Is your Windows 11 stuck on restarting screen? This common error can be frustrating for users. If you are stuck on restarting Windows 11 after an update, we have the answer. This guide explores how to fix Windows 11 stuck on restarting using simple methods to restore your PC quickly.
How to fix Windows 11 stuck on restarting screen?
Hi everyone, my Windows 11 PC recently got stuck on the restarting screen and it has been like this for a long time without going to the desktop. I'm not sure if this happened because of a recent update, driver issue, or something else, but now I can’t use the computer normally.
I'm using an HP Pavilion 15 laptop. I already waited for quite a while and also tried forcing a shutdown and turning it back on, but the problem still comes back. Has anyone seen this before or knows the best way to fix Windows 11 stuck on restarting screen without causing data loss?
- Question from https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/
One of the most frustrating experiences for a PC user is seeing the spinning circle of the "Restarting" screen for hours on end. Whether you're trying to install a critical update, refresh your system, or just finish your workday, havingWindows 11 stuck on restartingcan feel like your computer is holding your data hostage.
In this comprehensive guide, we will explore why this happens and provide a step-by-step walkthrough onhow to fix Windows 11 stuck on restarting.
Before diving into the fixes, it’s important to understand the root causes. Windows doesn't just "freeze" for no reason; usually, a background process is preventing the kernel from shutting down. Common culprits include:
When you are forced to hard-reset your computer or if you are worried that stuck on restarting Windows 11 is a sign of a failing hard drive, your first priority should be data safety. Force-closing a PC while it is writing data can lead to partition errors or lost files.
Why Use MyRecover?
If you find that after a forced restart some of your files have disappeared, or if you end up having to "Reset this PC" to fix the boot loop, MyRecover is a powerful ally. It is a professional Windows data recovery software designed for scenarios exactly like this.
Key Features of MyRecover:
How to use it:
1. If your system finally boots but you notice data loss, simply install MyRecover.
2. Select the drive where your files were stored, and click "Scan".
3. And then choose the files you wish to "Recover". Save them to a safe place.
By following these methods, you can get your system back to normal without losing your important files.
It sounds simple, but the first thing you should do when stuck on restarting Windows 11 is nothing.
Windows 11 handles a lot of "housekeeping" during restarts. It might be installing a cumulative update, cleaning up temporary files, or re-indexing your search database.
If waiting hasn't worked, you need to break the cycle.
How to Safely Force a Restart:
1. The Power Button Trick: Press and hold your PC's physical power button for a full 10 to 15 seconds. The screen will go black, and the power lights will turn off.
2. Unplug Everything: Once the PC is off, unplug all peripherals—USB drives, printers, webcams, and even your mouse/keyboard if possible. Sometimes a "ghost" signal from a USB device keeps the system in a restart loop.
3. The Cold Boot: Wait 30 seconds, then plug in only your power cable and turn the PC back on. Often, this simple "hard reset" is enough to clear the temporary memory (RAM) and allow Windows to boot back to the desktop.
If your PC boots up but gets stuck on the restarting screen every time you try to reboot, you likely have a software or driver conflict. Safe Mode is the best way to isolate this.
How to enter Safe Mode when Windows won't boot:
1. Turn the PC on. As soon as the Windows logo appears, hold the power button to force it off.
2. Repeat this three times. On the fourth attempt, Windows will enter Automatic Repair mode.
3. Select Advanced Options > Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings.
4. Click Restart.
5. After the restart, press 4 or F4 to Enable Safe Mode.
Once in Safe Mode, try restarting the computer normally. Surprisingly, just entering and exiting Safe Mode often fixes the "stuck" issue because it forces Windows to reset its basic driver configurations.
Fast Startup is a feature that saves some of your system's state to the hard drive to speed up the next boot. However, if that state is corrupted, you'll find Windows 11 stuck on restarting indefinitely.
How to Disable Fast Startup:
1. Boot your PC (use Safe Mode if necessary).
2. Open the Search bar, type Control Panel, and hit Enter.
3. Go to Hardware and Sound > Power Options.
4. On the left, click Choose what the power buttons do.
5. Click Change settings that are currently unavailable at the top (you may need admin rights).
6. Uncheck the box that says Turn on fast startup (recommended).
7. Click Save changes and try to restart your PC.
If your system is hanging, it might be due to a corrupted file within the Windows image itself. Windows has built-in tools to fix this.
