Laptop stuck on “restarting” screen for 3 hours

Hi MylanMD -

I'm Kevin B. Independent advisor and a Windows user like you. I do apologize for the inconvenience that you experiencing right now, let me help you sort things out.

The registry or Windows registry is a database of information, settings, options, and other values for software and hardware installed on all versions of Microsoft Windows operating systems. Making any changes on the registry will affect the entire functionality of windows operating system and might caused major errors if changes anything incorrectly.

Since computer is restarting for 3 hours now which is unusual for a computer, it appears that computer might have been stuck on something. My best advice is to shut down the computer and make some repairs on it. Please press and hold the power button on your computer until computer shuts down. Once computer shuts down please try to boot your computer in safemode:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/sta...

Once booted in safemode please do perform the below steps and check if windows can boot normally after:

Method 1: Perform SFC Scan and Repair Windows Image

-This process will perform scan for any corrupted system files or integrity violation and will attempt to repair it along with the Windows Image.

1. Open command prompt with administrator access
2. Type each command below and wait until scan is completed.

* sfc /scannow

* DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth

* DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth

* DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Quick note: While the command is running, it's expected to see the process stuck at 20 or 40 percent. After a few minutes, the process will complete successfully.

Once you complete the steps, the Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool will connect to the Windows Update servers to download and replace any damaged files in the local image for Windows 10 as necessary.

3. Close the command prompt.

Method 2: Perform Clean Boot

• This process will eliminate 3rd party application running in the background of your computer along with services that are not needed to run windows. If there's any conflicting 3rd party application that causes the issue on your computer, this process will stop it.

1. Open the run box by pressing the Windows Key + R and type msconfig
2. System Configuration Utility box will open and by default you are on general tab.
3. On the General tab, click the selective startup and make sure that load system service and load startup items both have checked mark.
4. Click on services tab
5. Put a check mark on Hide All Microsoft Services > This is a very important part as if you miss to click on this, computer might not boot properly or permanently and will end up on clean installation.
6. Once Hide all Microsoft Services have checked mark on it, click on Disable All
7. Click on the Startup Tab and click open task manager. This will open another window which contains all your startup applications on the administrator account.
8. Disable all application that you're not using. You can simply just click on them and select disable.
9. Click OK , Apply and close the configuration utility

Method 3: Perform system restore

-This process will take your computer settings back to an earlier point in time where computer is working fine. If there's any changes made on your computer that removes the service, system restore should be able to fix the issue for you. To perform system restore please follow the steps below:

1. Open the run box by pressing the Windows key + R and type rstrui.exe
2. Once system restore windows open, normally it will suggest a restore point (sometimes it doesn't) if it does, select the 2nd option and hit next
3. Select your desired restore point date and time and hit next and finish.

Windows will going to restart your computer to initiate system restore. System restore might take several minutes to complete depending on the current speed of your computer and the changes it will made. Applications and updates that was installed on the computer prior to the date selected will be removed. It is important that when system restore starts, process must not be interrupted.

DISCLAIMER:

System Restore is a recovery tool for Windows that allows you to reverse certain kinds of changes made to the operating system. System Restore is used to return important Windows files and settings—like drivers, registry keys, system files, installed programs, and more—back to previous versions and settings. Being said all applications and changes made prior to the date selected will be removed and needs to be re-installed if its needed.

Feel free to reach back to us if you need further assistance

Hope this will help and have a bless day!

Thanks.

Kevin B.

Independent advisor

Hi MylanMD -

Thanks for the swift response and I'm glad that we are able to resolve your issue.

Please let me know if you have any further questions. If you have a moment, it would be greatly appreciated if you would rate my assistance in handling your ticket and have a great day!

Cheers!

Kevin B.

Independent advisor

Thank you so much for all the detailed steps! It was all very helpful and my laptop it running with all my original files :’)