How to Fix Grey Screen on Windows 11 (Top 7 Ways)

Why Does the Grey Screen Occur on Windows 11?

The grey screen in Windows 11 bears a striking resemblance to the well-known blue screen of death (BSOD) error and the black screen of death error. The occurrence of a grey screen on Windows 11 can be attributed to several possible reasons. Here are a few common causes:

• Graphics driver issues: Outdated or incompatible graphics drivers can lead to a grey screen problem. It is essential to ensure that you have the latest drivers installed for your graphics card.
• Hardware problems: Faulty hardware components such as the graphics card, monitor, or cables can result in a grey screen. Loose connections or damaged hardware can disrupt the display and cause the issue.
• Software conflicts: Certain software or applications may conflict with Windows 11, leading to a grey screen. This can occur due to incompatible software versions or conflicts between different programs.
• System errors or crashes: System errors, crashes, or instability can sometimes manifest as a grey screen. These issues may be related to system files, registry errors, or other underlying software problems.
• Display settings: Incorrect display settings, such as unsupported resolutions or refresh rates, can trigger a grey screen. It is important to ensure that the display settings are properly configured and compatible with your monitor.

How to Solve Grey Screen on Windows 11 with 9 Ways

Below, you will discover a selection of the most effective solutions to troubleshoot and resolve the grey screen in Windows 11.

1. Update Graphics Driver in Windows 11

To prevent the occurrence of the grey screen of death in Windows 11, it is crucial to keep the graphics drivers on your PC or laptop up to date. Outdated graphics drivers can lead to various system-level problems in Windows 11.

Therefore, performing a timely update of your Windows drivers can often resolve many issues on your PC or laptop. To update the graphics drivers on your Windows 11 device, follow the steps provided below:

Step 1. Right-click on the Start icon and select Device Manager from the Quick Links menu.

Step 2. Expand the Display adapters section by clicking on the small arrow next to it.

Step 3. Right-click on the graphics driver and choose the option Update driver.

Step 4. In the subsequent prompt, select the option Search automatically for drivers.

Step 5. Allow Windows to search for the latest driver updates and proceed with their installation on your Windows 11 device.

Step 6. Once the installation is finished, restart your PC or laptop.

After updating the graphics driver on your device, the grey screen in Windows 11 should be resolved. However, if you continue to encounter the issue intermittently in Windows 11, proceed to the next troubleshooting method.

2. Perform an SFC Scan in Windows 11

The System File Checker (SFC) scan is a useful Windows tool that can effectively address various system issues in Windows 11, including the grey screen of death error. This command-line tool performs a comprehensive scan of the system files in Windows 11, replacing any corrupt or missing files. This process resolves numerous system-level problems on your Windows 11 PC or laptop and restores it to a normal state. To run an SFC scan in Windows 11:

Step 1. Utilize the search bar or icon in Windows 11 to locate the Command Prompt tool, and select the Run as administrator option. Enter the following command and press Enter:

• sfc /scannow

Step 2. Allow the scan to complete in its entirety. Avoid closing the Command Prompt tool during the scan process.

Step 3. Once the scan is finished, restart your Windows 11 device.

If the grey screen of death error was caused by a corrupt or missing system file on your Windows 11 PC or laptop, the SFC scan should promptly resolve the issue. If the problem persists, proceed to the next solution to learn how to fix Windows 11 grey screen error.

3. Perform DISM Scans in Windows 11

Similar to the SFC scan, the DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) scans are a collection of command-line tools that can address the grey screen of death error in Windows 11.

These tools scan the system images in Windows 11 and resolve any issues that may be impacting your device's performance or causing the grey, blue, or black screen of death error. To run the DISM scans on your Windows 11 device, follow the steps below:

Step 1. Launch the Command Prompt tool in Windows 11 with administrator privileges. Enter the following commands one by one and press Enter:

• DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
• DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
• DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Note: Please avoid running the aforementioned tools simultaneously and initiate the next scan only after the completion of the previous one.

Step 2. Once the DISM scans are complete, restart your Windows 11 PC or laptop.

After performing the DISM scans, the grey screen in Windows 11 should be resolved, and your laptop or PC should regain normal functionality.

4. Disable Fast Startup in Windows 11

Numerous Windows 11 users have reported that the fast startup feature, designed to expedite the booting process after shutdown, is responsible for triggering the grey screen of death error on their devices. If you are experiencing a similar issue, you can attempt disabling the fast startup feature in Windows 11. To do so, follow the steps provided below:

Step 1. Utilize the search icon or bar in Windows 11 to locate and open Control Panel.

Step 2. Choose the System and Security option.

Step 3. Click on Power Options on the subsequent page.

