Chrome Remote Desktop is a useful tool for accessing and controlling computers remotely. However, a common issue is a black screen appearing during the remote session, hindering access and control. This guide provides troubleshooting steps to resolve this problem, enabling seamless remote access once again.
Why a Black Screen?
A black screen in Chrome Remote Desktop can arise from several factors. These include display settings on the remote computer, network connectivity problems, browser cache or cookie issues, conflicting extensions, or even software bugs. Another potential cause is an enabled “Curtain Mode,” designed to hide the remote computer’s screen during use.
Fix Chrome Remote Desktop Black Screen Issues
1] Reinstall Chrome Remote Desktop
Sometimes, corrupted installation files or settings within Chrome Remote Desktop can lead to connection problems and display issues. Reinstalling the application ensures a fresh installation, resolving potential bugs or missing components.
Step 1: Navigate to your operating system’s application settings. For example, on Windows, go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
Step 2: Locate “Chrome Remote Desktop” in the list of installed applications.
Step 3: Click the “Uninstall” button.
Step 4: Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the uninstallation process.
Step 5: After uninstalling, open Chrome and navigate to remotedesktop.google.com/access.
Step 6: Under “Set up Remote Access”, click the “Download” button.
Step 7: Follow the on-screen instructions to download and install Chrome Remote Desktop.
2] Disable Chrome Remote Desktop Curtain Mode
“Curtain Mode” is designed to prevent onlookers from viewing the remote computer’s screen during a remote session. When activated, it typically turns off the display or shows a login screen. However, improper configuration can sometimes result in a persistent black screen.
Step 1: Access the affected computer using an alternative remote access solution, such as Microsoft Remote Desktop, AnyViewer, or ask someone on-site to help.
Step 2: On the remote PC, press Win + R to open the Run dialog, type regedit, and press Enter to open the Registry Editor. Accept the User Account Control (UAC) prompt if it appears.
Step 3: Navigate to the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Google\Chrome\
Step 4: Look for a value named RemoteAccessHostRequireCurtain in the right pane. Double-click on it. If the key doesn’t exist, Curtain Mode is not enabled.
Step 5: Change the “Value data” to 0 and click “OK”.
Step 6: Close the Registry Editor and restart the computer to apply the changes.
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Modifying the registry requires administrative rights.
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Back up the registry before making any modifications to avoid system instability.
3] Remove Conflicting Plug-ins
Certain Chrome extensions or third-party applications can interfere with Chrome Remote Desktop’s screen sharing capabilities. Disabling or removing these extensions ensures a clean connection.
Step 1: Open Google Chrome on the remote computer.
Step 2: Type chrome://extensions/ in the address bar and press Enter.
Step 3: Review the list of installed extensions and identify any that might control screen sharing, remote access, or have potentially conflicting functionalities (e.g., screen recording extensions, ad blockers, VPN or proxy extensions).
Step 4: Disable each identified extension by toggling the switch to the “off” position.
Step 5: Restart Chrome and attempt to connect via Chrome Remote Desktop again.
4] Clear Cache and Cookies
Cached data can sometimes interfere with remote sessions, causing a black screen. Clearing your browser’s cache and cookies can resolve issues related to outdated or corrupted browsing data.
Step 1: Open Chrome and click the three dots (menu) in the top-right corner.
Step 2: Select “Clear browsing data”.
Step 3: In the pop-up window, set the “Time range” to “All time” to clear all cached data.
Step 4: Check the boxes for “Cookies and other site data” and “Cached images and files”.
Step 5: Click “Clear data”.
Step 6: Alternatively, use Chrome Remote Desktop in incognito mode to test if the issue is related to cached data.
5] Delete the Remote Computer and Add It Again
If there’s an issue with the Chrome Remote Desktop settings on the remote machine, removing and re-adding it can reset these settings and resolve the problem.
Step 1: On your computer, open Google Chrome.
Step 2: In the address bar, type remotedesktop.google.com/access and press Enter.
Step 3: Under “Remote Access”, find the computer you want to remove.
Step 4: Click the trash bin icon (Disable remote connections) and confirm the removal.
Step 5: Next, click Turn on under Set up Remote Access.
Step 6: Follow the onscreen prompts to complete the setup process.
How to Fix a Blank Screen on Google Chrome
To address a black screen issue specifically within the Google Chrome browser, consider disabling browser extensions, hardware acceleration, and experimental flags that could impact browser performance. If the problem persists, resetting or reinstalling Google Chrome might be necessary. If the black screen appears when Chrome is minimized or maximized, updating your graphics card drivers could resolve the issue.
By following these steps, you should be able to troubleshoot and resolve the black screen issue in Chrome Remote Desktop, enabling smooth and reliable remote access.