How To Fix Loop Boot Windows 11

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Alright, let's dive deep into the frustrating world of Windows 11 boot loops and, more importantly, how to escape them! It's a common issue, and while it can feel like your computer is stuck in an endless nightmare, there are several steps we can take to diagnose and resolve it.

Feeling that dread as your Windows 11 PC restarts endlessly? Don't worry, you're not alone! Let's work through this together, step by step.

Understanding the Windows 11 Boot Loop

A boot loop occurs when your computer repeatedly starts up but fails to load the operating system, leading to an automatic restart. This cycle continues indefinitely, preventing you from accessing your files and applications. There can be various reasons for this, ranging from corrupted system files to hardware issues.

Step 1: Initial Actions and Safe Mode

Our first goal is to try and break the loop and gain some control over the system.

Sub-heading: Force Shutdown and Attempt Safe Mode

Sometimes, a simple forced shutdown can interrupt the problematic process.

Press and hold the power button on your computer for about 10-15 seconds until it completely shuts down.
Wait a few seconds, and then press the power button again to turn it back on.
As your computer starts, you'll want to interrupt the normal boot process to access the Advanced Startup Options. The timing for this can vary between manufacturers, but common methods include:
- Repeatedly pressing the F8 key during startup (often works on older systems).
- Repeatedly pressing the Shift + F8 keys during startup.
- Pressing other function keys like F2, F10, F11, F12, or the Esc key. Your motherboard's boot screen usually indicates which key to press for the boot menu or setup.
If the initial restart doesn't take you to the Advanced Startup Options, you might need to force shutdown the computer again (by holding the power button) during the startup process (before Windows fully loads). Repeat this forced shutdown and restart cycle 2-3 times. Windows is often smart enough to recognize repeated boot failures and will present you with the "Automatic Repair" screen or the "Choose an option" menu.
Once you're in the "Choose an option" menu, navigate to Troubleshoot $\to$ Advanced options $\to$ Startup Settings.
Click Restart. Your computer will reboot again, and you'll see a list of startup options.
Press the number key corresponding to Safe Mode (usually 4), Safe Mode with Networking (usually 5), or Safe Mode with Command Prompt (usually 6).

If you successfully boot into Safe Mode, congratulations! This indicates that the core Windows services and drivers are likely not the primary issue, and a third-party application or driver might be the culprit.

Step 2: Troubleshooting in Safe Mode

Now that we're in Safe Mode, we have a limited environment to diagnose and fix the problem.

Sub-heading: Uninstalling Recently Installed Software

If the boot loop started after installing a new application or driver, it's a prime suspect.

Press the Windows key + R, type appwiz.cpl, and press Enter. This opens the Programs and Features window.
Sort the list by Date Installed to see the most recent additions.
Select the recently installed program and click Uninstall. Follow the on-screen instructions.
After uninstalling, restart your computer normally to see if the issue is resolved.

Sub-heading: Updating or Rolling Back Drivers

Faulty or incompatible drivers can also cause boot loops.

Press the Windows key + X and select Device Manager.
Look for any devices with a yellow exclamation mark, as this indicates a problem.
Right-click on the problematic device and select Update driver. Choose "Search automatically for updated driver software." 4. If an update doesn't help, or if the issue started after a driver update, right-click on the device, select Properties, go to the Driver tab, and click Roll Back Driver (if the option is available).
Restart your computer normally after making any driver changes.

Sub-heading: Running System File Checker (SFC)

Corrupted system files are a common cause of various Windows issues, including boot loops.

Press the Windows key + R, type cmd, and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open Command Prompt as administrator.
Type the following command and press Enter:
sfc /scannow
System File Checker will scan your system files for errors and attempt to repair them. This process might take some time.
Once the scan is complete, restart your computer normally.

Sub-heading: Checking Disk for Errors (CHKDSK)

Errors on your hard drive or SSD can also lead to boot problems.

Open Command Prompt as administrator (as described above).
Type the following command and press Enter:
chkdsk /f /r C:
Replace C: with the drive letter where Windows is installed if it's different. The /f parameter fixes errors, and the /r parameter locates bad sectors and attempts to recover readable information.
You'll likely be asked if you want to schedule the disk check to run on the next system restart. Type Y and press Enter.
Restart your computer. The disk check will run before Windows boots.

Step 3: Advanced Startup Options

If you couldn't boot into Safe Mode, or if the troubleshooting steps in Safe Mode didn't resolve the issue, we'll need to utilize the Advanced Startup Options more directly. You can usually access this menu by repeatedly interrupting the boot process as described in Step 1.

Sub-heading: Startup Repair

Windows has a built-in tool designed to fix common startup problems.

In the "Choose an option" menu, go to Troubleshoot $\to$ Advanced options $\to$ Startup Repair.
Windows will automatically diagnose and attempt to fix startup issues. This process might take some time, and your computer might restart during it.
Follow any on-screen instructions.

Sub-heading: System Restore

If you have previously created system restore points, you can revert your computer to a prior working state.

In the "Choose an option" menu, go to Troubleshoot $\to$ Advanced options $\to$ System Restore.
Follow the on-screen wizard to select a restore point. Choose a restore point that was created before the boot loop issue started.
Warning: System Restore will remove applications, drivers, and updates installed after the selected restore point. Your personal files will not be affected.
Allow the System Restore process to complete and then restart your computer.

