Windows Won't Boot
The computer powers on and you can hear or see it starting, but Windows itself never loads properly — it might get stuck on the logo, drop into an Automatic Repair loop, or show an error before the desktop appears.
Quick answer: Windows failing to start is usually a stuck update, a corrupted system file, or a failing drive — in roughly that order of likelihood. A forced restart and a 20-30 minute wait (in case an update is installing) are worth trying before anything else; if it keeps failing at the same point, that points to something that needs a proper look.
Likely causes
- A recent Windows update didn't complete properly
- A corrupted system file or startup configuration
- A failing hard drive or SSD that Windows can no longer read from reliably
- A driver or piece of software that's interfering with startup
What you can safely check yourself
- Let it sit for 20-30 minutes if an update was installing, especially on an older or slower drive
- Try a forced restart — hold the power button for 10 seconds, wait, then turn it back on
- Unplug any unnecessary USB devices, external drives or printers and try again
- If it repeatedly fails to start, Windows may offer Startup Repair or Safe Mode automatically after a few attempts
Don't run disk repair tools, reformat, or reinstall Windows if you haven't backed up recently — some fixes for boot problems can affect your files, and it's worth getting an opinion first if the data matters.
When it needs a proper look
If Startup Repair fails, the same error keeps appearing, or the computer won't get past the same point after several attempts, that's a sign it needs a proper look rather than more retries — particularly if you hear clicking or grinding from the drive.
Will I lose my files if Windows needs to be reinstalled?
Not necessarily — it depends on the type of reinstall and whether the drive itself is healthy. I'll always check what's recoverable and talk you through the options before doing anything that could affect your files.