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Updated on in How to, Troubleshooting

Facing Chrome Remote Desktop Black Screen Issues? 5 Problems and Solutions

Author: Durga Prasad
Durga Prasad Article author

You start a remote desktop session using the Chrome web browser. All you see is a black or blank screen. No usual desktop interface. Nothing. You could still move the mouse cursor, but no content displays on the screen. 

Are you wondering, “Why is my Chrome screen black?”

Let’s discuss various ways to resolve these issues. If the problem persists, you can use an alternative solution, such as HelpWire, for better connectivity and remote desktop experiences.

Why Does Chrome Remote Desktop Display a Black Screen?

There are many reasons for Chrome flashing black screens during remote sessions:

  • • Outdated software: If you are using an older version of Google Chrome, operating system, or the Chrome Remote Desktop application on your computer, the screen can turn black or blank unexpectedly. 
  • • Bad network: The desktop view may not load properly or the screen can lag if your internet connection is unstable or slow. 
  • • Hardware acceleration: Suppose you use a specialized chip or GPU to perform certain tasks more efficiently. Besides benefits, it can invite issues such as lag, scratches, and visual glitches due to hardware limitations or driver conflicts. As a result, screen rendering issues can happen and the screens can turn black or flash. 
  • • Graphics drivers: Your screen may not render properly if you use outdated or incompatible graphics drivers on Ubuntu, Windows, and other machines. 
  • • System and permissions settings: A Black or blank display can also happen if the system settings or user permissions are incorrect or insufficient. This might prevent screen sharing. So, you can’t see any content on the screen during a remote session. 

How to Resolve Chrome Remote Desktop Black Screen Issues

If your screen goes black or blank during a remote desktop session on Chrome, let’s talk about some of the fixes. These are general troubleshooting solutions that apply to all platforms. We have also listed specific fixes for Ubuntu and Windows users. Use the information to restore the remote desktop display and continue working flawlessly. 

General Fixes (Applicable to All Platforms)

Update Chrome and Chrome Remote Desktop

Chrome Remote Desktop black screen can happen if you’ve installed an outdated version of Google Chrome or the Chrome Remote Desktop application. Consider updating it.

  1. Open Chrome > Menu (three dots) > Help > About Google Chrome.
  2. If you’re using an outdated version, update Chrome and relaunch.
  3. Check the Chrome Remote Desktop app’s version. Update it if an older version is in use.

Simple software updates can fix the issue of a black or blank screen during a remote desktop session.

Turn Off Hardware Acceleration in Chrome

Your screen may go black if there are issues with hardware acceleration. If that’s the case, disable Hardware Acceleration in the Chrome browser. 

  1. Go to Google Chrome Settings > Advanced > System.
  2. Locate the option Use hardware acceleration when available. Toggle it off. 
  3. Restart Chrome.

Clear Cookies and Cache

Sometimes cookies and cache in your Chrome browser can cause your screen to go blank or black during a remote desktop session. Try clearing that clutter and restarting the browser. 

  1. Go to Chrome Settings > Privacy and Security > Clear browsing data.
  2. Locate Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. Select them. 
  3. Click “Delete Data”. 
  4. Restart Chrome.

This should restore the display. 

Fix Network Issues

The quality of network connection matters. If it’s unstable or poor, you may face regular lag or display issues. So, check connection quality and resolve issues. 

  1. Prioritize wired Ethernet over Wi-Fi.
  2. If a wired connection is not possible, focus on strengthening the Wi-Fi signal. 
  3.  Test the connection by disabling firewalls and VPNs temporarily. 

Once you have improved signal quality, you are less likely to encounter display failures.

Adjust Remote Desktop Display Settings

The issue is about display, so it makes sense to check and adjust display settings. 

  1. Open Chrome Remote Desktop. Go to Settings.
  2. Set it to standard resolution (e.g., 1920 x 1080).
  3. Check if you’ve turned on multi-monitor support. Disable it. 
  4. Try not to set unusual resolutions or scaling.

Use the App

If you are tired of display, lag, or performance issues during remote desktop sessions on Chrome browser, consider using the dedicated application. In general, the performance is more stable in the app compared to the browser extension. 

So, download and install the application on your computer and initiate the connection.

