In this guide, we’ll look at the main reasons why your laptop might be stuck restarting and provide clear, practical steps to fix it. Whether the cause is a minor glitch, an update that’s in progress, or a deeper software issue, we’ll help you cover all the bases to get your system working again. When your laptop is stuck on the restarting screen, it’s trapped in a loop where it tries to reboot but never gets to the login screen or desktop. This usually shows up as a message saying “Restarting“, a constantly spinning wheel, or a logo that never changes. Here are some common signs:
The restarting message or logo stays on the screen for an unusually long time without changing.The laptop might shut down and try to restart itself over and over again.Sometimes, the screen may flicker or error messages might quickly appear and then disappear.
↪ Possible causes
There can be several reasons why a laptop might get stuck while restarting, from software issues to hardware faults. Here are some of the most common causes:
Software conflicts: Sometimes, different apps or system processes can interfere with each other during startup, causing the system to hang.Hardware problems: Failing parts such as hard drives, RAM, or the motherboard can stop the operating system from loading properly.Operating system updates: If an update was interrupted or the files are damaged, it can prevent your laptop from booting up correctly.Driver issues: Outdated or faulty drivers may stop the system from starting, as the hardware can’t communicate effectively with Windows.Malware or viruses: Harmful software can disrupt the normal operation of your system by damaging files or running unwanted processes.Power supply problems: Faulty batteries or chargers, especially in laptops, can interrupt the boot process.
How to fix the laptop stuck restarting issue?
If your laptop is stuck on the restarting screen—don’t worry, we have you covered! Here are some tried-and-tested steps you can take to get your laptop working again:
1. Force Restart your Laptop
Doing a force restart can help clear out temporary files and stop any processes that are frozen. This will often solve the problem if your laptop is stuck on the restarting screen. To force restart, press and hold the power button on your laptop for about 10 seconds, until it shuts down completely. Then, press the power button again to turn it back on. This will start a fresh boot, which may fix the issue.
2. Run the Windows Troubleshooter
If your laptop is stuck on the restarting screen but you can still get into Windows, try using the Windows Troubleshooter. This tool looks for common problems and tries to fix them automatically. This step will only help if you are able to access your desktop, even if just briefly during a random successful start.
3. Boot in Safe Mode
Booting in Safe Mode starts your laptop with only the basic drivers and programs needed. This can help you troubleshoot if a specific software or driver is causing the restart problem.
4. Perform Startup Repair
Windows has built-in recovery options like Startup Repair that can fix problems which prevent your laptop from restarting properly. Startup Repair looks for issues—like missing or damaged system files—and tries to automatically fix them.
5. Uninstall Recent Updates
If your laptop started having problems after a recent Windows update, uninstalling the update may help. Sometimes updates contain bugs or cause conflicts. Here’s how to uninstall recent updates:
6. Update Drivers
Making sure your drivers are up to date is an important part of keeping your laptop running smoothly, and it can help prevent problems like being stuck on the restarting screen. Driver updates often include important fixes, performance boosts, and better security. For specific hardware (like graphics cards or printers), it’s sometimes best to visit the manufacturer’s website and get the latest drivers from there. After updating, restart your laptop to make sure all changes take effect and check if the restart problem has been fixed.
