If Windows 11 or 10 fails to start after an update, you’ll need to use Safe Mode to determine if the system can boot or if other recovery methods are required.
Here’s a short video guide on how to start Safe Mode.
Enabling Safe Mode
1. Perform several forced restarts of the computer during startup to trigger the advanced recovery options screen.
2. Select Startup Settings.
3. Click Restart.
4. After the restart, press F5 to boot into Safe Mode with Networking (network drivers may be needed to access the internet and troubleshoot issues).
Note: If the system boots in Safe Mode, follow the steps below in Safe Mode. If it cannot boot, consider recovery methods without system access, such as using a bootable USB drive.
Methods to Restore Windows Startup
Method 1: Connect an Ethernet Cable
Sometimes, Windows fails to boot after an update due to internet connectivity issues, especially with wireless connections. To check if this is the cause:
1. Connect an Ethernet cable to the computer for a wired connection.
2. Restart the computer.
3. Wait a few minutes for the system to attempt downloading and installing necessary updates.
Method 2: Manually Install Updates
If Windows boots in Safe Mode, check for updates manually:
1. Open Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update.
2. Click Check for updates and install any found updates.
3. Go to Advanced options → Optional updates and install any available drivers or fixes.
4. Restart the computer and check if it boots normally.
Method 3: Startup Repair
Some update-related issues may require Startup Repair, which runs automatically if supported by the system.
1. Access the advanced recovery options as described in the Safe Mode section.
2. Select Troubleshoot → Startup Repair.
3. Wait for the automatic scan to complete. If errors are found, the system will attempt to fix them.
4. Restart the computer and check if Windows 11 boots normally.
Method 4: Uninstall Problematic Updates
Removing the latest update can sometimes restore system functionality if it caused the issue.
1. Access the advanced startup options.
2. Select Uninstall Updates.
3. Choose Uninstall latest quality update. If that doesn’t help, try Uninstall latest feature update.
4. Restart the computer and check if the system boots.
Tip: If uninstalling the update resolves the issue, temporarily disable automatic updates to prevent recurrence.
Method 5: Roll Back Windows to a Previous State
If previous steps fail, roll back the system to its state before the update:
1. Open Settings → Windows Update → Advanced options → Recovery.
2. If the Go back button is active, click it to restore the previous system version.
3. Restart the computer to check the result.
Method 6: Check System File Integrity
Use commands to repair system files if they were corrupted during the update.
1. Open Command Prompt in Safe Mode or via the recovery environment.
2. Run the command:
sfc /scannow
3. Then run the command to fix potential issues:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
4. After completion, check if the system boots normally.
Method 7: Check Hard Drive Health
A hard drive with bad sectors can cause system failures. Check the drive for errors:
1. In Safe Mode or using a bootable USB, open Command Prompt.
2. Run the command to check the disk:
chkdsk C: /f /r
3. You can also check the disk using specialized tools like Victoria HDD/SSD.
4. If issues are found, perform repairs.
Note: If the hard drive has physical damage, it may need to be replaced to resolve the issue.
Method 8: Repair the Windows Boot Loader
A corrupted boot loader can prevent Windows from starting. Repair it using Command Prompt.
1. Boot into Safe Mode or the recovery environment using a bootable USB.
2. Open Command Prompt and run the following commands:
bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /rebuildbcd
After running the commands, restart the computer and check system functionality.
Method 9: Reset Windows 11 to Factory Settings
If previous methods fail, reset the system to factory settings. This is similar to reinstalling the OS but allows you to keep user data.
1. Open Settings in Safe Mode or the recovery interface.
2. Go to Update & Security → Recovery → Reset this PC.
3. Select Keep my files (if desired) and follow the instructions.
Note: Resetting to factory settings resolves most issues but takes time and requires post-reset OS configuration.
These methods will help restore the functionality of Windows 11 or 10 after a failed update, minimizing risks and troubleshooting time.
