Question:

How to fix a Windows 11 PC that is stuck in a restart loop after a factory reset?

I performed a factory reset on my Windows 11 PC because of some issues with the settings app and other functions. However, after the reset, the PC keeps showing me a page that says “Why did my PC restart?” and asks me to check for updates. I have a stable internet connection via an ethernet cable, but the PC does not seem to download or install any updates. Instead, it goes to a “Just a Moment” screen, then restarts and repeats the same process. This has been happening for over an hour and I am worried that I have permanently damaged my PC. Is there any way to stop this loop and access my PC normally? I have invested a lot of time and money into this PC and I do not want to lose it because of a simple reset. Please help.

Answer:

A factory reset is a process that restores your PC to its original state, deleting all your personal files, settings, and applications. It is usually done when your PC is experiencing serious problems, such as malware infection, corrupted system files, or hardware failure. However, sometimes a factory reset can also cause problems, such as a restart loop. This is when your PC keeps rebooting itself without completing the reset process, preventing you from accessing your desktop or any other functions.

There are several possible causes for a restart loop after a factory reset, such as:

• A faulty or incompatible driver or hardware component
• A corrupted or missing boot file or partition
• A power outage or surge during the reset process
• A glitch or bug in the Windows 11 update or installation

Fortunately, there are also some possible solutions to fix this issue and stop the restart loop. Here are some steps that you can try:

Step 1: Enter Safe Mode

Safe Mode is a diagnostic mode that allows you to start your PC with only the essential drivers and services. It can help you troubleshoot and fix various problems, such as a restart loop. To enter Safe Mode, you need to interrupt the restart loop by holding down the power button for 10 seconds until your PC shuts down. Then, turn on your PC and press the F8 key repeatedly until you see the Advanced Boot Options menu. From there, select Safe Mode with Networking and press Enter.

If you can successfully enter Safe Mode, you can try to uninstall any recent updates or drivers that may have caused the restart loop. To do this, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > View update history > Uninstall updates. Then, select the updates that you want to remove and click Uninstall. Alternatively, you can go to Device Manager and right-click on any device that has a yellow exclamation mark or a red cross. Then, select Uninstall device and confirm. After that, restart your PC and see if the restart loop is fixed.

Step 2: Perform a Startup Repair

Startup Repair is a tool that can automatically fix common problems that prevent your PC from starting up, such as a restart loop. To perform a Startup Repair, you need to boot your PC from a Windows 11 installation media, such as a USB flash drive or a DVD. If you don’t have one, you can create one using another PC and the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft’s website. Once you have the installation media, insert it into your PC and restart it. Then, press any key to boot from the media and select your language and keyboard layout. Next, click on Repair your computer and select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Repair. Then, follow the on-screen instructions and wait for the repair process to complete. After that, restart your PC and see if the restart loop is fixed.

Step 3: Restore your PC from a System Restore Point

A System Restore Point is a snapshot of your PC’s system files and settings at a certain point in time. It can help you restore your PC to a previous working state, such as before the factory reset. To restore your PC from a System Restore Point, you need to follow the same steps as in Step 2 to boot your PC from a Windows 11 installation media. Then, click on Repair your computer and select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > System Restore. Then, choose a restore point that was created before the factory reset and click Next. Then, confirm your choice and wait for the restore process to complete. After that, restart your PC and see if the restart loop is fixed.

Step 4: Reset your PC again

If none of the above steps work, you may need to reset your PC again, but this time using the installation media. This can help you reinstall Windows 11 and fix any corrupted or missing files that may have caused the restart loop. To reset your PC again, you need to follow the same steps as in Step 2 to boot your PC from a Windows 11 installation media. Then, click on Install now and accept the license terms. Next, click on Custom: Install Windows only (advanced) and select the drive where you want to install Windows 11. Then, click on Next and wait for the installation process to complete. After that, follow the on-screen instructions to set up your PC and see if the restart loop is fixed.

Conclusion

A

restart loop after a factory reset can be a very annoying and stressful problem, but it is not necessarily a permanent one. There are some possible solutions that you can try to fix this issue and restore your PC to normal, such as entering Safe Mode, performing a Startup Repair, restoring your PC from a System Restore Point, or resetting your PC again. However, before you try any of these steps, make sure that you have a backup of your important data, as some of them may delete your personal files or settings. Also, if you are not comfortable or confident with performing these steps, you may want to seek professional help or contact Microsoft support for further assistance. I hope this article was helpful and informative for you. Thank you for reading.