The desktop background turns black when highlighted [Fix]

If your The desktop background turns black when highlighted On a Windows 11/10 PC, this post will help you solve the problem. Some users have reported that their desktop background turns black when they Drag the mouse pointer on the desktop to highlight or select an area. For some users, it also happens when highlighting or selecting desktop icons. Although we can easily personalize the background with any of our favorite images, such a problem is annoying. For those facing this problem, the working solutions covered in this post will be helpful.

Desktop background turns black when highlighted in Windows 11/10

You can use the following fixes if the The desktop background turns black when highlighted in your Windows 11/10 system:

1. Restart File Explorer
2. Restore the desktop wallpaper to its original location
3. Rollback the graphics driver
4. Update or reinstall the graphics driver
5. Disable the “Remove Wallpapers” setting.

1]Restart File Explorer

It’s a simple but effective solution. If there is a temporary error, you can fix it by restarting File Explorer. To do this, Open Task Manager > search for Windows Explorer under the Processes tab > select that process > and use it End task Option.

2]Restore the desktop wallpaper to the original location

This is one of the best solutions for some users and me. Even though I faced the problem for a few seconds and it fixed automatically, the option is worth trying. If you move the wallpaper from its original location (e.g. Desktop) to a different location (e.g. E drive or another folder), this issue may occur. The desktop background area turns black when selected or highlighted. In this case, you need to restore the desktop wallpaper to the original location or folder.

To solve the problem, first find the current desktop wallpaper using Classic desktop background Window or otherwise if you don’t know the saved location. Next, set the same wallpaper using your Windows PC’s Settings app. Navigate to Personalization > Background > expand Personalize your background Section. Select the Picture mode and use the Browse photos Click the button to choose your wallpaper.

If the desktop wallpaper or image is missing or deleted, replace the desktop wallpaper or desktop wallpaper with another image for your display. If you use it multiple monitors or display ads and want to use the same wallpaper on all monitors, then set that image as the wallpaper. For the Choose an image that fits your desktop option (under the Personalize your background section), select the span Option.

Related: Desktop background or wallpaper not showing on Windows PC

3]Reset graphics drivers

This fix also worked for some users and may work for you too. If the graphics card driver is not working properly after an update and is causing this problem, roll back the driver and see if it helps. In Device Manager, expand Graphics cards > right click on the graphics driver > and select Characteristics. Switch to driver tab and use the Roll back Button.

Read: The rollback driver is grayed out on a Windows PC

4]Update or reinstall the graphics driver

If your graphics card driver is out of date, your desktop background may turn black when highlighted and cause other problems such as: E.g. a problem with the screen display being stretched. So update your graphics driver and check if the problem is resolved.

If that doesn’t work, go to your PC/laptop manufacturer’s official website and download the graphics card driver. Install it and restart your PC.

5]Disable the “Remove Wallpapers” setting.

There is a setting in Windows that disables the desktop background when enabled. Additionally, all settings related to desktop personalization are disabled in the Settings app. This may be the reason why your desktop background is set but not visible and you are facing the problem. If this is the case, Disable or disable the “Remove Wallpapers” option. Attitude. Here are the steps:

1. Open Control Panel
2. Change them According to opinion mode too Small symbols or Big symbols
3. Select the Ease of Access Center option
4. Click on Make the computer more user-friendly option
5. Scroll down the page
6. Uncheck the checkbox Remove background images (if available) option
7. Press the button Apply button and OK button.

Let us know if this helped.

Why does my desktop background keep turning black?

If your desktop background remains black, there could be various reasons. For example, an app or program is interfering with the desktop background setting, the graphics card driver is not working as required, or you have made a choice Monochrome as a desktop background setting. To solve this problem, keep your graphics card driver updated and switch from solid mode to Picture for desktop background setting. If this doesn’t work, boot into Clean Boot status to find the app or program causing the problem and remove it.

How do I fix a black background on my computer?

To fix black desktop background on your Windows computer, first change the wallpaper and check if the desktop is still black. If yes, change the desktop background type (image, slideshow, solid color, etc.) and check Desktop background settings in the power options. If the problem occurs after updating the driver, roll back the driver. If nothing works, you may need to restore your PC.

Read more: The desktop background cannot be changed on a Windows PC.