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Windows Restart Loop Error – Complete Fix Guide (2026)

Table of Contents

Hub: Windows 11 Troubleshooting Hub

Quick Answer
Windows Restart Loop Error is a boot loop issue where your PC continuously crashes and restarts with the message “Your device ran into a problem.” To fix it, interrupt the boot process three times to access the Recovery Environment, then boot into Safe Mode, perform a System Restore, run Startup Repair, or use Command Prompt to run sfc /scannow, DISM, and bootrec commands. If the error persists, uninstall recent updates, check hardware, or disable automatic restart. For more Windows troubleshooting, visit our Windows 11 Troubleshooting Hub.

Why Windows Restart Loop Error Happens

A Windows Restart Loop Error occurs when your PC encounters a critical system error (Blue Screen of Death) during startup and automatically restarts, only to crash again. This endless cycle is often caused by corrupted system files, faulty drivers, incompatible hardware, or recent system changes. For official Microsoft documentation, refer to the Microsoft Bug Check reference.

A Windows Restart Loop Error is similar to other BSOD errors like Windows Error 0xc000021a and PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA Boot Loop, but it displays a generic error message. Common triggers include recent driver installations, Windows updates, corrupted system files, failing hard drives, faulty RAM, and malware infections.

Before diving into fixes, ensure you have access to a Windows installation USB or recovery media. If a Windows Restart Loop Error occurs during startup, you will need to interrupt the boot process to access the recovery environment. For a broader overview of Windows errors, see our Windows 11 Troubleshooting Hub.

⚠️ Warning: A Windows Restart Loop Error indicates a serious system issue. Do not ignore it, as it can lead to data loss if left unresolved. Always back up important files when possible.

1. Interrupt the Boot Loop to Access Recovery Environment

To fix the Windows Restart Loop Error, you first need to access the Recovery Environment. Interrupting the boot process triggers Automatic Repair.

  1. Turn on your PC. As soon as Windows begins to load (spinning dots appear), press and hold the power button to force a shutdown.
  2. Repeat this process three times. On the third restart, Windows will boot into the Recovery Environment.
  3. Select See advanced repair options.
  4. From there, you can access Troubleshoot > Advanced Options to reach the tools needed to fix Windows Restart Loop Error.

✅ Expected Result: You should now be in the Recovery Environment with access to Safe Mode, System Restore, Startup Repair, and Command Prompt.

2. Boot into Safe Mode

Booting into Safe Mode loads Windows with minimal drivers and services, allowing you to bypass the Windows Restart Loop Error and access troubleshooting tools.

  1. From the Recovery Environment, select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart.
  2. After the restart, press 5 or F5 to select Safe Mode with Networking.
  3. If Safe Mode loads successfully, the issue is likely driver or software-related.
  4. Once in Safe Mode, you can perform System Restore, driver rollbacks, or malware scans.

💡 Quick Tip: If Safe Mode fails to load, try Safe Mode with Command Prompt instead.

3. Perform a System Restore

If the Windows Restart Loop Error started after a recent system change, using System Restore can revert your system to a previous working state. For a detailed guide, see How to Use System Restore Windows 11.

  1. Boot into the Recovery Environment (as in Method 1).
  2. Select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > System Restore.
  3. Choose a restore point from before the boot loop started.
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions and allow the restore to complete.
  5. After the restore, your PC will restart. Check if Windows Restart Loop Error is resolved.

✅ Expected Result: System Restore often resolves Windows Restart Loop Error by reverting system files to a stable state.

4. Run Startup Repair

Startup Repair can automatically fix common boot issues, including those causing Windows Restart Loop Error.

  1. Boot into the Recovery Environment.
  2. Select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Repair.
  3. Wait for the tool to scan and attempt repairs.
  4. If it succeeds, your PC will restart and should boot normally.

🔁 Alternative Solution: If Startup Repair fails, try using a Windows installation USB to access the recovery environment.

5. Use Command Prompt to Fix the Boot Loop

Command Prompt provides powerful tools to fix Windows Restart Loop Error. You can run SFC, DISM, and bootrec commands to repair system files and the boot sector.

  1. Boot into the Recovery Environment and select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Command Prompt.
  2. Run the following commands in sequence:
    sfc /scannow
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /rebuildbcd
  3. After each command completes, check for errors.
  4. Type exit and restart your PC.

✅ Expected Result: These commands repair corrupted system files and rebuild the boot configuration data, which often resolves Windows Restart Loop Error. For more DISM guidance, see our How to Use DISM Windows 11 article.

6. Uninstall Recent Windows Updates

Sometimes, a recent Windows Update introduces a bug that causes Windows Restart Loop Error. Uninstalling the latest update can resolve it.

  1. Boot into the Recovery Environment.
  2. Select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Uninstall Updates.
  3. Choose “Uninstall latest quality update” (or feature update if applicable).
  4. Follow the prompts and restart.
  5. If the error is fixed, you can defer the problematic update until Microsoft releases a fix.