Sub-heading: Uninstall Updates

Sometimes, a faulty Windows update can cause boot loops.

In the "Choose an option" menu, go to Troubleshoot $\to$ Advanced options $\to$ Uninstall updates.
You'll have the option to uninstall the latest quality update or the latest feature update. Choose the appropriate option based on when the boot loop started.
Follow the on-screen instructions and then restart your computer.

Sub-heading: Command Prompt in Advanced Options

The Command Prompt in Advanced Options allows for more direct intervention.

In the "Choose an option" menu, go to Troubleshoot $\to$ Advanced options $\to$ Command Prompt.
You can try running the sfc /scannow and chkdsk /f /r C: commands here as well (as described in Step 2).
You can also try other commands like:
- bootrec /fixmbr: Writes a new Master Boot Record to the system partition.
- bootrec /fixboot: Writes a new boot sector onto the system partition.
- bootrec /scanos: Scans all disks for Windows installations.
- bootrec /rebuildbcd: Rebuilds the Boot Configuration Data store. Use this if the boot manager menu is missing or corrupted.

Step 4: Considering Hardware Issues

If none of the software-based solutions have worked, the boot loop might be caused by a hardware problem.

Sub-heading: Checking External Peripherals

Sometimes, a faulty external device can interfere with the boot process.

Disconnect all non-essential external devices, such as USB drives, printers, external hard drives, etc.
Try restarting your computer.

Sub-heading: Examining Internal Hardware (Advanced Users)

Caution: Modifying internal hardware can be risky and might void your warranty. Only proceed if you are comfortable and knowledgeable about computer hardware.

Check RAM: If you have multiple RAM sticks, try booting with only one stick installed. If that doesn't work, try a different stick.
Check Storage Devices: Ensure that the cables connecting your hard drive or SSD to the motherboard are securely attached.
Consider Recent Hardware Changes: If you recently installed new hardware, try removing it to see if that resolves the issue.

Step 5: The Last Resort - Reset or Clean Install

If all else fails, you might need to consider resetting Windows or performing a clean installation. Be aware that a clean installation will erase all data on your system drive.

Sub-heading: Reset This PC (Keep Files Option - If Possible)

If you can access the Advanced Startup Options, you might have the option to reset your PC while keeping your personal files.

In the "Choose an option" menu, go to Troubleshoot $\to$ Reset this PC.
You'll be given two options: "Keep my files" or "Remove everything." If you want to try and preserve your data, choose "Keep my files." Follow the on-screen instructions.

Sub-heading: Clean Installation of Windows 11

A clean installation involves completely erasing your system drive and installing a fresh copy of Windows 11. This is usually the most effective way to resolve persistent software-related boot issues.

You'll need a bootable USB drive or DVD with the Windows 11 installation files. You can create this using the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft's website on another working computer.
Boot your computer from the USB drive or DVD. You might need to change the boot order in your BIOS/UEFI settings.
Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows 11. This process will involve formatting your system drive.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - How to...

How to enter Safe Mode in Windows 11?

During startup, repeatedly press F8 or Shift + F8, or force shutdown 2-3 times to access Advanced Startup Options, then navigate to Startup Settings and choose Safe Mode.

How to access Advanced Startup Options in Windows 11?

Repeatedly interrupt the boot process by pressing the power button during startup, or navigate through Settings $\to$ System $\to$ Recovery $\to$ Advanced startup $\to$ Restart now (if you can access Windows).

How to run System File Checker (SFC) in Windows 11?

Open Command Prompt as administrator and type sfc /scannow, then press Enter.

How to run Check Disk (CHKDSK) in Windows 11?

Open Command Prompt as administrator and type chkdsk /f /r C:, then press Enter (replace C: with your system drive letter). You'll likely need to schedule it for the next restart.

How to perform a System Restore in Windows 11?

Access Advanced Startup Options, go to Troubleshoot $\to$ Advanced options $\to$ System Restore, and follow the wizard.

How to uninstall recent updates in Windows 11?

Access Advanced Startup Options, go to Troubleshoot $\to$ Advanced options $\to$ Uninstall updates, and choose to uninstall the latest quality or feature update.

How to reset Windows 11 while keeping files?

Access Advanced Startup Options, go to Troubleshoot $\to$ Reset this PC, and choose the "Keep my files" option.

How to perform a clean install of Windows 11?

Create a bootable USB drive with Windows 11 installation files using the Media Creation Tool, boot from the USB, and follow the installation instructions, choosing to format the system drive.

How to check for hardware issues causing a boot loop?

Disconnect external peripherals. For internal hardware, try booting with one RAM stick at a time and ensure storage device cables are secure (advanced users only).

How to create a Windows 11 bootable USB drive?

Download the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft's website, run it, and follow the instructions to create a bootable USB drive. You'll need a USB drive with at least 8GB of free space.

Hopefully, this comprehensive guide helps you break free from that frustrating Windows 11 boot loop and get your system back up and running smoothly! Remember to proceed cautiously with advanced steps and back up your important data whenever possible. Good luck!

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