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FIX: Windows 10/11 not responding when laptop is switched on
6 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
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How do I solve Windows 10, 8.1 not responding after laptop starts?
Did you ever had the misfortune to power up yourlaptopinWindows 8.1and it stopped responding to your commands? There are many issues that can cause this while using your operating system but don’t worry because we will discuss them a little bit below and you will find out why this is happening and how to fix yourWindows 8.1operating system if it is not responding when yourlaptopis switched on.In many of the cases when theWindows 8.1operating system is not responding when you switch on your device, if you leave it in this state for a couple of minutes or restart thelaptopit will start working normally. A hardware failure in yourlaptopor a driver that is outdated can be the most common issues that can affect your system in such a way.
Steps on how to solve Windows if it doesn’t respond when the laptop is switched on:
1. Troubleshoot as administrator
2. Disable unnecessary apps
3. Disable drivers in Safe Mode
4. Run an antivirus scan
If theWindows 8.1laptop is still not responding when switched on you will have to do a full system check with the antivirus you are using and see if it finds any particular malware or viruses on the drive.
By using a professional antivirus you can scan the whole system in an instant and repair the damage your device might have.
⇒Get Bitdefender
5. Check if the hard drive is installed properly
If you have made any recent hardware modifications to thelaptopespecially a hard drive change please make sure you installed it properly. If the hard drive is not installed properly in thelaptopthen your operating system is most certainly reacting like this because of it.
6. Reinstall Windows
Do a clean reinstall of yourWindows 10, 8.1operating system.Note:before you reinstall the operating system make sure to backup all your files from the hard drive.
7. Check your PC/laptop heat level
Freezes can also be a cause of overheating. This thing occurs especially to laptop users as a laptop ventilation is not so effective, especially for ultrabooks or old notebooks. Check if the fan is doing a squealing noise. If it does, then your CPU is not receiving its necessary cooling and you need to go to a specialist in order to fix that.
For checking other laptop components, we recommend you to use a dedicated tool which will show you in real-time the estate of your PC hardware. You can find moresystem monitors in our dedicated article.
⇒Get AIDA64
These are the steps you need to take in order to fix yourWindows 8.1laptop if it is not responding when you switch it on. Please write us below for any additional questions on this article and we will help you further with this situation.
Ivan Jenic
Windows Hardware Expert
Passionate about all elements related to Windows and combined with his innate curiosity, Ivan has delved deep into understanding this operating system, with a specialization in drivers and driver troubleshooting.
When he’s not tackling diverse driver-related problems, Ivan enjoys watching good movies and spending time hiking with his family and friends.
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Ivan Jenic
Windows Hardware Expert
Ivan has delved deep into understanding the Windows OS, with a specialization in drivers and driver troubleshooting.
