"New Console" mode gives blank screen #12651

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opened 2026-01-31 03:21:08 +00:00 by claunia · 3 comments
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Originally created by @neobis001 on GitHub (Feb 19, 2021).

Environment

Windows build number: 10.0.18363.1379

Steps to reproduce

  1. Turn on legacy mode. Re-launch cmd.
    w-legacy

  2. Disable legacy mode. Re-launch cmd.
    w-new

Expected behavior

Just a normal console. I think I was in "new console" mode before trying this out. Because Ctrl+C/Ctrl+V functionality was working before. I was just trying "legacy mode" because I thought it would fix this weird thing happening to MASM Assembler.

Actual behavior

As shown in the 2nd image, I get a blank console. I found one other person who had the same problem here:

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/command-prompt-gives-a-blank-black-screen-unless-i/2726f725-0793-435e-976b-da061aade847

He/she said it was just some weird settings, but didn't say what. So I don't know how to fix this myself.

Originally created by @neobis001 on GitHub (Feb 19, 2021). <!-- 🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨 I ACKNOWLEDGE THE FOLLOWING BEFORE PROCEEDING: 1. If I delete this entire template and go my own path, the core team may close my issue without further explanation or engagement. 2. If I list multiple bugs/concerns in this one issue, the core team may close my issue without further explanation or engagement. 3. If I write an issue that has many duplicates, the core team may close my issue without further explanation or engagement (and without necessarily spending time to find the exact duplicate ID number). 4. If I leave the title incomplete when filing the issue, the core team may close my issue without further explanation or engagement. 5. If I file something completely blank in the body, the core team may close my issue without further explanation or engagement. All good? Then proceed! --> <!-- This bug tracker is monitored by Windows Terminal development team and other technical folks. **Important: When reporting BSODs or security issues, DO NOT attach memory dumps, logs, or traces to Github issues**. Instead, send dumps/traces to secure@microsoft.com, referencing this GitHub issue. If this is an application crash, please also provide a Feedback Hub submission link so we can find your diagnostic data on the backend. Use the category "Apps > Windows Terminal (Preview)" and choose "Share My Feedback" after submission to get the link. Please use this form and describe your issue, concisely but precisely, with as much detail as possible. --> # Environment ```none Windows build number: 10.0.18363.1379 ``` # Steps to reproduce 1. Turn on legacy mode. Re-launch cmd. ![w-legacy](https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/10540174/108446167-903fa500-7212-11eb-99be-89773a1af9f4.jpg) 2. Disable legacy mode. Re-launch cmd. ![w-new](https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/10540174/108446347-d1d05000-7212-11eb-9651-0ab30dc51b27.jpg) # Expected behavior Just a normal console. I think I was in "new console" mode before trying this out. Because Ctrl+C/Ctrl+V functionality was working before. I was just trying "legacy mode" because I thought it would fix this weird thing happening to MASM Assembler. # Actual behavior As shown in the 2nd image, I get a blank console. I found one other person who had the same problem here: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/command-prompt-gives-a-blank-black-screen-unless-i/2726f725-0793-435e-976b-da061aade847 He/she said it was just some weird settings, but didn't say what. So I don't know how to fix this myself.
claunia added the Needs-TriageNeeds-Tag-FixNeeds-Attention labels 2026-01-31 03:21:08 +00:00
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@DHowett commented on GitHub (Feb 19, 2021):

So, this is a well known old bug that has since been fixed. 18362 introduced “Terminal” settings, which let an application have access to more colors and cursors.

Due to an oversight, turning on the “legacy console” setting corrupts the terminal colors, turning them on but setting them both to black. You end up with the foreground and background both being black.

You should be able to recover by going to the Terminal settings tab and turning off the color options and resetting the cursor to “Vintage” or “default”.

There’s an old issue in our repo for this, but I can’t find it (on my phone.)

Let me know if that works!

@DHowett commented on GitHub (Feb 19, 2021): So, this is a well known old bug that has since been fixed. 18362 introduced “Terminal” settings, which let an application have access to more colors and cursors. Due to an oversight, turning on the “legacy console” setting corrupts the terminal colors, turning them on but setting them both to black. You end up with the foreground and background both being black. You should be able to recover by going to the Terminal settings tab and turning off the color options and resetting the cursor to “Vintage” or “default”. There’s an old issue in our repo for this, but I can’t find it (on my phone.) Let me know if that works!
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@neobis001 commented on GitHub (Feb 19, 2021):

Thanks, disabling "color options" worked. Where's the "vintage" cursor option? I can't find it in the Terminal tab. Just curious.

cmd-terminal-tab

@neobis001 commented on GitHub (Feb 19, 2021): Thanks, disabling "color options" worked. Where's the "vintage" cursor option? I can't find it in the Terminal tab. Just curious. ![cmd-terminal-tab](https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/10540174/108456063-4b246e80-7224-11eb-8ca5-655d1228d055.jpg)
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@DHowett commented on GitHub (Feb 19, 2021):

Whoops- bad memory. I meant the “legacy” option :)

Glad it worked!

@DHowett commented on GitHub (Feb 19, 2021): Whoops- bad memory. I meant the “legacy” option :) Glad it worked!
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Reference: starred/terminal#12651