Question:

How to fix a boot loop caused by stop code 0x000021a without losing data?

I have a PC that I bought from a friend a few years ago. Recently, it started to show a blue screen with a sad face and the message “Your device ran into a problem and needs to restart. We’re just collecting some error info, and then we’ll restart for you”. However, it never restarts properly and keeps looping back to the same blue screen. The stop code is 0x000021a. I cannot log in to my account even after resetting the password. I have five hard drives and I do not want to erase any of them because they contain important photos and music files. Is there any way to fix this problem without losing my data? #computerproblem

Answer:

If you are experiencing a boot loop on your Windows 10 PC with the stop code 0x000021a, you are not alone. This error indicates that a critical system process or service has failed or terminated unexpectedly, preventing Windows from booting normally. There are several possible causes for this error, such as corrupted system files, faulty drivers, malware infection, hardware failure, or BIOS settings. Fortunately, there are some solutions that you can try to fix this problem without losing your data. Here are some of them:

1. Boot into Safe Mode with Networking

Safe Mode is a diagnostic mode that allows Windows to run with minimal drivers and services, which can help you troubleshoot the problem and access your files. To boot into Safe Mode with Networking, you need to interrupt the boot loop by holding down the power button for about 10 seconds to switch off your PC. Then, turn it back on and repeat this process three times until you see the Windows Recovery Environment screen. From there, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart. After your PC restarts, press F5 to enable Safe Mode with Networking.

Once you are in Safe Mode, you can try to back up your important files to an external drive or cloud storage, scan your PC for malware using a reliable antivirus program, update or uninstall any problematic drivers, or perform a system restore to a previous point when your PC was working fine.

2. Run Startup Repair

Startup Repair is a built-in tool that can automatically fix some common boot problems. To run Startup Repair, you need to boot from a Windows 10 installation media, such as a USB flash drive or a DVD. If you don’t have one, you can create one on another PC using the Media Creation Tool or the alternate download site. Once you have the installation media, insert it into your PC and boot from it by pressing the BIOS Boot Menu Key and choosing the boot device as a UEFI device if offered. Then, on the second screen, select Repair your computer > Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Repair. Follow the on-screen instructions and wait for the process to complete.

3. Disable Driver Signature Enforcement

Driver Signature Enforcement is a security feature that prevents Windows from loading drivers that are not digitally signed by Microsoft. However, this feature can also cause some compatibility issues with certain drivers, especially if they are outdated or corrupted. To disable Driver Signature Enforcement, you need to boot from the Windows 10 installation media as described in the previous step. Then, select Repair your computer > Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart. After your PC restarts, press F7 to disable Driver Signature Enforcement. Then, try to boot into Windows normally and see if the error is resolved.

4. Fix hard drive corruption and repair system files

Hard drive corruption and system file damage can also trigger the stop code 0x000021a error. To fix these issues, you need to run some commands from the Command Prompt of the Windows 10 installation media. To access the Command Prompt, boot from the installation media and select Repair your computer > Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt. Then, type the following commands and press Enter after each one:

• `chkdsk /f /r` : This command will scan and repair any errors on your hard drive. It may take some time to complete, so be patient.
• `sfc /scannow` : This command will scan and repair any corrupted or missing system files. It may also take some time to finish, so wait for it to complete.
• `dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth` : This command will use Windows Update to repair the system image. It requires an active internet connection, so make sure you are connected to a network.

After running these commands, reboot your PC and see if the error is fixed.

Conclusion

The

stop code 0x000021a error can be a frustrating and persistent problem that prevents you from using your PC normally. However, by following the solutions above, you may be able to fix it without losing your data. If none of them work, you may need to contact a professional technician or the system manufacturer for further assistance. We hope this article was helpful and informative. Thank you for reading. #computerproblem