Windows Not Booting? Fix Windows Boot Issues Fast — 12 Guaranteed Solutions That Actually Work!

Windows not booting or stuck in boot loop? Learn the most common reasons why Windows won’t boot and follow simple step-by-step solutions—Start-up Repair, Safe Mode, Bootloader Fix, BIOS Settings, and more. Recover your system without losing data.

1. Windows Not Booting Quick Troubleshooting

1. Power & peripherals: Shut down completely. Unplug external drives, SD cards, printers, dongles. Leave only keyboard/mouse/monitor.
2. Hard reset: Hold the power button for ~10 seconds to force off, then power on again.
3. Battery/CMOS (laptops): If removable, disconnect AC + battery for 1 minute. For desktops, ensure SATA/NVMe cables are firmly seated.

2. Windows Recovery (WinRE)

• After two failed boots, Windows usually shows “Preparing Automatic Repair.”
• If not: power on → as soon as you see the spinner/logo, hold power to force off; repeat 2–3 times → Advanced options.
• Or boot from a Windows 10/11 USB installer → Repair your computer (bottom-left) → Troubleshoot.

3. Use the built-in automatic fixes

Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Start-up Repair.
Let it run. If it works, you’re done. If not, continue.

4. Try windows Safe Mode (to undo recent changes)

1. Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart.
2. Press 4 (Safe Mode) or 5 (Safe Mode with Networking).
3. Inside Safe Mode:
   • Uninstall problem apps/drivers (Device Manager → right-click device → Properties → Driver → Roll Back).
   • Undo recent Windows updates: Settings → Windows Update → Update history → Uninstall updates.
   • Free up space (keep >10–15% free on system drive).

If Safe Mode works but normal boot fails, it’s usually a bad driver, update, or startup program.

5. Undo updates from WinRE (if Safe Mode won’t load)

Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Uninstall updates →

• Try Uninstall latest quality update first.
• If still stuck, Uninstall latest feature update.

6. Repair windows disk & system files (from WinRE → Command Prompt)

You may need to unlock BitLocker first:
manage-bde -status
manage-bde -unlock C: -RecoveryPassword <your-48-digit-key>

1. Find your Windows drive letter (it may not be C: in WinRE):

diskpart
list vol
exit

Look for the volume that has “Windows” folder when you dir it.

2. Check the file system:

chkdsk C: /f /r

(Replace C: if different. This can take a while.)

3. Repair system files offline:

sfc /scannow /offbootdir=C:\ /offwindir=C:\Windows

4. Repair component store (use when SFC can’t fix all):

• If you can boot into Safe Mode:
  DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
• If only WinRE: you can run offline DISM, but it’s advanced (needs install media as a source). Skip if unsure.

7. Rebuild the bootloader (Boot files/BCD)

For UEFI/GPT systems (most Windows 10/11 PCs):

1. In WinRE Command Prompt:

diskpart
list vol

Find the small FAT32 EFI partition (100–300 MB). Note its volume number.

2. Assign a letter to EFI (example S:):

select vol <EFI number>
assign letter=S
exit

3. Recreate boot files pointing to Windows (assume Windows is C:):

bcdboot C:\Windows /s S: /f UEFI

Reboot.

For Legacy/MBR systems (older PCs):

bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /scanos
bootrec /rebuildbcd

If /fix boot is “Access denied”, use the UEFI method above or run from install media.

8. Windows Restore points / Registry backups

• System Restore: WinRE → System Restore → pick a date before the issue.
• Rollback driver: If you recently updated GPU/storage drivers, roll back in Safe Mode.

9. BIOS and UEFI settings to check

• Boot order: Ensure your Windows drive is first (or Windows Boot Manager for UEFI).
• UEFI vs Legacy/CSM: Use the mode your Windows was installed with (mixing modes causes “No boot device” or endless repair).
• Storage mode: AHCI vs RAID: match the original setting. A mismatch often causes INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE.
• Secure Boot/TPM: If you toggled these, switch back and test.
• After changing settings, Save & Exit.

10. Hardware sanity checks

• Drive health: If BIOS shows drive missing/SMART error, the disk may be failing. Replace drive; clone if possible.
• Cables/slots: Reseat SATA/NVMe, try a different port/cable.
• RAM: Test one stick at a time or run Windows Memory Diagnostic (press Win+R → mdsched when you can boot).
• GPU: If you changed GPUs or drivers recently, try integrated graphics or remove the card to test.

11. Typical symptoms → fastest fixes

• “No bootable device” / “Insert boot media” → Check boot order, rebuild bootloader (Step 7).
• Blue screen: INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE → BIOS storage mode mismatch; uninstall bad storage driver in Safe Mode; chkdsk + sfc.
• Black screen with cursor → Safe Mode → disable/rollback display driver; create a new user; check explorer.exe starts.
• Automatic Repair loop → Steps 5–7 (sfc, chkdsk, bcdboot), then uninstall latest updates.
• “BitLocker recovery” on every boot → Stable boot order; complete updates; run manage-bde -protectors -disable C: then re-enable after a clean boot.

12. Last-resort (keeps files vs clean)

• Reset this PC (keep files): WinRE → Troubleshoot → Reset this PC → Keep my files (apps/drivers will be removed).
• In-place repair install: Boot from Windows USB → Install → keep personal files & apps (works when started from within Windows; if you can reach Safe Mode with networking).
• Clean install: Back up first. Delete partitions only if you’re okay losing data.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Why is my Windows PC not booting at all?
This can happen due to corrupted system files, failed Windows updates, damaged bootloader (BCD), faulty drivers, incorrect BIOS settings, loose hard drive connection, or a failing SSD/HDD.

2. How do I fix a Windows PC stuck on the boot logo or spinning dots?
Force shutdown the PC three times to enter Windows Recovery (WinRE) → Startup Repair. If that fails, boot into Safe Mode and uninstall recent updates or drivers.

3. My PC shows “No Bootable Device what does it mean?
It means your BIOS can’t find the operating system. Check boot order in BIOS, ensure your storage drive is detected, and if needed, rebuild the bootloader using bcdboot or bootrec commands.

4. Can I fix boot issues without losing data?
Yes. Try Startup Repair, System Restore, Safe Mode uninstall, or Bootloader Repair before attempting Reset This PC (Keep my files) or Clean Install.

5. How do I access Safe Mode if Windows won’t start?
Force shutdown during start-up 3 times → Advanced Options → Troubleshoot → Start-up Settings → Restart → Press 4 or F4 for Safe Mode.

6. My computer restarts automatically in a loop — what should I do?
Disable Automatic Restart on System Failure via Start-up Settings, then note the Blue Screen error code. Based on that, fix drivers or system files using SFC or CHKDSK.

7. Is my hard drive failing if Windows won’t boot?
If your drive doesn’t show in BIOS or makes clicking/grinding noises, it could be failing. Try checking SMART status or testing with another PC. Replace immediately if unhealthy.

8. What’s the difference between Startup Repair and System Restore?

• Startup Repair fixes boot configuration automatically.
• System Restore rolls back system files and settings to a previous working state.

9. How do I rebuild the bootloader in Windows 10/11?
Open Command Prompt in WinRE and run:

bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /scanos
bootrec /rebuildbcd

Or for UEFI systems:

bcdboot C:\Windows /s S: /f UEFI

10. When should I reinstall Windows completely?
Only as a last resort when all recovery options (Startup Repair, Safe Mode, Bootloader Fix, System Restore) fail or if system files are severely corrupted beyond repair.