Quick Answer: If your Peloton is stuck on a black screen after showing the "P" logo, you're experiencing what's known as the "Obsidian Boot Loop." This is common on second-hand Gen 1 and Gen 2 Peloton tablets. The fix usually involves a static discharge (holding Power + Volume Up for 60 seconds while unplugged) or letting the device sit powered on for 24 hours to complete a filesystem repair. ADB sideloading won't fix this—those "Error 21" and "Signature verification failed" messages mean the system needs a power cycle, not software.
Table of Contents
- What Causes the Peloton Black Screen?
- Why ADB Sideload Won't Fix This
- Method 1: Static Discharge Reset
- Method 2: Filesystem Self-Repair
- Method 3: Cache Partition Wipe
- What to Do After Your Peloton Boots
- FAQ
What Causes the Peloton Black Screen?
You scored the deal of the century: a second-hand Peloton bike for a fraction of retail price. You plug it in, power it on, and the "P" logo appears. Then... nothing. The screen goes black, the backlight stays on, and no matter how long you wait, it never progresses.
This is the Peloton black screen of death, also known as the Obsidian Boot Loop. The "obsidian" name comes from the tablet's internal codename, which you'll see in recovery logs if you dig into the system.
This issue is most common on: - Gen 1 Peloton tablets — The original 22" touchscreen - Early Gen 2 tablets — Before hardware revisions - Second-hand bikes — Especially those that sat unused for months
The causes typically include: - Capacitor discharge issues — Built-up static electricity confusing the power regulation - eMMC storage degradation — The internal flash storage developing bad blocks over time - Corrupted cache — Temporary files blocking the boot sequence - Failed software updates — Interrupted updates leaving the system in a bad state
The good news? Most of these are fixable without replacing the screen.
Why ADB Sideload Won't Fix This
If you're tech-savvy, your first instinct was probably to boot into Android Recovery and force an update. You found an APK online, connected your laptop via USB, and selected "Apply update from ADB."
If you tried this, you saw an error like this:
E: footer is wrong
Update package verification took 0.0 s (result 1)
E: Signature verification failed
E: error 21
Installation aborted.
Here's why this doesn't work: The Android Recovery menu on Peloton expects a full system image (.zip) that has been cryptographically signed with Peloton's private release keys. An APK is just an app installer file—completely wrong format. Even if you found a system image online, it wouldn't have the correct signature.
The bootloader checks the cryptographic signature against Peloton's official manufacturer key, and anything that doesn't match gets rejected immediately. This is a security feature, not a bug.
Bottom line: Put the USB cable away. This problem isn't in the software—it's usually electrical or storage-related, and the fixes below address those root causes.
Method 1: Static Discharge Reset
This method works for roughly 60% of boot loop cases. It clears built-up static charge that can confuse the tablet's power regulation circuits.
What You'll Need
- No tools required
- About 5 minutes of time
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Disconnect all power
Unplug the power cord from both the wall outlet and the back of the bike. Make sure no electricity is reaching the system.
Step 2: Disconnect the tablet
Unplug the power cable and data cable from the back of the tablet itself. You want the screen completely isolated from any power source.
Step 3: Hold the button combination
With the tablet fully disconnected, press and hold both the Power button and Volume Up button simultaneously. Hold them for 60 full seconds—count it out or use a timer.
This forces any residual charge in the capacitors to drain completely, resetting the power management circuits to a known state.
Step 4: Reconnect everything
Plug the cables back into the tablet first, then plug the bike back into the wall outlet.
Step 5: Power on
Turn on the Peloton normally and wait. The boot process may take longer than usual (2-3 minutes) as the system reinitializes.
If the Peloton logo appears and you eventually reach the login screen, you're done. If it still gets stuck, try Method 2.
Method 2: Filesystem Self-Repair
If the static discharge didn't work, you may have eMMC storage degradation. This sounds scary, but Android has a built-in self-repair mechanism similar to Windows' chkdsk that can often fix it.
What You'll Need
- Patience (this takes up to 24 hours)
- A place to leave the bike undisturbed
How It Works
When the Peloton gets stuck at a black screen with the backlight on, it's often because the system is trying to read a bad block on the internal storage. The boot process hangs waiting for data that never arrives.
Android's filesystem check (fsck) runs automatically in the background during these stuck states. Given enough time, it can:
- Identify bad storage blocks
- Mark them as unusable
- Repair the file structure around them
- Complete the boot process
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Power on the Peloton
Turn on the bike normally and let it reach the black screen (where the backlight is on but nothing displays).
Step 2: Leave it alone for 24 hours
Do not touch it. Do not power cycle it. Do not unplug it. Let the system work in the background.
Step 3: Check the next day
After 24 hours, look at the screen. In many cases, you'll find it has completed booting and is showing the login screen.
If it's still stuck after 24 hours, try Method 3.
Method 3: Cache Partition Wipe
If you can access Android Recovery mode, wiping the cache partition can clear corrupted temporary files that may be blocking the boot process.
What You'll Need
- Ability to boot into Recovery Mode
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Boot into Recovery Mode
While the Peloton is off, press and hold Volume Up + Power simultaneously until you see the Android Recovery menu.
