Opera black screen issues on Windows PCs

February 2023 · 9 minute read

XINSTALL BY CLICKING THE DOWNLOAD FILE

To fix various PC problems, we recommend Restoro PC Repair Tool:
This software will repair common computer errors, protect you from file loss, malware, hardware failure and optimize your PC for maximum performance. Fix PC issues and remove viruses now in 3 easy steps:
  • Download Restoro PC Repair Tool that comes with Patented Technologies (patent available here).
  • Click Start Scan to find Windows issues that could be causing PC problems.
  • Click Repair All to fix issues affecting your computer's security and performance
  • Opera has always been a viable and more stable alternative to more popular browsers, especially after they redesigned the interface and enriched the overall experience with more than a few built-in tools, like VPN or Ad-Blocker.

    On the other hand, the latest Opera iterations are far from flawless. One issue that’s right at the top is the black screen error that occurs in Windows 10.

    When a sudden black screen appears, you’re forced to stop the process and restart the browser. Luckily, there are some things you can do to address this issue.

    In case you’ve had a hard time with Opera lately, going through the list of possible solutions will surely solve the problem.

    We have to mention that there are different versions of the browser, so trying out another one shouldn’t be out of the question either.

    Preserve your system’s resources

    It is widely known that Opera is a very resourceful browser. This makes it the go-to choice for most gamers out there.

    There are many reasons why plenty of users prefer to use it rather than its chromium-based brothers. The GX version of it is even more resourceful, bringing really useful features that should be industry-standard by now:

    The RAM and CPU limiters, for example, were created to stop the browser from using too much of your computer’s power, which could otherwise be used for more important matters.

    Here’s how you can set the limits up:

  • Open Opera GX.
  • Click on the GX Control.
  • Scrolls down to the RAM Limiter and toggle it on.
  • If you wish to limit your CPU, scroll down to the CPU Limiter and toggle that on as well.
  • Additionally, if you’re a person that likes to keep lots of tabs open, Opera GX will kill those who consume the most resources to preserve power.

    The browser also helps those who have a poor internet connection or low bandwidth. Set up the Network Limiter and you won’t have latency problems during gaming sessions.

    Network problems can also be solved with specialized bandwidth prioritization software, so make sure you check these out as well.

    There is more to talk about this version of the browser. We discussed it in detail in our Opera GX review, so make sure to check it out.

    How can I fix black screen issues in Opera?


  • Update to the latest stable version
  • Clear browsing data
  • Disable hardware acceleration
  • Enable JavaScript
  • Update your GPU drivers
  • Reinstall Opera
  • 1. Update to the latest stable version

  • Open Opera.
  • Tap the Menu button in the upper left corner.
  • Select Update & Recovery.
  • Select Check for Update.

  • The installer will check for the available updates.
  • If there’s a new version available, it will be installed right away.
  • There’s only so much you can do if the problem is within the code. With frequent updates, there’s always a chance that developers have overlooked something.

    Luckily, the next stable version should address issues that emerged in the previous one. That’s how it goes with most of the software upgrades, the magic circle on any given platform out there.

    So, if your updates aren’t automatically administered by the browser itself, you should manually check for the latest stable version. And when we say stable, we don’t refer to beta versions.

    If you’re not a knowledgeable user or developer, it’s safer for you to use stable versions exclusively.

    So, in case you’re stuck with the Beta version of Opera, make sure to uninstall it and obtain the free stable version from the link below.

    2. Clear browsing data

  • While in Opera, press Ctrl + H to open the History window.
  • Click on the Clear Browsing D button positioned in the upper right corner.
  • In the drop-down window, select All time.
  • Check the boxes you want to clear. Special emphasis goes to Cached images and files and Cookies.
  • Click on Clear browsing data.
  • You can also perform this task automatically by using specialized optimization and clean-up software such as CCleaner.

    You’re probably aware that browsers tend to collect the browsing data in order to speed things up and make the browsing experience better. For example, the Cached data will substantially decrease the loading time of certain sites.

    On the other hand, once the cache piles up, it can negatively affect the overall performance and, in the worst-case scenario, cause the Opera GX to experience a black screen.

    Get CCleaner

    3. Disable hardware acceleration

  • Open Opera.
  • Click on the Opera icon in the left corner.
  • Select Settings.
  • Expand the Advanced section and select Browser.
  • Scroll down until you see the System section, then toggle off Use hardware acceleration when available.

