How to Fix Windows Boot Problems

A PC that won't start can mean a few different things: no power at all, a black screen, a freeze on the logo, or a loop of restarts. Start with the quick physical checks, then use the recovery tools built into Windows 11 and Windows 10. They work the same way on both, and they don't need anything extra installed.

1. Check Power and Restart

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If nothing happens when you press the power button, check the power first.

• Desktop: make sure the power cable is firmly connected at both ends and the socket or power strip is switched on.
• Laptop: connect the charger and let the battery charge for a while before you try again.

Then restart. Microsoft's first suggestion in its recovery guide is simply to restart and see whether the problem has already gone.

Expected result: the PC powers on and you see the maker's logo or the Windows logo.

2. Unplug External Devices

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A USB drive, memory card, external hard drive or newly added device can stop Windows from starting normally.

1. Turn off the PC.
2. Unplug everything except the keyboard and mouse (and the monitor on a desktop).
3. Turn the PC on. If it starts, plug your devices back in one at a time to find the one causing the problem.
4. If you installed new hardware just before the problem began, remove it and try again.

Expected result: Windows starts with only the essentials connected, and you know which device to leave out, update or replace.

3. Open the Windows Recovery Environment

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The Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) holds Windows' repair tools. Microsoft says that if Windows fails to start correctly several times, it opens the recovery environment automatically. You can also open it yourself:

• If Windows won't start: turn the PC on, and as soon as the Windows logo appears, press and hold the power button until it turns off. Do this twice. On the third start, Windows should show Automatic Repair. Select Advanced options.
• If you can reach the sign-in screen or Start menu: hold Shift while you select Power > Restart.
• If Windows starts: select Start > Settings > System > Recovery, and next to Advanced startup select Restart now. On Windows 10, it's Settings > Update & Security > Recovery.
• From a USB drive: start from a recovery drive, or from Windows installation media and select Repair my PC.

Expected result: you see a blue Choose an option screen with Troubleshoot on it.

4. Run Startup Repair

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Startup Repair scans for problems that stop Windows from starting, such as missing or damaged system files, damaged boot configuration data, incompatible drivers and registry errors, and tries to fix them.

1. In the recovery environment, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Repair.
2. Follow the on-screen steps and let it restart your PC.

Expected result: Windows starts normally. If Startup Repair can't fix the problem, it gives you a report of what it found.

5. Start in Safe Mode and Remove Recent Changes

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Safe Mode starts Windows in a basic state, with a limited set of files and drivers. If Windows starts in Safe Mode, you can remove the app or driver you added just before the trouble began.

1. In the recovery environment, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
2. When the list appears, press 4 or F4 for Safe Mode, or 5 or F5 for Safe Mode with Networking if you need the internet.
3. Once signed in, go to Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps and uninstall programs you installed just before the problem started.
4. For a new device, right-click Start, open Device Manager, look for a yellow exclamation mark, right-click the device and choose Update driver, or disable or uninstall it.
5. Restart normally to leave Safe Mode.

If the PC keeps starting in Safe Mode, press Windows key + R, type msconfig, open the Boot tab and clear Safe boot.

Expected result: after removing the recent change, Windows starts normally.

6. Uninstall the Latest Update

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If the problem started right after Windows installed an update, remove it.

1. In the recovery environment, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Uninstall Updates.
2. Select Uninstall latest quality update and follow the prompts.

Expected result: the PC restarts without the update and starts normally.

7. Go Back to an Earlier Point With System Restore

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System Restore puts system files, registry settings and installed programs back the way they were when a restore point was made, without affecting your personal files.

1. In the recovery environment, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > System Restore.
2. Choose a restore point from before the problem started. Select Show more restore points to see older ones.
3. Select Next, then Finish, and restart when it's done.

On Windows 11, version 24H2 or later, you may also see point-in-time restore, which rolls the whole PC back, including apps, settings and personal files, to a recent automatic restore point.

Expected result: Windows starts as it did on the date of the restore point. For more detail, see How to Use a Windows 11 System Restore Point.

8. Once Windows Starts: Update and Tidy Up

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1. Select Start > Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates, install everything and restart. On Windows 10, it's Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
2. Clear temporary files in Settings > System > Storage > Cleanup recommendations. Microsoft suggests keeping roughly 10% to 15% of your system drive free.
3. Run a Quick scan in Windows Security > Virus & threat protection.

Expected result: Windows is up to date, has room to work and reports no threats.

Still Won't Start? What to Try Next

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• Reset this PC: in the recovery environment, choose Troubleshoot > Reset this PC. Keep my files reinstalls Windows and keeps your documents and photos, but removes your apps and settings. Remove everything erases your personal files too.
• Reinstall from recovery media: use your PC maker's recovery media, or create Windows installation media on another PC. Microsoft notes that reinstalling from a recovery drive removes your personal files, apps and settings, so back up first if you can.
• Still no power at all: if the PC shows no lights or fan movement with a known-good cable or charger, contact your PC maker or a repair shop.