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Home » QuickBooks Black and White Screen on Windows: How to Resolve It?

QuickBooks Black and White Screen on Windows: How to Resolve It?

Display glitches are a common phenomenon in software usage across Windows and Mac platforms, and QuickBooks is no exception. Prolonged use of QuickBooks often leads to display-related errors, a notable one being the Black and White Screen issue in QuickBooks Desktop. In this scenario, users may find certain QuickBooks Desktop fields appearing in black rather than white. When faced with a black and white screen in QuickBooks, various symptoms might be observed, ranging from a greyed-out QuickBooks interface to missing icons. Such display anomalies are not uncommon, and we have addressed them in our detailed blog. Our guide provides step-by-step instructions to resolve issues from QuickBooks displaying black boxes to a completely black screen, essentially tackling general display issues in QuickBooks Desktop.

What is QuickBooks Black and White issue?

When the QuickBooks black and white issue occurs on your screen, some fields keep appearing black instead of white and vice-versa. There can be a grey screen or some icons may go missing or unnoticeable due to the colour contrasts. Grey lines and several such issues may emerge in the interface, interrupting users’ workflow. In such cases, it becomes essential to know what the reasons are for QuickBooks black bars and how to rectify them.

Why do My QuickBooks turn black and white?

If you are wondering why my QuickBooks screen went black and white, then you should know that you may come across several display issues when using QuickBooks in the long run. These issues may occur due to an issue with the QuickBooks program or an issue with your computer system. We have mentioned below the reasons why your QuickBooks turned black and white.

  1. Corrupt or outdated video drivers can affect the compatibility of the application giving you the error.
  2. Corruption in the graphics card or system’s memory can cause QuickBooks blank home screen.
  3. Registry file damage is one of the most prominent causes of the error.
  4. Screen resolution is not properly optimized as per the requirements leading you to QuickBooks black boxes fix.
  5. Damaged firmware can also cause errors.
  6. A data file problem in QuickBooks can trigger QuickBooks black and white lines.
  7. QuickBooks applications not been updated for a long time can become incompatible.
  8. If any update or the application itself fails to install properly, then QuickBooks goes black and white.

Now that we understand the various reasons that can cause the QuickBooks blank screen let us move on to its troubleshooting process.

Addressing QuickBooks Black and White Screen Issue with Effective Solutions

The occurrence of black boxes in QuickBooks can often be a signal of deeper issues, like system corruption, which can potentially lead to the loss of critical company files. If you’re encountering the Black and White Screen in QuickBooks Desktop for the first time, it’s essential to follow these troubleshooting steps in the order provided.

1st Method: Utilize Quick Fix My Program from QuickBooks Tools Hub

  1. Close QuickBooks if it’s open.
  2. Download and save the QuickBooks Tool Hub file.
  3. Open the QuickBooksToolHub.exe file to install.
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions and agree to the terms and conditions.
  5. After installation, an icon for QuickBooks Tool Hub will appear on the desktop.
  6. Open the Tool Hub and select ‘Program Problems’.
  7. Choose ‘Quick Fix my Programs’ to address the QuickBooks black and white screen issue.

If the QuickBooks black and white screen issue persists, proceed with the following methods:

2nd Method: Update Video Card Drivers

The QuickBooks Black and White Screen issue may arise from outdated Windows video drivers. Therefore, it’s recommended to keep your Windows graphics drivers updated. Below, we’ve outlined general methods to update them:

  1. Open the Run window using the Windows + R keys.
  2. Type ‘dxdiag‘ in the text box and press Enter.
  3. In Dialog 1, note down the Manufacturer/Model details.
  4. Download and install the latest video card driver updates.

3rd Method: Switch to a Basic Windows Theme

  1. Right-click on the desktop and select ‘Personalize’ from the menu.
  2. Choose one of the Windows Basic Themes.
  3. Restart your computer and open QuickBooks to see if the issue is resolved.

Following these methods should help in resolving the QuickBooks Black and White screen issue effectively.

4th Method: Change the Screen Resolution

  1. Open the Registry Editor (Regedit.exe).
  2. Navigate to “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows”.
  3. Increase the value of GDIProcessHandleQuota from 10,000 to 65,535.
  4. Close the Registry Editor and restart the system.
  5. After resolving the issue, reset the value to 10,000.

5th Method: Re-register the QuickBooks Program File

  1. Locate the QuickBooks Company file and right-click on the .bat files.
  2. Choose ‘Run as Administrator’.
  3. Ensure the .bat files run with Windows Administrator rights.
  4. A command window will display scrolling file paths. Once complete, it will close automatically.
  5. Open QuickBooks to check if the display issue persists.

6th Method: Edit the QBW.ini File

  1. Close QuickBooks and press the Windows key.
  2. Enter the path for the QBW.ini file in the search box. Here are the paths for different versions:

    • QuickBooks 2020: C:\ProgramData\Intuit\QuickBooks 2020\QBW.ini
    • Enterprise Solutions 20.0: C:\ProgramData\Intuit\QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions 20.0\QBW.ini
    • QuickBooks 2019: C:\ProgramData\Intuit\QuickBooks 2019\QBW.ini
    • … (and so on for other versions)

  3. When the file opens, add “[COLORS]Classic=” at the bottom.
  4. Save the file and reopen QuickBooks.

Wrapping up

If you’ve diligently followed each method but still find yourself wondering why your QuickBooks screen turns black and white, don’t hesitate to reach out to the QuickBooks Data Services team at +1-XXX-XXX-XXXX. They specialize in resolving display issues like the QuickBooks black and white screen, and will comprehensively investigate the matter. With their professional assistance, you can expect to restore your QuickBooks display to its normal condition as it was before.

Paul Newman SEO Editor
Paul Newman is an accounting software expert with over 15 years of experience in the field. He has worked with various accounting software such as QuickBooks, Sage, Xero, and FreshBooks, helping clients to manage their finances, taxes, and payroll. He is also a certified public accountant (CPA) and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). Paul is passionate about sharing his knowledge and expertise with others through his blog, podcast, and online courses. He also enjoys reading, hiking, and playing chess in his spare time.
 
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