An infinite boot loop restarts your computer endlessly without getting to the login screen making it impossible for you to use your computer.
This issue can be due to a minor or major issue, so let’s learn how to fix the windows infinite reboot loop.
Causes Of Windows 10 Infinite Restart Loop or Boot Loop
- Missing or corrupted Windows boot files
- Incomplete or buggy Windows update
- Corrupted system files
- Any external device connected to the PC
- Incompatible device drivers
- Installation of buggy apps
- Unverified driver signatures
- Hardware issues
How To Fix windows infinite reboot loop
Methods 2 and 3 are perquisites for performing many solutions so don’t miss them.
- Remove External Devices Attached to Your Computer
- Boot Windows in Safe Mode to Troubleshoot Reboot Loop
- Use Windows Installation Media to Reach Automatic Repair
- Perform Startup Repair to Put an End to Endless Reboot Loop
- Is the Issue Due to Windows Update?
- Delete Recently Installed Apps to Fix Windows 10 Stuck in a Boot Loop
- Repair the Boot Drive Using the Command Prompt
- Disable the Automatic Restart Feature
- Uninstall Faulty Hardware Drivers to Resolve Windows 10 Boot Loop
- Remove a Bad Registry Using Windows 10 Safe Mode
- Use System Restore
- Uninstall Recent Windows Updates
- Fix Driver Validity Issues
- Run a System File Scan
- Remove Unwanted Third-Party Apps from the Startup
- Reset Your PC
- Fresh Install Windows
- Check for Hardware Problems (Hard Drive, RAM)
1. Remove External Devices Attached to Your Computer
The first thing you try when facing the Windows 10 restart loop is to remove external devices from your computer.
So, unplug the mouse, keyboard, flash drives, external hard drives, printer, scanner, or any other device. For computers, leave the mouse and keyword cords plugged in and remove all others.
2. Boot Windows in Safe Mode to Troubleshoot Reboot Loop
This is not a solution in itself, but it will give you access to Windows for carrying out many solutions for Windows 10 stuck in restarts mentioned in this guide.
2.1 Boot into Safe Mode via Automatic Recovery
You can access Safe Mode from Windows Automatic Recovery which sets in when your computer doesn’t start properly multiple times in a row.
You might see it automatically when your PC restarts in a loop. But if not, use these steps to trigger Automatic Recovery Environment and boot in Safe Mode.
- Turn on your computer. Once you see the Windows boot screen, long-press the power button to turn it off.
- Repeat the above step.
- Switch on your PC. It will load the Automatic Recovery Environment.
- When you’re on the ‘Automatic Repair’ blue screen, select ‘Advanced options’.
- Choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup settings.
- Press the ‘Restart’ button.
- When Windows boots again and shows the settings screen, press F4 to enable the safe mode with networking and command prompt depending on your requirements.
2.2 Boot into Safe Mode using Windows Installation Media
Windows setup flash drive also lets you access the Automatic Repair environment from where you can access advanced settings and boot into safe mode.
- Follow Method 3 to create Windows media and access advanced recovery options.
- Now, go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup settings > Restart > F4 to enter safe mode.
2.3 Enable Safe Mode in a Dual Boot Windows System
If you have multiple Windows or operating systems installed, you can access safe mode by booting from the Windows that is still working fine.
- Turn on your Windows computer and select the working Windows on the dual boot screen.
- After logging in, go to Settings > System > Recovery.
- Press ‘Restart now’.
- It will take you to the same blue screen. Pick Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup settings > Restart > F4.
3. Use Windows Installation Media to Reach Automatic Repair
For many users, the Windows endless restart won’t even let you enter the Automatic Repair environment. If this is the case for you, use a Windows setup flash drive to fix a Windows 10 problem.
You will need access to another computer, an active internet connection, and a USB drive with at least 8 GB and preferably 16 GB of storage.
- Visit the Windows 10 or Windows 11 installation page on Microsoft’s website.
- I’ll use Windows 11. Under ‘Create Windows 11 Installation Media’, click ‘Download Now’. For Windows 10, click ‘Create Windows 10 Installation Media’.
- Open the downloaded file.
- Accept the Microsoft software license terms.
- The next screen will prompt you to choose the operating system and language type. Choose your preferred ones or checkmark ‘Use the recommended options for this PC’ to let the setup select them automatically.
- Insert your flash drive, once it’s detected, choose ‘USB flash drive’ on the Windows setup wizard and then select your removable device to continue making it your Windows media.
- Wait while Windows is downloaded and copied to the removable drive.
- When done, you can use the flash drive to fix the problem at hand with the preceding methods.
- Insert the flash drive into your computer and turn it on.
- Press any key on the keyboard when it shows ‘Press any key to boot from CD or DVD’.
- Windows setup will load. Choose your language and keyboard input method on the language selection window and click ‘Next’.
- Then, choose ‘Repair computer’.
4. Perform Startup Repair to Put an End to Endless Reboot Loop
It is a Windows troubleshooter for fixing booting problems.
