How to fix "Your pc ran into a problem and needs to restart" after system update

Booting into Safe Mode via Advanced Options is a key troubleshooting tool in Windows 11, primarily used when your computer fails to start normally or repeatedly displays the error message “Your device ran into a problem and needs to restart” It loads only the minimum number of drivers and programs required to start Windows, helping you diagnose and fix potential system issues causing the startup failure.

Step 1: First, open the Advanced Options screen.

Step 2: On the Advanced Options screen, select Troubleshoot.

Step 3: In the Troubleshoot menu, select Advanced Options again.

Step 4: From the Advanced Options list, select Startup Settings.

Step 5: Click the Restart button to restart your computer and enter Startup Settings.

Step 6: After restarting, you will see a list of startup options: Press the 4 or F4 key to enter Safe Mode.

Step 7: If Safe Mode runs normally, you can restart again and press the 5 or F5 key to enter Safe Mode with Networking.

Step 8: Once in Safe Mode, perform the following troubleshooting steps:

• Open Command Prompt and run the command `sfc /scannow` to repair corrupted system files.
• Uninstall any recent drivers or software installed before the startup issue occurred.
• Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter to fix issues related to updates.

This method is particularly useful when you encounter the Your device ran into a problem and needs to restart prompt, as it bypasses conflicting software and grants you access to repair tools.

Pros:

• Effectively resolves startup failures caused by driver conflicts, corrupted files, or software malfunctions
• Safe Mode with Networking allows online access so you can download drivers, updates, or repair tools
• Uses very few system resources and runs smoothly even on problematic systems

Cons:

• You must first access the Advanced Options menu.
• Some hardware may not function properly in Safe Mode.
• Cannot fix hardware-related issues

Forcing your Windows 11 computer into Recovery Mode is a useful troubleshooting method when the system fails to boot normally or repeatedly displays the error message Your device ran into a problem and needs to restart. Unlike the traditional F8 key, this forced method triggers Automatic Repair, allowing you to access advanced tools to fix boot issues, system corruption, or startup failures.

Instructions:

1. Turn on your laptop normally.

2. Wait for the Windows startup screen to appear—you will see a spinning circle.

3. Once you see the spinning circle, press and hold the power button firmly for 5–10 seconds until the computer shuts down completely.

4. Repeat steps 1–3 three times.

5. On the fourth attempt, Windows will detect the repeated startup failures and automatically trigger the Automatic Repair mode.

6. You will see the following prompts in sequence: Preparing Automatic Repair → Diagnosing your computer → Finally, the Advanced Options screen will appear.

7. On the Advanced Options screen, you can select tools such as System Restore, Startup Repair, or Command Prompt to fix the underlying issue causing the startup failure.

This method is simple to follow, requires no additional software or technical expertise, and works on most modern Windows 11 devices. It effectively resolves common startup issues that trigger the message Your device ran into a problem and needs to restart, providing a reliable way to access system repair tools when the device fails to boot normally. However, please note that this is merely a troubleshooting step—once you’ve accessed “Advanced options,” select the appropriate repair tool based on your specific issue to restore normal system operation.