⚠️ Warning: Uninstalling updates may temporarily leave your system vulnerable. Reinstall the update after a fix is available.

7. Check for Hardware Issues

Faulty hardware, especially RAM or the hard drive, can cause Windows Restart Loop Error. Test your hardware components.

  1. Test your RAM using Windows Memory Diagnostic (from the Recovery Environment or bootable USB).
  2. Check your hard drive using the manufacturer’s diagnostic tool (for SSDs) or CHKDSK (for HDDs).
  3. If you recently added new hardware, remove it and test the system.
  4. If any tests fail, replace the faulty component.

💡 Quick Tip: If you have multiple RAM sticks, test them individually to isolate a faulty module.

8. Disable Automatic Restart on System Failure

Disabling automatic restart allows you to see the specific stop code, which can help diagnose the Windows Restart Loop Error.

  1. Boot into Safe Mode.
  2. Open Control Panel > System > Advanced System Settings.
  3. Under Startup and Recovery, click Settings.
  4. Uncheck “Automatically restart”.
  5. Click OK and restart your PC.
  6. Now you will see the actual BSOD error code to help you troubleshoot further.

🔁 Alternative Solution: If you cannot boot into Safe Mode, you can disable automatic restart from the Recovery Environment using Command Prompt: bcdedit /set {default} recoveryenabled No.

9. Advanced Troubleshooting

If the error persists, try these advanced solutions.

Reset Windows (Keep Files)

If all else fails, reset Windows via the Recovery Environment. Select Troubleshoot > Reset this PC and choose “Keep my files”. This reinstalls Windows while preserving your personal data.

Clean Install Windows

Perform a clean installation of Windows after backing up your data. This will eliminate all software-related causes of Windows Restart Loop Error.

Check for Malware

Malware can corrupt system files. Run a full scan from a bootable antivirus USB or Windows Defender Offline. For detailed steps, see How to Scan Malware Windows 11.

If you have exhausted all options, contact Microsoft Support or your PC manufacturer. For more BSOD and Windows troubleshooting, explore our Windows 11 Troubleshooting Hub.

Conclusion

A Windows Restart Loop Error is a frustrating but fixable issue. The most effective solutions are interrupting the boot loop to access recovery tools, booting into Safe Mode, performing System Restore, running Startup Repair, and using Command Prompt to repair system files. If the error persists, uninstall recent updates, check hardware, or disable automatic restart to see the specific stop code. For stubborn cases, resetting Windows or performing a clean installation will resolve the issue.

Regular system maintenance, such as keeping drivers updated and running periodic system file checks, can prevent Windows Restart Loop Error from recurring. For more Windows troubleshooting, explore our Windows 11 Troubleshooting Hub and check out related articles on 0xc000021a Blue Screen, PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA, and BSOD fixes.

Related Guides

FAQ

What causes a Windows Restart Loop Error?

A Windows Restart Loop Error is caused by corrupted system files, faulty drivers, incompatible hardware, recent system changes, or failing hardware like RAM or hard drives.

How do I fix a Windows Restart Loop Error?

Interrupt the boot process three times to access Recovery Environment, then boot into Safe Mode, perform System Restore, run Startup Repair, or use Command Prompt to run SFC, DISM, and bootrec commands.

Can I fix a restart loop without reinstalling Windows?

Yes, most cases are resolved without reinstalling using System Restore, Startup Repair, and Command Prompt fixes. A clean installation is the last resort for Windows Restart Loop Error.

How do I access Safe Mode in a boot loop?

Force shutdown your PC three times during startup to trigger Automatic Repair, then go to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart and select Safe Mode.

Can faulty RAM cause a restart loop?

Yes, faulty RAM is a common cause of Windows Restart Loop Error. Test your RAM using Windows Memory Diagnostic or MemTest86.

How do I disable automatic restart in a boot loop?

Boot into Safe Mode, go to Control Panel > System > Advanced System Settings > Startup and Recovery > Settings, and uncheck “Automatically restart.”

Can a Windows update cause a restart loop?

Yes, recent Windows updates can introduce bugs that cause a Windows Restart Loop Error. Uninstall the latest update from the Recovery Environment.

How do I run CHKDSK in a boot loop?

Boot into Recovery Environment, select Command Prompt, and run chkdsk C: /f /r to check and repair disk errors.

What is the difference between a restart loop and a boot loop?

They are essentially the same: the system crashes and restarts repeatedly. Windows Restart Loop Error is the generic message displayed on the blue screen.

Should I reset my PC if I have a restart loop?

If other fixes fail, resetting your PC (keeping files) or performing a clean installation is a good last resort for Windows Restart Loop Error.

HowToFixPro Editorial Team

We’re a team of system administrators, technical writers, and platform specialists who genuinely enjoy solving the problems most users find frustrating. From persistent Windows errors and Android sync failures to browser crashes and network drops — we’ve seen it all, and we document every fix properly. Our guides are built on official documentation, direct testing, and real troubleshooting experience. No filler, no guesswork — just reliable, step-by-step solutions you can trust.

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