“After upgrading to Windows 10, I tried to restart my computer, but it kept rebooting. I have even shut off my PC by holding the Power button and restarting it. But, still, the problem exists. What can I do now?”
Even if you are stuck in a similar situation where your Windows 10 keeps restarting, no worries; this is a prevalent situation faced by many Windows 10 users after upgrading. Hence, here I will show you easy fixes that will help you eliminate the endless reboot loops.
Note- Before trying any of the methods below, restore your data from a Windows 10 computer using Remo Hard Drive Recovery software. Just remove the hard drive from the computer which has the problem and attach it to the working computer. Download the software on a working computer and recover all your data from Windows computer. The software can also be used to restore deleted pictures from Windows 10 with ease.
- Disable Automatic Restart
- Boot into Safe Mode
- Run Windows Update Troubleshooter
- Update or Reinstall Drivers
- Uninstall Recent Updates
- Run System File Checker (SFC) and DISM
- Disable Fast Startup
- Check for Malware
- Check Hardware Issues
- Perform a System Restore or Reset
Disable Automatic Restart
Windows may be set to restart automatically after a system failure, masking error messages.
How:
- Press Win + R, type sysdm.cpl, and press Enter.
- Go to the Advanced tab, under Startup and Recovery, click Settings.
- Uncheck Automatically restart under System failure.
- Check Write an event to the system log to log errors for review.
- Click OK and restart your PC manually to see if the issue persists.
Note: This allows you to see any error messages (e.g., Blue Screen of Death) that might indicate the cause.
Boot into Safe Mode
Safe Mode loads minimal drivers and services, bypassing potential software conflicts causing the reboot loop.
How:
- Force shutdown your PC by holding the power button for 10 seconds, then turn it on. Repeat 2-3 times until you see the Preparing Automatic Repair screen.
- Navigate to Advanced options > Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
- Press 5 or F5 to boot into Safe Mode with Networking.
Next Steps: If the PC boots successfully, proceed with the following fixes in Safe Mode.
Run Windows Update Troubleshooter
Update-related errors can cause restarts if the update process is stuck or corrupted.
How:
- In Safe Mode, press Win + I to open Settings.
- Go to Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters.
- Select Windows Update > Run the troubleshooter and follow the prompts.
- After completion, check for updates again via Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates and restart manually.
Note: This can fix issues with old or corrupted update files.
Update or Reinstall Drivers
Outdated or corrupted drivers, especially graphics or network drivers, can cause reboot loops after updates.
How:
- In Safe Mode, press Win + X and select Device Manager.
- Look for devices with a yellow exclamation mark (indicating issues).
- Right-click the device, select Update driver > Search automatically for drivers.
- If updates fail, right-click and select Uninstall device, then reboot to let Windows reinstall the driver.
- Alternatively, use a tool like Driver Easy or visit the manufacturer’s website (e.g., NVIDIA, AMD, Intel) to download the latest drivers manually.
Focus: Pay special attention to graphics drivers, as AMD and NVIDIA driver conflicts are commonly reported.
Uninstall Recent Updates
A faulty or incomplete update can cause continuous restarts.
How:
- In Safe Mode, press Win + I to open Settings.
- Go to Update & Security > Windows Update > View update history > Uninstall updates.
- Locate the most recent update (sort by date), right-click, and select Uninstall.
- Restart your PC and monitor for further restarts.
Run System File Checker (SFC) and DISM
Corrupted system files can trigger reboots.
How:
- In Safe Mode, press Win + S, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator.
- Run: sfc /scannow to check and repair system files. Wait for completion.
- Then run the following commands one by one:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth - Restart your PC after both processes complete.
Note: DISM repairs the Windows component store, which SFC relies on.
Disable Fast Startup
Fast Startup can interfere with the shutdown/restart process, causing loops after updates.
How:
- Press Win + R, type powercfg.cpl, and press Enter.
- Click Choose what the power buttons do > Change settings that are currently unavailable.
- Uncheck Turn on fast startup (recommended) and click Save changes.
- Restart your PC.
Check for Malware
How:
- In Safe Mode with Networking, open Windows Defender (or a third-party antivirus like Malwarebytes).
- Run a full system scan to detect and remove malware.
- Restart your PC after the scan.
Check Hardware Issues
Overheating, faulty RAM, or a failing power supply unit (PSU) can cause restarts.
How:
- Overheating: Feel if your PC is hot after a restart. Use tools like HWMonitor to check CPU/GPU temperatures. Clean dust from vents and fans, and ensure proper airflow.
- RAM: Remove and reseat RAM modules. Run Windows Memory Diagnostic (type mdsched.exe in Run and follow prompts) to test for RAM errors.
- PSU: Check for unusual noises, overheating, or burning smells from the PSU. If suspected, consult a technician for replacement.
- External Devices: Disconnect all external devices (USB drives, printers, etc.) and test if the issue persists.
Perform a System Restore or Reset
If the above steps fail, reverting to a previous state or resetting Windows can resolve persistent issues.
System Restore:
- Boot into Safe Mode or use a Windows 10 installation media to access Advanced options > System Restore.
- Select a restore point before the issue started and follow the prompts. This won’t affect personal files but removes recently installed apps and drivers.
Reset Windows:
- Go to Settings > System > Recovery > Reset this PC.
- Choose Keep my files (removes apps and settings) or Remove everything (full reset).
- Back up important data before resetting, as Remove everything wipes all files.
Note: Use a Windows 10 installation media (created via Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool on another PC) if you can’t access Settings.
I hope that the above-mentioned methods will help you stop endless rebooting issues on Windows 10. You can try this method even in other versions of Windows OS if you face continued rebooting issues on them.
