Windows 11 stuck restarting? Here’s how to break the loop

⚡ Fast fix

• Wait a few minutes. Update-related restarts can take a little extra time.
• Force a shutdown. Hold the power button for 10 to 15 seconds, wait 30 seconds, disconnect any external devices, and power it back on.
• Repair system files. Use Command Prompt from the Advanced Startup menu to repair broken system files.

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When your computer gets stuck in a restart loop, it can feel like you’ll never escape. Frustrating is an understatement. The good news is that a PC stuck restarting often feels like a bigger problem than it is—you can usually fix this issue without professional repair.

Asurion Experts have helped countless people troubleshoot tech issues and have the know-how to quickly get your devices back to normal. Here's what's likely causing the stalled restart and how we'd tackle it.

Why your PC gets stuck on restarting

When Windows™ doesn't move past the restarting screen, the issue is probably due to one of these common causes:

• A stalled Windows update
• Corrupted system files
• A driver conflict
• A startup issue

If you were trying to update Windows before your computer got stuck, you may need to try resetting Windows Update components. Or, if you get the Windows 11 system service exception error, you’re probably dealing with a driver-related error that can cause your computer to get stuck on restart.

How to get past Windows 11 stuck on restarting screen

Don’t panic if your Windows laptop has been stuck on the restarting screen for too long. Try these troubleshooting steps to fix an infinite boot loop.

1. Give your PC time. If you can, walk away for an hour and see if your computer gets past the restarting screen on its own.
2. Force a shutdown. Hold down the power button for 15 seconds, wait 30 seconds, and disconnect any external devices like hard drives and monitors. Turn your computer back on.
3. Enter Automatic Repair mode. If still stuck, complete three more forced shutdowns during booting to trigger the Automatic Repair screen. Run Startup Repair from Troubleshoot > Advanced options.

Windows will automatically detect and fix loading errors when you use Startup Repair in the Windows recovery environment.

Repair system files or undo a recent update

If those troubleshooting methods don’t work, you’ll have to move on to the next level of fixes.

First, try repairing the system files if you can reach the Advanced Startup menu or boot your computer into Safe Mode.

1. From Recovery options, choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.
2. Run SFC by typing sfc /scannow and press Enter to repair broken system files.
3. Type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press Enter to fix the Windows system image.

If the problem appeared after a recently installed update, uninstall it. Go through Settings or Recovery and select Uninstall latest quality or feature update.

Dealing with a troublesome update can be especially frustrating because usually, installing updated software is a way to fix common Windows 11 issues—not an issue itself. However, sometimes glitches or other issues cause problems during the update installation process, leading to Windows 11 getting stuck on the restarting screen. That's when uninstalling a recent update may be the best way to get your computer up and running again.

When to consider a system restore or reset

As a last resort, if your Windows laptop is still stuck on restarting, you may need to restore it to a previous system restore point. Another option is factory resetting a PC.

Factory resetting your laptop should get rid of whatever issue is causing the restart loop. However, keep in mind that you may lose data when performing a full Windows reset unless you have those files backed up elsewhere. Try to back up important files first whenever possible, since these steps carry a higher risk of data loss.

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FAQ

Why is Windows 11 taking so long to restart?

An update restart can take much longer than a typical Windows 11 restart. However, if your computer stays on the restarting page for more than 30 minutes, it’s probably in a stuck state.

How do you make Windows restart faster?

Turning on Fast Startup and disabling background apps you don't need can make your Windows computer restart faster.

Can I turn off my PC while it’s restarting?

Generally, you should avoid turning off your PC during restarts to ensure they proceed as smoothly as possible. If, however, your computer gets stuck on the restart page, you can force a shutdown to fix the issue. Make sure you disconnect any external devices from your computer before turning it back on.