Dell Laptop Stuck on Restarting? 10 Proven Fixes to Reboot

If your Dell laptop stuck on restarting, you’re likely staring at a spinning circle that never ends. No desktop. No login screen. Just “Restarting” for minutes, or even hours.

This issue is common after a Windows update, driver installation, BIOS change, or unexpected shutdown. In some cases, it’s a temporary glitch. In others, it may signal corrupted system files, bootloader errors, or even failing hardware.

The good news: most restart loop problems can be fixed without replacing your laptop or losing data.

Below are 10 proven fixes, organized from simplest to most advanced. Follow them in order.

Why Is My Dell Laptop Stuck on Restarting?

Before jumping into solutions, it helps to understand the root causes. The most common triggers include:

• Interrupted Windows updates
• Corrupted system files
• Driver conflicts
• Fast Startup conflicts
• BIOS misconfiguration
• SSD/HDD errors
• Power management glitches

Level 1 – Quick Fixes (Try These First)

These methods require no technical expertise and often resolve temporary system freezes.

Fix 1. Force Shut Down and Restart

When to use: The issue appeared suddenly, especially after a Windows update.

How to fix:

1. Press and hold the Power button for 10–15 seconds until the laptop shuts off.
2. Wait 30 seconds.
3. Turn it back on.
4. If it still freezes, repeat up to 2-3  times.

Windows may automatically trigger Startup Repair after repeated failed boots.

Notice: Do not force shutdown more than 4 consecutive times, as this may risk file system damage.

Fix 2. Remove All External Device

When to use: You have USB drives, external hard disks, docking stations, or printers connected. External devices can interfere with boot priority or cause driver conflicts.

Steps:

1. Power off the laptop.
2. Disconnect all external devices.
3. Restart with only the charger connected.

If it boots normally, reconnect devices one at a time to identify the culprit.

Fix 3. Perform a Hard Reset (Drain Residual Power)

When to use: The laptop is stuck on the restarting screen and won’t respond to normal shutdown attempts, or it keeps looping even after you force it off. Sometimes the system gets stuck in a low-level power state. Instead of just holding the power button, letting the remaining battery fully drain can clear that state more effectively.

Steps:

1. Press and hold the Power button until the laptop turns off.
2. Unplug the charger.
3. If the battery is removable, take it out.
4. Leave the laptop unplugged and powered off.
5. Wait until the battery is completely drained (this may take several hours if it still had charge).
6. Once you’re sure there’s no power left, reconnect the charger (and battery, if removed).

This method takes longer, but it can resolve stubborn restart loops caused by power management glitches or firmware hang-ups.

Level 2 – Windows Repair Methods

If basic steps fail, the problem may involve corrupted system files or failed updates. To access recovery tools, you’ll need to enter the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) or Safe Mode.

Fix 4. Run Startup Repair

When to use: Your Dell laptop immediately gets stuck again after restarting, and you can’t reach the login screen. In this situation, you’ll need to access the Windows Recovery Environment and run Startup Repair manually.

Step 1: Trigger the Recovery Screen

1. Press and hold the Power button to turn the laptop off.
2. Turn it back on.
3. As soon as you see the Dell logo or spinning dots, press and hold the Power button again to force it off.
4. Repeat this process 2 – 3 times.

On the next startup, Windows should display Preparing Automatic Repair followed by Diagnosing your PC. If you see Automatic Repair, click Advanced options.

Step 2: Run Startup Repair

1. Click Troubleshoot > Advanced options >Choose Startup Repair.
2. Select your Windows account and enter your password if prompted.
3. Windows will now scan the system for boot-related problems. This can take several minutes.
4. If repairs are successful, the laptop will restart automatically.

If you see a message saying Startup Repair couldn’t repair your PC, go back to Advanced options and continue with the next fix.

Fix 5. Boot into Safe Mode to Uninstall Updates

When to use: The issue started after a Windows update, or Windows update stuck on restarting.

Step 1: Enter Safe Mode

1. From the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) screen, click Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings >Restart.
2. After the laptop restarts, you’ll see a list of startup options.
3. Press 4 or F4 to boot into Safe Mode.

If everything goes well, Windows should load with a basic desktop and the words “Safe Mode” in the corners.

Step 2: Uninstall the Latest Windows Update.

1. Once you’re in Safe Mode, Click Start > Settings > Windows Update.
2. Select Update history.
3. Click Uninstall updates.
4. Remove the most recent Quality Update first.

Fix 6. Run System Restore

When to use: System Restore rolls Windows system files and registry settings back to an earlier point in time. It does not delete personal files like documents or photos, but recently installed apps or drivers may be removed.

1. On the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) screen >Troubleshoot >Advanced > System Restore.
2. A list of available restore points will appear.
3. Choose a restore point dated before the restart issue began.
4. Click Next, then Finish to confirm.

The laptop will restart and begin restoring system files. This process may take 10–30 minutes. Do not interrupt it once it starts.

Level 3 – Advanced Solutions

If your Dell laptop is still stuck on restarting after trying the recovery tools, the issue is likely deeper than a simple update glitch. At this stage, you’re dealing with possible boot configuration errors, BIOS misalignment, corrupted system images, or even early signs of storage failure.

Fix 7. Disable Fast Startup

Fast Startup sometimes conflicts with restart sequences.

Important:Restart is not the same as shutdown when Fast Startup is enabled.

Steps:

1. Boot into Safe Mode (if possible).
2. Open Control Panel.
3. Go to Power Options.
4. Select Choose what the power buttons do.
5. Disable Turn on fast startup.

If you cannot access Windows, this step may require reinstalling or offline registry editing.

Fix 8. Check BIOS Settings

Improper BIOS configuration can prevent normal restart cycles. Most Dell laptops use BIOS developed by Dell Technologies.

To enter BIOS:

1. Power on the laptop.
2. Press F2 repeatedly.

Check the following:

• Boot Mode (UEFI recommended)
• Secure Boot status
• Boot order priority
• Restore BIOS to default settings

If you recently updated BIOS, resetting to defaults may resolve instability.

Fix 9. Reinstall Windows (Last Resort)

If none of the above methods work, a clean OS reinstall may be required. Warning that this may erase system partition data.

Before reinstalling, back up important files (if accessible), and consider removing the SSD and connecting it to another computer for data extraction

To reinstall:

1. Create a bootable USB using Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool.
2. Boot from USB.
3. Follow installation prompts.

If the restart issue persists even after a clean install, hardware failure is likely.

Fix 10. Contact Dell Support

If your laptop is under warranty, contacting official support is advisable. You can reach Dell Support for:

• Hardware diagnostics
• SSD or RAM testing
• Motherboard inspection
• Warranty repair options

Persistent restart loops after OS reinstall often indicate SSD failure or motherboard damage.

How to Prevent Dell Restart Loop in the Future

To reduce recurrence:

• Avoid interrupting Windows updates
• Update BIOS only when necessary
• Disable Fast Startup if restart loops reoccur
• Monitor SSD health using SMART diagnostics
• Keep drivers updated but avoid beta releases

Proactive maintenance significantly lowers restart-related failures.

Final Thoughts

A Dell laptop stuck on restarting is frustrating, but in most cases, it’s repairable without replacing the device. Start with simple power resets. Move to Startup Repair and Safe Mode. Only consider reinstalling Windows after exhausting recovery tools. Systematic troubleshooting prevents unnecessary data loss and helps isolate whether the issue is software-related or hardware-based.