How to Fix a Windows 10 Infinite Reboot Loop
In older versions of Windows, this might have required a full reinstall or at least some messing around. Thanks to the way in which Windows 10 was developed, a reboot loop can be fixed very fast.
Here’s how you can fix a Windows 10 boot loop and get your computer up and running in minutes.
What Is an Infinite Boot Loop?
Windows 10 is not particularly prone to an endless boot loop, but it is not unheard of. Bootloop happens because of a problem with the Windows system registry. Unfortunately, without booting into the Windows registry, the registry cannot be fixed, therefore leaving the operating system unreachable.
Automatic Repair Also Fixes the Windows 10 Boot Loop
If you are lucky, the Repair Windows or the Automatic Repair features might come in without any prompting from you. This will only happen after several reboots, so give your computer time to get to this stage. Some manual interaction may be needed to use the Automatic Repair option here and follow any of the following steps.
Use Safe Mode to Fix Windows 10 Endless Boot Loops
Three more options are available to fix an endless boot loop in Windows 10 PCs:
- Safe Mode: this allows you to access the operating system and uninstall any software, and drivers, or Windows Update that is causing the fault.
- System Restore: a much faster way of undoing recent changes is by using the system restore.
- Reinstall Windows 10: The ultimate nuclear option, to be used use when nothing else works or you would not mind losing your saved data.
Accessing The Windows 10 Safe Mode will depend on how the boot loop is happening, as well as your system setup.
1. Dual Boot Windows System
If you have several versions of Windows installed on your PC, wait for the OS selection screen to come up. When given the choice, instead of choosing Windows 10, select Change defaults or select other options. Then follow the steps that are above to access Safe Mode.
2. Manually Access Safe Mode
In some cases, you will be able to access Safe Mode from inside Windows 10. This will be possible if the boot loop is triggered on the launch of a specific application or hardware. To boot into safe mode:
Click and hold on Shift then Start > Restart to boot yout Windows 10 OS into Advanced startup options.
You might also need to open up Settings (press WIN + I) then Update & Security > Recovery > Advanced startup > then click on Restart now.
3. Use Installation Media to Access Safe Mode
Windows 10 users should have a recovery partition on their computer hard disk drive. If not, a USB or DVD recovery drive can be created by downloading a new copy of Windows 10 and burning it into an installation media. Note that this will need to be done on a different PC.
With Windows 10 stuck in the boot loop, all you need to do is insert the installation media. Alternatively, access the UEFI/BIOS (tap Del, F8, or F1 when the system boots) and find the boot manager.
Fix The Infinite Boot Loop in Your Windows 10 Safe Mode
With the computer in Safe Mode, you can take steps to prevent further boot loops. This could be anything from uninstalling recently installed drivers to uninstalling Windows Updates in the Command Prompt.
Stop Hardware Driver Boot Loops
If the system is in a boot loop due to hardware drivers, this can also be solved in the Windows Safe Mode.
Right-click on Start and choose Device Manager. from here, search for the suspected device. Typically, this will be something that you have recently added, although not always. Right-click the device, select Properties > Drivers and choose Roll Back Driver or disable driver then reboot the PC.
Restore or Reinstall Your Windows 10 PC to Fix the Infinite Boot Loop Permanently
If you cannot access the Safe Mode, or the fixes do not work, the best solution is to use the refresh option. You might also reset your Windows 10 back to the factory settings.
This process basically re-installs Windows 10 for you, leaving you with a blank slate. Just remember to back up your personal data first!