4.1 Without Windows Media
In most cases, you can reach the Windows Automatic Repair feature without using a Windows setup flash drive and perform the repair.
- Power on your PC. When the Windows logo appears on the boot screen, press and holds the power button to turn off the computer.
- Repeat step 1.
- Turn on your computer. Automatic Repair will load.
- Select ‘Advanced options’.
- Head to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup repair.
- Windows will switch to the boot screen and carry out the repair.
4.2 Using a Windows Installation USB
If the continuous restarts don’t allow you to get to Automatic Repair, use Windows media.
- Follow Method 3 to create a bootable Windows USB and enter Windows Automatic Repair.
- When you see the blue screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup repair.
- Wait while Windows performs the repair.
5. Is the Issue Due to Windows Update?
Some updates can also cause issues. Consequently, sometimes the process of the update itself is buggy. You should stop the updates, delete its temporary files, and start it again to check if it fixes the boot loop problem.
- Boot into safe mode using Method 2.
- Open File Explorer.
- Navigate to Local Disk C > Windows > System32 > cmd
- Copy-paste these commands and press enter with each command:
- net stop wuauserv
- net stop bits
- Once the process is done, go to C > Windows > SoftwareDistribution
- Delete all the files and folders inside that folder and remove them from the Recycle Bin as well.
- Open the command prompt again and use these commands to start the Update service:
- net start wuauserv
- net start bits
- Restart your Windows to see if it boots normally.
6. Delete Recently Installed Apps to Fix Windows 10 Stuck in a Boot Loop
If the Window infinite reboot loop occurred after the installation of new programs, delete them and check again.
- Enable safe mode by following Method 2.
- Open the Start menu and go to Settings.
- Select Apps > App & features (on Windows 11).
- Uninstall apps installed recently.
- Reboot your PC.
7. Repair the Boot Drive Using the Command Prompt
Problems in the boot drive can lead to infinite restarts. Many of these problems can be solved by Method 4. If you tried that and are still facing the problem, use the Windows in-build bootrece.exe command to fix boot drive issues.
- Enter Windows Recovery Environment using Method 3.
- Navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command prompt.
- Copy-paste these commands one by one and press enter each time:
- bootrec.exe /rebuildbcd
- bootrec.exe /fixmbr
- bootrec.exe /fixboot
- Type exit hit enter, and reboot your computer.
8. Disable the Automatic Restart Feature
The auto-reboot feature is enabled by default on Windows so your Windows restart when it experiences a crash. This auto-reboot feature may be the reason you’re not seeing the crash screen.
A crash screen like a BSOD gives you information about what went wrong. A BSOD screen is not considered helpful, but when you’re dealing with restarts, a BSOD screen can benefit you.
You can search the BSOD error code on the internet and find solutions for your problem.
8.1 Disable Auto Restart from Startup and Recovery Settings
- Use Method 2 for navigating to safe mode.
- Press the Windows key + R, type sysdm.cpl, and press enter.
- It’ll open System Properties. Switch to the ‘Advanced’ tab.
- In the ‘Startup and Recovery’ section, click ‘Settings’.
- Uncheck ‘Automatically restart’.
- Make sure that the box for ‘Write an event to system log’ is checked and press ‘OK’.
- Click ‘Apply’ and ‘OK’ on the System Properties window.
- Reboot your PC.
8.2 Disable Auto Reboot from Windows Registry Editor
- After booting into safe mode using Method 2, press the Windows key + R, type Regedit, and hit enter.
- Paste the below address on the address bar of the Editor and press enter.
- Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\CrashControl
- Double-click ‘AutoReboot’, set it to 0, and press OK.
- If you can’t find an AutoReboot file, right-click any empty space in the right panel, hover the mouse cursor over ‘New’, and select ‘DWORD (32-bit) Value’.
- Name it ‘AutoReboot’.
- Double-click the file, set it to 0, and press enter.
- Reboot your computer.
8.3 Disable Auto Reboot Using the Windows USB
Can’t open safe mode? Open the utility via Windows media to resolve Windows 10 endless reboot loop problem.
- Use Method 3 to create a Windows flash drive and access Windows Recovery Environment
- Choose Troubleshoot > Microsoft Diagnostics Recovery Toolset.
- Select your Windows.
- Choose ‘Registry Editor’.
- Follow the same steps as Method 8.2.
9. Uninstall Faulty Hardware Drivers to Resolve Windows 10 Boot Loop
Buggy or incompatible hardware drivers can cause continuous restarts. Finding out which hardware is triggering the issue is difficult, so begin with uninstalling or rolling back updates for drivers that you installed recently.
- Enable safe mode with Method 2.
- Once logged in, press the Windows logo key + R, type devmgmt.msc, and hit enter.
- Double-click a device category, right-click the device driver and choose ‘Properties’.
- Navigate to ‘Driver’.
- Click ‘Rollback Driver’. If this doesn’t work or the option is grayed out, try ‘Disable Device’, ‘Update Device’, and ‘Uninstall Device’.
- Reboot your PC.
10. Remove a Bad Registry Using Windows 10 Safe Mode
A specific registry is known to cause continuous restarts. Delete it and try again.
