[Repair Guide] Fix Windows 10 Stuck On Restarting Screen

Windows 10 restarting stuck is a situation where a computer running the Windows 10 operating system gets stuck during the restart process. When this happens, the computer may become unresponsive, and the user may need to force a restart or use troubleshooting steps to resolve the issue.

Why Is My Computer Stuck on Restart?

There can be a variety of reasons why the Windows restarting screen takes a while to load. Some of the main causes of these are the following:

• Software issues: The issue can be caused by problems with the operating system or other software installed on the computer. This can include conflicts with other programs, issues with recent updates or patches, or computer drive problems.
• Hardware issues: The problem can also be caused by hardware-related issues such as a malfunctioning hard drive, a malfunctioning power supply, or a problem with the computer’s memory.
• Virus or malware: If the computer is infected with a virus or malware, it can cause issues with the restart process and cause the computer to get stuck. This is particularly true if the malware is designed to target the computer’s operating system or other critical software.

Try these 11 Solutions to Fix Windows Stuck on Restarting

Solution 1. End Process of Failed Programs

One way to potentially resolve the issue of Windows 10 being stuck on restarting screen is to open Task Manager from the Windows 10 loading screen. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Press Ctrl + Alt + Del to open Task Manager from the Windows 10 loading screen.
2. In the Task Manager, look for any unnecessary process or program that may be causing the issue.
3. Right-click on the ones that are not essential for computer startup.
4. Choose End task.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 to close all other processes.
6. After closing all unnecessary processes or programs, try restarting your computer again to see if the issue has been resolved.

Solution 2. Run System Maintenance Troubleshooter

One possible solution for resolving issues with a computer that keeps restarting is to force Windows to perform system maintenance through the Control Panel. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows key + S to open the search bar, type Control Panel, and press Enter.
2. Once the Control Panel is open, navigate to System and Security > System and Security > Maintenance.
3. Select the option to “Start maintenance” and follow all on-screen instructions to complete the process.
4. Once the system maintenance is complete, restart your computer and see if the issue has been resolved.

Solution 3. Run Startup Repair

Another solution that can help resolve issues with Windows 10 stuck on restarting after an update is to run the startup repair.

To do this, you can use a Windows 10 ISO and a Media Creation tool to create a Windows 10 installation media and perform the startup repair. The steps to accomplish this method are:

1. Firstly, enter the BIOS and change the BIOS boot order to give the USB device or DVD boot sequence priority over the hard drive.

2. Power off your computer and insert your installation media, whether a USB flash drive or DVD. Then restart the computer.

3. Press the appropriate function key to boot from the USB flash drive or follow the instructions to boot from a CD or DVD disc.

4. Select your language preference and continue.

5. Click Repair your computer

6. In the Windows Recovery Environment – Choose an option screen, and select Troubleshoot.

7. Advanced options >> choose Startup Repair.

8. Once the startup repair process is complete, restart the computer and check if the Windows 10 update stuck on restarting issue is resolved.

Solution 4. Regenerate the SoftwareDistribution Packages

According to some users, the issue of the Windows 10 upgrade being stuck on restarting may be caused by outdated Windows Update files. The updater updates itself when downloading updates for the OS, which can lead to this issue.

To fix this problem, you can try regenerating the SoftwareDistribution packages in Windows Update. This will allow Windows Update to check for updates for all installed programs and software from the beginning rather than getting stuck. To do this, follow these steps:

1. In Command Prompt, key-in net stop wuauserv and press Enter to stop the update service to run in the background.

2. Input “cd %systemroot%” and press Enter. This command will navigate the Prompt to the installation directory of Windows OS.

3. Input “ren SoftwareDistribution SD.old” and press Enter. This command will rename the SoftwareDistribution folder to SD.old for backup purposes. If anything goes wrong, you can go to the C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution and change it back to its original name.

4. Input “net start wuauserv” and press Enter. This command will restart the update service and enable updates in the system.

Solution 5. Install the Latest Version of Windows 10

One solution to this issue is to use partition management software to back up the system disk before reinstalling the latest version of Windows 10. MiniTool Partition Wizard is a reputable and reliable software that can be used for this purpose.

