Why don’t both monitors work simultaneously when starting the computer?
Recently I upgraded my PC components:
- Intel Core i7-14600K processor
- Palit GeForce RTX 5070 Ti graphics card
- 850W 1stPlayer power supply
From my previous build, I kept:
- ASRock motherboard with a B-series chipset supporting DDR4
- 2 XPG 16GB RAM modules
The problem: when connecting two monitors to the graphics card via DisplayPort and turning on the computer, both monitors show a black screen. At the same time, I can hear from the speakers that Windows has loaded successfully (based on the welcome melody), but the image doesn’t appear. The only way to shut down the computer is to hold down the power button on the case.
What I’ve already tried:
- I checked the installation of the graphics card in the PCI slot (removed and reinstalled it) - the problem remained
- Starting with one monitor - works normally
- Starting with each monitor separately - both work
- If I start with one monitor and then connect the second after the system has booted - both monitors work correctly
- The problem only occurs when starting with both monitors simultaneously
- When going into sleep mode and then waking up, the monitors work normally
- When installing the previous Palit GeForce RTX 4070 graphics card, the problem doesn’t occur - both monitors work on startup
- I installed the latest drivers for the RTX 5070 Ti graphics card
- After starting using the “first one monitor, then the second” method, I conducted a stress test (including launching Cyberpunk 2077) - everything works stably, the power supply handles it
Question: why when starting the computer with two monitors connected to the new RTX 5070 Ti graphics card, both monitors don’t display an image, but work correctly when connected sequentially? Has anyone encountered a similar problem or knows a possible solution?
Black Screen Issue When Starting Two Monitors on RTX 5070 Ti
The black screen problem when starting two monitors on an RTX 5070 Ti is related to the initialization characteristics of the DisplayPort ports of the new graphics card, which require more time to establish communication with displays. This is a common issue with RTX 5000 series cards, caused by both hardware features and software configurations that only manifests when starting multiple DisplayPort devices simultaneously.
Contents
- Main Causes of the Problem
- Step-by-Step Solutions
- Hardware Checks
- Driver Solutions
- Additional Recommendations
- Alternative Approaches
Main Causes of the Problem
The black screen issue when starting two monitors on RTX 5070 Ti has several possible causes, confirmed by user research and technical specialists:
Power supply issues with the graphics card
Research indicates that the new RTX 5000 series graphics card may require more power when initializing DisplayPort ports. Sources suggest that improper installation of the 12VHPWR power cable can cause similar symptoms. In your case, the 850W power supply should be sufficient, but the problem could be with the cable itself or its connection.
“A red light on the graphics card indicates improper power cable installation. You should connect the 12VHPWR cable directly to the power supply” - source: r/ZOTAC
DisplayPort initialization issues
The DisplayPort ports of the new graphics card require more time to establish communication with displays when starting the system. This is evidenced by the fact that connecting monitors sequentially after system boot works correctly.
Driver conflicts
Research shows that drivers for the RTX 5000 series may have problems initializing multiple DisplayPort devices simultaneously. This is especially true for the latest driver versions, which may contain compatibility issues with certain motherboard configurations.
Step-by-Step Solutions
1. Check and replace the power cable
- Disconnect the 12VHPWR cable from the graphics card
- Ensure it’s firmly inserted into the power supply
- If possible, try a different 12VHPWR cable
- As recommended by users, sometimes a complete power cable replacement helps
“I faced the same issue with my 5070ti, so I ordered a non-modular power supply on Amazon for $60 and now it works perfectly” - source: r/ZOTAC
2. Configure motherboard BIOS
- Enter the motherboard BIOS
- Find the PCIe or Integrated Peripherals settings section
- Set the PCIe slot where the graphics card is installed to Gen 3 or Gen 2 mode (temporarily reducing speed)
- Disable Fast Boot and Ultra Fast Boot functions
- Save settings and restart the system
3. Change monitor boot order
- In Windows, go to Control Panel → Display
- Find resolution settings and click “Advanced settings”
- Go to the “Adapter information” tab
- Click “Driver properties” → “Update driver” → “Roll back driver”
- Roll back the driver to a previous stable version
Hardware Checks
PCIe slot verification
The problem could be with a specific PCIe slot on the motherboard:
- Try installing the graphics card in a different PCIe slot (if available)
- Ensure the slot supports the required PCIe version (Gen 4 or Gen 3)
- Check that the slot is not blocked and properly installed
“Try installing the graphics card in a different PCIe slot. If the problem disappears, it indicates a failure of that specific slot” - source: SilverPC Blog
Power supply verification
Although you have a sufficiently powerful power supply, the problem could be with the quality or stability of the power:
- Ensure all power cables are securely connected
- Make sure the power supply is not overheating
- If possible, try a different power supply for testing
Driver Solutions
Complete driver reinstallation
The problem could be with cached or corrupted drivers:
- Download DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller)
- Boot into safe mode
- Run DDU to completely remove NVIDIA drivers
- Restart the system in normal mode
- Install the latest official drivers from the NVIDIA website
“I tried everything - different PCIe slots, motherboard BIOS updates, Windows reinstallation. Used DDU so many times I lost count” - source: Tom’s Hardware
Driver rollback
If the problem appeared after a driver update:
- Roll back the driver to a previous stable version
- Wait for a corrected driver release from NVIDIA
- Temporarily use the previous driver version
Additional Recommendations
DisplayPort settings configuration
- Disable HDR functions on monitors
- Set default resolution and refresh rate
- Disable G-SYNC/FreeSync functions on monitors
- Try different DisplayPort cables (shorter cables may be more stable)
Temperature parameters
- Ensure the graphics card temperature is normal
- Check that the motherboard cooling is adequate
- When overheating, the system may disable DisplayPort ports for protection
Alternative Approaches
Using one HDMI port
If one of the monitors supports HDMI:
- Use HDMI for one monitor and DisplayPort for the other
- HDMI ports typically initialize faster and more stably
- This may be a temporary solution until the problem is completely fixed
Updating motherboard BIOS
- Check for BIOS updates for your motherboard
- A BIOS update may improve compatibility with the new graphics card
- Before updating, be sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions
“After updating the motherboard BIOS, some users report improved compatibility with the RTX 5000 series” - source: Linus Tech Tips
Temporary return to previous graphics card
If the problem is critical:
- temporarily return to the RTX 4070
- monitor news about the release of fixed drivers
- plan to switch to RTX 5070 Ti after the problem is solved
Sources
- User experience with RTX 5070 Ti - Reddit r/PcBuildHelp
- RTX 50 series power supply issues - Reddit r/ZOTAC
- RTX 5070 Ti issues overview - SilverPC Blog
- DisplayPort issues on Tom’s Hardware
- DisplayPort troubleshooting guide - SilverPC Blog
- Driver reinstallation tips - Tom’s Hardware
- BIOS updates and compatibility - Linus Tech Tips
Conclusion
The black screen problem when starting two monitors on RTX 5070 Ti is related to the initialization characteristics of the new graphics card’s DisplayPort ports. The most effective solutions are complete driver reinstallation using DDU, checking and replacing the 12VHPWR power cable, and temporarily configuring the BIOS to reduce the PCIe slot speed. It’s important to note that this issue affects many RTX 5000 series users and will likely be resolved in future NVIDIA driver updates. If the problem cannot be resolved, it’s recommended to temporarily return to the previous graphics card or use mixed connection (HDMI + DisplayPort) until software errors are completely fixed.