Fix: Windows 11 Stuck on Restart Loop (Step-by-Step Guide)

Windows 11 getting stuck on the restart screen or entering a restart loop is a fairly common problem, especially after updates, driver changes, or system repairs. The system may show “Restarting…” for a very long time, or keep rebooting without reaching the desktop.

If you also see a black screen after login or after a driver update, check our Windows 11 black screen after driver update fix guide.

In most cases, this is caused by a driver hang, a failed Windows update, corrupted system files, or a power state conflict - not hardware failure.

Below are the safest step-by-step fixes, starting with the lowest risk methods.

Common Causes of Restart Loop in Windows 11

• Failed or incomplete Windows Update
• Driver conflict after update
• Fast Startup corruption
• System file damage
• Disk errors
• Power state / sleep driver bugs

If your restart loop is combined with blue screen errors related to sleep or shutdown, follow our DRIVER_POWER_STATE_FAILURE Windows 11 fix guide.

Step 1 - Force a Clean Restart

If restart is frozen for more than 10 minutes:

• Hold power button for 10 seconds
• Turn PC off completely
• Wait 30 seconds
• Power on again

If Windows boots normally → monitor behavior for the next few restarts.

If restart freeze returns → continue.

Step 2 - Boot Into Safe Mode

Interrupt boot 2–3 times to enter Recovery:

Advanced Options → Startup Settings → Safe Mode

If Safe Mode works → issue is almost always driver or update related.

Step 3 - Run System File Repair

Open Command Prompt as Administrator:

sfc /scannow

Then:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Reboot after both finish.

System file corruption frequently causes restart hangs. Microsoft’s official System File Checker documentation explains how SFC verifies protected system files.

If restart freezes are accompanied by memory-related crashes, also review our MEMORY_MANAGEMENT blue screen repair guide.

Step 4 - Disable Fast Startup

Fast Startup can restore broken driver states and cause restart loops.

Control Panel → Power Options → Choose what power buttons do → uncheck:

Turn on fast startup

Then perform a full restart.

Step 5 - Check Windows Update History

Settings → Windows Update → Update history

If restart problems began after a specific update:

• uninstall the latest update
• reboot
• test restart again

Step 6 - Clean Reinstall GPU Driver

Restart freezes often follow graphics driver failures.

Recommended method:

• Boot Safe Mode
• Remove GPU driver with DDU
• Install stable driver version
• Avoid Windows auto-driver replacement

If restart freezes started after a graphics or chipset update, also see our guide on fixing GPU driver timeout and TDR crashes on Windows 11.

Step 7 - Check Disk Errors

Disk issues can stall restart operations.

Run:

chkdsk /f

Restart when prompted and allow scan to complete.

If your system also freezes during file operations or shows constant high disk usage, see our Windows 11 100% disk usage during file transfers fix guide.

When Is Reset or Reinstall Needed?

Consider reset only if:

• Safe Mode also fails
• Restart loop never breaks
• System file repair fails
• Updates cannot be rolled back

Most restart loops are fixed without reinstall.

Final Thoughts

Windows 11 restart loops usually come from driver conflicts, failed updates, or corrupted system files - not hardware damage. Start with Safe Mode and system repair tools, then move to driver cleanup if needed. Step-by-step troubleshooting resolves most cases safely.