9 Proven Fixes for Windows 10 Stuck on the Welcome Screen

Windows 10 remains a highly reliable operating system with many years of service. However, it can lead to significant issues and damages if you are not familiar with how to properly troubleshoot its problems.

One frequent issue is when Windows 10 gets stuck on the Welcome screen, rendering your device unresponsive. The Welcome screen provides quick access to important information, such as the time, date, and widgets like the current weather or breaking news, without needing to log into your device.

If your device gets stuck on the Windows 10 Welcome screen after a recent installation, update, or simply after restarting your computer, this guide is for you. We will cover some of the most common causes behind your computer being stuck on the startup screen and share effective solutions to fix this issue.

By addressing these potential problems, you can resolve startup issues and get your Windows 10 system back to normal.

Why is Windows 10 stuck on the Welcome screen?

Windows 10 is a highly versatile system, but that also means its problems can be just as complex. The same issue can stem from various causes, often happening simultaneously. In this section, we will explore the most common reasons why Windows 10 may get stuck on the Welcome screen.

Startup issues such as startup failure
Incompatible software installed on your computer
Driver failure, outdated drivers, or missing drivers
A recent Windows 10 update that either failed or didn’t install properly
Corrupt Registry entries
Outdated applications
Malware infections

Regardless of the specific problem, this guide will help you resolve it. Continue reading for step-by-step solutions when Windows 10 gets stuck on the Welcome screen and fails to load past it!

How can I fix Windows 10 getting stuck on the Welcome screen?

If you’re facing the issue of Windows 10 getting stuck on the Welcome screen, here are several methods to help you fix it:

Disconnect from the Internet – Disable your internet connection to rule out network-related issues.
Check your hardware – Ensure all hardware components, such as the hard drive or RAM, are functioning properly.
Disconnect your USB devices – Unplug any USB devices to eliminate potential conflicts causing the issue.
Use debugging software – Run specialized debugging tools to identify and fix underlying issues.
Disable Credential Manager – Turn off Credential Manager to prevent potential login issues from affecting the system.
Disable Fast Startup feature – Turn off the Fast Startup feature, which can sometimes cause problems with booting.
Remove your laptop battery – For laptops, try removing the battery and powering on with just the charger connected.
Remove SmartPass – If installed, SmartPass software may be causing conflicts, so try removing it.
Use Multichoice launcher – Utilize the Multichoice launcher to bypass certain startup processes.

Let’s dive into each of these methods in more detail below!

Solved: Windows 10 is stuck on Welcome screen

If Windows 10 is stuck on the Welcome screen, don’t worry—there are multiple methods you can use to fix the issue. Below, we will walk you through nine different methods to resolve the problem.

Before we start — Boot in Safe Mode

Since your system is essentially unusable in its current state, booting into Safe Mode is often necessary to perform many of the methods listed below.

Step 1: Confirm whether this problem occurs in Safe Mode (as opposed to normal boot mode). If you don’t encounter the Welcome screen issue in Safe Mode, you can troubleshoot more efficiently using Windows 10’s built-in tools.

Step 2: Reboot your computer and hold down the F8 key while the boot screen is visible to enter the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). Depending on your device, you might also need to hold the Fn (function) key.

Step 3: Navigate to See advanced repair options > Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.

Step 4: You’ll now see a list of restart choices. Press F5 on your keyboard to enable Safe Mode with Networking. Wait for your system to restart and check if it successfully boots.

If you’re able to boot into Safe Mode without getting stuck on the Welcome screen, you can move forward with troubleshooting! A good first step would be to scan your computer for malware using Windows Defender.

By starting with Safe Mode, you can resolve startup issues more effectively!

Method 1: Startup Repair

Windows 10 offers several troubleshooting tools that you can access even if you’re unable to fully boot into your system. One such tool is Startup Repair, which can automatically detect and fix issues that may cause Windows 10 to get stuck on the Welcome screen. Here’s how to use it:

Click on the computer icon in the lower-right corner of the Welcome screen. This will make the screen slide up to show some options.

Click on the Power icon in the lower-right corner of the screen. It’s the last icon in the list. A menu will pop up.

While holding the Shift key on your keyboard, click Restart. This will launch the Advanced Recovery Options menu.

From the available options, select Troubleshoot. This will give you access to tools that can help restore your system without fully booting into Windows.

On the next page, click Advanced options.

Once the Advanced options menu loads, click on Startup Repair. This tool will try to detect and fix any issues that prevent Windows 10 from booting properly.

Your computer will now restart and automatically start Startup Repair. Once the menu appears, select your local user.

Enter your local account password and click Continue. If your account doesn’t have a password, simply leave the field blank.

Wait for Windows 10 to diagnose your computer. If any startup issues are detected, you will be presented with options for how to fix them.

Startup Repair is a simple yet effective tool for fixing boot problems, and it can be an excellent first step when troubleshooting Windows 10 startup issues!

Method 2: Run the System File Checker

Corrupted system files can lead to major issues with your operating system, including boot loops. System File Checker (SFC) is a built-in Windows 10 tool that helps with troubleshooting by detecting and repairing corrupted files.

Here’s how to use SFC to fix Windows 10 getting stuck on the Welcome screen:

Reboot your computer and hold the F8 key while the boot screen is visible to enter the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). On some devices, you may also need to hold the Fn (function) key.
From the Choose an option screen, navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.

In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter: sfc /scannow

Wait for the System File Checker to complete its scan. If it finds any corrupted system files, the tool will restore them and fix any errors related to those files.
Once the scan is finished, restart your computer and check if you’re able to get past the Welcome screen. If you can, then you’ve successfully fixed the issue using SFC!

