Windows 10 Not Booting? 8 Ways to Repair Your Computer

Updated by

Linda 

Written by

Linda 

Updated on May 06, 2024

There are numerous reasons why your computer might encounter difficulties in booting up. Unfortunately, identifying the root cause can be quite challenging. Incompatible hardware, malfunctioning drivers, corrupted system files, issues with Windows updates, and more, can all contribute to your computer's inability to start the operating system.

Thus, this comprehensive article from tools will present you with multiple practical methods to assist you in fixing the Windows 10 won't boot issue and gaining access to your desktop.

Method 1: Troubleshoot in Safe Mode

Booting into Safe Mode only loads essential components and programs on your computer. This enables you to identify and address the problem in a protected environment. If you're unable to start Windows but can access Safe Mode, it indicates that something is loading and impacting your system during the boot process. This could be a virus, malware, or corrupted programs, among other things. Follow these steps to enter Safe Mode and rectify any issues.

Step 1. Turn your PC on and off 3 to 5 times while you see the Windows 10 loading screen to access the Windows Recovery Environment.

Step 2. Go to "Troubleshoot" > "Advanced options" > "Startup Settings" > "Restart," and press "4" or "F4" to access Safe Mode.

Step 3. Once in Safe Mode, identify the issue and fix it.

• If you installed a program before the computer became unbootable, try uninstalling it to see if that resolves the issue.
• If you installed any drivers prior to the system malfunction, update or roll back the driver to address compatibility problems.
• If it's a result of a virus or malware infection, run an antivirus program to scan and fix the problem.

?Also read: How to Fix Safe Mode Crashing

Method 2: Fix Boot Error Using Professional Software

Computers experiencing difficulties in booting into Windows 10 might result from various issues. It can be challenging for beginners to determine the root cause of the problem. Therefore, we recommend a powerful tool, Partition Master Professional, capable of resolving multiple boot errors.

It has a utility called Boot Repair, which can assist in resolving numerous common boot issues, such as corrupted or missing BCD. Thanks to its user-friendly interface and dependable functionality, you can rectify the error with just a few clicks. Here are the steps to execute Boot Repair:

Step 1. Connect the USB drive/external drive to a functional computer, open the Partition Master (RE) tool, and click "Create Bootable Media."

Step 2. Choose the Boot Toolkits and any other components you require. Then, click "Next."

Step 3. Choose your removable device and click "Go" to create an image on your USB drive/external drive. You can also burn the Windows ISO file to the storage media.

Step 4. Acknowledge the warning message and wait for the creation process to finish.

Step 5. Connect the created bootable drive to the problematic computer and restart it while holding down "F2" or "Del" to enter the BIOS. Next, set the WinPE bootable drive as the boot device and press "F10" to exit.

Step 6. Next, the computer will enter the WinPE desktop. Open BootRepair, select the system you wish to repair, and click on "Repair."

Step 7. Wait for a moment, and you will receive a notification that the system has been successfully repaired. Click "OK" to finish the boot repair process.

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Method 3: Restore the System

Another efficient approach is to execute a System Restore. The condition for this is that you have previously created a restore point or have enabled your computer to create them automatically. System Restore allows you to revert your system to a previous state when it was functioning correctly. Hence, whether it's a failed update or a corrupted system file, performing System Restore will roll back your files, drivers, settings, and so on, to the last restore point. Please follow the guidance below to restore your system.

Step 1. Press "F11" while booting to enter the Windows Recovery Environment. (The hotkey may vary depending on the computer.)

Step 2. Select "Troubleshoot" > "Advanced options" > "System Restore."

Step 3. Wait for a moment, and your computer will display the System Restore interface.

Step 4. Choose your administrator account and enter any passwords if required. Then, click "Continue" to proceed.

Step 5. Click "Next" and choose an available restore point to undo the changes. Then, click "Next" to proceed. ("Scan for affected programs" will display which programs installed after the restore point will be removed.)

Step 6. Confirm the restore point and then click "Finish" and "Yes."

Step 7. Wait for the process to complete, and then you can restart your computer.

If the system restore takes too long and you see the message "Please wait while your Windows files and settings are being restored. System Restore is initializing...", refer to the article below to resolve the issue.

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6 Ways to Fix System Restore Is Initializing in Windows 11/10

System Restore is a great utility that enables you to revert your computer to a previous state. However, occasionally, it might encounter errors and display "System Restore is Initializing" while attempting a System Restore. This article presents multiple solutions to address this issue. Read more >>

Method 4: Run the SFC and DISM Commands

The System File Checker (SFC) command line tool can scan Windows Dynamic Link Library (DLL) files and other crucial system files. If any issues are found, it will replace them. Additionally, when the SFC is unable to repair errors, you can utilize the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool. DISM can检查并修复Component Store Corruption. Here are the steps to run the SFC and DISM command lines: 1. **Running SFC:** - Press `Win + X` to open the Quick Access Menu, then choose 'Command Prompt (Admin)' or 'Windows PowerShell (Admin)'. - In the elevated command prompt, type: ``` sfc /scannow ``` - Press Enter and wait for the process to complete. This may take some time. 2. **Running DISM:** - If the SFC scan doesn't resolve the issue, proceed with the DISM scan. - In the same elevated command prompt, type: ``` DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth ``` - Press Enter and let the operation finish. This might also take a while as it needs to download updates from Microsoft's servers. After both scans have completed, restart your computer. These commands should help in repairing corrupted system files.