1. Open the Start menu, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and select Run as Administrator.
2. Type the following command and press Enter: sfc /scannow (Wait for this to finish. It will scan and replace corrupted files.)
3. Once done, run the DISM tool to repair the system image:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
4. After both processes are complete, try to restart. This is one of the most effective ways to solve a Windows 11 stuck on restarting screen issue caused by software corruption.
Did this problem start right after a Windows Update? If so, the update might have failed to install correctly.
1. Go to Settings > Windows Update.
2. Click on Update history.
3. Scroll down and click Uninstall updates.
4. Locate the most recent "Update for Microsoft Windows" and click Uninstall.
5. Restart your computer. If the PC boots and restarts normally, you can "Pause updates" for a week to give Microsoft time to release a patch for the bug.
Sometimes a third-party app (like an antivirus or a gaming overlay) is what's keeping the computer from shutting down. A Clean Boot starts Windows with only the bare minimum Microsoft services.
1. Press Win + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
2. Go to the Services tab.
3. Crucial Step: Check the box that says Hide all Microsoft services.
4. Click Disable all.
5. Go to the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager.
6. Disable every item in the Startup list.
7. Restart your PC.
If the restart works perfectly now, you know one of your apps was the cause. You can re-enable them one by one to find the culprit.
If the steps above haven't worked, it’s time to use Windows' deeper recovery tools.
👉Option A: Startup Repair
Access the Advanced Options menu (as described in Way 3). Instead of Startup Settings, select Startup Repair. Windows will automatically diagnose and fix problems that prevent the OS from loading or closing correctly.
👉Option B: System Restore
If you have a restore point from a few days ago, this can be a lifesaver.
1. In the Advanced Options menu, select System Restore.
2. Pick a date before the "stuck on restarting" issue began.
3. Follow the prompts. This will not delete your personal files, but it will uninstall apps or drivers installed after that date.
In rare cases, the issue isn't software—it’s hardware.
Once you have fixed the issue, follow these best practices to ensure it doesn't happen again:
Dealing with Windows 11 stuck on restarting can be an exercise in patience. However, in 90% of cases, the issue is a temporary software hang that a force restart or Safe Mode can resolve. By following this guide, you now have the tools to handle everything from a simple update glitch to a deeper system file corruption.
If you have tried every step in this guide and are still stuck on restarting Windows 11, you might need to consider a "Reset this PC" option from the Recovery menu, which reinstalls Windows while keeping your files. Remember that system stability should always be paired with data security. Before performing any major system repairs or if you suspect data has been lost during a force-quit, use MyRecover to ensure your valuable files are safe.
Summary Checklist for Fixing the Restart Loop:
By being methodical, you can fix your PC and get back to work without the stress of a frozen screen!
1. How long should I wait before I force a shutdown?
You should typically wait 30 to 60 minutes. If the screen hasn't changed and there is no flickering light on the hard drive indicator, the system is likely in a deadlocked state.
2. Will I lose my files if I am stuck on the restarting screen?
While a restart loop usually doesn't delete files, a forced shutdown or a crash during an update can lead to data loss. If you notice files are missing after you finally get back into your system, use MyRecover to scan your drive and restore your lost data immediately before it gets overwritten.
3. Can a BIOS update fix the restarting screen issue?
Yes. Sometimes the communication between Windows 11 and your motherboard's power management (ACPI) gets bugged. A BIOS update from the manufacturer can resolve hardware-level restart loops.
4. What if the screen says "Getting Windows Ready"?
This means an update is in progress. Do not turn off your computer unless it has been stuck for more than two hours. Interrupting this can lead to a complete OS failure.
5. What should I do if my PC is stuck on restarting after a failed Windows Update?
A failed update (e.g., Windows Upgrade failed 0x80070490) is a common cause of this loop. First, use the force-restart method to reach the desktop. If you find that the failed update has caused system instability or has corrupted your user profile (making your files inaccessible), download and run MyRecover. It can help you retrieve files from a corrupted profile or a drive that is acting erratically due to update errors.
6. Can malware cause Windows 11 to get stuck on restarting?
Yes, certain types of malware attempt to block shutdown processes to remain active in memory. If your PC frequently hangs on restart, run a full offline scan with Windows Defender.