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Read this article if you're encountering issues with your Windows 11 failing to boot or experiencing a black screen when trying to start Windows 11. We'll also address problems where Windows 11 won't boot after an update. The solutions provided in this guide have been thoroughly tested by professionals and are 100% effective. Continue reading to resolve your unbootable Windows 11 problems.

Why Isn't Windows 11 Booting/Restarting/Loading/Turning On

Windows failed to boot error page

"Windows 11 not booting, displaying a black screen, or encountering a black screen with a cursor" is a common issue that you might experience for the following reasons:

Whenever a "Windows won't boot" error occurs, the initial step should be to troubleshoot the PC for potential issues as outlined above. This involves checking the power supply, hard drives, scanning for software corruption, and examining any connected external devices.

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Troubleshoot Your Computer When Windows 11 Won't Start

The following methods may assist in troubleshooting your computer when it fails to boot Windows 11.

Method 1: Windows 11 Fails to Boot and No Power Indication

When Windows 11 fails to boot or display any signs of power, attempt any of the following solutions:

Solution 1: Check the Power Cables

Step 1. Press the power button and listen to see if you can hear the cooling fans or the sound of the hard drive(s) spinning up. If there is no startup sound, it's likely that the PC is not receiving power.

Step 2. Please unplug the power cable and plug it back in. If it's a laptop, try charging it for additional hours.

check power cable connection

Step 3. Use a different power cable to confirm that the original one is not defective.

Solution 2: Check the Monitor Connections

Step 1. If the PC seems to be running internally, the next step is to check the monitor.

Step 2. Reconnect the monitor power cables, and also try using new ones.

Step 3. Unplug and reconnect all system peripherals.

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Method 2: Windows 11 Fails to Boot After Update

Sometimes, computers may encounter issues following a new Windows update, but there's no need to panic. Below are steps to address the problem if your Windows 11 fails to boot after an update.

Solution 1: Restart the PC

Check the system requirements: ensure that your PC meets the minimum specifications for the latest version of Windows.

Restart the system: the boot error might be temporary. Turn off the PC and start it up again.

Solution 2: Execute a Repair Command

Additionally, follow this method if Windows 11 fails to boot after an update.

Step 1. Force shutdown and restart the system several times to force it to enter Automatic Repair mode.

Run Automatic Repair Command

Step 2. Click Advanced Options > Troubleshoot > Command Prompt.

Step 3. Type chkdsk c: /f /r and press Enter.

Step 4. If the issue was with the disk, the previous step should have resolved the unbootable Windows problem. If not, the problem might lie with the MBR. Follow the previous steps, but input a different command. After each line, type the following and press Enter.

bootrec /FixMbr

bootrec /FixBoot

< i > bootrec /RebuildBcd This command translates to "bootrec /RebuildBcd" in English. It is a command used in the Windows operating system to repair the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) store, which contains information about bootable operating systems on the computer.

Step 5. Restart the system and check if Windows boots correctly.

Solution 3: Perform Windows 11 Startup Repair

Step 1. Force Shutdown repeatedly: Hold down the power button for approximately 5-7 seconds. Turn the system back on and force another shutdown. Repeat this process around four times. The PC should automatically start in Automatic Repair mode the next time it boots up.

Step 2. When the Automatic Repair screen appears, click on Advanced Options.

Step 3. Choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Repair. Follow the on-screen instructions and ensure that Windows 11 starts up correctly during the next boot.

Run Windows Startup Repair

Method 3: Windows 11 Fails to Boot After Installation

Apply any recommended fixes below if Windows 11 fails to boot after installation.

Solution 1: Execute CMD Command

Issues with the Master Boot Record (MBR) could be the reason why Windows 11 fails to boot. The solution is to access the Command Prompt through an installation media.

Step 1. Insert the Windows Installation Media and boot from it.

Run Windows Installation Media

Step 2. Navigate through Repair your computer > Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.

Open Command Prompt through Advanced Options

Step 3. In the CMD, enter the following commands. Make sure to press Enter after each command.

bootrec /fixmbr This command translates to: Bootrec /fixmbr

bootrec /fixboot This command translates to: Bootrec.exe /fixboot In the context of the Windows operating system, this command is used to repair the boot sector on your hard drive. It writes a new boot sector to the system partition, which can help resolve issues related to the boot process.

bootrec /rebuildbcd This command translates to: Bootrec.exe /RebuildBcd In the context of the Windows operating system, this command is used to rebuild the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) store, which contains information about bootable operating systems on your computer. It helps in troubleshooting and fixing issues related to the boot process.

Step 4. Restart your PC and check if the booting issues continue.

Solution 2: System Restore

Execute a system restore to revert your PC to its original state prior to installing the new Windows.

Step 1. Continuously force shut down and restart your PC to enter Automatic Repair mode.

Step 2. Select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > System Restore.

system restore through advanced options

Step 3. Click Next when the System window opens.

