Black screen hotkey

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Many users often find themselves needing to quickly turn their screen black for various reasons, such as privacy, presentations, or reducing eye strain. This article provides a detailed guide on how to achieve this using hotkeys on different operating systems and devices.

Using Hotkeys on Windows

Windows Native Shortcut
  1. Press Win + Ctrl + Shift + B:
    • This combination will refresh your display driver and may turn the screen black momentarily.

Third-Party Software
  1. Download and Install:
    • Tools like “ScreenWings” or “Turn Off Monitor” can be used to black out the screen.
  2. Set Up Hotkeys:
    • Open the software and navigate to the settings to configure your desired hotkey combination for blacking out the screen.

Using Hotkeys on Mac

Using a Built-in Method
  1. Press Control + Shift + Eject/Power:
    • This combination will put the display to sleep, effectively turning the screen black.

Using Hot Corners
  1. Set Up Hot Corners:
    • Go to System Preferences > Desktop & Screen Saver > Screen Saver.
    • Click on “Hot Corners” and set one of the corners to “Put Display to Sleep”.
  2. Activate Hot Corner:
    • Move your cursor to the designated corner to turn the screen black.

Using Hotkeys on Linux

Using xset Command
  1. Open Terminal:
    • Use a terminal emulator like GNOME Terminal or Konsole.
  2. Enter Command:
    • Type xset dpms force off and press Enter. This command will turn off the display.
  3. Create a Hotkey:
    • Go to your system settings, find the keyboard shortcuts section, and create a new shortcut for the above command.

Using Custom Scripts
  1. Write a Script:
    • Create a script file with the command xset dpms force off.
  2. Make Script Executable:
    • Use chmod +x yourscriptname.sh.
  3. Assign Hotkey:
    • Assign this script to a hotkey using your desktop environment’s keyboard settings.

Using Hotkeys on Mobile Devices

Android
  1. Use Screen Dimmer Apps:
    • Install apps like “Screen Off and Lock” from the Play Store.
  2. Set Up Widget or Gesture:
    • Configure the app to use a widget or gesture to turn off the screen quickly.

iOS
  1. AssistiveTouch:
    • Enable AssistiveTouch in Settings > Accessibility > Touch.
  2. Configure Custom Action:
    • Set a custom action for “Lock Screen”, such as double-tapping the AssistiveTouch button.

Additional Tips

Using Screen Savers
  1. Activate Screen Saver:
    • Set your screen saver to a black screen and use a hotkey to activate it manually.

Reducing Screen Brightness
  1. Dim the Screen:
    • Lower your screen brightness to the minimum level as an alternative to turning it off completely.

This guide offers several methods for turning your screen black quickly and efficiently, catering to various devices and operating systems.