Your VAIO cannot start Windows | Troubleshooting

Updated By

Tracy King 

Written By

Linda 

Last Updated on April 22, 2024

Has your Sony VAIO ever failed to start up, showing you the error message "Your VAIO cannot start Windows"? This can be quite an inconvenience and prevent you from accessing your system and getting work done. Here's a real user scenario:

However, there's no need to panic. In this article, the tool will provide you with a comprehensive guide to address the issue of your VAIO not starting Windows and get your VAIO back up and running.

8 Ways to Fix VAIO Not Booting Windows

1. Method 1: Use the Boot Repair Tool
2. Method 2: Change the BIOS Boot Mode
3. Method 3: Run Windows Startup Repair
4. Method 4: Check the Hard Drive
5. Method 5: Reset the BIOS Settings to Default
6. Method 6: Start VAIO Care (Rescue Mode)
7. Method 7: Reinstall the Windows Operating System
8. Method 8: Restore Windows to a Previous Version

VAIO was a brand of Sony that focused on personal computers (laptops, desktops, tablets, and media center PCs) and electronics. It is now developed by VAIO Corporation. Some VAIO users have reported issues with their VAIO not starting up Windows. This section will discuss how to use practical solutions to tackle these problems:

Method 1: Run Boot Repair

AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional is an ideal solution to fix various VAIO startup issues, like VAIO not starting Windows, VAIO black screen, or VAIO laptop won't turn on, etc. Its reliable "Bootable Repair" feature enables users to scan and fix Windows startup problems with one click. This tool is highly compatible with most computers of different brands.

Follow a user-friendly tutorial:

Step 1. Connect the external drive/USB to your computer and launch the “Partition Master” tool. Select “Bootable Media” and click on “Create Bootable Media.”

Create Bootable Disk Wizard

Step 2: Choose the available USB drive or CD/DVD, then click Create. You can also burn the Windows ISO file to the media.

Step 3. Connect the bootable drive to the new computer and press F2 or Del to enter BIOS. Set the WinPE bootable drive as the boot disk, then press F10 to exit.

Step 4. Restart your computer and enter the WinPE interface. Then, open Partition Wizard and click “Boot Repair” under “Toolbox”.

Step 5: Select the system you want to repair, and then click "Repair."

Click on "Repair your computer"

Step 6: Wait for a moment, and you'll see a message that the system has been successfully repaired. Click "OK" to finish the startup repair process.

Other scenarios of unable to start can be resolved by Partition Master

• Fix for Acer laptop not turning on with blue light issue
• Solve hard drive not booting problem
• Resolve RunDLL error at startup
• Repair "Your PC didn't start correctly" error

Partition Master Tool will be your right hand to fix VAIO or other boot problems. Let Partition Master work for you!

Method 2: Change the BIOS boot mode

Another reason your Sony VAIO might not boot Windows is due to incorrect boot mode settings in the BIOS after upgrading to a newer version of Windows. Follow this quick guide to change the boot mode from the BIOS settings:

Step 1: Turn off the computer and press the ASSIST button. The Error screen should appear with the message, "Your VAIO cannot start Windows."

Step 2: Select the “Boot to BIOS” option, navigate to the “Boot” tab, and under “Boot Options,” select “Boot Mode.”

Step 3. Change the Boot Mode, then press F10 to save the changes. If you have selected UEFI mode, switch to Legacy mode. If you have selected Legacy mode, you can choose UEFI mode.

Method 3: Run Windows Startup Repair

"Startup Repair" is a Windows recovery tool that fixes system issues preventing Windows from starting. This utility scans and repairs problems so your device can boot normally. Here's how to perform a Windows Startup Repair using the "Windows Media Creation Tool" from the official [Microsoft Support website](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/create-installation-media-for-windows-99a58364-8c02-206f-aa6f-40c3b507420d):

Step 1: Insert the Windows installation USB drive and boot your computer.

Step 2: Press any key when prompted.

Step 3: Customize your language, time and currency formats, and keyboard or input method. Click “Next.”

Step 4: Choose “Repair your computer,” select the version of Windows you want to repair, and then click “Next.”

5. On the Choose an option screen, click Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Repair.

If the Windows Startup Repair tool doesn't work as expected, you can try:

How to Fix Startup Repair Not Working Issue

This article will guide you through fixing the issue of Windows 11 Startup Repair not working.

Method 4: Check Your Hard Drive

If there are bad sectors on the system drive of your VAIO laptop or damaged files, you cannot boot Windows. Don't worry. The “Disk Surface Test” and “Check File System” features of Partition Master will help you.

Option 1: Repair bad sectors on the hard drive

Step 1: Launch Partition Assistant, right click the hard drive you want to test and choose "Surface Test".

Step 2: The operation will be performed immediately, and all bad sectors will be marked in red.

Option 2: Locate the corrupted file

Step 1. Launch Partition Master on your computer. Then, locate the disk and right-click on the partition that you want to check. Select “Advanced” > “Check File System”.

