ZoomText - Black screen fix for ZoomText 2603 March update

ZoomText - Black screen fix for ZoomText 2603 March update

Problem

A ZoomText 2026 user encounters a problem where the 2026 march update (build 2603) cuass the screen to go black when it launches.

Applies to

  1. ZoomText

Resolution

The ZoomText/Fusion 2026 April update released 08/04/2026 is designed to fix the black screen issue.  You can directly install the updated builds over the top of the existing ZoomText installation.


If you are unable to log in as Administrator to install the update use the steps below to fix the problem in trhe current version using Windows Narrator speech or try exiting ZoomText to regain the display.

Fix using Display Adaptor Settings utility

If the user has 2025 or earlier and an IT technician can log into the PC without ZoomText starting use these steps to make the adjustment.

  1. Open Start menu, then search Utilities, then pick the result Utilities - ZoomText [year].
  2. Then double click to open Change Display adaptor settings.
  3. Then click the open Magnification API or Magnification API (non-magnified screen capture).
  4. Then click OK, then close and restart ZoomText.

Exit ZoomText without display

Fo users whose ZoomText blacks out screen it may be possible to exit ZoomText to update or make any changes using the steps below.
  1. Hold down the modifier keys CONTROL+ALT+SHIFT+WINDOWS.
  2. Whilst holding those modifier keys type ZTOUT.
  3. Then release the modifer keys when display returns (ZoomText has quit).
  4. Install the ZoomText April update if you have authorisation for 2026 or open the AdaptorSettings in the folder:

    C:\Program Files\Freedom Scientific\ZoomText\[Version of ZoomText being used]\DisplayAdapterSettings.exe

    Where [Version of ZoomText being used] is placeholder for year/version of product eg, 2024, 2025 etc.

  5. Then set to Mag API or Compatibility Mode, then click OK and reopen ZoomText.

Using Windows Narrator

Users who use ZoomText magnifier only and are seeing black screen can attempt to fix the problem by running Narrator speech.
  1. Open Narrator using the hotkey CTRL+WINDOSkey+ENTER.
  2. Once speech starts, press ALT+TAB to reach the ZoomText window or press CONTROL+CAPSLOCK+U.  Narrator should announce "ZoomText 2026".
  3. Once in ZoomText, press Alt followed, then Z to open the ZoomText window (Narrator should announce "ZoomText" or "ZoomText header")
  4. Key down to "Preferences", then press RIGHT ARROW key to expand the sub menu.
  5. Key down to "Advanced", then press RIGHT ARROW to expand the sub menu.
  6. Key down to "Display Adapter", then press ENTER to open.
  7. In the Display adaaptor window Key down to "Magnification API", then press enter to confirm choice.
  8. Press ENTER or ALT+Y on the prompt to restart ZoomText to confirm
  9. ZoomText should automatically restart on its own, but if it doesn't, re-open it from the desktop, or restart the laptop completely.


Notes
Note
If ZoomText speech is still available you may use the instructions as above but ommit the step opening Windows Narrator.

Supplementary information

The black screen issue is known to affect Windows 11 systems where KB5079391 and KB5079473. or KB5086672 are installed and the system uses 11th gen Intel graphics.  Systems with Intel 12th generation and later are not affected by the problem.  Users who are stuck on black screen at startup can use the keyboard shorrtcut method to close ZoomText and update their ZoomText.

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