Windows may occasionally become stuck on the logon screen and require repeated restarts, but this shouldn’t be an excuse to wipe clean the entire system. When your system cleans up data after an update—which could be software that was installed or uninstalled or even an image update like gpedit (Local Group Policy)—the issue typically occurs. I’ll demonstrate how to repair it!
You must first turn on your computer, then when the Windows logon screen shows, press and hold the power button. Navigate to the Advance options after keeping the On and Off toggled until Windows is forced into repair mode.
We repeatedly turn on/off am sorry , it’s because if windows was working fine, to enter advance option, you could have open cmd and typed below command
shutdown /r /o /f /t 00
Now in advance area, click on Command prompt when it open type regedit and press Enter!
Navigate to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Microsoft > Windows NT > CurrentVersion > ProfileList
This is sweet because we are editing windows outside when its off!
This will have a list of all user profiles on the PC. Click on each S-1-5 folder and delete ProfileImagePath data entry! Also while deleting check if you have this entry RefCount and State double click on them and change the value from 1 to 0.
This will solve the problem and windows will return to normal.
Close the Command Prompt, Exit and continue to Windows!
If your Windows computer is still stuck on the login screen, there are also other troubleshooting steps you can take to resolve this issue. Start by ensuring that your keyboard and mouse are connected properly and functional. Sometimes, unresponsive peripherals can prevent you from logging in. If everything appears to be in order, try restarting your computer by pressing and holding the power button until it shuts down completely. Once powered off, wait a few seconds, then turn it back on and see if you can proceed past the login screen. If the issue persists, you may need to delve deeper into troubleshooting methods to identify and resolve the underlying cause.
Check for System Updates and Drivers
Install Pending Updates
Outdated system files or missing updates can sometimes cause issues with the login process. Boot your computer into Safe Mode by restarting it and repeatedly pressing the F8 key before the Windows logo appears. In Safe Mode, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and check for any pending updates. Install all available updates and restart your computer to see if this resolves the issue.
Update Device Drivers
Faulty or outdated device drivers can also contribute to login screen issues. In Safe Mode or using an external bootable media, such as a Windows installation USB, navigate to Device Manager (right-click on Start > Device Manager) and check for any devices with a yellow exclamation mark indicating driver issues. Right-click on these devices and select "Update driver" to download and install the latest drivers from the manufacturer’s website. Restart your computer after updating drivers to apply the changes.
Perform System Restore or Startup Repair
System Restore
If the login screen issue started recently after a software installation or update, you can use System Restore to revert your system to a previous working state. Boot your computer into Safe Mode or use a Windows installation USB to access the Advanced Startup Options. Select "Troubleshoot" > "Advanced options" > "System Restore" and follow the on-screen instructions to choose a restore point before the problem occurred. This process will not affect your personal files but will uninstall recently installed apps and drivers that might be causing the issue.
Startup Repair
Windows includes a Startup Repair tool that can automatically diagnose and fix common boot problems, including issues with the login screen. Access the Advanced Startup Options as described above and select "Troubleshoot" > "Advanced options" > "Startup Repair." Follow the prompts to let Windows attempt to repair any startup issues automatically. Restart your computer after the repair process completes and check if you can log in successfully.
Check Disk for Errors
Run CHKDSK Utility
Disk errors or corruption can prevent Windows from booting properly. To check for and repair disk errors, boot into Safe Mode or use a Windows installation USB to access Command Prompt (Advanced Startup Options > Command Prompt). Type chkdsk C: /f /r (replace C: with the drive letter of your Windows installation if different) and press Enter. This command will scan the disk for errors and repair any issues it finds. Restart your computer after CHKDSK completes to see if you can log in normally.
Check for Malware and Perform Clean Boot
Scan for Malware
Malware infections can interfere with system processes, including the login screen. Boot your computer into Safe Mode with Networking (if possible) and perform a thorough scan using reputable antivirus software. Remove any detected malware and restart your computer to check if the login issue is resolved. Ensure your antivirus definitions are up to date before initiating the scan.
Perform Clean Boot
A Clean Boot starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs, which can help identify if a third-party application or service is causing the login screen problem. To perform a Clean Boot, press Win + R to open the Run dialog, type msconfig, and press Enter. In the System Configuration window, go to the Services tab, check "Hide all Microsoft services," and click "Disable all." Next, go to the Startup tab and click "Open Task Manager." Disable startup items one by one, restarting your computer after each change, until you identify the program causing the issue. Once identified, you can uninstall or update the problematic application to resolve the login screen problem.
Reset Windows or Reinstall
Reset Windows
If all troubleshooting steps fail to resolve the login screen issue, you can reset Windows to its factory settings without losing your personal files. Access the Advanced Startup Options and select "Troubleshoot" > "Reset this PC" > "Keep my files." Follow the on-screen instructions to reset Windows, reinstalling the operating system while keeping your personal files intact. After the reset completes, set up your computer again and check if you can log in normally.
Reinstall Windows
As a last resort, reinstalling Windows can resolve persistent login screen issues caused by severe system corruption or malware infections. Backup your important files to an external drive or cloud storage, then use a Windows installation USB to perform a clean installation of Windows. Boot from the USB, follow the prompts to delete existing partitions and install a fresh copy of Windows. Reinstall your applications and restore your personal files from backup after completing the installation process.
Seek Professional Assistance
Contact Support or Service Center
If you’re unable to resolve the login screen issue on your own, consider seeking assistance from Microsoft Support or a certified service center. Provide detailed information about the problem, steps you’ve taken to troubleshoot, and any error messages encountered. Professional technicians can diagnose hardware issues, perform advanced repairs, or recommend solutions tailored to your specific situation. Collaborating with technical experts ensures comprehensive support and helps resolve complex login screen issues effectively.