Dell Laptop Stuck on Windows 10 Restart Screen – Causes and Fixes

“Yesterday, my laptop's keyboard stopped working – no keys were responding – so I tried to restart it. The computer got stuck on the restarting screen. It's just blank except for the word 'Restarting.' It's been like that for over 24 hours. I've tried holding down the power button, but that didn't do anything. I've contacted both Microsoft and Dell, but the problem remains. I removed all devices and cables except the power cord. It's a Dell Inspiron 15 7559 with Windows 10. Any help would be appreciated.”  - A post on Reddit

Dell is a globally renowned computer technology company that provides reliable and innovative solutions for personal and professional computing needs. It has earned an excellent reputation for producing high-quality devices, particularly laptops, that cater to a wide range of consumer requirements.

That's not to say that no issues will arise during its use, however. One issue that Dell laptop users often run into is getting stuck on the “restarting” screen.

In this article, we'll delve into the reasons behind this issue and explore how to fix the Dell laptop stuck on restarting screen problem in Windows 10.

Reasons for Dell Laptop Stuck on Restart Screen

The issue of "Dell laptop keeps restarting" can be caused by various reasons, with the most common ones being:

1️⃣ Software Conflicts: Certain background software programs or applications might interfere with the reboot process. 2️⃣ Hardware Issues: Faulty hardware components, such as a failing hard disk drive or RAM, can cause a laptop to freeze on the restart screen. 3️⃣ Operating System Updates: While installing updates or upgrading the Windows operating system, compatibility issues might arise, leading to the laptop getting stuck during the restart process. 4️⃣ Driver Conflicts: Outdated or incompatible drivers, especially those related to the laptop's hardware, can result in the recovery screen freezing. 5️⃣ Viruses or Malware: Malicious software and computer viruses attacking the laptop can disrupt the normal functioning of the operating system. 6️⃣ Power Issues: Problems with power supply or low battery can lead to a laptop freezing while restarting. 7️⃣ Corrupted System Files: If critical system files are damaged or corrupted, the laptop may fail to restart properly.

How to Fix a Windows 10 Laptop Stuck on the Restart Screen

We have some practical solutions for the reasons mentioned above that will help you troubleshoot the issue with a step-by-step guide. Read on to get your Dell laptop back on track.

• Solution 1: Force Restart Your Dell Laptop
• Solution 2: Boot in Safe Mode and Perform a Clean Boot
• Solution 3: Update Drivers and Windows System
• Solution 4: Run a System File Checker (SFC) Scan

Solution 1: Force Restart Your Dell Laptop

A forced restart can be an effective way to resolve many errors caused by hardware issues or driver conflicts.

Step one: Hold down the power button to turn off your Dell laptop.

Step two: Unplug everything – power adapters, scanners, printers, USB memory sticks, and the laptop battery.

Step 3: Replace the battery, and plug in the laptop.

Step 4: Hold the power button for about 10 seconds to restart your laptop, and check if it turns on successfully.

Solution 2: Start in Safe Mode and perform a clean boot

A software conflict may occur during app installations or updates, or when running programs on Windows 10, causing the “reboot” error. You can effectively resolve this error by performing a Windows Clean Boot.

Step 1: Turn on the Dell laptop and press the F8 key repeatedly until you see the Windows logo.

Step 2: In the Startup Settings menu, click on Safe Mode with your mouse and press Enter.

Step 3: After booting into Safe Mode, press Windows + R keys simultaneously to open the Run dialog box.

Step 4: Type msconfig, and then click OK to open the System Configuration window.

Step 5: On the General tab, check the box next to “Selective startup,” and then uncheck the box next to “Load startup items.”

Step 6: Click the “Services” tab, check “Hide all Microsoft services,” and then click “Disable all.”

Step 7: Click Apply, then click OK.

Step 8: Restart your Dell laptop and check if it boots normally.

Solution 3: Update your drivers and Windows

If your Windows system and drivers are outdated, your device might get stuck in a boot loop. Hence, you need to update your drivers and Windows system.