Step 2: Navigate to Wipe Cache Partition
Use the volume keys to scroll through the menu options. Find and highlight "Wipe cache partition".
Step 3: Select the option
Press the Power button to select it. Confirm if prompted.
Step 4: Reboot
Select "Reboot system now" and let the Peloton restart.
Important: Do NOT select "Factory Reset" or "Wipe data" unless you've exhausted all other options. These will erase all user data on the device.
What to Do After Your Peloton Boots
Congratulations! If you followed the steps above and saw that familiar login screen, you just saved yourself $400+ on a replacement tablet.
But now you face the next question: What do you actually want to do with this bike?
If you bought a second-hand Peloton, you may not be interested in paying $44/month for a subscription. Without it, the bike's built-in content is extremely limited.
This is where FitSwitch comes in.
You've already proven you're willing to troubleshoot your hardware. Why stop at just getting it to boot? FitSwitch unlocks the full potential of that screen you just saved:
- Run Zwift, TrainerRoad, or Rouvy — Use your Peloton with any cycling app
- Watch Netflix, YouTube, or Disney+ — Entertainment while you ride
- See your metrics in any app — Cadence, power, and heart rate overlay on everything
- Connect to your Apple Watch or Garmin — Broadcast your workout data to your wearables
- ERG mode on Bike+ — Automatic resistance control with structured workouts
No computer needed after initial setup. No subscription required for FitSwitch itself.
Get FitSwitch — Turn that rescued Peloton into the ultimate open fitness platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Peloton "Obsidian Boot Loop"?
The Obsidian Boot Loop refers to a common issue where Peloton tablets (codenamed "obsidian" internally) get stuck during startup. The screen shows the Peloton logo, goes black, and never progresses to the login screen. This is most common on Gen 1 and early Gen 2 tablets, especially second-hand units that have been unused for extended periods.
Why does my Peloton show "Error 21" when I try to sideload?
Error 21 during ADB sideload means the file you're trying to install doesn't have a valid cryptographic signature. The Peloton bootloader only accepts system images signed with Peloton's private keys. APK files and unsigned images will always fail with this error. This is normal security behavior, not a bug—and sideloading won't fix a boot loop anyway.
Can I fix a Peloton black screen without any tools?
Yes. The most effective fixes—static discharge reset and filesystem self-repair—require no tools at all. You just need to follow the button-hold procedure or let the device sit powered on for 24 hours. No computer, no USB cable, no special software needed.
How long should I wait for the filesystem repair?
Give it a full 24 hours before giving up. The Android filesystem check can take anywhere from a few hours to most of a day, depending on how much storage damage it needs to repair. During this time, the screen may appear completely black even though work is happening in the background.
Will a factory reset fix the boot loop?
Maybe, but it should be a last resort. A factory reset wipes all user data and returns the tablet to its original state. If the boot loop is caused by corrupted user data, this can help. But if the issue is hardware-related (bad storage blocks, power regulation problems), a factory reset won't make any difference and you'll lose any data on the device.
Is this issue covered under Peloton warranty?
If your Peloton is still under warranty, contact Peloton support first. They may replace the tablet at no cost. However, most second-hand bikes are out of warranty, and Peloton charges $400+ for tablet replacements. The fixes in this guide are worth trying before spending that money.
Why does this happen to second-hand Pelotons?
Second-hand bikes often sat unused for months before being resold. During this time, the internal battery may have fully drained, capacitors can develop issues, and flash storage can degrade from lack of use (yes, SSDs and eMMC storage can actually perform worse after sitting idle). The combination of these factors makes boot issues more common on previously-owned units.
What's the difference between the black screen and a dead screen?
If the backlight is on (you can see the screen is illuminated, just showing nothing), that's the boot loop issue described here. If the screen is completely dark with no backlight, you may have a different problem—possibly a failed backlight, loose cable connection, or dead display panel. Try the static discharge method first, but you may need actual hardware repair.
Can I prevent this from happening again?
To reduce the chance of recurrence, avoid letting the Peloton sit unpowered for extended periods. If you're not using it for a while, power it on at least once a month to keep the storage active and batteries maintained. Also avoid interrupting software updates—let them complete fully even if they take a while.
Does FitSwitch help prevent boot loops?
FitSwitch doesn't directly prevent boot loops since it's a software/hardware accessory, not a system modification. However, FitSwitch users tend to use their Pelotons more frequently (since they have access to more apps and content), which keeps the system active and reduces storage degradation issues.
When to Consider Replacement
If you've tried all three methods and the Peloton still won't boot after 48+ hours, you may have a hardware failure that can't be fixed with software resets. At that point, your options are:
- Contact Peloton — Even out of warranty, they may offer a discounted replacement
- Third-party repair — Some electronics repair shops can replace eMMC storage
- Replacement tablet — Aftermarket Peloton tablets are available from various sellers
- Use as parts — The bike frame, resistance system, and sensors may still have value
But for the majority of black screen cases, the methods above will get your Peloton running again—no replacement needed.
Disclaimer: Attempting to repair or troubleshoot your Peloton hardware is done at your own risk. FitSwitch is not affiliated with Peloton Interactive, Inc.
Last updated: August 2025