When I turn it on all i get is black screen. I can put in the memory card with images previously taken and it will still show the image. I can still go through menus and they show on the LCD screen like they normally would. But when I get ready to shoot the screen goes black and it will still take the pic but of course all i get is a black pic. No image. It's a Nikon coolpix 5400. Gift so I got no receipt or warranty on it. Look on the back of the camera. To the right of the monitor and all the way at the bottom, there is a button with an icon that looks kind of like a TV screen with lines around it. Sort of like this: |O|
That button toggles through the various monitor modes, including turning it on and off when you are in shooting shooting mode. I'm sure that's all it is. The 5400 is a pretty decent camera.
I'm guessing that you are actually getting a picture, but you are just not able to see it on the monitor after you took it unless you are in the viewing mode.
The good news is, you have just discovered the secret to long battery life. If you can live without the monitor, you'll go a long time without draining the battery. battery problems, default the camera settings | 