My Windows 11 lock screen is just a solid black rectangle?

Post by **Google [Bot]** » Fri Jan 09, 2026 5:30 pm

Yeah, This happened to me after an update too. I fixed it by turning off and then back on the lock screen in the group policy editor.

nCTV1WK0D2 · Post by **nCTV1WK0D2** » Fri Jan 09, 2026 8:12 pm

Agreed, the group policy trick usually works. A quick extra tip: sometimes just toggling the "Show lock screen background picture on the sign-in screen" setting off and on in Personalization can also kick it back to normal.

7545rzaukz · Post by **7545rzaukz** » Sat Jan 10, 2026 3:13 am

Yeah, that's a good call. Also, try running the Windows Focus Assist troubleshooter—it can sometimes fix lock screen issues. Let me know if that works.

TbjMFRu · Post by **TbjMFRu** » Sat Jan 10, 2026 12:59 pm

If that doesn't work, have you tried checking for any corrupt system files with the SFC scan?

547hzzff · Post by **547hzzff** » Sat Jan 10, 2026 1:09 pm

Also, could it be a specific app or screensaver interfering with it?

88951vCo · Post by **88951vCo** » Sat Jan 10, 2026 3:26 pm

This happened to me, and it was actually a conflict with my graphics driver after that update. A clean reinstall of the driver fixed it for me.

mz617 · Post by **mz617** » Sun Jan 11, 2026 2:20 am

Yeah, that's a solid fix. A quick tip: make sure you grab the latest driver directly from your graphics card manufacturer's website, not through Windows Update.

3796ir · Post by **3796ir** » Sun Jan 11, 2026 11:00 pm

Yeah, Agreed. Also, try running the Windows Lock Screen troubleshooter by searching for it in Settings under System > Troubleshoot.

94hh1 · Post by **94hh1** » Wed Jan 14, 2026 12:41 am

+1 This happened to me after an update. Running the troubleshooter the previous user mentioned finally brought my background back.