How to Fix Windows 11 Freezing During Startup: A Step-by-Step Guide
Are you frustrated because your Windows 11 computer freezes during startup? You’re not alone—this is a common issue that many Windows users face. Fortunately, there are several effective solutions you can try to get your PC running smoothly again. In this guide, we’ll walk you through easy, practical steps to fix Windows 11 freezing during startup.
Why Does Windows 11 Freeze During Startup?
Before diving into fixes, it’s helpful to understand why your PC might freeze during startup. Common causes include:
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- Corrupted system files.
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- Outdated or incompatible drivers.
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- Faulty or conflicting startup programs.
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- Windows update glitches.
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- Hardware issues.
Knowing this helps us target the problem more effectively.
How to Fix Windows 11 Freezing During Startup
1. Perform a Hard Reboot
Sometimes, a simple reboot can clear temporary glitches causing your computer to freeze.
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- Hold down the power button until your PC turns off.
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- Wait about 30 seconds.
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- Press the power button again to turn your PC back on.
If freezing persists, move on to the next step.
2. Boot into Safe Mode
Safe Mode starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs, helping you troubleshoot the issue.
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- Power on your PC, and as soon as the Windows logo appears, press and hold the power button to force shutdown. Repeat this 2-3 times until you see the Recovery Environment.
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- Navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
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- When your PC restarts, press 4 or F4 to enable Safe Mode.
Once in Safe Mode, you can try the following fixes.
3. Disable Startup Programs
Conflicting startup apps might cause freezing.
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- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
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- Go to the Startup tab.
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- Right-click and disable any unnecessary or suspicious programs.
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- Restart your PC normally to check if the freezing is resolved.
4. Run System File Checker (SFC)
Corrupted system files can cause startup issues.
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- In Safe Mode, press Windows + S, type Command Prompt, right-click it, and select Run as administrator.
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- Type the command:
sfc /scannow
- Type the command:
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- Press Enter and wait for the process to complete.
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- Restart your PC.
5. Update or Roll Back Drivers
Outdated or faulty drivers, especially graphics or storage drivers, can lead to freezing.
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- Open Device Manager (Press Windows + X and select Device Manager).
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- Look for any devices with a yellow warning icon.
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- Right-click and select Update driver.
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- If freezing started after a recent driver update, consider rolling back the driver.
6. Run Windows Update
Keeping Windows up to date fixes bugs and patches issues.
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- Go to Settings > Windows Update.
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- Click Check for updates.
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- Install any available updates and restart your PC.
7. Perform a Clean Boot
A clean boot helps identify if third-party services are causing startup issues.
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- Press Windows + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
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- Under the Services tab, check Hide all Microsoft services, then click Disable all.
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- Go to the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager.
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- Disable all startup items.
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- Restart your PC and check if freezing persists.
If your PC starts fine, enable services and startup items one by one to find the culprit.
8. Check for Hardware Issues
Hardware problems like failing RAM or hard drive can cause freezes.
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- Run Windows Memory Diagnostic: type mdsched.exe in the search bar and follow instructions.
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- Check your hard drive health using tools like CHKDSK.
9. Reset or Reinstall Windows 11
If all else fails, resetting Windows might be necessary.
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- In the Recovery Environment, select Troubleshoot > Reset this PC.
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- Choose whether to keep your files or remove everything.
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- Follow the prompts to reset your PC.
Final Thoughts
Windows 11 freezing during startup is frustrating but usually fixable with these steps. Start simple with Safe Mode and disabling startup items, then move to system checks and updates. Remember to back up your important data regularly to avoid losing files if you need to reset your PC.
If you’re uncomfortable performing these steps yourself, don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional technician or Microsoft Support.
Did this guide help you fix your Windows 11 freezing problem? Feel free to share your experience in the comments!
