13 Best Fixes When the Windows Wallpaper Disappears
Wallpapers are fun and add color to the user experience. However, when you see that the wallpaper on your Windows desktop has disappeared, you are left with a black or sometimes, white screen. So, why has your Windows wallpaper tuend black? There could be many reasons behind this as we will explore them all below.
Note:The list is rather long but only because there are many options within the Windows ecosystem that may affect how Windows wallpaper and desktop looks and behaves including accessibility settings.
Table of Contents
1. Enable Show Windows Background Option
This is for Windows 10 users. PressWindows + Ito open Settings and go toEase of Access > More Optionsand make sure thatShow Windows BackgroundorShow desktop background imageoption is turned on or checked. This setting is missing altogether in Windows 11 for some reason which is what I am using for this example.
2. Update Background Type
In Windows Personalize Settings, there is an option to display solid color as wallpaper on the desktop and the default color is black. Let’s begin here.
1.PressWindows + Ito open Settings and go toPersonalization > Background. Here, selectPicturefrom the drop-down menu and then choose an image that you want to set a wallpaper.
The moment you select Solid, desktop will turn black as that is the default color. It is denoted by a tick mark.
3. Disable High Contrast Option
High contrast can turn any wallpaper into solid black color giving the impression that your desktop wallpaper has disappeared.
1.OpenSettingsagain and go toPersonalization > Colorsand selectContrast themestowards the bottom of the screen.
2.SelectNonefrom the drop-down menu next toContrast themes.
4. Disable Wallpaper Shuffle Setting
There is a shuffle setting which willupdate or change your desktop’s wallpaperautomatically. It is available when Slideshow is enabled so if you are not using slideshow, skip to the next step. Sometimes, it misbehaves giving the impression that the wallpaper has disappeared on Windows. To disable that:
1.Right-click anywhere on the desktop and selectPersonalizefrom the drop-down menu that appears.
2.Click onBakground.
3.ToggleOfftheShuffle the picture orderoption here.
Alternatively, you’re able to simply choosePicturefrom the drop-down menu above and choose a static wallpaper of your choice.
If you want to continue using the Slideshow option, ensure there are no blank images select. I recommend re-select wallpapers using theBrowsebutton just to be sure.
5. Image File Deleted, Name Changed, Location Changed
Did you accidentally delete the wallpaper image file? Changing the location of the file or even name may also result in the wallpaper disappearing or desktop turning black. You need to save the wallpaper image file in the same location with the same name once the image has been set as wallpaper. Fret not. Simply recover or redownload the file and set it as wallpaper again.
6. Unhide Themes Folder
The themes folder is where all wallpapers and related files are saved. If the folder is hidden due to a bug or human error, Windows won’t be able to access the folder leading to a desktop turning black.
1.Press Windows+E to openFile Explorerand navigate to the below folder structure.
If you can’t find any of the folder, click onViewand selectShow > Hidden items.
2.Now right-click on theThemesfolder and selectPropertiesfrom the menu that pop-ups.
3.UncheckHiddenunder theGeneraltab and save changes.
Reboot your computer once and check if the wallpaper is still not appearing.
7. Disable Remove Background Images
Windows comes with several Ease of Access settings which are meant for people who are differently abled such as hard of seeing. One such setting is Remove Background Images which when enabled may remove set wallpaper giving the impression that it has disappeared.
1.Press theStart menubutton and search for and open theControl Panel.
2.Click onOptimize visual displayunderEase of Accessheading.
3.Scroll down a little and disableRemove background imagesoption. Click onApplybelow to save changes.
8. Change Power Plan Settings
This is for Windows laptop users who are using a custom power plan to save on precious battery juice. Displaying colorful wallpaper also consumes battery while a black wallpaper conserves it. Let’s check your battery power plan.
1.Open Control Panel and go toSystem and Security > Power Optionsand click onChange plan settingsnext to the chosen power plan.
2.Click onChange advanced power settings.
3.ExpandDesktop background setting > Slideshowin the pop-up and setAvailablefor On battery and/or Plugged in as you need. Click onApplyto save changes.
You may have to reset the wallpaper once after saving the settings.
9. Disable Multi Monitor, Screen Sharing, or Remote Access
Whether you are using a dual monitor setup, sharing screen, or have given remote access to someone else, all these activities tend to disable the wallpaper making it disappear in thin air. Try stopping these activities to rule the possibility out.
In case of dual monitor set up, we recommend updating the display drivers to make it work. Follow the point below for more details.
10. Update Display Drivers
An oversimplification would be thatdrivers are a software componentthat allows Windows OS to communicate with hardware connected to the computer. To update display drivers:
1.Press theStartbutton and search for and openDevice Manager.
2.ExpandDisplay adapters. I have a gaming laptop so there are two drivers, one of them is NVIDIA graphics card. Right-click on both to selectUpdate driveroption. You must be connected to the internet for this.
Reboot the computer once.
11. Activate Windows
Windows 10 and 11 are free to use but in limited capacity. Several features are disabled in the trial version and one of them is the option to set wallpapers. You will need to buy a licensed copy andactivate Windowsif haven’t already to use wallpapers. If you have already activated andseeing an activation error, here is how to fix that.
12. Exit Safe Mode
Sometimes, Windows will detect some critical error or virus and automaticallyboot into Safe Mode. In this mode, Windows will boot the computer will bare minimum files and your funky desktop wallpaper doesn’t make the cut. May be that’s why you are seeing your wallpaper disappeared.
How do you know if the computer is in Safe Mode? You will see ‘Safe Mode’ written on all four corners of the screen in white font on black background of the desktop.
Simply press the Start button and reboot the computer as you normally do. If that doesn’t help, press and hold the power button until the screen shuts down and computer reboots in normal mode.
13. Fix Corrupt TranscodedWallpaper File
This file is needed for transcoding and displaying the chosen wallpaper correctly. May be this is why your desktop’s wallpaper has disappeared or turned black.
2.SelectTranscodedWallpaperfiles, pressF2, and rename the file toTranscodedWalpaper.old.
3.Reboot the computer to recreate the file automatically. Now set the wallpaper again and it shouldn’t disappear.
Window to Another World
As you will notice, there are a number of reasons why the wallpaper on your Windows desktop has disappeared or turned black. There are so many ways to customize the user experience that sometimes, it can be curse rather than a blessing. But there are reasons behind why these settings exists. It allows us to be more flexible and control how the desktop looks and behaves.
But images are not the only thing you may play around with on Windows desktop. You can alsoadd stickers to desktop now.
Gaurav Bidasaria
Gaurav is an editor here at TechWiser but also contributes as a writer. He has more than 10 years of experience as a writer and has written how-to guides, comparisons, listicles, and in-depth explainers on Windows, Android, web, and cloud apps, and the Apple ecosystem.
He loves tinkering with new gadgets and learning about new happenings in the tech world.
He has previously worked on Guiding Tech, Make Tech Easier, and other prominent tech blogs and has over 1000+ articles that have been read over 50 million times.
