How to Fix Errors Seen During the Computer Startup Process
Consider yourself lucky to see an error message
It might seem silly that we’ve written a set of instructions for «fixing errors» considering the thousands of possible error messages a computer user could see just from the time you turn the power on to when your desktop is up and available.
However, the fact that you have an error message puts you in a class of relatively lucky victims of computer failure. An error message gives you a specific place to work from, unlike a vague symptom like a computer that turns on but displays nothing or one that shows no sign of power at all.
If your computer is having trouble starting but isn’t showing any kind of error message, skip these instructions and instead see our How to Fix a Computer That Won’t Turn On guide for a better troubleshooting guide for whatever symptom your computer is experiencing.
How to Fix Errors Seen During the Computer Startup Process
Here’s what to do if you see an error message on your computer while your PC is trying to start:
Document the error message exactly. While this might seem obvious to some, transcribing the error message in its entirety and without mistake is possibly the most important thing you can do when you encounter an error message while your computer is starting.
Misspelling a DLL file or writing down the wrong characters in a STOP code could have you trying to fix a problem with a file, driver, or piece of hardware that you don’t actually have a problem with.
As we mentioned above, there are thousands of errors one might see during a computer’s startup process. However, there are a select few that seem to show up more regularly.
If you’re «fortunate» enough to receive one of these common errors, you can save yourself the trouble of searching around for a solution and instead get started on solving the problem that’s causing the error:
The error message you see doesn’t have to be exactly as we’ve listed above. For example, the hal.dll issue comes in various forms, but it will always mention hal.dll.
Have an error other than one listed above? No problem, you just aren’t experiencing one of the more common computer startup error messages. Move on to Step 3 below for help.
Search Lifewire from the top of this page for a troubleshooting guide specific to the error message. We have individual troubleshooting guides for well over one thousand specific error messages, and likely have one specific to the error you’re seeing when you turn on your computer.
An error message during startup is an indication of a specific problem, so it’s important to troubleshoot the specific issue the message is indicating and not to waste time testing unrelated pieces of hardware or replacing unrelated files.
If we don’t yet have specific troubleshooting information for your startup error, you might still benefit from a bit more information about the error.
Here are links to lists of error messages that you might see during startup:
We also keep a list of Device Manager error codes and HTTP status codes, but the types of issues that cause these errors aren’t the types that prevent Windows from starting.
If you haven’t already, you should also try to search for a solution to your problem using your favorite search engine.
For the best results, your search string should be surrounded in quotes so it’s searched as a continuous phrase, and it should include the complete error message or the file name that the error message references, assuming one is referenced.
Restart-Computer : Failed to restart the computer with the following error message: A system shutdown is in progress
I have installed updates on my Windows 2012r2 Machine and as usual, I did a reboot. However, it seems that the machine has hung itself during the reboot process and does not do a proper shutdown. I can initiate a connection via RDP, but not connect to the machine, I can also send commands via powershell, so I have tried sending a Force reboot:
The reply from the server is the following:
Is there a way to force the reboot and kill the processes?
2 Answers 2
I found this helpful.
Even when I couldn’t connect to the machine with PSTools, I was still able to connect via WinRM using Enter-PSSession and execute these commands locally.
Turns out that the System Event Notification Services was stuck, and killing it remotely did actually solve the issue:
First, I listed the running services on the remote machine:
Then I started to manually kill the processes with the above command.
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Fixed: The Computer Restarted Unexpectedly Loop Windows 10 Error [MiniTool Tips]
When you try to install the Windows system, but find the problem that the computer restarted unexpectedly loop Windows 10. Do you know how to get rid of this problem? If you don’t know, then this post from MiniTool is what you need. There are 6 methods offered for you.
The Computer Restarted Unexpectedly Loop Windows 10
If you receive an error message saying that “The computer restarted unexpectedly or encountered an unexpected error. Windows installation cannot proceed. To install Windows, click ‘OK’ to restart the computer, and then restart the installation” when you install Windows 10 or upgrade to Windows 10, you are not alone.
This error is very common. Sometimes you can get rid of this error message by clicking OK. But if you keep receiving the error message after clicking OK and get stuck in a continuous loop, then you should read this post carefully to fix the issue that the computer restarted unexpectedly loop Windows 10.
You may want to know what the exact cause of this issue is, but in fact, you can meet the error when your Registry files are corrupted, system files are damaged, hard disk is corrupted, the BIOS is outdated and other situations.
So how to fix “the computer restarted unexpectedly loop Windows 10”? The following part will tell you the answer.
Method 1: Disconnect All Your USB Devices
If you connect many different USB devices on your computer, then disconnecting all your USB devices on your computer may help you to fix “the computer restarted unexpectedly or encountered an unexpected error Windows 10”.
Sometimes, your USB devices’ drivers are not compatible with your operating system, and then the error appears. Therefore, when you meet the error, you should disconnect your USB devices such as printers and even your USB mouse and keyboard.
Then try to install Windows 10 again and check if the error still persists.
Method 2: Check Your Hard Drive Cables
You can meet “the computer restarted unexpectedly loop Windows 10” error when there is something wrong with your hard drive cables. Thus, you should check whether the cables that connect your motherboard and the hard drive are slacked, if it is, then you should change it.
