Understanding the Black Screen Issue with Azure Virtual Desktop

Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) is a powerful Solution from Microsoft, for businesses and organizations that need to provide remote access to their work environment. However, users have reported issues with black screens during sign-in, which can impact productivity and cause frustration. In this blog post, we will dive into the issue of black screens with Azure Virtual Desktop and explore the root causes of the problem.

The black screen issue typically occurs when a user tries to sign in to the virtual desktop, but instead of a fully loaded desktop, they are met with a black screen. This can be a frustrating experience from end user point of view and sometime they disconnect the session and it is a known issue with Azure Virtual Desktop according to Microsoft see the below link. However, with the right configuration and a few simple steps, it is possible to resolve the black screen issue and ensure a seamless and productive user experience for your end users.

In this section, we will provide a comprehensive overview of the black screen issue with Azure Virtual Desktop, including the root causes and the impact on users. This will set the stage for the rest of the blog post, where we will guide you through the steps to resolve the issue and get back to work.

The black screen issue in Azure Virtual Desktop can be caused by a variety of factors, including the AppReadiness timeout window and registry values. Microsoft has acknowledged this as a known issue and recommends changing the first sign-in’s timeout window to 30 seconds to avoid the black screen for the first user’s sign-in. However, in some cases, the value may need to be increased based on testing.

Another possible cause of the black screen issue is the lack of proper configuration of registry keys such as DelayedDesktopSwitchTimeout. This registry keys play an important role in ensuring a smooth user experience and resolving the black screen issue.

In this section, we will examine the root causes of the black screen issue in Azure Virtual Desktop, including the AppReadiness timeout window and the need to configure specific registry keys. This will give you a better understanding of the problem and help you diagnose any issues you may encounter with your own Azure Virtual Desktop environment.

If you are experiencing the black screen issue in your Azure Virtual Desktop environment, there are several steps you can take to resolve it.

The first step is to change the first sign-in’s timeout window to 30 seconds. This will help to avoid the black screen for the first user’s sign-in. If this does not resolve the issue, you may need to increase the timeout value based on your own testing.

Another key step in resolving the black screen issue is to configure the registry keys as specified by Microsoft. These registry keys, including HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\AppReadinessPreShellTimeoutMs, HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System\FirstLogonTimeout, and HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System\DelayedDesktopSwitchTimeout, play a crucial role in ensuring a smooth user experience and resolving the black screen issue.

In this section, we will provide a step-by-step guide to resolving the black screen issue in Azure Virtual Desktops. By following these simple steps, you can eliminate the black screen and improve the user experience in your virtual desktop environment.

In this section, we will provide some troubleshooting tips to help you resolve black screen issues in Azure Virtual Desktop.

• To fix the black screen issue with Azure Virtual Desktop, you will need to modify the values of three registry keys.
• The three registry keys are:
  • HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\AppReadinessPreShellTimeoutMs
  • HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System\FirstLogonTimeout
  • HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System\DelayedDesktopSwitchTimeout
• The values for these keys should be configured as follows:
  • HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\AppReadinessPreShellTimeoutMs: Value:4289840 (Note: value in decimal)
  • HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System\FirstLogonTimeout: Value:16670 (Note: value in decimal)
  • HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System\DelayedDesktopSwitchTimeout: Value:16670 (Note: value in decimal)
• To configure these keys, you can follow these steps:
  1. Log on to the virtual desktop as an administrator.
  2. Open the Registry Editor by pressing Windows + R and typing ‘regedit’ in the Run box.
  3. Navigate to the path of each registry key and modify its value as indicated above.
  4. Close the Registry Editor and restart the virtual desktop.

By following these troubleshooting tips, you can effectively resolve black screen issues in Azure Virtual Desktop and ensure a smooth user experience.

The black screen issues in Azure Virtual Desktop can be a frustrating experience for users. However, with the right understanding and approach, these issues can be effectively resolved.

By following the steps outlined in this article, such as modifying the registry keys and troubleshooting system resources, you can prevent and resolve black screen problems in Azure Virtual Desktop.

It is important to stay proactive and monitor your virtual desktop environment regularly to ensure that any issues are caught and resolved in a timely manner. By doing so, you can provide a seamless user experience and minimize any disruption to your virtual desktop environment.

In conclusion, if you are facing any issues with Azure Virtual Desktop, including the black screen issue, Golden Five LLC is here to help. As a Microsoft Gold Partner with expertise in AVD implementations, our team of expert engineers is dedicated to providing 100% customer satisfaction. If you are in need of assistance with your AVD design or implementation, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. You can book a consultation with our expert engineers through our website, https://www.goldenfiveconsulting.com/meet. Golden Five LLC to deliver the best solutions for your Azure Virtual Desktop needs.