How to Fix a Windows 11 PC or Laptop Stuck at the Welcome Screen?
When a Windows 11 PC or laptop becomes stuck at the Welcome screen, it creates the impression that the system has completely stopped responding. You enter your password or PIN, the display changes to “Welcome”, and then the screen remains frozen with no visible progress. In reality, Windows is still attempting to load background services, system drivers, user profile data, and startup applications. If one or more of these elements fail to load correctly, the login process can hang indefinitely.
This problem is often triggered by corrupted system files, conflicting drivers, problematic startup programs, interrupted updates, or damaged user profiles. Hardware issues can also play a role, but in most cases, the root cause is software-related.
The methods explained in this guide are designed to help you fix the issue step by step, starting with basic troubleshooting and moving toward advanced recovery solutions.
How to Fix a Windows 11 PC or Laptop Stuck at the Welcome Screen?
Before you begin, make sure your device is connected to a reliable power source. Several of the fixes involve restarts and recovery tools, and losing power mid-process can cause additional problems. It is also important to give each step enough time to complete. Some Windows repair operations may appear slow or unresponsive, but they are often working in the background.
Follow the methods in the order presented. After completing each method, check whether Windows loads normally. If the issue persists, continue to the next solution.
Method 1: Perform a Forced Restart and Full Power Reset
A forced restart combined with a power reset clears temporary memory, resets hardware communication, and fixes minor system glitches that may prevent Windows from completing the login process.
Press and hold the Power button on your PC or laptop. Continue holding it until the screen turns completely black and all lights on the device turn off. This ensures the system shuts down fully rather than entering sleep or hibernation mode.
Once the device is powered off, disconnect it from its power source. For a desktop PC, unplug the power cable from the back of the system or the wall socket. For a laptop, unplug the charger and, if the battery is removable, carefully remove it.
Disconnect all external devices from your PC. This includes USB flash drives, external hard drives, memory cards, printers, scanners, external monitors, keyboards, mice, and any other accessories. Faulty or incompatible peripherals can interfere with the login process.
Leave the device completely powered off for at least two to three minutes. This waiting period allows residual electrical charge to drain from internal components and resets temporary hardware states.
Reconnect only the essential components, such as the power cable or charger. Turn on the PC or laptop and allow Windows to boot normally. Observe whether the system moves past the Welcome screen.
If Windows still does not load correctly, proceed to the next method.
Method 2: Boot Windows 11 into Safe Mode
Safe Mode starts Windows using a minimal set of drivers and services. This helps determine whether the Welcome screen issue is caused by third-party software or drivers.
Turn on your PC or laptop and wait until the Windows logo appears. As soon as the logo is visible, press and hold the Power button to force the system to shut down.
Repeat the forced shutdown process two or three times in a row. On the next startup attempt, Windows should display “Preparing Automatic Repair” or “Diagnosing your PC”.
When the Automatic Repair screen appears, select Advanced options. On the next screen, choose Troubleshoot to access recovery tools.
Select Advanced options again, then click on Startup Settings. Read the information displayed, as it explains the available startup modes.
Click Restart to reboot your PC and display the Startup Settings menu.
After the restart, press the appropriate number key to select “Enable Safe Mode” or “Enable Safe Mode with Networking”. Windows will then load with limited functionality.
Wait for the desktop to appear. If Windows successfully loads in Safe Mode, it confirms that the core system files are working.
Restart your PC normally to see if the issue is resolved. If the system still freezes at the Welcome screen, continue with the next method.
Method 3: Disable Startup Programs That Load During Login
Startup applications can delay or block the login process, especially if they are outdated or corrupted.
While logged into Safe Mode, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc at the same time to open Task Manager. If Task Manager opens in a simplified view, click More details to access all options.
Select the Startup tab at the top of the Task Manager window. This tab lists all applications that are configured to start automatically when Windows boots.
Carefully review each listed application. Look for non-essential programs such as third-party updaters, game launchers, utility tools, or software you rarely use.
