Applies to: Windows 10 Home version 22H2 (64-bit).
A computer with the symptom of a “black screen with a cursor and loading circle” is typically caused by corrupt Windows system files or graphics/display drivers. Faults of this nature often need to be repaired offline using the troubleshooting tools available in the Windows Recovery Environment. For more information, see Repair methods.
Symptoms
The symptoms of this fault include the following:
- The computer loads to a black background/screen.
- The cursor displays a continuous loading circle.
- The computer does not respond to keyboard input.
- The computer does not respond to the mouse/touchpad buttons.
Cause
Corruption of the following Windows system file can cause Windows to load to black screen with a cursor and loading circle.
File name: InputHost.dll
File location: \Windows\System32
Repair
Due to the nature of the fault, repairs need to be performed from the Command Prompt, which can be accessed from the Windows Recovery Environment.
\Windows\System32\InputHost.dll is a protected Windows system file that is hard-linked from the Windows Component Store (WinSxS). Windows system files, including InputHost.dll, can be repaired using the command-line tool SFC.exe (System File Checker).
Note: System File Checker requires a healthy Windows Component Store to make repairs.