  • Restart your browser and see if the issue persists.
  • Hardware acceleration uses the user’s GPU to power up the browser. While it should make everything run faster in theory, lots of problems can occur when the option is turned on. Simply disabling it is the best way to go about it.

    4. Enable JavaScript

  • Open Opera.
  • Click on the Menu icon on the left corner and open Settings.
  • In the Settings Search bar, type JavaScript, then select it.
  • Toggle it On.
  • Restart the browser.
  • Expert Tip: Some PC issues are hard to tackle, especially when it comes to corrupted repositories or missing Windows files. If you are having troubles fixing an error, your system may be partially broken. We recommend installing Restoro, a tool that will scan your machine and identify what the fault is.
    Click here to download and start repairing.

    JavaScript is, similarly to the discontinued Adobe Flash, a necessary evil. Without it, you’ll limit the overall usability of the browser. It can pose as an annoyance occasionally, but you’ll still need it in order to optimize the content offered by the outdated websites properly.

    It’s unclear if JavaScript (or lack of it) is behind the Opera browser black screen, but it’s recommended to enable it.

    After enabling this feature, check if you still get the black screen in Opera on Windows 10.

    The Hardware Acceleration is a built-in browser feature that improves the video playback experience by relying on hardware instead of software. Now, this is a valid choice for users that have at least a passable GPU configuration.

    For those that have low-end, integrated graphics, Hardware Acceleration is more of a drawback than an improvement.

    Moreover, due to a lack of resources, this feature can certainly cause the black screen to appear on Opera GX.

    If you’re not sure how to disable the Hardware Acceleration, which is enabled by default, make sure to follow the steps below:

    If the problem is caused by the Hardware Acceleration, this should resolve it. If not, there are other steps you should take into consideration.

    5. Update your GPU drivers

  • Press Windows key + X to .
  • Click Device Manager.
  • Navigate to Display Adapters.
  • Right-click the troubled GPU device and choose Update Driver.
  • Finally, once the driver installs, restart your PC.
  • If you’ve just reinstalled your system or performed some recovery actions, there’s a chance that your GPU drivers are not installed. You can easily recognize that by looking into the resolution.

    Without the proper drivers, you won’t be able to set the default resolution, and most of the time, the PC is stuck with 1024 x 768.

    Moreover, you won’t be able to properly use any GPU-related process, including video streaming in Opera. For that purpose, make sure to install appropriate GPU drivers.

    You also can use an automatic tool such as DriverFix. It will scan all your system and automatically search for outdated drivers.

    Needed updates will be shown in an exhaustive list and all you have to do is to choose which one to install/update.

    This is the safest way to update your drivers as manually installing them can lead to system damage by installing the wrong driver version.

    Get DriverFix

    6. Reinstall Opera

  • In the Windows Search bar, type Control Panel and open it.
  • Within the Category view, open Uninstall a program.
  • Right-click Opera and choose Uninstall.
  • Restart your computer.
  • Download the latest version of the Opera browser.
  • Run the installer and complete the process.
  • Finally, if previously mentioned solutions fell short, you should turn to reinstallation as the last resort. The reinstallation in the simple sense may not be sufficient to resolve the black screen issue, and therefore, we’ll need to take a more thorough approach.

    Opera system requirements

    Opera black screen issues are mostly related to the profile settings or the software itself, but they can also be caused by your hardware or drivers. Hopefully, after applying our solutions, everything went back to normal.

    Optimization is Opera’s key feature. Performance is the area where it shines over the other chromium-based browsers.

    The developers focused on creating a product that doesn’t require a powerful machine to run and uses a low amount of bandwidth.

    The only real requirement for Windows users is having Windows 7 or a more recent build installed on your device. As for the processor, even the cheapest CPU on the market is better than those.

    That includes the clean-up of the Opera-related registry values and the deletion of all remaining folders. You can do so by using a third-party uninstaller since the manual approach will take your time and soul in the process.

    Once you’ve dealt with the faulty version, it’s easy to go from there. Just download the latest version from the official site and you’re good to go. That should, hopefully, fix the Opera GX flickering on your Windows 10.

    That should wrap it up. In case you have any questions or suggestions regarding Opera, make sure to share them with us in the comments below.

    ncG1vNJzZmivmaOxsMPSq5ypp6Kpe6S7zGimqZ2ilnqjuMCcomark6eyprqMm6ygZw%3D%3D