My laptop is a brick after latest update, how can I get it fixed?

Question

I did an install and shut down on my laptop (gateway) a few days ago. Today when I opened it to do school work, it started with a boot loop. However it would never get to recovery mode. It just kept turning itself off and on, when it did get to a screen os was for a bit locker recovery, but it shuts down again before I could even get a good look at the page. Now, it will not even start, the power light just cones on and turns off. I've plugged it in, it has a full charge. How do I get my laptop back in working order if I can't even get it on? I do have video of what it is doing before it just finally became a brick.

Answer 1

Hi Luce,

Thank you for reaching out, and I'm sorry to hear about the situation you're facing with your laptop. Let's work through some troubleshooting steps to address the issue. Since your laptop is not booting and appears to be stuck in a boot loop, here are some official recommendations based on Windows recovery options.

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1. Hard Reset or Power Cycle the Device

• Disconnect all external devices (USB drives, external hard drives, peripherals, etc.).
• Hold down the power button for at least 15–20 seconds to fully discharge the device.
• Wait a few moments, then press the power button again to try restarting the laptop.

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2. Access the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE)

If the device powers on but can't boot, you may be able to manually force entry into recovery:

• Turn the laptop off completely, and then turn it back on.
• As it starts up, repeatedly press the F8, F12, or the correct "boot options" key for your laptop brand (Gateway laptops typically use F2, F8, or DEL).
• If successful, WinRE will load. Use the Startup Repair feature:
  • Select Advanced Options > Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Repair.

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3. Restore Using a Windows Installation Media

If WinRE is not accessible:

• Use another functional PC to create a bootable Windows installation media. Follow these steps:
  1. Download the Windows Media Creation Tool (or for Windows 11: here).
     1. Use the tool to create a bootable USB drive.
     • Plug the USB into your laptop and boot from it by:
       1. Pressing the boot menu key (usually F12 or ESC on Gateway laptops while booting).
          1. Choosing to boot from the USB drive.
          • Select "Repair your computer" when prompted, not "Install Windows."
          • Use the available recovery tools (Startup Repair, System Restore, Command Prompt, Reset this PC, etc.).

For detailed steps, Microsoft provides guidance for bootable media recovery here: Recovery Options in Windows.

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4. Suspect BitLocker Activation

The appearance of a BitLocker recovery screen suggests encryption has been enabled. If the device suddenly shuts down before you can interact with it:

• First, confirm if BitLocker is enabled. Recovery may require:
  • Your BitLocker recovery key. You can find it by logging into your Microsoft account associated with the laptop: Retrieve BitLocker Key.
  • If you cannot retrieve the key and the device cannot access recovery tools, reinstallation of Windows may be required.

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5. Contact Support

If none of the above works or the laptop does not respond at all (power light turns on and immediately off), the issue might be hardware-related. In this case:

• Reach out to the manufacturer's support for Gateway laptops for further assistance.
• You can also contact Microsoft Support to look into potential update-related issues. Start here: Contact Microsoft Support.

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Final Note

If you're able to recover the system but still suspect the most recent update caused issues, you can prevent it from reinstalling by referring to this guide: How to Uninstall Updates and Block Them.

Let me know if you need further guidance or clarification on any of the steps!

Answer 2

Hi,

To troubleshoot the laptop that is stuck in a boot loop and now won't start, follow these steps:

1. Perform a Hard Reset: Unplug the charger and remove the battery (if removable). Press and hold the power button for 30 seconds to discharge any residual power. Reinsert the battery and plug in the charger, then try turning on the laptop.
2. Inspect the RAM: Open the back cover of your laptop, locate the RAM modules, and carefully remove and reinsert them. Sometimes, a loose connection can cause boot issues. If you have multiple RAM sticks, try booting the laptop with one stick at a time to identify if one is faulty.
3. Check the Power Adapter: Ensure the charger is working properly by testing it with another device or using a multimeter to check the output voltage.
4. Check for Overheating: Ensure the laptop's vents are not blocked by dust or debris. Overheating can cause the laptop to shut down as a safety measure.

Best Regards,

Ian Xue

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