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Fix the Unexpected Black Screen at the End of a PowerPoint Slide Show
Question details
Users need to resolve an issue where PowerPoint presentations end with a black screen and an end-of-slide-show message despite disabling the corresponding setting.
- Product
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Playing a presentation using automatic slide transitions and a timer.
- Observed behavior
- The slideshow unexpectedly ends with a black screen and an 'End of slide show' message, particularly when slides advance automatically rather than manually.
Before troubleshooting, verify whether the black screen occurs during manual slide advancement or only when using automatic timer transitions. Save a backup copy of your presentation file to prevent any unintended data loss during repairs.
Disable Black Slide Setting and Repair Office
The first step is to ensure the built-in black slide setting is disabled and to run an Office repair to fix any corrupted program files.
PowerPoint has a default setting to display a black slide at the conclusion of a presentation. If this feature malfunctions or becomes corrupted, performing a software repair is recommended.
Launch your PowerPoint presentation, click on 'File' in the top ribbon, and select 'Options' located at the bottom left of the menu.
Navigate to the 'Advanced' tab in the PowerPoint Options window. Scroll down to the 'Slide Show' section, uncheck the box that says 'End with black slide', and click 'OK'.
If the issue persists, open the Windows Control Panel, go to 'Programs and Features', select your Microsoft Office installation, choose 'Change', and select 'Online Repair' to fix corrupted files.
Use Manual Transitions or Test on Alternative Hardware
Determine if the issue is hardware-specific or related entirely to the automatic transition timer bug.
Try WPS Presentation for Flawless Slide Shows
If Microsoft PowerPoint continues to show unexpected black screens due to transition bugs, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, completely free, and highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office, ensuring your presentations run smoothly without unexpected interruptions.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free WPS Office suite.
- 2. Open your presentation: Launch WPS Presentation and open your existing .pptx or .ppt file directly.
- 3. Play the slideshow: Click the 'Play' button to start your slideshow with automatic transitions perfectly intact.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my PowerPoint end with a black slide by default?
By default, PowerPoint is set to end presentations with a black slide to clearly indicate to the audience that the slideshow has concluded. You can disable this by going to File > Options > Advanced, and unchecking 'End with black slide' under the Slide Show section.
Does the unexpected black screen bug affect manual slide transitions?
Based on user reports, this specific bug primarily affects presentations using automatic timer transitions. Advancing slides manually using a mouse click or keyboard arrow usually prevents the unexpected black screen from appearing prematurely.
How do I report a persistent PowerPoint bug to Microsoft?
You can report reproducible bugs directly to Microsoft by opening PowerPoint, clicking on 'File', selecting 'Feedback', and choosing 'Send a Frown' or 'Report a Problem'. Be sure to detail your automatic transition issue so their developers can investigate.
