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Dornier5's avatar
Dornier5
Copper Contributor
Mar 25, 2026

How to fix my laptop loading screen stuck after update?

Hi everyone, My laptop is currently stuck on the loading screen (spinning circles) and won't boot into the desktop. This happened immediately after I installed the most recent updates and restarted....
Makaylarivera's avatar
Makaylarivera
Iron Contributor
Mar 25, 2026

Safe Mode starts Windows with only the essential drivers and services, which makes it much easier to fix problems caused by a failed update, bad driver, or software conflict. If the laptop is stuck on the loading screen, Safe Mode can help you get into the system and remove whatever is causing the issue.

Steps to Enter Safe Mode

  1. Turn on your laptop and force shut it down when it starts loading (hold Power button)
  2. Repeat this 2–3 times until you see “Preparing Automatic Repair”
  3. Click Advanced options
  4. Go to: Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings
  5. Click Restart
  6. When the options appear, press:
  7. 4 or F4 → Safe Mode
  8. 5 or F5 → Safe Mode with Networking (if you need internet)

What to Do in Safe Mode (Important Fixes)

✅ 1. Uninstall Recent Windows Updates

Go to Settings → Windows Update → Update history → Uninstall updates

Remove the most recent update (especially if the issue started after it)

✅ 2. Remove Problematic Drivers

  • Right-click Start → Device Manager
  • Look for devices with warning icons ⚠️
  • Right-click → Uninstall device or Roll back driver

Safe Mode is one of the most effective ways to fix a laptop stuck on the loading screen after update. It gives you access to Windows in a minimal environment so you can uninstall updates, fix drivers, and repair system files. If your laptop works fine in Safe Mode, the issue is almost always caused by software.