3. Type explorer.exe and hit Enter

If desktop loads, it means explorer.exe failed to start. You can fix this using the next step.

Solution 2: Enable Explorer.exe on Startup

  1. Press Windows + R, type msconfig, hit Enter

  2. Go to Startup tab

  3. Make sure Windows Explorer or explorer.exe is checked

  4. Click OK and restart the system

Solution 3: Boot into Safe Mode and Perform System Restore

  1. Restart the computer

  2. Press F8 before Windows starts

  3. Select Safe Mode with Networking

  4. Go to:

    • Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore

  5. Choose a restore point before the issue started

Solution 4: Check for Malware in Safe Mode

  • In Safe Mode with Networking, download and run Malwarebytes

  • Perform a full system scan

  • Remove any threats found

  • Reboot and check if issue is resolved

Solution 5: Disable Problematic Services or Startup Apps

  1. Press Windows + R, type msconfig, hit Enter

  2. Go to the Services tab

  3. Check Hide all Microsoft services, then Disable all

  4. Go to the Startup tab and click Disable all

  5. Restart your system

If the system boots fine, re-enable services one by one to find the culprit.

Solution 6: Create a New User Profile

If your user profile is corrupt:

  1. Boot into Safe Mode

  2. Go to Control Panel > User Accounts

  3. Create a new user with admin rights

  4. Restart and log in with the new user