Step 1: Follow the steps in Solution 2 to start in Safe Mode.

Step 2: Press Windows + X to open the menu, and select Device Manager.

Step 3: Look for devices with a yellow exclamation point next to them, indicating a problem with the driver.

Step 4: Right-click the troubled device and select Update driver software.

Step 5: Then follow the on-screen instructions to update the driver.

Step 6: Press Windows + I to open Settings, then go to Update & Security and choose Check for updates.

Step 7: Download and install all available updates, and then restart the Dell laptop to see if it starts normally.

Solution 4: Run the System File Checker scan

Step 1: Restart the computer in Safe Mode as described in Solution 2.

Step 2: Press Windows + X and choose Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin). You can also search for it.

Step 3: Type "sfc /scannow" at the command prompt and press Enter. (Wait for the scan to complete. This may take some time.)

Step 4: After the scan is complete, restart your Dell laptop and check if it boots normally.

These methods should help resolve the issue of a Dell laptop getting stuck on the restart screen in Windows 10. If the problem persists, it's advisable to reach out to Dell Support or a professional expert for assistance.

Important: Back up your laptop regularly for safety

A frozen computer or one that experiences a black screen while gaming can be very frustrating. Many Windows users have encountered similar issues. If you can identify the cause and fix it, consider yourself lucky.

However, there are situations where users are unable to pinpoint and resolve the issue, requiring them to perform a factory reset or reinstall the operating system. In such cases, all information stored on the device will be erased and irretrievable unless you have a backup. Hence, it is essential to back up your device regularly to avoid such scenarios. Regularly backing up your Windows laptop provides peace of mind and saves time and effort in the long run. It safeguards your critical files and documents, allowing you to quickly restore them in case of emergencies.

?Todo Backup Free is a free and reliable tool that helps you create a full backup of your computer and ensure the safety of your data. It allows you to make a system backup, restoring your laptop to a previously functioning state in case of system failures or crashes. It also features scheduled automatic backups, eliminating the possibility of forgetting to back up essential data on a regular basis. With its powerful backup and restore capabilities, you can have peace of mind.

What are you waiting for? Download it now for free and secure your data!

Here are the steps to easily create a system image using Todo Backup. Of course, you can use it to back up specific files, disks, app data, and so on.

Step 1. On the main screen, tap "Select Backup Content".

Create System Backup Step 1

Step 2: Click on Operating System in the list of options.

Step 3. Todo Backup will automatically select the system partition. You just need to choose a backup destination.

Step 4. You can choose to save the backup file to your local disk or NAS.

5. After the backup is completed, you can check the backup status, recover, open, or delete the backup by right-clicking on the backup task on the left.

Conclusions

In conclusion, dealing with a Dell laptop stuck on the reboot screen in Windows 10 can be an unpleasant experience. However, following the troubleshooting steps outlined above should resolve the issue and restore your laptop to normal operation.

That said, it's crucial to emphasize the importance of regularly backing up your Windows laptop to prevent data loss and minimize any downtime resulting from unexpected technical issues. Todo Backup is an excellent tool that provides an all-in-one solution for safeguarding your files, applications, and operating system.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dell Laptops Stuck on Restart Screen

1. Why does my laptop get stuck on restarting during an update?

Your laptop might get stuck in a restart loop during an update due to various reasons, such as compatibility issues, software conflicts, insufficient storage space, or problems with the update itself. It's essential to identify the specific cause.

2. Is it safe to force shutdown a laptop during a system update?

Forcing a shutdown during a laptop update is generally not recommended, as it can lead to software corruption, data loss, or other system issues. If you encounter any problems, it's best to allow the update to complete and seek technical support afterward.

How long does a Windows Update restart take?

The time it takes will vary based on several factors, such as the size of the update, the speed of your computer, the condition of your hardware, and the overall efficiency of your system. It could take anywhere from a few minutes to over an hour. Please be patient and allow the process to complete without interruption.