Intermittent Black Screen Issues

[Zhain]

Relevant Part List
Storage 1: Samsung 980 Pro 2TB M.2 SSD
Motherboard: ASUS Z790-P Wifi
CPU: Intel Core i7-13700K
Power Supply: Corsair RM1000X
GPU: NVIDIA 4090 FE (Driver ver. 551.86)
RAM: Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro DDR5 6000 CL30
Monitor: innocn 27m2v (27 inch 4K Mini-LED) connected via DP (Primary)
Monitor: Dell S2716DG (Secondary) @ 1440p 60hz

CPU-Z validation: https://valid.x86.fr/n5z475

This started maybe a couple of months ago, but every so often, my monitor (only the primary, the 4K mini-LED) will go black for about a second, and then recover with none the worse for wear. No associated fan spinup from the 4090, no changes in load etc. It has happened in three games so far: Horizon Forbidden West PC port, Honkai Star Rail and FFXIV, seemingly at random. I can still hear the game audio while it happens.

I was wondering if it was a bandwidth/DSC thing so I reduced refresh to 120 Hz, capped FPS to ~117, and reduced color depth to 8-bit. That made it happen less often, but it still happens. I've tried messing with drivers, different DP cables, switching DP ports, reseating power cables, etc.

A little at my wit's end, as I'm already using this monitor at reduced capacity (should be able to run @ 4k 144hz 10-bit color depth no problem with DSC) and I'm not really sure what else to do. Considering how infrequently the issue occurs it's really hard to say if any particular change has fixed it or not.

[_I_]

one monitor or both at the same time?

if its one, it may be a bad backlight led,
try using the monitors osd menu and turn backlight/brightness down to 75%
if it happens less often, then its a bad led in its backlighting

[Zhain]

Just the one. I'll have to mess with some things then, because I think with HDR enabled, the monitor locks me out of any brightness control in the OSD.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Turn off HDR, it's junk.

I do not think you can do multi-Displays while using HDR.

If you enable HDR for Gaming purposes or Videos, then yes most likely the other screen would turn off.

Just set both screens to native screen res + refresh rate; then enable Hardware GPU Scheduling.

If the RGB Color / Brightness / Contrast are not to your liking, adjust it via the Monitor. Most Monitors usually have at least 3-6 presets you can switch between at the click of a button.

Overall it would be a better benefit to have GSync / FreeSync Premium over HDR any day. Many games already have HDR built-in, which means the game can dynamically adjust based on the game world darkness / brightness.

[Pocahawtness]

Originally posted by Zhain:

Relevant Part List
Storage 1: Samsung 980 Pro 2TB M.2 SSD
Motherboard: ASUS Z790-P Wifi
CPU: Intel Core i7-13700K
Power Supply: Corsair RM1000X
GPU: NVIDIA 4090 FE (Driver ver. 551.86)
RAM: Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro DDR5 6000 CL30
Monitor: innocn 27m2v (27 inch 4K Mini-LED) connected via DP (Primary)
Monitor: Dell S2716DG (Secondary) @ 1440p 60hz

CPU-Z validation: https://valid.x86.fr/n5z475

This started maybe a couple of months ago, but every so often, my monitor (only the primary, the 4K mini-LED) will go black for about a second, and then recover with none the worse for wear. No associated fan spinup from the 4090, no changes in load etc. It has happened in three games so far: Horizon Forbidden West PC port, Honkai Star Rail and FFXIV, seemingly at random. I can still hear the game audio while it happens.

I was wondering if it was a bandwidth/DSC thing so I reduced refresh to 120 Hz, capped FPS to ~117, and reduced color depth to 8-bit. That made it happen less often, but it still happens. I've tried messing with drivers, different DP cables, switching DP ports, reseating power cables, etc.

A little at my wit's end, as I'm already using this monitor at reduced capacity (should be able to run @ 4k 144hz 10-bit color depth no problem with DSC) and I'm not really sure what else to do. Considering how infrequently the issue occurs it's really hard to say if any particular change has fixed it or not.

It does sound very much like the cable. I would get a Vesa certified DP 1.4 cable.

[_I_]

bad cable would give osd info when it turns back on

[Pocahawtness]

Originally posted by _I_:

bad cable would give osd info when it turns back on

Mine didn't, when I had the problem. The screen would just go blank for a few seconds now and then, no reason ever given.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Black going in/out or getting lines or discolors in the screen could easily be a faulty or loose cable. That CAN happen without a total disconnect that would trigger the OSD or Plugging In/Out sound in the OS.

[Zhain]

I ordered another GPU to PSU cable to test that as well, but looks like I should grab a 4th DP cable to check, then. Does anyone have a particular recommendation for a ~6ft DP cable that can do DP 1.4 and associated bandwidths? (4k 144 Hz)

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Originally posted by Zhain:

I ordered another GPU to PSU cable to test that as well, but looks like I should grab a 4th DP cable to check, then. Does anyone have a particular recommendation for a ~6ft DP cable that can do DP 1.4 and associated bandwidths? (4k 144 Hz)

That wouldn't cause it. If there was that kind of an issue you'd be having the whole PC crash or reboot

[AmaiAmai]

Ask the manufacturer if that monitor is compatible with that GPU or needs a firmware update.

Some actually do need a firmware update.

[Zhain]

Originally posted by Bad 💀 Motha:

That wouldn't cause it. If there was that kind of an issue you'd be having the whole PC crash or reboot

Would it? I feel like a lot of the issue with the 12VHPWR cables was black screens with fans ramping to 100% and it was something with the sense pins or that sort? Not 100% sure.

@AmaiAmai I can't for the life of me find any firmware updates for this monitor.

I am using GSync as well.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Ok let me re-phrase. If it's a power connection issue to the GPU, you're not going to get black screen, THEN have the screen ever come back and Display again. Until you reboot the system at least.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Originally posted by AmaiAmai:

Ask the manufacturer if that monitor is compatible with that GPU or needs a firmware update.

Some actually do need a firmware update.

If a Display has a Firmware Update it should be available on the Support/Downloads webpage for the branded model. Such as on ASUS website for example.

[Pocahawtness]

Originally posted by Zhain:

I ordered another GPU to PSU cable to test that as well, but looks like I should grab a 4th DP cable to check, then. Does anyone have a particular recommendation for a ~6ft DP cable that can do DP 1.4 and associated bandwidths? (4k 144 Hz)

Most cables are sold with their performance on the box, so to speak. If you look on Amazon you are literally looking for one that says it is a DP1.4 and is Vesa Certified.
Vesa certification will make it more expensive but under the circumstances, it's worth paying the extra.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

DP 1.4 Cables (6 and 10 ft) from CableMatters brand on Amazon are all under $12

I've been using those DP cables for 10 years; not a single issue.