Why Your PC Won't Reset and How to Fix It

The most common reasons a PC reset gets stuck or fails

A PC reset usually fails because Windows cannot write to your hard drive, your system is running out of storage space, a background process is blocking the reset, or your drive has developed bad sectors that Windows cannot overwrite. Sometimes the reset straightforward stalls partway through and needs to be restarted. Less often, a corrupted Windows file or a BIOS setting prevents the reset from starting at all.

The good news: most of these have straightforward fixes you can try before calling a technician. The bad news: you need to know which problem you actually have, because the fix for one makes the other worse.

Key Takeaways

Check your free disk space first — Windows needs at least 10 to 20 GB free to reset, and a nearly full drive is the most common culprit.
If the reset starts but stalls, force-restart your PC by holding the power button for 10 seconds, then try again — a stuck reset often just needs a restart.
Disconnect all USB devices except your keyboard and mouse before resetting, because external drives and USB hubs can interrupt the process.
If you see a specific error code, write it down and search it on Microsoft's support site — the code tells you exactly what Windows cannot do.
If nothing works, you can still reinstall Windows from a USB drive even if the built-in reset fails, though this takes longer.

Check your available disk space first

Windows needs free space to reset because it has to write new system files, create temporary working space, and sometimes back up your old files before deleting them. If your drive is more than 90 percent full, the reset will fail or stall partway through.

To check: open File Explorer, right-click This PC or My Computer, and select Properties. Look at the bar under your C: drive — if the blue section (used space) takes up most of the bar, you need to free up space before resetting. Delete large files you no longer need: old video files, installation files, or duplicate photos. If you are low on space, uninstall programs you do not use by going to Settings > Apps > Apps & features, then clicking programs and selecting Uninstall.

Aim for at least 20 GB free before you start the reset. If you cannot free up that much space, your drive may straightforward be too small for a reset to work — in that case, you would need to replace the drive or use a different method to reinstall Windows.

Disconnect external devices and USB drives

USB devices — external hard drives, USB hubs, printers, phones, memory cards — can interrupt a reset because Windows tries to scan them during the process. If a device disconnects or responds slowly, the reset stalls or fails.

Before you reset, unplug everything except your keyboard and mouse. This includes USB hubs, external drives, SD card readers, printers, and phones. If you are using a laptop, also remove any docking stations. Then start the reset again.

This single step fixes the problem in a surprising number of cases. Once the reset completes, you can plug everything back in.

Force-restart if the reset stalls partway through

Sometimes the reset process starts but gets stuck on a screen that says "Resetting your PC" or "Preparing your PC" and does not move for 30 minutes or more. This is usually not a crash — Windows is just taking a very long time, or it has gotten stuck waiting for something.

Hold down your PC's power button for 10 seconds until the screen goes black and the PC shuts down completely. Wait 30 seconds, then turn it back on and try the reset again. Windows will often resume or restart the reset process, and this time it may complete.

If it stalls again at the same point, note what the screen said and search for that exact phrase plus "Windows reset stuck" — you may find that a specific driver or program is known to cause that stall, and you can uninstall it before trying again.

Look up your error code on Microsoft's support site

If you see an error message with a code — something like "0x80070005" or "0xC1900101" — write it down exactly. These codes tell you what Windows could not do, and Microsoft's support pages have specific fixes for each one.

Go to support.microsoft.com and search for your error code. Microsoft's pages usually list the exact cause and the steps to fix it. Common codes include:

0x80070005: A file or folder is locked or you do not have permission to change it. Usually fixed by running the reset as Administrator or disconnecting external drives.
0xC1900101: A driver or program is blocking the reset. Usually fixed by uninstalling recent updates or drivers before trying again.
0x80004005: A hard drive error. May require running a disk check or replacing the drive.

If you cannot find your code or the fix does not work, you have other options — see the section below on reinstalling Windows from a USB drive.

Run a disk check if you suspect drive damage

If your reset keeps failing with the same error, or if your PC has been making clicking or grinding sounds, your hard drive may have bad sectors — areas that Windows cannot read or write to. A reset cannot work if the drive itself is damaged.

To check, open Command Prompt as Administrator: right-click the Start button, select Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin), and type this command:

chkdsk C: /F

Windows will ask if you want to schedule the check for the next restart. Type Y and restart your PC. The check will run before Windows starts — it takes 10 to 30 minutes depending on your drive size. If it finds and fixes errors, try the reset again. If it finds errors it cannot fix, your drive is failing and needs to be replaced before you can reset or reinstall Windows.

Reinstall Windows from a USB drive if the reset fails completely

If the built-in reset will not work no matter what you try, you can still reinstall Windows by creating a bootable USB drive and installing from that. This takes longer than a reset — usually 30 to 60 minutes — but it works even when the reset is completely broken.

You will need a second PC or laptop and a USB drive with at least 8 GB of space. Go to microsoft.com/software-read/windows11 (or windows10 if you have Windows 10), read the Media Creation Tool, and follow the steps to create a bootable USB drive. Then plug the USB drive into your PC, restart it, and press the key that opens the boot menu — usually F12, F2, Esc, or Del, depending on your PC's brand. Select the USB drive and follow the on-screen steps to reinstall Windows.

This method erases your drive completely, so back up any files you need first if you can still access them. If your drive is too damaged to access, you will lose those files, but you will have a working PC again.

When to call a technician

If you have tried all the steps above and the reset still will not work, the problem is likely hardware-related — a failing hard drive, a corrupted BIOS, or a motherboard issue. At that point, a technician can run deeper diagnostics and replace hardware if needed. Bring your error codes and a list of what you have already tried — it saves them time and you money.

If your drive is making unusual sounds, your PC is overheating, or you see physical damage, do not keep trying to reset. Stop and call a technician, because you risk making the damage worse.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reset my PC if it will not start Windows?

Not using the built-in reset, because you need Windows running to access it. But you can reinstall Windows from a USB drive instead. Create a bootable USB on another PC, plug it in, boot from it, and follow the installation steps. This works even if Windows is completely broken.

Will resetting my PC delete my files?

That depends on which reset option you choose. "Reset this PC" with "Keep my files" saves your documents, photos, and downloads but removes programs and settings. "Remove everything" deletes all files and programs. If you are not sure which you chose, stop and back up your important files first — you can always reset again.

How long should a PC reset take?

Usually 20 to 45 minutes from start to finish. If it has been stuck on the same screen for more than an hour, force-restart your PC by holding the power button for 10 seconds. If it stalls again at the same point, disconnect external devices and try once more.

What if I see a blue screen during the reset?

A blue screen with an error code usually means a driver or hardware issue. Write down the error code and search it on support.microsoft.com. Do not restart when ready — let the screen sit for a minute so you can read and write down the full code. Then restart and try the reset again after disconnecting external devices.

Can I use my PC while it is resetting?

No. Close all programs, disconnect from the internet if possible, and do not touch the keyboard or mouse once the reset starts. If you interrupt it, the reset may fail and leave your system in an unusable state. If you need to stop it, force-restart by holding the power button for 10 seconds.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.