Windows won’t start

'Your PC ran into a problem' screen appears every time you start it

Instead of loading Windows, you consistently see a screen (often blue or black, sometimes with a sad face icon) saying your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart, and it happens on essentially every boot attempt.

Difficulty
Intermediate
Time
30–120 minutes
DIY cost
$0
Pro cost
$100–$200

Symptoms

  • Same problem screen appears on repeated startup attempts
  • May show a percentage counting up before restarting
  • Sometimes includes a QR code or short error phrase
  • Screen may look like a crash screen rather than a repair menu

Likely causes

  • CommonA driver or system file issue causing a repeated crash at the same startup stageWhatever loads at that point in startup is triggering the same failure every time.
  • CommonCorrupted Windows installation filesWidespread file damage can cause a very reproducible crash pattern.
  • PossibleFailing drive causing consistent read errors at the same file locationPhysical drive damage can affect the same files every time, causing a repeatable crash.
  • PossibleRecently installed software or driver that loads early in startupSome third-party software integrates deeply enough to crash the boot process if it's faulty.
  • Less commonMalware that has embedded itself in the startup processSome malware causes instability that presents as a repeatable crash.

What to do

  1. Note the specific stop code or short error phrase shown, if any, since it narrows down the cause significantly.
  2. Interrupt startup 2–3 times to reach the Recovery Environment, then run Startup Repair first.
  3. From Recovery Environment Command Prompt, run 'chkdsk C: /f /r' followed by 'sfc /scannow' to check for disk and file corruption.
  4. Try Safe Mode; if Windows loads there, uninstall any recently added software or drivers that might be causing the crash in normal mode.
  5. If a recent update is the likely trigger, use 'Uninstall Updates' under Advanced options to remove it.
  6. Try System Restore to a point before the problem began, if a restore point is available.
  7. If none of these steps work, back up accessible files and consider 'Reset this PC' with 'Keep my files,' which reinstalls Windows components while preserving personal data.

Tools and parts

  • Bootable Windows recovery USB drive

When to call a pro

If the same crash screen persists through Startup Repair, chkdsk, and Reset this PC, a technician can interpret the crash details and check for underlying hardware failure.

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.