Windows

Computer stuck on the boot or logo screen

PC stuck on the logo or spinning dots? How to reach Windows Recovery, run Startup Repair, try Safe Mode and System Restore, and when to stop.

Difficulty: Medium
Time: 20-60 min
Steps: 7
Updated: 2026-10-19

Sounds like this?

Manufacturer logo shows but Windows never loads
Spinning dots forever
'Preparing Automatic Repair' loop
Restarts over and over before the desktop

Step by step

Unplug everything except power, keyboard, and mouse, including USB drives, SD cards, and docks. A plugged-in drive can confuse the boot order.
Hold power 10 seconds to shut down, wait 30 seconds, and power on again.
If it still hangs, force Windows Recovery: turn the PC on, and as soon as the Windows logo appears, hold power to shut it off. Do this twice. On the third start you should see Automatic Repair.
Choose Advanced options › Troubleshoot › Advanced options › Startup Repair. On Windows 11 24H2 and later, Quick Machine Recovery may run first and check Windows Update for a known fix.
If Startup Repair fails, try Advanced options › Startup Settings › Restart, then press 4 for Safe Mode. If Safe Mode loads, a recent driver or app is the likely cause: uninstall it.
Still stuck? In Advanced options choose System Restore and pick a restore point from before the problem.
As a last step, Advanced options › Uninstall Updates › Uninstall latest quality update if this started right after an update.

Related error codes & messages

Quick answers

When should I stop and get professional help with "Computer stuck on the boot or logo screen"?

Stop and get help if: You see 'No bootable device', 'Boot device not found', or the drive is not listed. The drive clicks, grinds, or the PC beeps on startup. Repair tools ask for a BitLocker key you don't have. You'd lose irreplaceable files if a reset went wrong. Boise Computer Care can diagnose it for a $60 fee; call 208-996-3508.

How long does this fix take and how hard is it?

Plan on 20-60 min. Difficulty: Medium.

Is it safe to try this myself?

Mostly, if you follow these precautions: If the drive is clicking or the PC smells hot, stop and get help: repeated restarts can make a failing drive worse. If your drive is BitLocker-encrypted, have your recovery key ready (aka.ms/myrecoverykey) before running repair tools. Do not choose 'Reset this PC' until your files are backed up.

Which error messages or codes does this guide cover?

INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE, 0xc000000e, 0xc0000225, Automatic Repair loop, Boot device not found.

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