⏻ Boot & Startup Errors
Windows stuck on logo at boot — How to fix
When Windows shows its boot logo with the spinning circle forever, the cause is usually Fast Startup loading a broken driver state, a corrupted system file, or a failing storage device.
- Time
- 30 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Applies to
- Windows 11, Windows 10
- Updated
- May 25, 2026
Symptoms
- ▸Spinner under the Windows logo never advances
- ▸PC fans spin loud but no progress
- ▸Eventually drops into Automatic Repair, or just hangs
Likely causes
- ▸Fast Startup loaded a corrupted hibernation state
- ▸Corrupted system files (sfc / DISM fixes this)
- ▸Failing storage drive
- ▸Bad driver loaded at boot
How to fix it — step by step
- 01
Force shutdown 3 times
Hold power for 10 s, release, repeat. After the third interrupted boot, Windows starts Automatic Repair.
- 02
Boot into Safe Mode
From Recovery → Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart → press 4 for Safe Mode. If Safe Mode boots, the issue is a driver loaded in normal mode.
- 03
Run sfc / DISM offline
Same offline-repair sequence as the Automatic Repair loop fix above.
- 04
Disable Fast Startup permanently
Once back in Windows:
Control Panel → Power Options → Choose what the power buttons do → uncheck Turn on fast startup.