Windows 11 Won’t Start? Try These Fixes

Common causes

• Missing or damaged system files
• Corrupted boot configuration data
• A recent Windows update
• A recent software install, driver update or settings change
• Incompatible drivers
• Registry errors
• A hardware issue before Windows starts loading

Step-by-Step Solutions

Start with the first steps, try the later ones only if you need to, and leave Reset this PC, the most disruptive option, for last.

1. 1

   Step 1: Make sure the PC turns on, then restart

   This guide is for a PC that powers on but doesn’t get into Windows.

   If your PC shows no sign of power at all, the steps in this guide don’t apply. If it does turn on, watch what happens next. If the hard disk drive light doesn’t work, or the NumLock light doesn’t toggle when you press NumLock, startup is stuck before Windows begins to load, and there might be a hardware issue.

   Disconnect any external devices connected to your PC. Then restart it once to see if the problem is already resolved.

   Good to know

   In case of a mass outage, if your PC runs Windows 11, version 24H2 or later, and quick machine recovery is enabled, it detects repeated boot failures and tries to apply a fix from Windows Update with no action needed from you.

2. 2

   Step 2: Open the Windows Recovery Environment

   Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE) holds the built-in repair tools used in the next steps.

   If Windows fails to start correctly multiple times, it opens Windows RE on its own.

   To get there yourself, turn on your PC and wait for the Windows logo or the manufacturer’s logo. As soon as it appears, press and hold the power button until the PC shuts down. Do this twice. Turn it on a third time, and Windows should show the Automatic Repair screen. Select Advanced options.

   If Windows sometimes starts, open Settings, select System, then Recovery, and select Restart now next to Advanced startup. You can also press and hold Shift while you select Power, then Restart.

   If you made a USB recovery drive, starting your PC from it takes you straight to Windows RE.

   Good to know

   Some PCs have a recovery button or button combination, set up by the manufacturer, that starts Windows RE. If your PC doesn’t start from a USB drive, check the manufacturer’s website for how to change the boot order.

3. 3

   Step 3: Have your BitLocker recovery key ready

   On an encrypted PC, most recovery options in Windows RE ask for the BitLocker recovery key.

   If BitLocker is enabled on your PC, you’ll need your BitLocker recovery key for most recovery options in Windows RE. When you’re asked for it, note the first 8 digits of the recovery key ID. The ID helps you identify which key to use if you have more than one.

   Places to look for the key:

   • Your Microsoft account: from another device, open a web browser, sign in with your Microsoft account and find the matching key ID
   • The Microsoft account of whoever set up the PC or turned on BitLocker
   • A printout kept with the important papers for your PC
   • Your IT department, if your PC is managed by an organization

   Good to know

   Microsoft Support can’t retrieve, provide or recreate a lost BitLocker recovery key.

4. 4

   Step 4: Run Startup Repair

   Startup Repair scans for problems that can stop Windows from starting and tries to fix them.

   In Windows RE, select Troubleshoot, then Advanced options, then Startup Repair, then Restart.

   After your PC restarts, Startup Repair scans it for problems and tries to fix them. It looks for issues such as missing or damaged system files, corrupted boot configuration data, incompatible drivers and registry errors.

   If it can’t fix the problem, it provides a detailed report of the issues it found. Move on to the next step.

5. 5

   Step 5: Start in safe mode

   Safe mode starts Windows with a limited set of files and drivers, which helps narrow down the cause.

   In Windows RE, select Troubleshoot, then Advanced options, then Startup Settings, then Restart.

   When the Startup Settings screen appears, use the number keys or function keys F1-F9 to choose Enable Safe Mode. Choose Safe Mode with Networking instead if you need the internet.

   If the problem doesn’t happen in safe mode, default settings and basic device drivers aren’t causing it.

   Good to know

   Restarting should be enough to leave safe mode. If your PC keeps starting in safe mode, press the Windows key + R, type msconfig and select OK. Select the Boot tab, then under Boot options clear the Safe boot checkbox.

6. 6

   Step 6: Roll back to a restore point

   A restore point takes your PC back to how it was before a recent change.

   Some recovery options can result in data loss, so back up your important files before you start. On Windows 11, version 24H2 or later, point-in-time restore rolls back your entire PC, including apps, settings and personal files, to a recent automatic restore point. In Windows RE, select Troubleshoot, then Point-in-time restore, and choose a restore point. Only changes made after that restore point are lost.

   If point-in-time restore isn’t available, or you need to go back further than three days, use System Restore. It reverts system files, registry settings and installed programs to an earlier restore point, without affecting your personal files.

   In Windows RE, select Troubleshoot, then Advanced options, then System Restore. Choose a restore point, or select Show more restore points if the one you want isn’t listed. Select Next, then Finish, and select Restart when the restore point has been applied.

   Good to know

   Windows creates restore points automatically during events like software installations or updates. You can also create them yourself before major changes.

7. 7

   Step 7: Uninstall a recent update

   If the problem started after a Windows update, removing it might help.

   If your PC stopped starting after a recent Windows update, uninstall it from Windows RE. Select Troubleshoot, then Advanced options, then Uninstall updates.

   Uninstalling an update doesn’t affect your files or apps.

8. 8

   Step 8: Reset this PC as a last resort

   Resetting reinstalls Windows and is the most disruptive option, so try the steps above first.

   Resetting your PC reinstalls Windows. Depending on the option you choose, apps, settings and personal files may be removed. Back up important files before you begin, and have your BitLocker recovery key if your PC is encrypted.

   In Windows RE, select Troubleshoot, then Reset this PC, and choose from these options:

   • Keep my files: reinstalls Windows and keeps your personal files, but removes apps and settings
   • Remove everything: reinstalls Windows and removes all your personal files, apps and settings
   • Cloud download: downloads a fresh copy of Windows, useful if the files on your PC are corrupted or missing
   • Local reinstall: uses the files already on your PC to reinstall Windows

   Good to know

   During the reset, your screen might go black for a long time, occasionally upwards of 15 minutes, and your PC might restart itself. Don’t restart it yourself, because that could make the reset fail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related guides

• DisplayWindows 11 Black Screen? Try These FixesCheck your display and cables, reset the graphics driver, restart Windows Explorer, start in safe mode, fix the display driver, or undo a recent change.
• Performance & StartupWindows 11 Blue Screen Error? Try These FixesCheck new hardware, use safe mode and Device Manager, free up drive space, update Windows, test your memory, then uninstall an update or restore your PC.