Win 10 / 11 · Maintenance

Start Windows in Safe Mode

Safe Mode loads Windows with only the drivers it cannot do without. If a problem disappears there, it's software — and knowing that one fact saves hours of guessing.

DifficultyEasy
Time5 min
RiskLow
ReversibleYes
PlatformWin 10 / 11
UpdatedOct 3, 2026

Written and tested by emdottech

What that means

Low risk. This fix only checks things, or changes settings you can switch back in the same place. This change is reversible — you can return to the previous state without professional help or data loss.

Steps

01
- From a working desktop:SettingsSystemRecoveryAdvanced startupRestart now
02
- From the sign-in screen: hold Shift while you click Restart
03
- Before you boot into Safe Mode: on Windows 11 24H2 your PIN may not work there, so make sure you know your account password first
04
- Then follow TroubleshootAdvanced optionsStartup SettingsRestart, and press 4 for Safe Mode or 5 if you need networking
05
- If Windows won't boot at all, cut the power during startup three times running — the fourth attempt opens Recovery on its own
06
- If it keeps booting into Safe Mode afterwards: WinRmsconfigBoot tabuntick Safe boot

How to verify the fix

Windows boots into Safe Mode (option 4/5), and you can confirm whether the problem disappears there.

If this didn't fix it

It keeps booting into Safe Mode afterwards — untick Safe boot in msconfig → Boot tab to return to normal startup.

Next stop: the related fixes below, or start a guided diagnosis.

Still stuck? Diagnose my problem Browse all Windows fixes

Start Windows in Safe Mode

Steps

✓How to verify the fix

!If this didn't fix it

Related fixes

How to verify the fix

If this didn't fix it