- Access safe mode with Method 2.
- After logging in, press the Windows key + R, type Regedit, and hit enter.
- Before making any changes, you should back up your registries to avoid problems.
- Click File > Export and save the backup.
- On the address bar, copy-paste this location and press enter:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList
- Click each profile ID and if you see ‘ProfileImagePath’ in any, right-click it and delete it.
- Reboot your PC.
You open the Registry Editor through Windows media as well.
- Use Method 3 to create the Windows USB and reach repair options.
- Then, go to Troubleshoot > Microsoft Diagnostics Recovery Toolset > Choose Windows > Registry Editor.
11. Use System Restore
System Restore can reverse the changes to your PC. You can use it only if your computer or you made at least one system restore point.
- Follow Method 2 for booting in safe mode.
- Once signed in, press the Windows logo key + R, type rstrui, and hit the enter key.
- If you have any restore points set, select any and restore your computer to a previous state.
12. Uninstall Recent Windows Updates
Some updates can cause problems and these could be the culprit of the Windows 10 infinite reboot loop. So, uninstall recent updates. If you got a loop problem after an upgrade, perform the same steps.
- Duplicate the steps in Method 3 to create Windows media and reach the Windows RE (Repair Environment).
- Choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Uninstall updates.
- Now, select between ‘Uninstall latest quality update’ and ‘Uninstall latest feature update’. If not sure, choose each option one by one. Firstly, pick ‘Uninstall latest quality update’.
- Choose your Windows.
- Click ‘Uninstall quality update’.
- Perform the same process for uninstalling feature updates.
13. Fix Driver Validity Issues
The drivers installed on your computer should be digitally signed. When they are not, they can show problems. So, check the driver’s signature using Microsoft’s built-in signature verification utility.
- Find the ways in Method 3 to make a Windows media and access repair options.
- On the blue screen, pick head to Troubleshoot > Microsoft Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset > Choose your Windows > Explorer.
- Go to C > Windows > System32 > sigverif.exe.
- Click ‘Start’ to begin the verification.
- Once done, reboot your computer.
14. Run a System File Scan
Corrupted system files can lead to various problems, so check and repair your Windows files if you want to fix the issue.
- Use Method 3 to get yourself a Windows media and go to the recovery environment.
- Head to Troubleshoot > Microsoft Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset > Choose your Windows > SFC Scan.
- Choose ‘Next’.
- Select ‘Scan and repair automatically’ and choose ‘Next’.
- Wait while it scans your files.
- Restart the computer.
15. Remove Unwanted Third-Party Apps from the Startup
Some third-party programs can cause different kinds of problems when allowed in the startup sequence.
To fix the Windows 10 reboot loop, remove all the third-party programs from the list of apps and services that begin with Windows.
- Follow Method 3 for creating a Windows media and enter the recovery environment.
- Go to Troubleshoot > Microsoft Diagnostics Recovery Toolset > Choose Windows > Registry Editor.
- Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\ServiceGroupOrder
- Select ‘List’.
- Remove unwanted programs from it. Select the whole line and press backspace. Make sure to never remove Microsoft services.
- Click OK.
- Reboot your PC.
16. Reset Your PC
A PC reset removes different apps and settings and resets them to stock. The level of this removal depends on the type of PC reset you use. ‘Keep my files’ removes apps and settings but keeps your files while ‘Remove everything’ deletes apps, settings, and personal files.
- Turn on your PC. When you see the Windows logo, long-press the power button and turn off the computer.
- Repeat the above steps.
- Switch on your computer. Windows will load the Automatic Recovery Environment.
- Now, select Advanced options > Troubleshoot > Reset this PC.
- Choose ‘Keep my files’ to only delete apps and settings.
- On the next options, select ‘Local reinstall’ as it will use the saved image for the reset. But if you think your Windows is corrupted, choose ‘Cloud download’.
- It’ll prepare and show you what will happen. Click ‘Reset’.
If this option doesn’t work, choose the ‘Remove everything’ option and try again.
17. Fresh Install Windows
A PC reset fixes many problems, but if you’re still dealing with an endless restart, install a fresh copy of Windows. This will delete everything saved in the Windows drive (Local Drive C).
If you want to save your data, install Windows to another drive that doesn’t have any important files.
If you don’t have another drive on the hard disk, connect your hard disk to another computer to copy essential data before your reinstall Windows 10 or 11.
- Create Windows media using Method 3.
- Insert the Windows USB and turn on the computer.
- Press any key to boot with the removable device.
- Choose the language, time, and keyboard or input method.
- Press the button ‘Install Now’.
- Choose your Windows version if applicable and then accept the terms and conditions.
- Now, pick ‘Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)’.
- Select the drive where you want to install the Windows. The drive will lose all its data. Begin the installation process.
18. Check for Hardware Problems (Hard Drive, RAM)
Restarting your computer repeatedly can also be due to hardware issues like malfunctioning RAM, graphics drives, hard disk, or any other component.
Get your computer or laptop inspected by a certified repairer to find out what is the culprit.