Select "Check Partition":

<Step 2>     In the Check Disk Utility dialog box, select the Check for errors and try to fix them option, and then click Start.

Step 3: The software will now begin checking the partition's file system on the disk. When it's done, click “Finish”.

Finish the partition check

Method 5: Reset the BIOS settings to default

An incorrect configuration can prevent your VAIO computer from starting Windows. In this case, you can reset or change the BIOS settings back to default:

Step 1. Turn off your VAIO by holding down the Power button. Press the Assist button to enter VAIO Care Rescue mode.

Step 2: On this screen, press F10 to select the required keyboard layout and enter the troubleshooting mode. Click Start BIOS Setup > Security.

Step 3: A factory reset will erase all data from your hard drive. When prompted, save any important files to an external disk. If you chose not to save your data, you can proceed without doing so.

Step 4. If prompted, confirm any questions that the utility asks you. Wait for the recovery process to complete, and then restart your computer.

Method 6: Start VAIO Care (Rescue mode)

According to some Sony community users, enabling the “Start VAIO Care mode” can also solve the problem of “Sony VAIO not booting Windows”:

Step 1. When you see the “Startup Repair” screen again, select the “Start VAIO Care (Rescue Mode)” option at the bottom.

Step 2: After the VAIO Care mode starts, click on Shut down. Restart your VAIO computer and check if you can start the Windows operating system.

Method 7: Reinstall Windows

Furthermore, if your VAIO computer with Windows 10/11 installed becomes corrupted, you may encounter booting issues. It's recommended to reinstall the Windows operating system from the official Microsoft website at Microsoft Download Center. However, this process will reset your system to its initial state and erase all data on the system disk. Given this, as mentioned earlier, make sure you have backed up your data or recovered all important files beforehand.

Method 8: Restore Windows to a previous version

Some users have encountered this startup issue after upgrading their Windows system. In this case, you can perform a Windows Recovery on your Sony VAIO computer. Follow this guide to roll back Windows to a previous version:

1. Turn on your VAIO computer and press the Assist button. 2. From the All Programs menu, click on "VAIO Care folder" > "VAIO Care" > "Advanced Tools." 3. Click on "Recovery and Restore" > "Restore Computer." 4. On the VAIO Care Rescue screen, click on "Start Recovery Wizard." 5. Select the hard drive to back up your data, then click "Next." 6. In the new window, click on the "Start Recovery" option. 7. After the recovery is successfully completed, click "Next." 8. In the "Are you sure you want to start the recovery?" window, click "Yes" > "Start Recovery." 9. When this recovery process finishes, click "Restart."

No need to worry about that anymore. Please share this article with other users who might have the same issue.

Why won't Windows start on your VAIO with Sony?

There are several reasons why your Sony VAIO notebook might not start up Windows.

• Hardware issue: The problem could be related to a hardware component, such as the hard drive, RAM, or motherboard. If any of these components are faulty or damaged, Windows will not start up properly.
• Power failure: If your laptop is not receiving power or there is an issue with the power supply, it may not be able to start Windows normally. Ensure that your laptop is properly plugged in and the power source is functioning correctly.
• BIOS settings: Incorrect BIOS settings can also prevent your VAIO laptop from starting up Windows. Make sure your BIOS settings are configured properly and are not causing any conflicts.
• Operating system corruption: If the operating system files are damaged, Windows might not start as expected. In this case, you might need to repair or reinstall the operating system.

If your VAIO laptop fails to start Windows, it's recommended to troubleshoot by checking the items mentioned above. If you're unable to resolve the issue on your own, seek assistance from a professional computer technician or contact Sony customer support for further guidance on resolving VAIO laptop startup problems.

Conclusions

In conclusion, encountering the "Your VAIO cannot start Windows" error can be frustrating, but it can be resolved with the right troubleshooting steps. Remember to back up important data regularly and keep your system updated to prevent future errors. To efficiently resolve the issue and ensure smooth booting of your VAIO laptop, we highly recommend using the Partition Master tool to save time and effort!

Common issues with VAIO not starting Windows

For more information on "Your VAIO cannot start Windows," please refer to this FAQ section and find your answers here:

1. What is the startup key for Sony VAIO?

The Boot Menu key for a Sony VAIO laptop may vary by model, but you can also try hitting F1, F2, F3, F11, F10, Esc, or the Assist key.

2. How do I perform a soft reset on my Sony VAIO Tablet?

Please reset your Sony VAIO tablet following this simple tutorial:

Use a sharp object, like a paperclip, to press and hold the RESET button on the right side of your tablet. If you've pressed the RESET button correctly, the LED light will blink red twice, and your tablet will power off. Press the button again to turn your tablet back on, completing the soft reset process.

3. How to fix issues with a Sony VAIO not starting?

You may refer to this guide on how to force start a Sony VAIO computer:

1. Turn on your VAIO and repeatedly press the F8 key. You should see the Windows Advanced Boot Options menu.
2. Use the arrow keys to select "Last Known Good Configuration."
3. Press Enter. Your computer will boot up right away.