Make a Computer Screen Go Black With PowerPoint

PowerPoint lets you temporarily turn the slide show black, add a black slide, or blank the screen during a presentation. Used well, this helps control attention, pause between sections, protect sensitive content, or reset the room.

Use the B Key During Slide Show

The fastest way to make the screen go black in PowerPoint is to start Slide Show mode and press B on the keyboard. PowerPoint blanks the slide show to a black screen. Press B again to return to the current slide. This shortcut is useful when you want people to stop reading the slide and listen to you, when you need a quick pause, or when a discussion moves away from the visual on screen.

You can also press the period key in many PowerPoint setups to do the same thing. If you want a white blank screen instead of black, press W or comma in Slide Show mode. These shortcuts are designed for presenters, not for changing the actual computer display outside the presentation.

Test the shortcut before your event. Keyboard layouts, remote clickers, browser-based presenting, and shared-screen environments can behave differently. If the shortcut does not work, use one of the other methods below.

Add a Black Slide to the Deck

If you want a planned black screen at a specific moment, add a black slide. Insert a blank slide, set the background to solid black, and remove all text boxes or objects. Place it where you want the pause. During the presentation, advancing to that slide creates a clean black screen without relying on a keyboard shortcut.

A black slide is useful before a video, during a break, after a dramatic point, before a Q&A, or when switching speakers. It can also hide the next section while you transition. Add a hidden note to yourself in presenter view if you need a reminder, but keep the audience-facing slide completely blank.

If you need multiple pauses, duplicate the black slide and place copies at different points in the deck. Use slide titles in outline view so you can identify them easily while editing.

Use Presenter Controls

When presenting in PowerPoint, move the mouse or use presenter view controls to access screen options. Depending on your version, you may see options for Black Screen, White Screen, or End Show. The exact menu labels can vary by PowerPoint version and operating system, but the purpose is the same: temporarily blank the presentation display.

Presenter controls are helpful when you do not remember keyboard shortcuts. They are also useful if you are using a touchscreen or presenting from a device without a full keyboard. Practice finding the control before the live presentation so you are not searching while the audience waits.

If you are sharing through Teams, Zoom, or another meeting app, make sure you are sharing the slide show window or screen you intend to blank. If you share the wrong window, the audience may not see the black screen.

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Blank the Screen During Online Meetings

When presenting online, the black screen shortcut usually affects the slide show content being shared, not necessarily your entire computer. If you share only the PowerPoint window, pressing B should make that shared presentation black. If you share your full desktop, the audience may still see other windows if you exit the slide show.

For privacy, do not rely only on a black screen if sensitive files, notifications, or browser tabs are visible elsewhere. Close private windows, turn off notifications, and share only the presentation window when possible. The black screen is a presentation tool, not a complete privacy shield.

If you need a break, say so clearly: “I’m going to blank the slide for a minute while we discuss this.” This avoids making participants think something broke.

Use a Black Screen to Control Attention

Slides compete with the speaker. If a slide is full of text, people may keep reading while you talk. A black screen resets attention. Use it when you want to tell a story, ask a reflective question, handle discussion, or move from visual content to human conversation.

This is especially useful in training. After showing a scenario, blank the screen and ask people what they would do. The blank screen reduces the temptation to reread the prompt and encourages actual discussion. After the conversation, return to the slide and summarize.

Use the technique sparingly. If the screen keeps going black every few minutes, it can feel distracting. Use it for moments that genuinely benefit from focus.

Hide Content Before You Are Ready

A black screen can help when you need to pause before revealing a sensitive number, answer, or next section. For example, in a quiz, you might blank the screen while teams discuss. In a business meeting, you might blank the screen while moving from public summary to internal conversation. In a classroom, you might blank the screen while students write an answer.

For sensitive information, plan carefully. Do not leave confidential slides visible while people enter the room. Use a black title slide at the start, keep private slides hidden until needed, and consider creating separate versions of the deck for different audiences.

The black screen is one layer of control. Good file preparation is another.

Troubleshoot When the Shortcut Does Not Work

If pressing B does nothing, confirm that PowerPoint is in Slide Show mode and that the slide show window has focus. Click the slide show once and press B again. If you are using a remote clicker, check whether it sends standard keyboard commands. Some remotes may not support the B shortcut.

If you are presenting through a browser version of PowerPoint, the shortcut behavior may differ from the desktop app. Try the on-screen presentation controls or add an actual black slide to the deck. If you are using Teams or Zoom, confirm that the shared window is still the PowerPoint slide show.

If the screen goes black but will not return, press B again, press Escape to leave slide show, or use the presenter controls. Practice these recovery options before presenting.

Use Cases for a Black Slide or Shortcut

In a sales presentation, use a black screen after showing pricing so the conversation moves to questions instead of everyone staring at the numbers. In a classroom, use it after a prompt so students think before seeing the answer. In a workshop, use it during group discussion so the slide does not anchor everyone to the previous point. In a webinar, use it during a planned break with a verbal explanation or a separate break slide.

For speeches, blanking the screen can make a personal story more powerful because the audience stops reading and starts listening. For panel discussions, it can prevent old slides from distracting from the people speaking. For technical demos, it can hide setup time while you switch files or prepare the next screen, as long as you tell the audience what is happening.

The principle is simple: if the slide is no longer helping, blank it. If the slide is supporting the point, keep it visible.

Avoid Misuse

Do not use a black screen to prank people, hide unauthorized activity, mislead an audience, or make someone think their computer is broken. In a professional setting, be transparent. A black screen should serve the presentation, not create confusion or distrust.

If you are presenting on someone else’s computer, ask permission before changing settings or shortcuts. If you are in a classroom or workplace, follow device and presentation policies. Simple tools can still create problems when used carelessly.

The right use is clear: focus the room, pause the slide show, protect attention, and make the presentation smoother.

Final Thoughts

To make a computer screen go black with PowerPoint, use the B key during Slide Show mode, add a planned black slide, or use presenter controls. For online meetings, test how the black screen appears to participants. For privacy, share only the intended window and close sensitive content before presenting.

A black screen is a small presenter tool with a big effect. It lets you decide when the audience should look at the slide and when they should look back at the conversation.

FAQs

What key makes the PowerPoint screen black?

In Slide Show mode, press B to toggle a black screen. Press B again to return to the slide.

Can I make the screen white instead?

Yes. In many PowerPoint setups, W or comma toggles a white screen during Slide Show mode.

Does the black screen hide my whole computer?

No. It blanks the PowerPoint slide show display. For privacy, share only the intended window and close sensitive content.

PowerPoint shortcuts and presenter controls can vary by app version, operating system, keyboard, remote, and meeting platform. Test before presenting live.