Already resolved with the missing update. Thanks!
Stuck on Choose an Option when booting to safe mode
![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(278.4, 21%, 36%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3EJV%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Jeff V
0
Reputation points
Hi! I have a problem trying to boot to Safe Mode. I'm on win11 and using a usb Kb and Mouse. I just updated to the latest windows update. I was planning on booting to safe mode to clean uninstall my GPU using DDU/AMDCleanUpUtility. So I booted to safe mode by Shift+R when restaring my pc.
After restarting going in to Choose an Option screen, I can't use my keyboard and mouse. Tried unplugging all USB devices except my K/M, tried swithing from usb ports, it won't work. Also did a BIOS reset.
It worked before many times with no issue, until now.
I was only able to navigate the Choose and option screen by plugging an old PS2 keyboard to boot to safe mode. But I just wanted to know how to fix this.
It's hard to repair any pc once this happens and no ps2 keyboard/mouse or no PS2 port on the mobo at all.
Thanks to all that might help!
Windows for home | Windows 11 | Recovery and backup
Answer recommended by moderator
1 additional answer
Sort by: Most helpful
-
AI answer
2025-11-02T13:04:00.97+00:00 It seems that you are experiencing an issue with your USB keyboard and mouse not functioning in the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) when trying to boot into Safe Mode. This can happen due to various reasons, especially after a recent update. Here are some steps you can try to resolve the issue:
- Check USB Ports: Since you have already tried switching USB ports, ensure that you are using USB 2.0 ports instead of USB 3.0, as some systems may have compatibility issues with USB 3.0 devices in the recovery environment.
- Use Different USB Devices: If possible, try using a different USB keyboard and mouse, as some devices may not be recognized properly in WinRE.
- BIOS/UEFI Settings: Check your BIOS/UEFI settings to ensure that USB support is enabled. Sometimes, USB ports can be disabled in the BIOS settings, which would prevent them from working during boot.
- Update BIOS/UEFI: If your motherboard has an outdated BIOS/UEFI, consider updating it, as newer versions may improve USB compatibility.
- Use a PS2 Keyboard/Mouse: As you mentioned, using a PS2 keyboard worked for you. If you have access to a PS2 keyboard/mouse, this can be a temporary solution until you resolve the USB issue.
- System Restore: If you can access the recovery options, consider performing a system restore to a point before the update if you suspect the update caused the issue.
If these steps do not resolve the issue, you may need to explore further troubleshooting options or consider reaching out to Microsoft support for assistance.
References:
AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.