Windows Won’t Start Up? Let’s Fix That!

 

You go to turn on your computer, but Windows won’t start up… So, what do you do? Unfortunately, when Windows won’t boot, it’s a symptom common to many problems.

Due to this, it can require a fair bit of troubleshooting. Still, you can take comfort in the fact that the latest versions of Windows are better at recovering from this type of problem than versions of old.

For example, while this problem might cause the ancient XP to stop in its tracks, the latest versions try to run Startup Repair automatically.

The directions below will guide you through checking into the various problems that can keep Windows from starting up, and some guidelines you can follow on the way to fixing those problems.

When your PC isn’t performing right - or just plain won’t start up - and you don’t know what to do, get the HAILaGEEK app on your phone! Our trusted technicians offer tech repair when and where you need it. Whether we meet you at work, home, or in your favorite coffee shop, you’ll have an expert right beside you to handle those pesky tech problems with speed and precision.

 

 

Before We Start: Has Anything Changed Recently?

 

When Windows won’t start up, it’s a good idea to think through any changes you recently made.

• Did you install a new driver recently?

• Have you connected any new hardware to your PC?

• Did you crack open the case to change something?

Because there are so many potential causes when Windows won’t boot, thinking through changes narrows things down. For instance, maybe that hardware driver is buggy. Alternatively, perhaps recently installed hardware isn’t compatible.

In some cases, people accidentally unplug something when they try to DIY a project or fix. If you changed anything recently, start by double-checking your work.

 

My PC Won’t Turn On At All

 

If the computer can’t start, Windows won’t start. When a computer refuses to power on, start by checking the plug. Make sure it’s connected to a power outlet. Then, ensure the power connector isn’t too loose.

On a desktop PC, check the power switch on the back of the tower or power supply. If it’s on but still won’t turn on, there might be a disconnected cable inside the tower.

Haven’t been messing around inside your computer? There’s a chance the power supply died at some point. If this is the case, you need to replace the hardware.

Alternatively, you might need a new computer entirely.

Additionally, it’s a good idea to look at the computer monitor. If the computer boots up but the screen doesn’t change, make sure it’s on and connected. Loose connections cause a lot of problems in computers.

 

The Computer Powers On But Says “No Bootable Device”

 

Sometimes when Windows won’t start, you see an error message. The computer powers up, but you just see a black screen that says “no bootable device.”

Alternatively, you might see some other sort of disk error message. This means Windows won’t boot from the drive it’s installed on. From here, you want to enter the BIOS or UEFI setup screen to check the boot order setting.

In doing so, you ensure that it’s set to start up from the proper hard drive.

If all of that made no sense to you, there’s no shame in that! When you call on one of our Geeks, they can walk you through the process so that you understand the problem and solution. If you need tech assistance, get the HAILaGEEK app today!

 

Before we dive into the BIOS …. Did you recently plug in a new device? Maybe a backup drive, a picture card reader, or a printer that has a picture card reader on it? First, try unplugging these external devices from your computer, then try turning the computer off and on again to see if it will boot without these external devices plugged in. If it will, chances are one of them needs to be unplugged for the computer to start up properly, and can then be plugged in after the computer has started up. (If that bugs you, it can be remedied permanently by entering the BIOS, which was going to be our next step anyway).

 

How to Enter the BIOS

To access the BIOS setup on a Windows PC, you have to press the key set by the manufacturer. This includes F10, F2, F12, F1, or DEL. When the computer goes through the self-test startup too fast, it’s possible to enter the BIOS setup with Window 10’s recovery settings in the advanced start menu

How to enter the BIOS on …
ASUS PC’s:	F2
ASUS Motherboards:	F2 or DEL
Acer:	F2 or DEL
Dell:	F2 or F12
Gigabyte:	F2 or DEL
HP:	F10
Lenovo (ThinkPads):	Enter, then F1.
Lenovo (Other Laptops):	F2 or Fn + F2
Lenovo (Desktops):	F1
MSI:	DEL
Microsoft Surface Tablets:	Press and hold the volume up button.
Samsung:	F2
Toshiba:	F2

 

When you get to the BIOS setup screen, what do you see? The hard drive may be called an HDD or SSD. If you don’t see the hard drive at all, on any of the pages in the BIOS, it’s possible that it failed. That means Windows cannot boot from there. If you see the hard drive listed though, look for an option named “boot order.” If the hard drive isn’t first on the list, another device listed before it may stop the computer from booting properly before it even gets to try booting from the hard drive. So, you might try making the hard drive the first option in the boot order.