Reset Chrome Settings to Default

Sometimes, certain settings could be the reason you’re facing Chrome Remote Desktop black screen or blank screen issues. Reverting to original settings may resolve the issue. 

  1. Go to Chrome Settings > Advanced > Reset and clean up > Restore default settings.
  2. Confirm the changes.
  3. Restart Chrome.

Restart Both Computers

Try rebooting your local as well as remote computers to clear those issues. Open and initiate the remote desktop connection to confirm. 

Windows-Specific Fixes

Let’s now discuss some of the fixes to Google Remote Desktop black screen issues on Windows machines:

Restart Remote Desktop Services

Temporary issues with Remote Desktop Services can cause the display to go blank. Restart it. 

  1. Press Win + R. 
  2. Enter services.msc. Press Enter.
  3. Locate Remote Desktop Services. Right-click on this option and choose Restart.

Update Graphics Drivers

Unsupported or outdated graphics drivers on your Windows computers could be the reason. Update them. 

  1. Launch Device Manager > Display Adapters. Right-click the GPU and update the driver.
  2. For updates, use driver software, such as official Nvidia, AMD, or Intel.

Turn Off Full-Screen Optimizations 

Full-screen optimizations in Chrome remote desktop connections can lead to lag and display issues. The reason is that it will try to replicate a local full-screen experience over a network. It’s highly resource-intensive for both the network and the remote computer’s processing power. As a result, display inconsistencies can happen. 

  1. Find the Chrome Remote Desktop executable file.
  2. Right-click > Properties > Compatibility tab.
  3. Ensure to check Disable fullscreen optimizations and apply it. 
  4. Restart the application.

Ubuntu-Specific Fixes

Note:  If you face a Chrome Remote Desktop Ubuntu black screen:
  1. Check if you’ve set proper user permissions
  2. Ensure the desktop environment correctly offers support for remote sessions
  3. Verify if you’ve updated the graphics drivers for your Linux distribution

Let’s talk about this in detail:

Update Graphics Drivers

On your Linux/Ubuntu distribution:

Use the distribution’s driver manager or run:
bash
sudo ubuntu-drivers autoinstall

Updating GPU drivers can reduce rendering problems in your Linux/Ubuntu machine. 

Verify User Permissions and Support for Desktop Environment 

  1. Check the permission settings for remote access. Adjust it to ensure your user account has the right permissions.
  2. Find out if your desktop environment has proper remote desktop support. Make changes accordingly. 
  3. Ensure the security or firewall policies don’t block remote desktop connections.

The Best Chrome Remote Desktop Alternative

Are you frustrated with frequent black screens or display issues with Chrome Remote Desktop? 

Is it taking a toll on your productivity? 

You can look for a reliable alternative to Chrome Remote Desktop. HelpWire is an excellent option. It’s a free and easy-to-use remote desktop solution that offers efficient remote desktop access and a bunch of useful features.

What Makes HelpWire a Great Chrome Remote Desktop Alternative?

✅ Stable remote connections: You get smooth remote connections that you can rely on.

✅ Multi-platform support: HepWire supports Mac, Windows, Linux.

✅ Multi-session and unattended access: HelpWire reconnects faster. This means you can manage multiple remote desktop sessions efficiently with no display issues.

✅ File sharing and strong security: Share files with your peers or customers over the internet securely with HelpWire. You get data encryption and connection security.

✅ Team Tools: HelpWire offers client management features for professional users to improve their productivity.

FAQ

Your Chrome screen may turn black during a remote desktop session due to:

  1. Unstable network connections
  2. Outdated Chrome or Chrome Remote Desktop software
  3. Incompatible or outdated drivers 
  4. Hardware acceleration conflicts

If you encounter this issue, first, turn off hardware acceleration and update the graphics drivers in use.

If your Mac screen turns black while using Chrome Remote Desktop, the reason could be: 

  1. Outdated software
  2. Incompatible graphics drivers, or 
  3. Issues with display permission settings on your Mac. 

To fix this, keep your macOS and Chrome browser up to date. Provide proper screen recording permissions to the Chrome Remote Desktop. Do this by going to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Screen Recording. Next, turn off hardware acceleration in Chrome settings. Also, restart your local Mac and the remote computer.

Tags:
Chrome Remote Desktop, Tips & Tricks