My Dell Laptop Stuck On Restarting – Here Are The Solutions 

If you’re dealing with the frustration of your Dell laptop stuck on restarting, you’re not alone. This common issue can disrupt your day and leave you searching for answers. Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place. 

In this article, we’ll provide clear, step-by-step solutions to restore your laptop. We’ve got you covered whether you’re facing software glitches, hardware problems, or something in between. 

Reasons Behind My Laptop Stuck On Restarting Screen  

A normal restart might take a few minutes, especially after updates. However, if it’s been stuck for a significant amount of time e.g. 10+ minutes, you likely have an issue with your Dell laptop taking forever to restart. The following can be some reasons your computer might be stuck on the restarting screen:

Faulty Update:

A recent Windows update might be corrupted or incompatible with your system. This can be one of the primary reasons behind the computer being stuck on the restarting screen. 

Conflicting Software:

The new software you installed might be conflicting with your system processes during startup.

Corrupted System Files:

Important system files that Windows relies on to boot up might be damaged.

RAM Malfunction:

A faulty RAM stick can lead to unexpected restarts and boot failures.

Hard Drive Issues:

A failing hard drive can slow down various tasks, including restarting. In severe cases, the drive might be taking a very long time to read the necessary files for startup, leading to a forever restart.

Improper Shutdown:

If your computer wasn’t shut down properly the last time, it might get stuck during the next restart.

Fast Startup:

While meant to improve boot times, Fast Startup can sometimes cause the computer stuck on the restarting screen.

What To Do If My Dell Laptop Stuck On Restarting

The following are some initial steps to break if your Dell laptop is stuck in a restart loop:

1. Force a Hard Reboot and Address Potential Hardware Issues:

Performing a hard reboot on your Dell should only be necessary if your laptop is completely unresponsive. Following are the options you can apply for rebooting Dell laptops:

Power Down Completely:

Hold the power button for about 10 seconds to perform a forced shutdown. Unplug your laptop and remove the battery if it’s removable. If the battery is integrated, skip this step.

Disconnect External Devices:

External devices can make your Dell laptop stuck on restarting. Remove any peripherals like USB drives, external hard drives, or printers that might interfere with the boot process.

Check for Overheating:

Feel the underside of your laptop. If it’s unusually hot, ensure proper ventilation and clean any dust buildup from the vents. Consider using a cooling pad for extended use.

2. Try Booting into Safe Mode:

Safe mode loads Windows with only the essential drivers and programs, helping identify if a recently installed application or driver is causing the Dell laptop stuck in a restart loop. Here’s how to attempt booting into Safe Mode on your Dell laptop:

• Turn on your Dell and press the F8 key repeatedly during the boot process. This might take a few tries. If the Advanced Boot Options menu doesn’t appear, you may need to access it through Dell’s specific boot menu key. From the Advanced Boot Options menu, select safe mode with networking.

• If you’re able to boot into Safe Mode, it suggests the issue might be with a program or driver that doesn’t load in Safe Mode. You can then proceed with further troubleshooting steps like running a System File Checker (SFC) scan, performing a System Restore, or updating Windows and drivers.

• If the problem persists or you cannot boot into Safe Mode, it may indicate a more complex issue. Consider trying a hard reset of your Dell laptop. This will erase all your data and reinstall Windows, so be sure to back up important files before proceeding.

3. Run System File Checker (SFC) Scan:

SFC is a built-in Windows tool that scans for and repairs damaged system files. Here’s how to run it:

• In Safe Mode, press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box. Type cmd and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to run Command Prompt as administrator.

• In the command prompt window, type sfc /scan now and press Enter. The scan will take some time. Let it complete and restart your computer if prompted.

4. Perform a System Restore:

If you suspect a recent Windows update or software installation might be causing the issue, System Restore can revert your system to an earlier point in time. Here’s how:

• Search for “Create a restore point” in the Windows search bar

• Click on “Create a restore point” and then System Restore.

• Choose a restore point from a date before you started experiencing the Dell laptop stuck in a restart loop, and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the restore process.

5. Update Windows and Drivers:

Outdated drivers or Windows versions can sometimes lead to boot issues. If you manage to boot into Windows normally, try updating them:

• For Windows Update go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and check for updates.

• For Driver Updates right-click on the Start menu and select “Device Manager.” Expand each category and right-click on any device with a yellow exclamation mark. Select “Update driver” and follow the on-screen instructions.

6. Reset Your Dell Laptop :

If none of the above solutions work, you may need to reset your Dell laptop. This will erase all your data and reinstall Windows. Make sure to back up important files before proceeding. Refer to Dell’s official website or your laptop manual for specific instructions on resetting your particular model.

How To Fix Dell Laptop Stuck On Restarting Screen Windows 10

Here’s what to do if your Dell laptop is stuck on the restarting screen in Windows 10. If none of the above steps work, you might need more advanced troubleshooting as follows:

Check Disk Errors:

Use the Check Disk utility to scan for and fix disk errors. This requires Safe Mode access.

System Restore:

Revert your system to a previous point where everything was working fine. It requires a restore point to be available.

Reset Windows 10:

This reinstalls Windows and wipes out your data. Use this as a last resort after backing up important files.

Contact Dell Support:

If the problem persists after trying these steps, it’s recommended to contact Dell Support for further assistance. They may be able to diagnose a hardware issue or provide additional troubleshooting steps specific to your laptop model and help you solve the issue of your Dell laptop being stuck on restarting. 

FAQs

Is It Bad If I Keep Restarting My PC?

Occasional restarts are normal for your Dell PC. However, frequent restarts can indicate underlying issues.  Rebooting clears temporary files and memory, but excessive restarts can be stressful on hardware components and disrupt your workflow.     

Can Bad Ram Cause Restarts? 

Yes, faulty or bad RAM can cause unexpected restarts on your Dell laptop.  Symptoms include blue screen crashes or error messages mentioning memory. 

Can I Stop My Laptop From Restarting? 

There are steps to prevent unwanted restarts. Check for recently installed software conflicts, disable automatic updates, and troubleshoot startup programs. If the issue persists, consult Dell Support.

How Do I Turn Off A Dell Laptop That Is Restarting? 

If your Dell laptop is stuck in a restart loop, you can perform a forced shutdown. Hold the power button for about 10 seconds. Only do this as a last resort, and avoid repeated forced shutdowns.

Does Ram Clear On Restart?   

Yes, restarting your Dell laptop clears the RAM. RAM is volatile memory, meaning it loses data when power is lost.  A restart wipes out any temporary programs or files stored in RAM.