Step 4. Next, choose the Choose what the power buttons can do option from the side navigation bar.

Step 5. In this section, you will come across the Turn on fast startup option.

Note: You may need to enable administrator rights to uncheck the Turn on fast startup option

Step 6. Uncheck the box next to this option to disable fast startup, then click the Save changes button.

After making this adjustment, the grey screen of death error on your Windows 11 laptop or PC should be resolved. Consequently, you should no longer experience this issue intermittently on your device.

5. Using Windows Security to Scan for Viruses and Malware

As previously mentioned, the grey screen of death error in Windows 11 could be caused by a virus or malware affecting your laptop or PC. If you suspect that your Windows 11 device is infected, conducting a Windows Security scan can potentially resolve the grey screen of death error. To perform the scan, follow the steps below:

Step 1. Press Windows + I to open the Settings app in Windows 11.

Step 2. From the sidebar, navigate to the Privacy and Security option and select Windows Security.

Step 3. On the subsequent page, choose the Virus & threat protection option.

Step 4. Locate the Quick scan button at the bottom of the page and click on it.

The Windows Security tool, also known as Windows Defender, will now conduct a comprehensive scan of your Windows 11 PC or laptop, searching for any suspicious files or folders that may contain a virus or malware. Once it identifies the affected file or folder, it will recommend removing it from your device to eliminate the virus or malware and resolve the grey screen in Windows 11.

6. Run the Power Troubleshooter

Numerous users have reported that running the Power troubleshooter can potentially resolve the grey screen after login in Windows 11. To run the Power troubleshooter in Windows 11, follow the steps provided below:

Step 1. Utilize the Windows 11 search icon or bar to search for Troubleshoot settings and select the first option that appears.

Step 2. On the subsequent page, select the Other troubleshooters option.

Step 3. Scroll down until you locate the Power option, then click the Run button next to it.

Wait for the troubleshooter to diagnose the Power settings and resolve any issues that your Windows 11 device may be experiencing. Once the process is complete, restart your PC or laptop and verify if the grey screen error in Windows 11 has been resolved.

7. UpdateYour Windows 11 Operating System

If the aforementioned methods prove unsuccessful, it is highly likely that you are utilizing an outdated version of Windows 11 on your device, which may be the cause of the grey screen of death error. In such a scenario, you simply need to check for Windows updates in the Settings and promptly update the operating system. To proceed with this:

Step 1. Press Windows + I to open the Settings in Windows 11.

Step 2. Access the Windows Update option from the sidebar and click on the Check for updates button.

Step 3. When the available updates appear, click the Download and install button to initiate the download process on your device.

Step 4. Wait for the update to finish installing, and then restart your PC or laptop.

After completing the update, your Windows 11 device should be resolved, and the occurrence of the grey screen in Windows 11 should no longer disrupt your everyday digital tasks.

Backup Your Windows 11 to Protect Your Important Data

To resolve the grey screen issue in Windows 11, I hope that one of the aforementioned methods will help you overcome the problem. However, it's important to note that this error is just one among several common issues encountered by Windows 11 users.

In such situations, having a system backup can prove highly beneficial in swiftly resolving these problems. I recommend utilizing AOMEI Backupper Standard, a free system backup software specifically designed for Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP. This user-friendly software boasts a concise interface and offers the following key features:

◕ Back up files, system, partitions, and disks on your computer.
◕ Create backups to local disks, external devices (USB, HDD, SSD, etc.), cloud storage, NAS, or network shared folders.
◕ Schedule automatic backups with five available modes: Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Event triggers, and USB plugin.
◕ Choose from different backup methods, including full backup, incremental backup, and differential backup (Differential backup is available in the Professional edition).

Backing up your system is a simple process that only requires a few clicks. Download and install the AOMEI Backupper Standard software on your computer.

Step 1. Open the AOMEI Backupper Standard software and click on the Backup option. Then, choose System Backup from the available options.

Step 2. Customize the Task Name to differentiate it. The program will auto select the system and boot partitions as the source. Choose a destination path to store the system backup, such as backup computer to a USB drive, external storage, network share, NAS, or another suitable location of your choice.

Step 3. Initiate the system backup process in Windows 11/10/8/7 by clicking on the Start Backup button.

Conclusion

This article presents 7 methods to resolve the grey screen in Windows 11. You can select any of these methods based on your requirements to attempt to fix this error. Moreover, it is crucial to create a backup of your Windows 11 data beforehand, enabling you to easily revert to the previous stable version in case any system issues arise. This backup process will not result in any data loss.

AOMEI Backupper not only serves as excellent backup software for effortlessly backing up your Windows 11 system but also offers basic sync features. Give it a try now!