If you’re experiencing Windows 11 keeps booting into Safe Mode every time you start your computer, it can be frustrating. Safe Mode is a troubleshooting mode that allows you to start Windows with a minimal set of drivers and services, which can be useful when troubleshooting issues.
However, it’s not something you want to be using all the time. In this article, we will discuss the causes of Windows 11 stuck in Safe Mode and how to fix it and boot back into normal mode.
Page Contents
Causes of Windows 11 keeps booting into safe mode
There are several reasons why Windows 11 may keep booting into Safe Mode. Here are some of the most common causes:
System configuration
One of the most common reasons for Windows 11 to keep booting into Safe Mode is a misconfiguration of the System Configuration. The System Configuration (also known as msconfig) is a tool that allows you to control what programs and services start when you boot up your computer. It is possible that you may have enabled Safe Mode in the System Configuration, which is causing Windows 11 to boot into Safe Mode every time you start your computer.
Corrupted system files
Corrupted system files can also cause Windows 11 to boot into Safe Mode. If any of the critical system files are damaged or corrupted, Windows 11 may not be able to start normally and may instead boot into Safe Mode. This can be caused by a variety of factors, such as a hard drive failure, a malware infection, or a software glitch.
Related issue: Windows 11 won’t shut down properly
Hardware issues
Hardware issues can also cause Windows 11 to keep booting into Safe Mode. If there is a problem with your hardware, such as a failing hard drive or faulty RAM, it may cause Windows 11 to start in Safe Mode to prevent further damage. In some cases, the hardware problem may be more subtle, such as an outdated or incompatible driver.
Third-party software conflicts
Third-party software conflicts can also cause Windows 11 to stuck in Safe Mode. If you have recently installed new software on your computer and Windows 11 started booting into Safe Mode afterward, it may be due to a conflict between the new software and Windows 11. This can happen if the software is not compatible with your operating system or if it is conflicting with other software on your computer.
Malware
Malware infections can also cause Windows 11 to boot into Safe Mode. If your computer is infected with malware, it may be attempting to start Windows in Safe Mode to prevent the malware from running. Malware can be difficult to detect and remove, and it may require the use of specialized tools such as an antivirus program or professional assistance.
How to leave Safe Mode and boot back into normal mode in Windows 11
Now that we have discussed the causes of Windows 11 keeps booting into Safe Mode, let’s look at how to fix it. Here are some steps you can take to leave Safe Mode and boot back into normal mode in Windows 11:
Check system configuration
The System Configuration is a tool in Windows 11 that allows you to control what programs and services start when you boot up your computer. When Windows 11 boots into Safe Mode, it may be because the “Safe boot” option is enabled in the System Configuration. To check if Safe Mode is enabled in the System Configuration, you can follow these steps:
- Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type “msconfig” and press Enter. This will open the System Configuration window.
- Click on the Boot tab in the System Configuration window.
- Make sure that the “Safe boot” option is not checked. If it is, uncheck it and click Apply.
- Click on OK to close the System Configuration window.
- Restart your computer.
If Safe Mode was enabled in the System Configuration, unchecking it should allow your computer to start normally. If you’re still having issues, you may need to try some of the other solutions outlined in this article.
Read next: Why is my memory usage so high when nothing is running?
Use a command line in Command Prompt
If you cannot leave Safe Mode using the System Configuration, you can try using a command line in Command Prompt. This method involves using the command prompt to remove the Safe Mode boot option from the Windows boot menu. Here are the steps to do so:
- Go to Start menu and search for “CMD“.
- Right-click “Command Prompt” from the search result and select “Run as administrator“.
- In the Command Prompt window, type
bcdedit /deletevalue {default} safebootand press Enter.
- This will remove the Safe Mode boot option from the Windows boot menu.
- Restart your computer.
If successful, your computer should boot into normal mode instead of Safe Mode. It’s worth noting that this method should only be attempted if you’re comfortable using the command prompt and have some knowledge of how it works. If you’re unsure, it’s best to seek professional assistance to avoid causing further issues to your computer.
