Why Windows 11 Is Not Booting Up? 5 Ways to Fix It

Error: Windows 11 Is Not Booting Up

How to Fix Windows 11 Won’t Boot Problem

Before starting the repair method we provided with you in this article, you should make sure that your computer meets the minimum system requirements for Windows 11. After making sure your device is qualified to run Windows 11, try the following methods in turn to fix the Windows 11 not booting up issue.

Way 1. Check Computer Hardware

First, press the power button and listen for sounds from the cooling fan or the hard drive. If you don’t hear anything, the computer may not be receiving power. In this case, unplug the power cord and plug it back in. For laptops, try charging the battery for a few more hours. You can also test with a different power cord to rule out issues with the original one.

If you hear the internal system running, check your monitor. Make sure its power cord is securely connected, and consider trying a new power cord as well. Additionally, unplug and reconnect any peripherals connected to your system.

Way 2. Check TPM and Secure Boot Mode

The newer Windows 11 updates are rapidly changing the operating system and the way it works. You need to make sure your TPM and Secure Boot are on, otherwise it may cause problems with Windows 11 not booting up.

1. Press Windows + R to open Run dialog. Type tpm.msc and click on OK.

2. Look at the Status section and make sure you see the following message: The TPM is ready for use.

3. If the TPM is disabled, you can refer to this article to enable TPM on Windows 11.
4. Then you need to check the Secure Boot mode on your computer. Click the Start button and search for System Information.
5. On the System Summary option, select the Secure Boot. If it reads On, then Secure Boot is enabled. If it reads Off, Secure Boot is disabled and you need to turn Secure Boot on for fixing Windows 11 won’t boot problem.

Way 3. Run Windows Automatic Repair in Safe Mode

Like Windows 10, Windows 11 has an automatic repair mode to fix your computer. When encountering Windows 11 not booting up problem, you can run Startup Repair.

1. Repeatedly perform a forced shutdown. Press and hold the power button for about 5-7 seconds. Turn the system on and force shutdown again. Repeat about four times. The next time the computer should automatically boot into the Windows Recovery Environment.
2. Choose Advanced options when the recovery screen appears. Then click Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Repair.

It will take from a few seconds to minutes to fix common Windows 11 boot issues.

Way 4. Rebuild MBR via CMD

The Master Boot Record (MBR) may be one of the problems with your Windows 11 installation and may prevent Windows 11 from booting properly. You can try rebuilding the MBR with a command prompt to fix the problem of Windows 11 won’t boot after update.

1. Insert Windows 11 installation disk or USB to your PC. Restart PC and boot from the disk or USB. Click Repair your computer at the Install now screen.
2. Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.

3. Enter the following three commands in turn, following each by pressing the Enter key:

• bootrec /fixmbr
• bootrec /fixboot
• bootrec /rebuildbcd

4. Restart the system and see if Windows boots properly.

Way 5. Reset Windows 11 PC

If these above methods do not solve Windows 11 not booting up or Windows 11 stuck on boot screen, then the last method you can try is to reset your computer to the original settings or reinstall Windows 11.

1. When Windows 11 fails to boot, go to Windows Recovery Environment.
2. Under the Troubleshoot window, click Reset this PC.

3. Select the first option in the new pop-up window to keep your files. Then, follow the on-screen instructions to finish resetting your Windows 11 computer.

Create Windows 11 System Backup and Bootable Media

If you're facing issues with Windows 11 not starting up, this article offers six solutions to help you get your computer running again. Once you resolve this frustrating problem, I recommend regularly backing up your Windows 11 system and creating bootable media using AOMEI Backupper Standard.

AOMEI Backupper Standard is a free backup software designed to protect the data and system of your desktop or laptop. By having bootable media and a system backup ready, you can easily perform a system restore on your computer if you run into boot issues again.

Follow the steps below to create a Windows 11 system backup using AOMEI Backupper.

1. Download AOMEI Backupper, install and launch it. Then, click "System Backup" under the "Backup" tab.

2. By default, the program will select the system and boot partitions as sources. Then choose a destination path to save the system backup. You can back up your computer to USB, external drive, network share, NAS, etc.

3. Click "Start Backup" to begin system backup in Windows 11.

Helpful Features:
🧁Customization Options: You can adjust the settings to fit your preferences. This includes adding comments to system backups, compressing backup files to save space, and enabling email alerts.
🧁Scheduled Backups: This feature allows you to keep your system up to date with the latest changes after a full backup. You can set backups to run at regular intervals, like daily, weekly, or monthly, ensuring your system is always protected.

Causes of Windows 11 Not Booting Up

Understanding the underlying causes can help diagnose and resolve the problem effectively. Here are some common reasons why your system may fail to start:

1. Corrupted System Files: System files can become corrupted due to improper shutdowns, malware attacks, or software conflicts. 
2. Hardware Failures: Issues with hardware components such as hard drives, RAM, or the motherboard can prevent Windows from booting.
3. Software Conflicts: Recent software installations or updates might conflict with existing applications or system files, leading to boot failures. 
4. BIOS/UEFI Settings: Incorrect BIOS or UEFI settings can affect the boot order and prevent the operating system from loading.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q 1: Can I access my files if Windows 11 is not booting up?

A 1: Yes, using a bootable USB drive with Windows installation media, you can access your files through the Command Prompt or File Explorer in the recovery environment.

Q 2: What if I cannot access the recovery environment?

A 2: If you cannot access the recovery options, consider creating a bootable USB drive from another computer. Use this drive to initiate repairs on your system.

Q 3: Will performing a System Restore delete my files?

A 3: No, System Restore does not affect your personal files. It only reverts system files and settings to a previous state.

Q 4: How can I check if my hard drive is failing?

A 4: Use the built-in Windows Check Disk utility. Boot into recovery mode, access the Command Prompt, and type chkdsk /ffollowed by the drive letter.

Q 5: Is it possible to repair Windows 11 without losing data?

A 5: Yes, many repair options, including Startup Repair and System Restore, are designed to fix issues without erasing your personal data.

Final Words

Now that you've gone through this article, you should have the tools to resolve the issue of Windows 11 not booting up. To avoid facing similar problems in the future—like Windows 11 Stuck on Preparing Windows—it’s wise to take proactive steps. Regularly backing up your system and creating bootable media can save you time and hassle later on. By doing this, you ensure that your important files are safe and that you can quickly recover your system if something goes wrong. Taking these precautions will help you maintain a smoother experience with your computer.