Step 4. Select the most recent restore point and click Next to proceed.

Step 5. Choose Finish.

Method 4: Windows 11 Not Booting - Black Screen

Dealing with a Windows 11 that won't boot with a black screen can be quite perplexing. The fans are operational, indicating that the system is running, yet all you see on the display is a blank screen accompanied by a mouse cursor. There's no error message to provide clues about the problem! Isn't it confusing? Let's delve into troubleshooting Windows 11 boot issues when encountering a black screen.

Solution 1: Check PC Connections

Restart the computer: Forcefully shut down the computer and restart it. Press the power button for approximately 5 seconds to force a shutdown.

Check the connections: Ensure that the video card or other port connectors are properly plugged in. Try using a different connector if the original one appears to be defective.

Reconnect peripherals: Try this if you recently changed or disconnected any peripherals.

unplug and reconnect system peripherals

Solution 2: Utilize Windows Startup Repair

Follow Solution 3 under Method 2.

Method 5: Windows 11 Won't Start in Safe Mode

Attempt these methods if Windows fails to boot after updating into Safe Mode.

Solution 1: Repair Windows using a Recovery Disk

Step 1. Insert the Windows installation media and restart your PC.

Step 2. Click the Repair your computer option to access the Choose an Option menu.

repair windows with recovery disk

Step 3. Select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Repair.

Step 4. Select the operating system and wait for Windows to finish the repair process.

Solution 2: Fix with Windows Startup Repair

Follow Solution 3 under Method 2.

Solution 3: Perform a System Restore

See Solution 2 under Method 3 for assistance.

Method 6: Windows 11 Fails to Boot from USB or SSD

Explore how to fix issues with Windows 11 not booting from USB or SSD.

Boot Windows from BIOS

Step 1. Connect the USB or SSD to your computer using a SATA cable.

Step 2. Restart your PC and press F2, F8, F10, F12, or Del continuously while starting up. This should lead you to the BIOS setup.

Step 3. Select the Boot option, and set the USB or SSD boot disk as the first priority.

Boot Windows from BIOS

Step 4. Save the changes.

Step 5. Restart the PC.

See Also Other Related Guides: Translation: See Also Other Relevant Guides:

Important: How to Create a Bootable Backup for Windows 11 Creating a bootable backup for Windows 11 is crucial to ensure that you have a safety net in case of system failures or if you need to reinstall the operating system. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to create one: 1. Download Media Creation Tool: Visit the official Microsoft website and download the Media Creation Tool. This tool allows you to create a Windows 11 installation media. 2. Run Media Creation Tool: Double-click on the downloaded MediaCreationTool.exe file to launch it. Accept the terms and conditions, then choose "Create installation media for another PC" and click "Next." 3. Select Preferences: Choose the language, edition, and architecture (usually 64-bit) of Windows 11 you want to back up. Then, select the "USB flash drive" option as your preferred backup medium. 4. Insert USB Drive: Insert a USB drive with at least 8GB of free space into your computer's USB port. The tool will format the drive during the process, so ensure that there is no important data on it. 5. Choose the USB Drive: In the "Choose which media to use" screen, the Media Creation Tool should automatically detect your USB drive. If not, select it from the list and click "Next." 6. Start the Process: The tool will now begin downloading the necessary files and creating the bootable USB drive. This may take some time depending on your internet speed and the size of the Windows 11 files. 7. Verify the Backup: Once the process is complete, safely eject the USB drive. To verify the bootable backup, insert it into another PC and restart the machine while pressing the appropriate key (usually F2, F12, or Del) to enter the BIOS or UEFI settings. Set the USB drive as the first boot device and save the changes. The computer should now boot from the USB drive and display the Windows 11 setup screen. Remember to keep your bootable Windows 11 backup in a safe place, as it can be invaluable in case of emergencies.

The aftermath of an unbootable Windows 11 computer is the loss of access to your data. Hence, it's crucial to create a bootable backup to safeguard against significant data loss in case your system encounters a permanent shutdown, black screen, or crash in the future. You might need to reinstall Windows 11 to restore bootability to your computer.

< a href="/backup-software/tb-home.html">Tools Todo Backup can create a bootable backup for you, enabling you to restore your backups without needing to boot into Windows 11. Here are the key features:

  • 30-day money-back guarantee
  • One-click backup and quick recovery
  • Partition/Disk backup

Follow the steps below to create a bootable Windows 11 backup:

Step 1. Prepare a USB drive that can be written to and read from.

Create emergency disk

Step 2. Launch and install Todo Backup on Computer B.

Step 3. Look for and click "Tools", then choose "Create Emergency Disk".

Create Emergency Disk

Step 4. Select the Boot Disk location. You can choose to create an ISO file, a bootable USB, or a CD/DVD disc.

Create emergency disk step2

Step 5. Click "Create" to begin.