Step 1. Press "F11" while it's booting to enter the Windows Recovery Environment. (The hotkey may vary depending on the computer.)

Step 2. Select "Troubleshoot" > "Advanced options" > "Command Prompt."

Step 3. Enter the command and press "Enter": sfc /scannow /offbootdir=c:\ /offwindir=c:\windows

Step 4. Enter the command and press "Enter": DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth

Step 5. Enter the following command and press "Enter": DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Also read:

Method 5: Rebuild Master Boot Record

A black screen displaying the message "Operating System not found" or no information at all during the startup of your computer typically indicates that the Master Boot Record (MBR) is either missing or corrupted. In this situation, I would like to recommend the tool Partition Master again, specifically for its Rebuild MBR function and its straightforward steps that enable beginners to easily fix such errors with minimal effort.

Step 1. Create a WinPE bootable disk

• Launch tools Partition Master, and click "Bootable Media" on the toolbar. Select "Create bootable media."
• Click "Next" to complete the process.

Step 2. Boot the System with Partition Master Bootable USB

Connect the bootable USB or CD/DVD to your PC. Press F2 or Del when you restart the computer to enter the BIOS screen. Set and boot your computer from "Removable Devices" or "CD-ROM Drive". Then, the Partition Master tool will run automatically.

Step 3. Rebuild MBR

Click "Toolkit" and select "Rebuild MBR".

Select the disk and the type of MBR, then click "Rebuild".

• After that, you will see the message "MBR has been successfully rebuilt on Disk X."

Method 6: Disable Secure Boot

If you encounter issues with your computer booting into the system after installing a previous version of Windows, unauthorized software, or certain graphics cards, you may need to disable Secure Boot. While its purpose is to enhance the security of your computer, it can occasionally lead to startup problems. To disable Secure Boot, follow the guide below.

Step 1. Turn on your computer and press a specific function key when you see the logo (it could be "F1", "F2", "F10", "Esc", "Delete", "Ctrl + Alt + Delete", or "Ctrl + Alt + Esc").

Step 2. Use the arrow keys to navigate to the Security or Boot tab, depending on your BIOS or UEFI settings menu.

Step 3. Set "Secure Boot" to "Disabled."

Step 4. Save the changes and restart your computer.

Method 7: Perform Startup Repair

Startup Repair is an integrated Windows utility that can automatically detect and fix computer errors. However, due to the increasing complexity of issues, this tool might not be as effective as specialized methods designed for particular problems. Nevertheless, here are the detailed steps to guide you on how to access Startup Repair in Windows 10.

Step 1. Turn your PC on and off 3 to 5 times while you see the Windows 10 loading screen to trigger Automatic Repair.

Step 2. Click "Advanced options" to proceed.

Step 3. Select "Troubleshoot" > "Advanced options" > "Startup Repair."

Step 4. Wait for the process to complete, and then restart your PC.

While utilizing the Startup Repair tool, you might come across an issue stating, "Startup Repair cannot repair this computer automatically." This article will guide you on how to address this problem and provide further information.

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If Startup Repair fails to automatically fix your computer's startup issue, refer to this guide. We'll provide several potential solutions to help you resolve the problem in Windows 10/8/7/Vista. Read more >>

Method 8: Reassign the Drive Letter

Occasionally, computers fail to start up due to an incorrectly configured drive letter. If you have multiple drives installed on your system and the drive letter assigned to the boot partition is accidentally unassigned, your computer will be unable to boot into Windows 10. Thankfully, you can fix this issue using some commands. However, it might be challenging for beginners, so make sure to follow each step carefully.

Step 1. Press "F11" during the startup to enter the Windows Recovery Environment. (The hotkey may vary depending on the computer.)

Step 2. Select "Troubleshoot" > "Advanced options" > "Command Prompt."

Step 3. Enter the commands below, and press "Enter" after typing each command line.

• diskpart
• list volume
• select volume X (Replace "X" with the number of the boot volume.) 
• assign letter=C ("C" is typically the letter assigned to the boot volume.)

Don't hesitate to share this article on your social media to help more users who are also struggling with Windows startup problems.

Conclusion

If you've encountered a black screen, boot loop, getting stuck on the logo, or other similar situations, consider yourself fortunate to have found this article. It presents 8 effective solutions to address various startup issues on Windows 10 computers or laptops.

The most efficient and quickest method to resolve the issue of Windows 10 not booting is to启动 Partition Master and utilize its Boot Repair feature. This feature does not necessitate entering complex commands or performing intricate operations. It enables you to fix numerous common Windows startup issues effortlessly.

Frequently Asked Questions About Windows 10 Not Booting

1. Why is my computer screen black and not powering on?

Black screen errors on your computer can stem from various issues, such as malfunctioning drivers, corrupted software, malware infections, or incompatible Windows updates. Due to the uncertainty of the root cause, you need to attempt different solutions to address the black screen problem.

2. Why can't I boot into Safe Mode?

Damaged or corrupted system files or malfunctioning applications can prevent Safe Mode from functioning normally. However, you can attempt to run an SFC (System File Checker) scan, which checks for and repairs corrupted Windows system files, and uninstall problematic apps to restore access to Safe Mode.

3. Why does Windows 10 keep booting into Recovery Mode?

The issue of Windows 10 continually booting in recovery mode might be due to a misconfigured or corrupted Boot Configuration. This can happen following a failed software update, power interruption, or hardware modification.