It happens often that your laptop display is on but the screen is not working. This can be due to many different reasons, but the most common are because of a hardware problem or a software issue. These are both solvable, but it is important to first diagnose which one you are experiencing. Today, the average laptop has a user-friendly interface with no noticeable physical buttons. However, this ease of use comes at a price. The laptop has an LED backlit display that is more susceptible to external light sources. This screen is typically on but does not show anything if there is some error with the hardware or software on your laptop. To check for this issue, try these four steps: First, make sure the power cord is plugged in and charging. Since laptops have a limited amount of space, the screen often shares the space with the keyboard. If the screen goes black, it could be an issue with the display or a virus preventing you from turning on your laptop.