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How to Fix the Windows 11 Error Recovery Screen on Boot
7 min. read
Updated onMarch 28, 2024
updated onMarch 28, 2024
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The latest iteration, like its predecessors, is prone to errors. Most of these are easily fixable but some appear to be rather tricky. One such is when users encounter the Windows Error Recovery screen when turning on a Windows 11 PC.
The error could be encountered due to a bunch of reasons, and these could have to do both with the hardware and the software. This makes it all the more difficult to identify the underlying cause and eliminate the error.
Though there isn’t much you can do other than troubleshooting once the error is encountered, there are ways to prevent it from occurring in the first place.
You can use adedicated repair toolthat will scan and eliminate problems both with the hardware and software, thus preventing a plethora of errors, and saving you a lot of time otherwise spent troubleshooting.
Why am I seeing the Windows Error Recovery when turning on a Windows 11 PC?
The primary reason behind the error is when an incompatible or malfunctioning external device is connected to the system. If you have recently added a new piece of hardware or replaced one, it could just as well lead to the Windows Error Recovery screen in Windows 11.
Apart from that, damaged, missing, or misconfigured system files could also be the cause. Also, problems with the boot configuration or installing a third-party application may lead to error.
Be it any of these issues, the fixes listed below would eliminate the Windows Error Recovery screen in Windows 11, and get your PC up and running like before. Just, follow the methods in the listed sequence for quick and effective troubleshooting.
How do I fix the Windows 11 Error Recovery issue?
1. Remove malfunctioning hardware
As discussed earlier, the primary cause of the issue is malfunctioning hardware. To fix it, you will have to identify and remove that device.
Since you wouldn’t be able to right away identify one, the best approach here would be to disconnect all the peripherals, while just keeping the keyboard, mouse, and monitor attached to the CPU in case of a desktop. For a laptop, remove everything.
Now, start connecting each of these devices one at a time and then turn on the computer. If the system turns on without the Windows Error Recovery screen in Windows 11, shut it down and then connect the next peripheral.
Proceed similarly until you identify the malfunctioning hardware. Once you do, disconnect it and contact the manufacturer for a resolution. Until you are able to find one, do not connect that device.
If this doesn’t work and you keep encountering the error, head to the next method.
2. Run Startup Repair
Startup Repair is a built-in tool that eliminates issues, such as corrupt or missing critical system files, preventing the OS from booting effectively. Though the tool won’t look for viruses or fix problems with the hardware.
Here you don’t have to do much since the Startup Repair option is by default selected on the error screen, and it will automatically start if you don’t change the selection within a few seconds.
So wait for Startup Repair to run, and choose the appropriate response when prompted. After running the repair tool, check if you are able to load the OS without encountering the Windows 11 Error Recovery screen.
3. Rebuild Boot Configuration Data (BCD)
BCD or Boot Configuration Data helps load the OS, and if it’s corrupt or certain critical files go missing, you are likely to encounter the Windows 11 Error Recovery. If that was the case, rebuilding the BCD should help fix the error.
4. Run the SFC scan and DISM tool
Running the DISM and SFC scan will fix corrupted system files, repair Windows Image, and modify the Windows installation files if required. So if it’s any of these causing the Windows 11 Error Recovery, your system should now be up and running.
5. Uninstall conflicting third-party apps
The main challenge here would be to identify the malfunctioning app. Here, we would recommend removing the apps installed around the time the error was first encountered one at a time, until the one leading to Windows 11 Error Recovery screen is uninstalled.
6. Reinstall Windows 11
If none of the methods listed above have worked, you have no option but toreinstall Windows 11. Reinstalling the OS will fix almost every issue that is affecting its functioning and leading to Windows 11 Error Recovery.
We recommend going with it as the last resort since it will take some time, and you might end up losing the stored data. But it will for sure eliminate the error, and get your PC running like before.
How do I identify a faulty hardware in Windows 11?
In most cases, faulty hardware will lead to BSoD (Blue Screen of Death) errors, and the error message itself will tell you which hardware is malfunctioning. Also, you cancheck the error log in Event Viewerto find out all the details.
There are also a bunch of built-in tools and utilities that can help diagnose issues with the hardware. For instance, you have theWindows Memory Diagnostictool to identify and eliminate problems with the RAM.
Besides, you canuse a dedicated third-party hardware diagnostic tool, since these perform better compared to those that come preinstalled. Once you know which hardware is malfunctioning, you can have it repaired or replaced to get the best system performance.
So, now that you have the Windows 11 Error Recovery problem resolved, we recommend you take extra precautions to avoid such conflicts in the future.
Also, find outhow to fix the 0xc00000e error code in Windows 11, since this too arises due to corrupted BCD or the absence of critical updates.
Tell us which fix worked for you in the comments section below.
More about the topics:Windows 11,windows recovery
Kazim Ali Alvi
Windows Hardware Expert
Kazim has always been fond of technology, be it scrolling through the settings on his iPhone, Android device, or Windows PC. He’s specialized in hardware devices, always ready to remove a screw or two to find out the real cause of a problem.
Long-time Windows user, Kazim is ready to provide a solution for your every software & hardware error on Windows 11, Windows 10 and any previous iteration. He’s also one of our experts in Networking & Security.
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Kazim Ali Alvi
Windows Hardware Expert
Kazim is specialized in hardware devices, always ready to remove a screw or two to find out the real cause of a problem.
