Windows 10 update loop

Question

Hello, 

I'm currently stuck in a windows 10 update loop. Updating from version 1909 to 2004. It's been stuck like this on the "Restarting" screen for a while now and hasn't done anything else. Strangely enough my hard disk light is flickering, even though nothing is happening on the screen. Any help is appreciated. 

Answer 1

HI BC. I'm Greg, an installation specialist, 10 years awarded Windows MVP, and Volunteer Moderator, here to help you.

I'd let it run overnight to see if it can get past choking on the upgrade - usually due to a corrupted account or install, or broken system files.

If not power off by holding in the power button for 30 seconds, let it cool down, start it up to see what happens. It may complete, continue in the loop or roll back.

Here are steps to recover from failed Version Update install which causes Windows to fail to start or function. If any steps won't work then report back and move on to the next. At least one step will always work, leading up to if necessary doing an automated Reset or a gold standard Clean Install:

1. Try whichever method works in this tutorial link to get into Advanced Startup Options to Go Back to Old Version: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/2294-advanc....

Easiest is to restart or force shutdown the PC 3 times to force it into Repair Mode.

If you are able to access Go Back and it fails, skip to step 3.

2. If necessary borrow another PC and follow the steps in the middle of this download page to create bootable installation media to access the repair options if not accessible by any other method: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m.... The bootable media is also the only method that doesn't require the password if you're stuck on that.

Boot media by powering up the PC while pressing the BIOS Boot Menu Key: https://www.sysnative.com/forums/hardware-tutor...

You may need to enter BIOS/UEFI Setup to turn off Fast Boot if it won't allow the Boot Menu key to interrupt starting Windows: https://www.mydigitallife.net/comprehensive-lis...

Choose UEFI version of media if offered, browse to second screen to Repair Your Computer link.

3. Choose Advanced Troubleshoot options to choose More Options to Go Back to Old Version.

If it rolls back then you can hide the Version Upgrade responsible until it mature by running immediately the Hide Updates tool: https://www.howtogeek.com/224471/how-to-prevent...

If this fails try a Startup Repair, or go back to Troubleshoot Options on the previous screen to Reset your PC which will save your files while reinstalling Windows.

4. If that fails you can use the booted media created in Step 2 to Clean Install the latest version which should get you past all difficulties as it has hundreds of thousands of others who have followed the steps in this link and never come back to report another problem: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki... The link compiles the best possible install of Windows 10 that will stay that way as long as you stick with the tools and methods given.

There is a step to rescue files from the same bootable media: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

Make sure during the booted install to follow the illustrated steps to delete all partitions down to Unallocated Space to get it cleanest, then click Next to let it auto-create the needed partitions, format them and begin install - this makes it foolproof.

The media provided for the Clean Install is latest and normally the problems go away with the Clean Install, and I will be here to help troubleshoot any. However if they don't you can find earlier version media to use here: https://tb.rg-adguard.net/public.php

Burn to DVD or create bootable 8+gb flash stick installer using this tool installed to Windows: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/detail...

Then once you're back in Windows 10, you can block the problem Update using one of these methods:

https://www.howtogeek.com/223864/how-to-uninsta...

For Version Updates the most stable method to install is using the media as shown in these steps for overcoming Version Upgrade problems: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

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Answer 2

I let the computer run overnight plus an extra 6 hours. Then when I realized that it was still on the restart loop, I turned off the computer and booted it back up, and it worked just fine. For extra measure, I checked the Windows Update screen and it took a long time to load (probably because I just started the computer up) but showed that nothing had changed. 

Thanks for providing a solution.

Answer 3

I am glad to help. I'd bookmark this page in case you have any further problems as you can contact me here and still have the steps that fix most Update problems.

Let me know if there's anything else.

Also when ready please mark the post which helped most as the Answer (or Resolved), to help others. A rating is also appreciated.