Cannot complete Windows 11 OOBE

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Cannot complete Windows 11 OOBE

Andrew Bardgett 0

I have taken delivery of a new Dell DS16260 laptop. I connected to WIFi and it went through checking for updates etc but when I go through the OOBE and select United Kingdom as the right region the next page says something has gone wrong. Clicking skip or try again doesn't get me any further. I can't access the task manager. I can't seem to contact an advisor. Can you help.

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Answer 1

Anuraag Roy 260 Independent Advisor

Greetings Andrew,

Hi, I'm Anuraag, an Independent Windows Advisor and a Microsoft customer. I'd be happy to look into this for you.

Thanks for posting your query here.

You mentioned that you get an error saying something went wrong. Does it specify any error code?

Also, when you shut down the PC, does it loop into the OOBE?

If yes, restart the loop, but this time don't connect to your Wi-Fi (if possible); instead, try to do the setup without internet. Does it still crash or displays an error?

Regards,

Anuraag Roy

Andrew Bardgett 0 Reputation points

2026-06-18T18:25:12.9333333+00:00

When United Kingdom is selected for region the next page comes up with Something went wrong. Underneath, in red, is OOBEREGION - which I presume is an error code.

When you shut down, on restart, the OOBE starts again, it still does that with the WiFi turned off, and it shows the same screen and error.
Anuraag Roy 260 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-06-18T18:37:34.59+00:00

Andrew, can you try some other region for now- maybe the US? We can always switch regions back to our preferred ones.
Andrew Bardgett 0 Reputation points

2026-06-18T18:52:26.35+00:00

When United Kingdom is selected for region the next page comes up with Something went wrong. Underneath, in red, is OOBEREGION - which I presume is an error code.

When you shut down, on restart, the OOBE starts again, it still does that with the WiFi turned off, and it shows the same screen and error.
Andrew Bardgett 0 Reputation points

2026-06-18T18:54:24.5+00:00

Does the same when selecting US as the region
Anuraag Roy 260 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-06-18T19:11:40.7333333+00:00
Thanks, Andrew. As it's a brand-new PC and we have nothing to lose, we can repair the OS using the recovery image that generally gets shipped by Dell.
Power off the laptop.

Turn it on and repeatedly press F12 to open the Boot Menu.

Choose SupportAssist OS Recovery.

Select Repair or Reset Windows. → Dell’s recovery environment will reinstall Windows cleanly with the correct region files.

Here's the official Guide(check the video guide); please play it from 1:20 for "Reinstall Windows with SupportAssist OS recovery."

https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-uk/000177401/restore-your-system-using-dell-supportassist-os-recovery

Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before downloading and installing it.
Andrew Bardgett 0 Reputation points

2026-06-18T21:20:28.6266667+00:00

System has started and installed updates. I now have a problem with signing into my microsoft account. On my old laptop, which is to be replaced by the new Windows 11 one, I signed in with my keypad and a password. Now the options are scanning a QR code which responds by saying I have no saved passkeys in my icloud keychain. I don't know how to resolve that.
Andrew Bardgett 0 Reputation points

2026-06-18T21:22:20.4633333+00:00

PS It's now bed time after a very long day trying to setup the laptop. I will follow up any answers tomorrow.
Andrew Bardgett 0 Reputation points

2026-06-18T21:36:20.82+00:00

But I have tried to get a code to verify my account. The response is that a code has been sent to my email but none has arrived - I have checked spam and trash as well as my inbox.
Anuraag Roy 260 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-06-19T08:10:05.4233333+00:00

Hey Andrew, that's good news that at least we are out of the OOBE loop!
In regard to the Sign-in, could you maybe try to access your Microsoft Account online and see if anything has changed with the security?

https://account.microsoft.com/
Andrew Bardgett 0 Reputation points

2026-06-19T09:14:38.2766667+00:00

Afraid not ! Switched on this morning and it has stuck at OOBELANGUAGE.
Anuraag Roy 260 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-06-19T10:41:01.9+00:00

Hi Andrew, sorry to hear that.

We might need to repeat yesterday's step; I am not too willing to suggest that you download a fresh copy of Windows just yet.

But before you repeat yesterday's process, we need to ensure that we don't get stuck anywhere after the rest of the OS uses the Dell's recovery environment.

First, we need to ensure that your account is valid and ready, so try to log in to your Microsoft account from:

https://account.microsoft.com/

If you automatically get logged in when you click on the above link, I would suggest getting into the Incognito/ InPrivate window, then go to the above URL, and use the credentials that you remember to sign in to your Microsoft Account to verify you have everything right.

Once we have all the info, you can try to reset the PC and use the correct information.

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Cannot complete Windows 11 OOBE

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