Cannot Exit Safe Mode Start Screen: 4 Quick Solutions to Try

Windows operating systems are powerful but can be frustrating at times. For example, after installing a new software application or driver to support new hardware, your computer may lock up or crash. Upon restarting the computer, you may encounter a “Safe Mode” screen. What does this mean?

What Is Safe Mode?

Safe Mode is one of the diagnostic modes of a Windows operating system. When a Windows device is running in safe mode, it runs with a basic set of services and drivers that are necessary to boot a Windows OS. This mode comes in handy when troubleshooting common Windows issues, such as the ndistpr64.sys problem and runDLL errors.

How to Boot a Windows Device in Safe Mode

There are many ways to boot a Windows device into Safe Mode. In most cases, it just enables itself, especially when errors or crashes are detected. You may also manually initiate it. Simply follow the instructions below:

1. Make sure your Windows computer is turned off.
2. Switch on your Windows machine by pressing the Power button.
3. Once it’s powered on, hold the Power button again for about five seconds or until your computer shuts down again.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 twice until the Preparing Automatic Repair screen appears. If you already see this screen the first time you power up your computer, you may skip this step.
5. Wait while Windows attempts to diagnose your computer.
6. After a few seconds, the Startup Repair screen will appear. Click Advanced Options.
7. The Windows Recovery Environment screen will now surface. Here, click Troubleshoot.
8. Go to Troubleshoot.
9. Navigate to Advanced Options > Startup Settings.
10. Select Restart. This will restart your computer and power up again with a set of startup options.
11. If you want to Enable Safe Mode, press the number 4 key on your keyboard. To enter Safe Mode with Networking, press the number 5 key. If you like to Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt, press the number 6 key.

Common Problems with Windows Safe Mode

Unfortunately, things don’t always go smoothly when using Safe Mode. Some Windows users have reported that they cannot exit the Safe Mode start screen, while others said they can’t get out of Safe Mode at all.

These problems can be very annoying and at the same time scary. That is mainly because you might not be able to use the complete features of your Windows computer. But don’t worry. There are ways to recover if you feel your Windows 10/11 is stuck in Safe Mode.

How to Exit Safe Mode on Windows 10/11

If your computer is stuck in Safe Mode, try any of these solutions:

Solution #1: Restart Your Computer.

As mentioned above, there are many ways to enter Safe Mode. However, if you manually accessed it by making changes in your Startup Settings under Advanced Options, then restarting your computer can let you escape Safe Mode and revert to Normal Mode.

Solution #2: Change Your System Configuration.

One reason why you are stuck in Safe Mode is that the Safe Boot option is enabled in your System Configuration. Try to disable it and see if you easily get out of Safe Mode.

Here’s is how to turn off Safe Boot in System Configuration:

1. Press the Windows and R keys on your keyboard to open the Run Dialog Box.
2. In the text field, input msconfig.
3. Hit Enter to open System Configuration.
4. Under System Configuration, navigate to the Boot tab and uncheck the Safe Boot option.
5. Click OK.
6. A new dialog box will pop up. Here, click Restart.

Solution #3: Delete Safe Boot via Command Prompt.

Another way to get out of Safe Mode is to delete the Safe Boot element from your system’s boot configuration. Be careful, though, because doing this can hinder your computer from entering or enabling Safe Mode.

To delete Safe Boot, you have to use Command Prompt and follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows and R keys on your keyboard to open the Run Dialog Box.
2. In the text field, input cmd.
3. Hit Enter to open Command Prompt.
4. In the command line, enter this command:

bcdedit /deletevalue {current} safeboot

5. Press Enter.
6. Now, we will reboot Windows. In the command line, input the following command:

shutdown /r

7. Hit Enter.
8. Wait while your computer restarts, then see if you have made a successful exit from Safe Mode.

Solution #4: Optimize Windows with a PC Cleaning Tool.

It is likely that a system error or a junk file is keeping you from exiting Safe Mode. To easily fix any system error or get rid of a junk file, we suggest you just download and install an reliable PC cleaning tool.

By using a PC cleaning tool, you don’t have to manually locate errors and junk files on your system because it will do the job for you in just one click. From safely diagnosing your Windows system, it can improve speed and restore system stability for a fuss-free computer experience.

Summary

Safe Mode is a reliable mode that you can count on when diagnosing Windows problems. But then again, even if it’s a handy diagnostic mode, it is still prone to issues, with Windows devices being stuck in this mode as the most common one. We just hope that at least one of the solutions above helped you get out of Safe Mode.

Do you know other ways to exit Safe Mode when a Windows device seems stuck on it? We’re eager to know! Share them with us below.