windows server 2019 std - spinning dots on load

Question

I have 2 windows server 2019 std VM's running in VMware that after a reboot will not finish loading. I am stuck a black screen with white spinning dots.

I can connect to both servers via powershell and run commands. I can manage both via server manager from another server. In both cases services are running including MSSQL 2016. The SQL instance is functional.

However I cannot RDP or console into either server. Both are stuck at the white spinning dots. One has been at like this for over a week.

Answer 1

This is 100% the issue
https://eicee13.wordpress.com/2020/04/10/black-screen-when-booting-up-windows-server-2019/

As mentioned I created a GPO that modified the “Bypass Traverse Checking” setting.
I moved the server out of the OU that the GPO was assigned to and after 2 reboots the server came up.

I will do some more testing but I think this is it.

Answer 2

When time permits you might try booting, then F8 at startup and try Safe Mode and or Safe Mode with Networking to see if you can get further.

Answer 3

Maybe this one?
https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/2034627

--please don't forget to upvote and Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--

Answer 4

Troubleshooting:

Attempt to boot into Safe Mode: Black Screen. Doesnt ping. of course cant connect via remote powershell

Attempt to boot in Safe mode w/ networking: Black Screen. Doesnt ping. of course cant connect via remote powershell

Attempt to boot into Safe Mode w/ command prompt: Black Screen. Doesnt ping. of course cant connect via remote powershell

I've also tried: Via remote powershell:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
SFC /scannow
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /revertpendingactions

None worked.

I am now looking into an article that mentions certain Group Policy setting "Bypass Traverse Checking" to be exact. I did create a GPO that changes this value. I changed this value as part of a configuration that was needed for a MSSQL 2016 ssis deploy package

https://eicee13.wordpress.com/2020/04/10/black-screen-when-booting-up-windows-server-2019/

I'll see what this article has to say and report back

Answer 5

Hello

Thank you for your question and reaching out. I can understand you are having issues related to accessing VM console.

It can be due to Windows update stuck and displaying black or blank screen.

1. Please try to Re-Install VMWare tools or Integration services.
2. To recover access to the GUI of the server, you can perform the next steps :

remotely execute command (with WMIC /node:machinename process call create “<commandline here>” ,-keep the quotes-) on the box:

sc queryex wuauserv

Once you had the PID (Process ID) I could then kill the task with the following:

taskkill /PID [process ID] /F

Then you can proceed with executing this "rollback" command line from the server to stop bootloop if any:

Dism /Image:C:\ /Cleanup-Image /revertpendingactions

There are several of other options to try to resolve the root issue here:
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/windows-10-update-says-updating-your-system100-for/4f262021-f06b-49ca-9b25-4f901c3f11eb?auth=1

---

--If the reply is helpful, please Upvote and Accept as answer--