However, when everything looks fine in the BIOS settings, it may be a good idea to run the Startup Repair operation or reinstall Windows. When Windows won’t start, Startup Repair attempts to make it bootable once more.

For instance, it’s possible something overwrote Windows’ boot sector. If that happened, this operation repairs the boot sector.

If the recovery environment won’t load or indicates it can’t find your hard drive, it’s most likely a problem with the hardware. (Be sure to look into the boot order if the recovery environment doesn’t load).

Lastly, you can try to manually fix bootloader problems with fixboot and fixmbr commands. However, the latest versions of Windows often address these issues with the Startup Repair operation. Guided by a repair wizard, you shouldn’t have to run these commands on your own.

 

Need a Hand with Troubleshooting Why Windows Won’t Start?

If Windows won’t start and you need help figuring out why, call on a trusted repair technician. At HAILaGEEK, we offer tech repair when and where you need it. If your computer won’t boot up, get the HAILaGEEK app on your phone and hail a geek to meet you where you are!

 

 

Windows Freezes or Crashes During Power Up

 

If Windows starts the boot-up process but freezes or crashes, it could be a hardware or software problem. When there’s a software problem, you can run the Startup Repair operation. If you aren’t able to do this from the boot menu, insert a recovery disk or Windows installation disc. Starting from this disc, you should see an option to use the startup repair tool.

If that doesn’t help you, you might have to reinstall Windows. For Windows 8, 10, or later, you can perform a Reset or Refresh.

Before reinstalling Windows, make sure you have a good backup copy of your important data! There’s an option during Windows setup to keep your existing data, but when your computer already has an unidentified problem, relying on this option to leave your data intact is a risky choice. You can back up your data using the “How to Recover Files” instructions below.

Does the computer encounter an error during the reinstall or startup repair operation? Do you see the same errors after a successful reinstall? These point to a problem with the hardware.

 

Windows Won’t Start: The Blue Screen of Death

 

When Windows won’t start, sometimes it crashes or shows a blue screen as it boots. Unfortunately, this also points to both software and hardware problems. For instance, a buggy driver or malware may load during the boot to cause the crash.

Alternatively, hardware in the computer might be malfunctioning.

To test this, try to run your computer in safe mode. When you enter safe mode, Windows won’t start the usual hardware drivers or any other software that starts automatically. If you get into safe mode and everything seems stable, uninstall some recently installed drivers.

From there, if the trouble still persists, perform a system restore and scan for malware or other computer viruses. If you’re lucky, one of these steps fixes the software problem. In doing so, everything should start up normally.

However, if these don’t fix the problem, you might need to reinstall Windows. For Windows 8 or 10, you can perform a Reset or Refresh. These options restore your computer to its factory settings, wiping everything away.

If none of these options help, it is likely that you have a hardware problem.

Having trouble finding the issue? Call on or “hail” one of our geeks! Download the HAILaGEEK app to your phone and request assistance from a trusted technician.

 

 

How to Recover Files When Windows Won’t Start

 

Oftentimes, these problems cause us to lose important files. Before you reinstall Windows, it’s a good idea to back them up. You can do so with a Windows installer disc.

This runs from your USB, CD, or DVD drive and lets you copy your files to external media. For instance, you might use it to copy your files to an external hard drive or a USB stick.

If you don’t have the option to boot with an installer disc, you can go into the BIOS to change the boot order setting.

When this doesn’t work or the computer freezes as you try to access the hard drive, you have an issue with your hardware. In this instance, you can try to remove your computer’s hard drive and enter it into another computer. For some, this allows you to recover your files.

 

Windows Won’t Start: Help Wherever You Need It

 

When you follow these steps, you should be able to address the majority of boot issues. At least, that applies to fixable problems. Unfortunately, a dark cloud looms over these issues:

There’s a problem with the hard drive, or another component in the computer fails.

When Windows won’t boot, your priority is likely the files you don’t want to lose. With the help of trusted technicians, you can find the true cause behind your problems. From the HAILaGEEK app, request tech repair from wherever you are.

Help is ready and available!

 

 

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