Fix PowerPoint Crashes and a Black Screen When Drawing With a Stylus
Question details
The user needs to stop crashes, screen flashing, and a black display when drawing with a stylus in PowerPoint or Word after a recent update.
- Product
- Microsoft PowerPoint and Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- Windows; version not provided
- Scenario
- Using a stylus to draw or annotate documents and presentations after a recent update.
- Observed behavior
- Drawing causes screen flashing or a black display, and sometimes the computer must be restarted.
Note your Office version under File > Account > About PowerPoint and check whether the same issue occurs in Word. Have a mouse available for comparison, and confirm that you can sign in to the Microsoft account used to install Office before attempting a reinstall.
Disconnect the Stylus and Test Drawing With a Mouse
Use this first to check whether the crash depends on the stylus or its connection.
Disconnect the stylus or its receiver. For a Bluetooth stylus, open Windows Settings > Bluetooth & devices and disconnect or remove the device if that option is available.
Open PowerPoint, select Blank Presentation, and use Draw > a pen tool to draw with the mouse. If needed, add a blank slide through Home > New Slide.
Repeat the mouse test in Word through Blank Document > Draw. If mouse drawing works but stylus drawing triggers the problem, check the stylus manufacturer's support page for compatible drivers, firmware, and connection troubleshooting.
Test Office After a Clean Windows Boot and in a New User Profile
Use these tests to check for interference from background software or a problem limited to the current Windows profile.
Completely Uninstall and Reinstall Microsoft Office
Use this when drawing still crashes after the input and Windows isolation tests.
Keep Working on Presentations With WPS Office
WPS Office is a free, lightweight alternative with a familiar interface and support for Microsoft Office formats, making migration straightforward. Use WPS Presentation and Writer to continue editing while troubleshooting Office; WPS does not repair PowerPoint crashes or underlying stylus and display issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does PowerPoint turn black when I draw with a stylus?
The symptoms alone do not identify the cause. Stylus input, its connection or driver, background software, or an Office or Windows profile issue may be involved. Disconnect the stylus and test PowerPoint > Blank Presentation > Draw with a mouse to start narrowing it down.
What does it mean if drawing with a mouse works normally?
It suggests that the problem depends on stylus input rather than drawing in general. Reconnect the stylus and check the manufacturer's connection, driver, and firmware guidance. Compare the same drawing test in Word > Blank Document > Draw.
Should I reinstall Office before trying a clean boot?
Test mouse input and a clean Windows boot first. A clean boot can reveal interference from third-party services or startup apps without reinstalling Office. If the issue persists, use Microsoft's current Office uninstall guidance and then reinstall.
Why test with a new Windows user account?
A new account helps determine whether the issue is limited to your existing profile. Create one through Windows Settings > Accounts > Other users > Add account, sign in, and repeat the drawing test. If only the original account fails, profile-specific settings may be involved.
Will WPS Office fix the stylus-related black screen?
No. WPS Office is an alternative for editing compatible presentations and documents, not a repair tool for Microsoft Office or Windows display problems. Open a copy of your .pptx or .docx file in WPS to continue working, and check layout and feature compatibility before sharing it.