But there is one thing that you need to pay attention: once you open your computer case, then you void your warranty. So you’d better take your computer to the official repair center if your computer is still under warranty.
After you have made sure that there is no problem with your hard drive cables, then you should have fixed the issue.
Method 3: Use Windows 10 Recovery Drive
If you still keep receiving the error message saying that the computer restarted unexpectedly or encountered an unexpected error, then you can use Windows 10 recovery drive to perform Startup Repair. Follow the instructions below to do that:
Create Windows 10 Recovery Drive
Step 1: Plug in a USB with at least 8 GB available space to a computer that runs normally.
Step 2: Type recovery drive in the Search bar and then click the Best Match one to open the Windows 10 Recovery Drive feature. Click Next.
Step 3: Select the USB flash drive and then click Next.
Step 4: Click Create to create the recovery drive.
Run Startup Repair
Step 1: Insert your recovery drive to your computer and then boot your computer using the recovery drive (change boot order).
Step 2: Click Repair your computer, and then navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced options.
Step 3: On the Advanced options screen, click Automatic Repair or Start-up Repair.
Step 4: Wait for the process to finish and then restart your computer to check if “the computer restarted unexpectedly loop Windows 10” error is fixed.
Method 4: Edit the Registry Editor
In most cases, the culprit of “the computer restarted unexpectedly loop Windows 10” error is corrupted setup.exe entry value data in Registry Editor. Therefore, you can edit the Registry Editor to correct it.
If you are on the error screen right now, then follow the instructions below to edit the Registry Editor:
Step 1: Boot your computer using the recovery drive and then enter the Advanced options screen to choose Command Prompt.
Step 2: Type regedit in the window and then press Enter to open Registry Editor.
Step 3: Navigate to the path: Computer/HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SYSTEM/Setup/Status/ChildCompletion.
Step 4: Double-click setup.exe in the right panel and then change the Value data to 3. Click OK to confirm changes.
Step 5: Close Registry Editor and Command Prompt, then click OK on the error message to restart your computer.
After you restart your computer, the error should have fixed and the installation process should continue.
Method 5: Update Your BIOS
If none of the methods help you to get rid of “the computer restarted unexpectedly loop Windows 10” error, then you should try to update your BIOS.
But it is very complex to update your BIOS. And if the process isn’t performed properly, then it may cause serious damage to your computer, so it is best to check your motherboard manual to update your BIOS.
And if you still worry about causing problems, then you can read this post — How to Update BIOS Windows 10 | How to Check BIOS Version to get some instructions or find an expert to do that.
After you have updated your BIOS, “the computer restarted unexpectedly loop Windows 10” error should have gone.
Method 6: Perform a Clean Installation
The last method you can try to fix “the computer restarted unexpectedly loop Windows 10” error is to perform a clean installation of Windows 10. But this method will remove all the files, folders and settings from your computer. So you had better back up your important files to avoid losing data.
Here are brief instructions to perform a clean installation of Windows 10:
Step 1: Download the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft on a USB flash drive with at least 8 GB flash drive and then create a USB bootable drive using this tool.
Step 2: Insert the USB bootable drive to your computer and then boot your computer from the USB (change the boot order).
Step 3: Click Install Now and then follow the instructions showing on the screen to perform a clean installation.
After performing a clean installation of your system, you should get rid of “the computer restarted unexpectedly loop Windows 10” error.
Top Recommended: Back up Your System
You may lose data when you meet “the computer restarted unexpectedly loop Windows 10” error and other situations. And sometimes your system will crash because of virus attacks, so in order to protect your computer and easily perform recovery solutions, you should back up your system when your computer is in a normal state.
Speaking of backup, there is a piece of reliable and professional backup software for Windows system – MiniTool ShadowMaker. It is pretty safe and easy to back up your system.
Besides, this tool allows you to back up files and folders, disks and partitions. And this software can not only restore your system image to your original device, but also to other computers.
What’s more, MiniTool ShadowMaker enables you to sync files and folders to other locations and use the Disk Clone feature to create a bootable external hard drive. And now you can get MiniTool ShadowMaker Trial Edition and install it on your computer for free use within 30 days.
Follow the instructions to back up your system using MiniTool ShadowMaker:
Step 1: Download and launch MiniTool ShadowMaker, then click Keep Trial.
Step 2: Go to the Backup page. MiniTool ShadowMaker backs up the operating system and selects the destination automatically. So just click Back Up Now to start backing up your system.
Step 4: Wait for MiniTool ShadowMaker to complete the backup task. You can check the backup progress on the Manage page.
The video below shows you more:
Bottom Line
How to fix “the computer restarted unexpectedly loop Windows 10” error? This post has offered multiple useful and efficient methods for you. Thus, if you meet the error message stating that “The computer restarted unexpectedly or encountered an unexpected error. Windows installation cannot proceed.”, try the methods mentioned above.
In addition, it is wise to back up your system when your computer runs normally so that you can easily restore your system when your system crashes.
If you have any confusion about the methods or have any better solution to deal with the problem, leave a comment below or send an email to [email protected] .