Check for system file corruption
System file corruption can cause various issues in Windows 11, including booting into Safe Mode. Corrupted system files can occur due to various reasons, such as a malware infection, software conflicts, or hardware issues. Fortunately, Windows 11 has a built-in tool called the System File Checker (SFC) that can scan and repair corrupted system files. Here are the steps to check for system file corruption using SFC:
- Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
- In the Command Prompt window, type
sfc /scannowand press Enter.
- The System File Checker tool will scan your system for corrupted files and repair them if possible.
- The scanning process may take some time depending on the size of your system and the severity of the corruption.
- Once the scanning process is complete, you should see a message indicating whether any corrupted files were found and whether they were repaired.
- If SFC was able to repair any corrupted files, restart your computer and check if the problem is resolved. If not, you may need to try some of the other solutions outlined in this article.
If you’re not comfortable using the command prompt or if the System File Checker tool is unable to repair the corrupted files, you may need to seek professional assistance to diagnose and fix the issue.
Uninstall incompatible software
If you recently installed new software on your computer and Windows 11 started booting into Safe Mode afterward, it may be due to a conflict between the new software and Windows 11. In such cases, the best solution is to uninstall the incompatible software.
If you’re not sure which software is causing the problem, you may need to uninstall the suspected programs one by one and restart your computer after each removal to see if the problem is resolved.
Check for hardware issues and update drivers
Hardware issues can also cause Windows 11 to keep booting into Safe Mode. If there is a problem with your hardware, such as a failing hard drive or faulty RAM, it may cause Windows 11 to start in Safe Mode to prevent further damage. In some cases, the hardware problem may be more subtle, such as an outdated or incompatible driver. Here are the steps to check for hardware issues and update drivers in Windows 11:
- Open the Start menu by clicking on the Windows icon in the lower-left corner of your screen.
- Search for “Device Manager” and select it from the search results.
- In the Device Manager window, look for any devices with a yellow exclamation mark next to them. This indicates that there is a problem with the device.
- Right-click on the device and select “Update driver” to update its driver. Windows will search for updated drivers online and install them if available.
- If Windows is unable to find updated drivers, you may need to visit the manufacturer’s website and download the latest drivers manually.
- If updating the drivers does not solve the issue, you may need to check for other hardware issues. Run hardware diagnostics on your computer to check for any problems. You can also open your computer and check the connections to ensure that everything is properly connected.
- If you suspect that there is a problem with your hard drive, you can use the built-in Disk Check utility in Windows 11. To do this, right-click on the hard drive you want to check and select “Properties.” Click on the “Tools” tab and click on “Check” under the “Error checking” section.
Perform a system restore
Performing a system restore can be an effective solution if all other troubleshooting steps have failed to fix the issue. System restore allows you to revert your computer to a previous state when it was working correctly. This can be helpful if the issue occurred after a recent software installation, update, or system configuration change.
It’s worth noting that performing a system restore will remove any programs or updates that were installed after the restore point. So, if you’ve installed any important software or updates since the restore point, you’ll need to reinstall them afterward.
Reset or reinstall Windows 11
If all else fails, resetting or reinstalling Windows 11 may be necessary. Resetting your PC is a useful option when you want to keep your files and data but return Windows 11 to its original settings. Reinstalling Windows 11 is a more drastic option that involves wiping the hard drive and starting from scratch.
It’s important to note that reinstalling Windows 11 will remove all the files and data from your computer, so make sure to back up any important data before proceeding with this step. If you’re not comfortable performing these steps yourself, consider seeking professional assistance to avoid causing further issues to your computer.
Final thoughts
Prevention is always better than cure when it comes to PC issues. Keeping your system updated, running regular virus scans, and avoiding downloading software from untrusted sources can help prevent problems like this from occurring. If you do encounter issues, it’s always a good idea to seek professional assistance if you’re not comfortable performing the troubleshooting steps yourself.
