Windows won’t start

Laptop stuck on the manufacturer logo screen at startup

The laptop shows the manufacturer's logo (Dell, HP, Lenovo, ASUS, etc.) right at the start of the boot process and never gets past it to load Windows.

Difficulty
Moderate
Time
20–60 minutes
DIY cost
$0
Pro cost
$80–$200

Symptoms

  • Manufacturer logo appears and stays indefinitely
  • Never reaches the Windows logo or spinning dots
  • Keyboard shortcuts to enter BIOS may or may not respond
  • Fans run and the laptop otherwise seems powered on normally

Likely causes

  • CommonFailure before Windows even starts loading (pre-boot hang)This stage is controlled by the laptop's firmware, before the OS is involved at all.
  • CommonFailing or disconnected storage driveIf the firmware can't find a bootable drive, it can hang at its own splash screen rather than showing an error.
  • PossibleFailing RAMBad memory can cause a hang very early, before diagnostic messages appear.
  • PossibleCorrupted BIOS/UEFI firmwareA failed firmware update or corruption can freeze the pre-boot process.
  • Less commonOverheating or a failing battery/power delivery issuePower instability can prevent the system from progressing past initial power-on.

What to do

  1. Hold the power button for 10–15 seconds to force a shutdown, then wait a few seconds before powering on again.
  2. Try repeatedly tapping the key for BIOS setup (commonly F2, F10, Del, or Esc depending on brand) right at power-on to see if you can reach the firmware menu at all.
  3. If you can reach BIOS, check that the internal drive is detected under storage information.
  4. If the laptop has a removable battery, remove it along with the charger for 30 seconds, then reconnect and try powering on with just the charger.
  5. If you recently added or removed RAM, reseat it or restore the original configuration.
  6. Try booting from a USB Windows installer to see if the PC gets further than the logo screen when trying to boot from external media.
  7. If BIOS itself is unreachable and the logo never disappears regardless of what you try, this points to a firmware or hardware fault needing professional service.

Tools and parts

  • Bootable Windows installation USB drive, to test booting from external media

When to call a pro

If you can't reach BIOS setup at all and the logo never clears, the laptop likely needs professional diagnosis of the motherboard, RAM, or storage connection.

Safety

Generally low risk

Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.

Related guides

Operator provides AI-generated troubleshooting information. It can be wrong. For safety-critical, electrical, gas, structural, medical, automotive safety, or other high-risk problems, consult a qualified professional.