How to Boot Into Safe Mode When Windows 11 Won't Start

Windows won’t boot far enough to sign in, so the usual Settings route into Safe Mode isn’t available — you need to force it from outside.

Why: Safe Mode starts Windows with a limited set of files and drivers. If the PC works in Safe Mode but not normally, a third-party driver, app, or recent update is to blame — and Safe Mode is where you remove it. When Windows can’t start at all, you reach Safe Mode through the Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE).

Fix 1: Force the recovery menu, then pick Safe Mode

1. If Windows fails to start three times in a row, it loads Windows RE automatically. To force it: power on, and the moment the Windows logo appears, hold the power button to shut off. Repeat twice more — on the third start you’ll get the recovery screen.
2. Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
3. After the reboot, the Startup Settings list appears. Press:
   • 4 for Enable Safe Mode
   • 5 for Safe Mode with Networking (adds internet/network access for downloading drivers)
   • 6 for Safe Mode with Command Prompt

Fix 2: Boot Safe Mode from installation media

If forcing the recovery menu doesn’t work, use a Windows 11 installation USB:

1. Boot the USB, click Next, then Repair your computer.
2. Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart, then press 4, 5, or 6 as above.

If Startup Settings is missing from that menu, open Command Prompt instead and run bcdedit /set {default} bootmenupolicy legacy, then restart — the older F8 boot menu returns.

Fix 3: Once you’re in Safe Mode, fix the cause

• Device Manager (right-click Start) > expand the device > Roll Back Driver, or uninstall a recently added driver.
• Settings > Apps > remove a recently installed program or utility (antivirus, VPN, disk/RGB tools are frequent culprits).
• Run sfc /scannow and DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth in an admin Command Prompt.
• Use System Restore (rstrui) to roll back to before the problem started.

Restart normally afterward to confirm the fix.

FAQ

How do I leave Safe Mode? Just restart normally. If it keeps booting into Safe Mode, open msconfig > Boot tab and uncheck Safe boot, then restart.

F8 doesn’t do anything at startup. Modern Windows disables the legacy F8 menu by default for faster boot. Use the recovery-menu route in Fix 1, or re-enable F8 with the bootmenupolicy legacy command above.

Which Safe Mode option should I pick? Plain Safe Mode (4) for most fixes. Choose Safe Mode with Networking (5) only if you need to download a replacement driver while you’re in there.

Sources: Microsoft Support — Windows Startup Settings, Microsoft Learn — Windows startup issues troubleshooting