Right-click on one startup application at a time and select Disable. This prevents the program from running during the next startup. Avoid disabling Microsoft-related entries unless you are certain of their function.
Once you have disabled unnecessary startup apps, close Task Manager.
Restart your PC normally and observe whether Windows now loads past the Welcome screen without freezing.
Method 4: Run Startup Repair from Windows Recovery Environment
Startup Repair is a built-in Windows tool that automatically scans for and fixes common startup and login problems.
Access Windows Recovery Environment using the forced shutdown method until Automatic Repair appears.
Select Advanced options, then choose Troubleshoot to open the recovery menu.
From the Troubleshoot screen, select Advanced options again, then click on Startup Repair.
Choose your Windows user account when prompted. Enter your account password or PIN if required.
Allow Startup Repair to scan your system. The tool will attempt to repair damaged boot files, registry settings, and startup components.
Wait patiently while the process completes. Your PC may restart automatically during or after the repair.
After the repair finishes, let Windows boot normally and check if the Welcome screen issue is resolved.
Method 5: Repair System Files Using Command Prompt
Corrupted or missing system files often prevent Windows from completing the login process.
Enter Windows Recovery Environment and select Advanced options.
Choose Command Prompt from the list of recovery tools. Select your Windows account and enter your password if prompted.
When the Command Prompt window opens, click inside it to ensure it is active.
Type the following command exactly as shown and press Enter.
sfc /scannow
Wait while the System File Checker scans protected system files. This process may take several minutes and should not be interrupted.
Once the scan completes, read the on-screen message. If corrupted files were found and repaired, close Command Prompt.
Restart your PC and check whether Windows now loads past the Welcome screen.
Method 6: Uninstall Recent Windows Updates
A faulty or incomplete update can cause Windows 11 to freeze during login.
Boot into Windows Recovery Environment and select Troubleshoot.
Open Advanced options and click on Uninstall Updates.
Choose Uninstall the latest quality update. These updates are smaller but often responsible for sudden issues.
Follow the on-screen instructions to remove the update. Allow the process to complete fully.
Restart your PC and check if the issue is fixed.
If the problem continues, repeat the process and choose Uninstall latest feature update, which removes major Windows changes.
Method 7: Create a New User Account to Fix Profile Corruption
A damaged user profile can prevent Windows from completing the login process.
Boot into Safe Mode with Networking.
Press Windows + I to open Settings. Navigate to Accounts, then select Other users.
Click Add account and follow the prompts to create a new local user account.
Assign administrator privileges to the new account to ensure full system access.
Sign out of your current account and log in using the new account.
If the new account works correctly, copy personal files from the old profile to the new one.
Method 8: Use System Restore to Revert Windows to a Working State
System Restore undoes recent system changes without deleting personal data.
Enter Windows Recovery Environment and open Advanced options.
Select System Restore and choose your Windows installation when prompted.
Review the list of available restore points and select one created before the Welcome screen issue began.
Confirm your selection and follow the on-screen instructions to begin the restore process.
Wait while Windows restores system settings and restarts your PC automatically.
Faqs
Why does Windows 11 remain stuck at the Welcome screen?
This usually happens due to corrupted system files, driver conflicts, startup programs, or user profile issues.
Is forcing shutdowns safe during troubleshooting?
Yes, when Windows is unresponsive. Forced shutdowns are commonly used to access recovery tools.
Should I reset Windows if none of these methods work?
A reset should be the final option after all repair methods have failed.
Final Thoughts
A Windows 11 PC or laptop stuck at the Welcome screen can be alarming, but it is rarely a permanent issue. Most cases are caused by software conflicts or system corruption that can be fixed using built-in recovery tools. By carefully following each expanded method in this guide, you can identify the source of the problem and restore normal system functionality without reinstalling Windows. Once the issue is resolved, keeping your system updated, maintaining sufficient storage space, and limiting unnecessary startup applications can help prevent similar problems in the future.