Fix: Windows 10 stuck in Welcome Screen

Earlier this year, Microsoft decided to skip over Windows 9 and introduce the latest iteration of the Windows Operating System in the form of Windows 10. Windows 10 is arguably the best version of the Operating System to have ever been created, but like all of its predecessors, it is not without its very own quirks and faults. One of the most common problems that Windows 10 users are prone to facing is their computer getting stuck on a completely unresponsive Welcome screen.

The Welcome screen is the interface that Windows 10 users use in order to log on to their computer via any one of the accounts that they have created on it. Seeing their computer stuck on the Welcome screen is not only quite a common problem but is also a highly agitating one as it leaves the affected computer entirely unusable. Anything from a faulty system update to some other software problem can cause a Windows 10 computer to get stuck on the Welcome screen, and this problem is also known to sometimes occur completely out of the blue. However, no matter what the cause, computers that are affected by this problem need to be fixed, and the most effective known way to do so is to try a Startup Repair. The following are all of the steps you need to follow in order to fix a Windows 10 computer that is stuck on the Welcome screen:

Method 1: Using Automatic Repair

1. Located at the bottom left of the Welcome screen is a power button. The first thing you need to do is click on this button.

2. While holding down the Shift key on your keyboard, click on ‘Restart’ from the menu that appears above the ‘Power’ button.

3. In the Advanced Recovery Options menu that appears on the screen, click on Troubleshoot.

4. Click on Advanced Options.

5. Finally, click on Startup Repair. Depending on the version of Windows 10 that your computer is running on, this option may be displayed as Automatic Repair.

Method 2: Disabling all Connected Devices

A common solution to the problem is to disconnect all externally connected devices from your PC. These include the mouse, keyboard, speakers, Bluetooth speakers, USB dongles, and USB Wi-Fi adapters, among others. When the time comes to enter your credentials, i.e., to log into your account, only then should you plug in your keyboard and enter the data.

Method 3: Disconnecting from the Internet

In some cases, connecting to the internet causes the problem. Your computer constantly tries to connect to the internet and if it isn’t allowed access, you get stuck on the welcome screen. Make sure that you are not connected to the internet before proceeding to log in.

Method 4 involves using a bootable CD/USB and repairing the system.

If all the above methods don’t work, you can repair your PC using bootable media. If you already have the media, you can use that. Otherwise, procure a fresh DVD/USB with enough space (greater than 7 GB) and use that to create the bootable media. Do note that all the contents present on your medium will be deleted, so back them up safely before you proceed.

1. Please check our article on how to create bootable media. There are two ways: by using the media creation tool by Microsoft or by using Rufus.
2. Once you have created the media, insert it and boot your computer to it. You can achieve this by entering BIOS settings of your computer and setting the boot priority of USB or DVD drive to the highest. This way the computer will prefer to boot from the media instead of the Windows present on your hard drive.
3. Once the installation window appears, select “Repair your computer,” which is located at the bottom left side of the screen.

4. Click ‘Troubleshoot’ when the next window appears.

5. Click ‘Startup Repair’.
   

6. Now select the operating system you want to repair. It is Windows 10 in this case.

7. Wait for the process to complete and restart your computer,

Method 5: Running System Checks using Command Prompt

Another reason why Windows may be stuck on the welcome screen is that of corrupt system files on your computer. We can run some checks on your machine and see if there are any discrepancies present.

1. Insert the installation media into your computer and enter the repair mode as described in the solution above.
2. Click on “Troubleshoot” and select “Command Prompt” from the next window which appears.

3. Enter the following commands in the command prompt and wait until all of the scans are complete. Do note that this might consume some time as all your system files are being checked.

sfc /scannow

chkdsk c: /f /r

bootrec /fixmbr

bootrec /fixboot

bootrec /scanos

bootrec /rebuildbcd

Note: After using the following methods, you might receive the error message “Automatic Repair couldn’t repair your PC“.

If all the above solutions don’t work, you can boot into safe mode, copy all your existing data, and reinstall your Windows 10.