Comprehensive Step-by-Step Guide: Fix Windows 11 Safe Mode Not Booting Issue
If your Windows 11 PC fails to boot into Safe Mode or gets stuck during the process, this could indicate issues with corrupted files, conflicting applications, or incorrect system settings. This detailed guide will walk you through various practical solutions to resolve the "Windows 11 Safe Mode not booting" issue effectively.
✅ Step 1: Perform a Restart and Retry Safe Mode within Windows RE (Recovery Environment)
A. Perform Manual Restart in Windows RE:
-
Interrupt Normal Boot:
- Press and hold the power button until your computer powers off completely.
- Press the power button again to restart.
- After Windows starts booting (you see the manufacturer logo or Windows logo), immediately hold down the power button to force shutdown.
- Repeat these steps at least 2–3 times until Windows enters the automatic repair/recovery environment.
- Boot into Safe Mode
- After entering Windows Recovery Environment, do the following:
- Click on Advanced options.
- Select Troubleshoot ➜ Advanced options ➜ Startup Settings.
- Click Restart.
- Press F4 key for Safe Mode, F5 for Safe Mode with Networking, or F6 for Safe Mode with Command Prompt.
- Check if the issue is resolved. If not, proceed to the next step.
- After entering Windows Recovery Environment, do the following:
✅ Step 2: Run Startup Repair (via Windows Recovery Environment)
Startup Repair identifies and corrects common booting-related problems.
- Enter Windows Recovery Environment (as described in Step 1).
- Click Troubleshoot ➜ Advanced options ➜ Startup Repair.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the Startup Repair.
- Restart your PC and see if Safe Mode works afterwards.
✅ Step 3: Fix Corrupted System files using Command Prompt
Damaged or corrupted system files are typical culprits for this error.
- Go to the Windows Recovery Environment again.
- Navigate to Troubleshoot ➜ Advanced options ➜ Command Prompt.
- Type and execute the following commands line by line:
cmd
sfc /scannow /offbootdir=C:\ /offwindir=C:\Windows
(Replace "C:" if your Windows installation is on a different drive letter.)
Next, run:
cmd
DISM /Image:C:\ /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
- If DISM completes successfully, run the SFC scan again for verification.
- After completion, restart your PC and attempt to boot into Safe Mode.
✅ Step 4: Check your Boot Configuration using “bootrec”
Incorrect boot settings can prevent booting into Safe Mode.
- Boot again into the Recovery Environment ➜ Open Command Prompt.
- Execute each command separately:
cmd
bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /scanos
bootrec /rebuildbcd
Note: Sometimes "bootrec /fixboot" command could show "Access Denied." If this happens, run this command first and try again:
cmd
bootsect /nt60 sys
- Afterwards, restart your computer and try booting into Safe Mode.
✅ Step 5: Correctly Set the Safe Mode from Command Prompt (BCD Edit)
Correct Safe Mode entry in Boot Configuration Data (BCD) might fix improper settings preventing boot.
- Start the Recovery Environment and select Command Prompt.
- Enter the respective commands to correctly enable booting to Safe Mode:
-
Safe Mode with Minimal boot:
cmd
bcdedit /set {default} safeboot minimal -
Safe Mode with Networking:
cmd
bcdedit /set {default} safeboot network - Safe Mode with Command Prompt:
cmd
bcdedit /set {default} safeboot minimal
bcdedit /set {default} safebootalternateshell yes
- Restart your computer and see if it boots into Safe Mode successfully.
To disable Safe Mode using Command Prompt if Safe Mode is enabled by default:
cmd
bcdedit /deletevalue {default} safeboot
✅ Step 6: System Restore to an Earlier State (If Available)
If the issue began occurring recently, using System Restore may fix it.
- Enter Windows Recovery Environment ➜ Troubleshoot ➜ Advanced options ➜ System Restore.
- Choose an earlier checkpoint prior to problems occurring.
- Follow on-screen instructions to complete the System Restore process.
- Restart when completed and test booting into Safe Mode again.
✅ Step 7: Uninstall Recent Problematic Updates
A faulty Windows update could possibly interfere with booting into Safe Mode.
- Enter Windows Recovery Environment ➜ Troubleshoot ➜ Advanced options ➜ Uninstall Updates.
- Choose either:
- Uninstall latest quality update
- Uninstall latest feature update
- Proceed with uninstallation, restart your PC afterwards, and try booting into Safe Mode again.
✅ Step 8: Reset Windows (Last Resort Option)
If none of the above options succeed, resetting your PC might be necessary, retaining your files and installing a fresh copy of Windows 11.
- Enter Windows Recovery Environment ➜ Troubleshoot ➜ Reset This PC.
- Choose Keep my files to retain your data or Remove everything for a clean fresh start.
- Follow on-screen instructions until completion.
- After reset, attempt booting in Safe Mode.
✅ Step 9: Hardware Check (Advanced)
If Windows reset didn’t help either, hardware problems may exist:
- Ensure components such as RAM, HDD/SSD, or cables are securely seated.
- Consider running diagnostics tools like Memtest86 for RAM or your storage drive manufacturer’s supplied tools for checking HDD/SSD.
Seek professional support if hardware issues are suspected.
✅ Prevention & Best Practices:
- Always keep Windows updated to the safe-stable-release.
- Regularly scan your computer for malware.
- Avoid installing unreliable software.
- Regularly create system restore points or backup images.
🛠️ Summary:
If Windows 11 has issues booting into Safe Mode, systematically performing the above troubleshooting steps (starting from simpler ones like SFC and DISM scans to advanced ones like reset or system restore) usually resolves the issue. Implement patiently from Step 1 onward. If nothing helps, professional assistance or considering new installations may be necessary due to deeper underlying issues.
Ensure data backups frequently to avoid losing important files!
👍 Success! You’ve rigorously followed the troubleshooting. After these steps, your PC should now boot into Safe Mode smoothly.