The steps to use this software include preparing a USB flash drive, launching the Bootable Media Builder feature from MiniTool, selecting a USB flash drive as the destination for the bootable media, and following the prompts to burn the media.

Once the bootable media is created, it can be used to boot the problematic computer and perform a disk copy, which can be used as a backup before reinstalling the latest version of Windows 10.

Solution 6. Remove External Devices and Peripherals

To resolve issues with a computer stuck on restarting or failing to shut down, it may be helpful to disconnect any peripheral devices connected to the computer. These devices, such as external hard drives and USB printers, can sometimes cause glitches in background processes that can prevent Windows from shutting down or restarting properly.

To test this, try unplugging any unnecessary wired devices from your desktop or laptop, and see if that resolves the issue. If the computer uses Ethernet for internet connectivity, disconnect the network cable to see if that helps.

Solution 7. Hard Reset Your PC

If the above methods do not work, a hard reset can be attempted as a last resort. However, it is important to note that this action can cause corruption in the Windows operating system or personal files if the system updates.

To prevent this, wait for at least 15 minutes to ensure that the computer is truly stuck on restarting the screen. Hold the power button for 5-10 seconds to perform a hard reset until the screen goes dark. Some laptops may require holding down additional buttons to power off, so it is important to consult the user manual or online documentation for the correct key combination.

Additionally, for desktop devices, it is recommended to disconnect the power cable from the CPU casing after turning off the computer, waiting for up to 10 seconds, and then plugging it back in. After the shutdown, press the power button to boot the computer back up.

Remember that if there were any unfinished system updates, you might have to wait until they are completed before logging back into the desktop area.

Solution 8. Run System Maintenance Troubleshooter

Forcing Windows to perform system maintenance through the Control Panel can potentially resolve issues with a computer that is stuck on restarting. Here are the steps to take:

1. Press the Windows key + S to open the search bar.
2. Type in Control Panel and press Enter.
3. Navigate to System and Security > System and Security > Maintenance.
4. Select Start maintenance and follow all instructions displayed on the screen.

Solution 9. Disable Fast Startup

Another possible solution is to disable Fast Startup. This power management option speeds up your computer when you reboot it after a cold shutdown, but it can cause various issues at startup. To disable Fast Startup:

1. Open Control Panel >> Hardware and Sound >> Power Options
2. Select Change settings that are currently available.
3. Disable Fast startup >> Save changes.

Solution 10. Run the System File Checker and Check Disk Utility

On the System File Checker and Check Disk Utility through the Command Prompt console to fix stability issues with the operating system and repair any disk errors on the hard drive or SSD. To do this:

1. Access the Command Prompt in WinRE and enter the command sfc /scannow /offbootdir=C:\ /offwindir=D:\Windows
2. Run the System File Checker by clicking Enter.
3. Once the scan is complete, enter the command chkdsk D: /R to run the Check Disk Utility. This can help resolve any issues with the computer restarting.

Solution 11. Updating Your Drivers

To update the display adapter driver, follow these steps:

1. Press Windows + R keys simultaneously to open the run dialog box.
2. On the box key-in devmgmt.msc >> press Enter to open the Device Manager.
3. Double-click on Display Adapters found under Device Manager,
4. Right-click on display adapter >> hover and select Update driver.
5. In the next window, select the option to Search automatically for drivers.
6. If Windows finds a newer driver, it will install it. If not, go to the display adapter’s manufacturer’s website and download the latest drivers.
7. Also, navigate to the computer or motherboard manufacturer’s support website and download the latest chipset drivers.

Note: In some cases, the problem might be resolved after installing an older, more stable version of the display adapter driver.

Conclusion

It is important to note that some of these methods can be technical and may require a certain level of understanding and experience with computer systems. However, it is also important to try simpler methods, such as disabling fast startup or running the system maintenance troubleshooter, before attempting more advanced solutions.

Some of these methods may not be suitable for all situations, and it may be necessary to try multiple solutions before finding the one that works for your problem. It is also important to back up your data before attempting any of these solutions as a precaution.

Overall, it is important to be patient and persistent when fixing a Windows 10 PC stuck on the restarting screen. With the right approach and some troubleshooting, it is possible to resolve the issue and get your computer back to working properly.