Using System File Checker is an effective method to repair corrupted files and get your Windows 10 system back to normal.

Method 3: Run the DISM Command

As mentioned earlier, corrupted system files can cause significant problems with your operating system. While System File Checker (SFC) can help identify and repair corrupted files, the DISM (Deployment Imaging Service and Management) tool can also be used to target other areas of your device that may store damaged files.

The DISM tool scans your system for corruption and automatically attempts to restore any damaged or missing files. Here’s how to use it:

Reboot your computer and hold the F8 key while the boot screen is visible to enter the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). On some devices, you may need to hold the Fn (function) key as well.
From the Choose an option screen, navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.
In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter: DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

Wait for the DISM process to complete. This may take some time depending on the severity of the corruption.
Once finished, close the Command Prompt window and restart your computer. Check if you’re able to get past the Windows 10 Welcome screen.

Running DISM can help restore corrupted system files and address other corruption issues, helping your system run smoothly again.

Method 4: Disconnect All USB Devices

If you’re using any USB devices with your PC, they could be causing Windows 10 to get stuck on the Welcome screen. In rare cases, connected USB devices can interfere with the boot process.

Here’s what you can do:

Disconnect all USB devices from your computer (including keyboard, mouse, external hard drives, printers, etc.).
Restart your computer and check if the issue is resolved.

Many users have reported that simply unplugging all USB devices fixed the problem. If you prefer a more targeted approach, you can also try detaching USB devices one at a time to identify the specific device causing the issue.

This is a simple troubleshooting step that may help your Windows 10 system bypass the Welcome screen and boot properly.

Method 5: Disable Fast Startup

Fast Startup is a feature designed to speed up boot times in Windows 10, but it can sometimes cause problems with shutdown and lead to the system getting stuck on the Welcome screen after a restart. Here’s how to disable Fast Startup to prevent potential issues:

Boot your computer into Safe Mode.
Click on the Windows icon in your taskbar and search for Control Panel. Launch the application from the search results.

In Control Panel, click on Power Options. If you don’t see it, make sure to change the view mode to either Large icons or Small icons.

Click on the Choose what the power button does link on the left-side pane. This will redirect you to a new page.

On this page, click on the Change settings that are currently unavailable link to unlock the options.

Uncheck the box for Turn on fast startup (recommended).
Click Save changes to apply the settings, then restart your computer.

Disabling Fast Startup can resolve issues related to booting and help your Windows 10 system get past the Welcome screen without any problems.

Method 6: Disconnect from the Internet

Some Windows 10 users have reported that the system can get stuck on the Welcome screen because it is trying to connect to the Wi-Fi network. Here’s how to resolve the issue by disconnecting from the internet:

Deactivate your Wi-Fi briefly and check if the issue resolves. If you’re not the network administrator, try unplugging the Wi-Fi dongle from the outlet for about one minute, then reconnect it.
Check if your computer is able to boot into Windows 10 after reconnecting.
If the issue persists, consider disconnecting the Ethernet cable as well, as this could also affect the boot process.

These methods have been reported to work well for many users. It may take several attempts, so be patient—patience pays off!

Alternatively, you could try connecting your PC directly to the router rather than relying on Wi-Fi. This can sometimes bypass network-related boot issues and help your Windows 10 system start correctly.

Method 7: Boot Your System in Clean Boot Mode

Performing a clean boot helps to ensure that your computer runs without any third-party services or applications that may cause conflicts, which could lead to Windows 10 getting stuck on the Welcome screen. Here’s how to perform a clean boot:

Boot your computer into Safe Mode.
Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run utility.
Type in “msconfig” (without quotes) and press Enter to launch the System Configuration window.

In the System Configuration window, switch to the Services tab. Check the box for Hide all Microsoft services. This ensures that only third-party services are visible.

After hiding all Microsoft services, click the Disable all button to disable every third-party service.
Click Apply, then restart your computer. On reboot, your computer will be in clean boot mode, only running essential Microsoft services.
Once your system is in a clean boot state, check if the Windows Driver Foundation is still using excessive CPU resources.

If you notice that the Windows Driver Foundation is no longer causing issues in clean boot mode, then a third-party service is likely the cause. You can identify and replace the associated driver, app, or disable the service that’s causing the problem.

Performing a clean boot is an excellent way to pinpoint issues caused by third-party software or services.

Method 8: Remove Laptop Battery

If you’re experiencing the Welcome screen issue on a laptop, removing the battery might help. Here’s what to do:

Shut down your laptop completely.
Remove any removable batteries and leave it out for about five minutes.
After waiting, reinsert the battery into your laptop and power it back on to see if the problem persists.

If you have a spare laptop battery, try replacing the old one to see if that resolves the issue. If this seems to fix the problem, you may need to purchase a new battery if the old one is faulty.

Method 9: Restart the Windows Update Service

In some cases, Windows updates may be causing the Welcome screen issue. Restarting the Windows Update service can help resolve the problem. Here’s how to do it:

Reboot your computer and hold the F8 key to enter the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). On certain devices, you may need to hold the Fn (function) key as well.
From the Choose an option screen, navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.
In the Command Prompt window, run the following commands, pressing Enter after each line:
- net stop wuauserv
- cd %systemroot%
- ren SoftwareDistribution SD.old
- net start wuauserv
Once completed, restart your computer and check if you can boot into Windows 10 without getting stuck on the Welcome screen.

Restarting the Windows Update service can fix issues related to updates and help your Windows 10 system boot properly again.

One more thing

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