May 17, 2024

Discover solutions to booting issues in Safe Mode for both Windows and Mac operating systems in this troubleshooting guide.

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Try a different keyboard or mouse: Sometimes, a faulty keyboard or mouse can cause issues with booting in safe mode. Try using a different keyboard or mouse to see if that solves the problem.

Troubleshooting Safe Mode Boot Issues

When troubleshooting Safe Mode boot issues in Windows or Mac, there are a few things you can try to fix the issue. First, try restarting your computer and pressing the F8 or Shift key (depending on your system) to access the Advanced Boot Options. From there, select Safe Mode and see if your computer starts up. If it does not, try booting into Safe Mode with Networking or using a recovery option like MiniTool. If you’re experiencing a loop or startup issue, try selecting the “Disable automatic restart on system failure” option from the Startup Settings menu. You can also try booting from a recovery disk or USB drive. If these fixes don’t work, there may be a problem with your system files or hardware, and you may need to seek further help.

Safe mode is designed to help you troubleshoot and fix issues with your computer, but if it won’t boot, it can be frustrating.

Solutions for When Safe Mode Won’t Start

  • Restart the Computer:
    • Press and hold the power button until the computer shuts down.
      Restart the Computer:
Press and hold the power button until the computer shuts down.
    • Wait a few seconds, then press the power button to turn on the computer.
    • Press the necessary key to enter the BIOS settings and check that the boot order is correct.
    • If the computer still won’t start in Safe Mode, try the next solution.
  • Use System Restore:
    • Turn on the computer and press F8 repeatedly until the Advanced Boot Options menu appears.
    • Select “Repair Your Computer” and press Enter.
      Turn on the computer and press F8 repeatedly until the Advanced Boot Options menu appears.
Select "Repair Your Computer" and press Enter.
    • Select “System Restore” and follow the prompts to restore the system to an earlier point in time.
    • If System Restore doesn’t work, try the next solution.
  • Run Startup Repair:
    • Turn on the computer and press F8 repeatedly until the Advanced Boot Options menu appears.
    • Select “Repair Your Computer” and press Enter.
      Turn on the computer and press F8 repeatedly until the Advanced Boot Options menu appears.
Select "Repair Your Computer" and press Enter.
    • Select “Startup Repair” and follow the prompts to repair any issues preventing the computer from starting in Safe Mode.
    • If Startup Repair doesn’t work, try the next solution.
  • Use Command Prompt:
    • Turn on the computer and press F8 repeatedly until the Advanced Boot Options menu appears.
    • Select “Repair Your Computer” and press Enter.
      Turn on the computer and press F8 repeatedly until the Advanced Boot Options menu appears.
Select "Repair Your Computer" and press Enter.
    • Select “Command Prompt” and type in the necessary commands to troubleshoot any issues preventing Safe Mode from starting.
    • If Command Prompt doesn’t work, try the next solution.
  • Reinstall the Operating System:
    • Back up any important files to an external hard drive or cloud storage.
    • Insert the installation disc or USB and restart the computer.
      Back up any important files to an external hard drive or cloud storage.
Insert the installation disc or USB and restart the computer.
    • Follow the prompts to reinstall the operating system and restore any necessary files from the backup.
See also  Troubleshooting Windows 7 Update Installation

Using System Tools to Fix Safe Mode Boot Problems

If you’re experiencing Safe Mode boot problems on your Windows or Mac computer, you can use system tools to troubleshoot and fix the issue. One way to resolve the problem is by accessing the Startup Settings menu. In Windows 11, Windows 10, and Windows 8, you can get to Startup Settings by holding down the Shift key while selecting Restart in the Start menu. For Windows 7 and earlier, you’ll need to press F8 during startup to access the Advanced Boot Options screen. Once you’re in Startup Settings, you can choose a startup method that may help you get out of a boot loop or other issues. If that doesn’t work, you can try using system restore or a startup repair tool like MiniTool. Remember to always turn off your device properly to prevent future Safe Mode boot problems.


# Python code to fix safe mode not booting issue

import subprocess

# Check if safe mode is enabled
subprocess.call(['bcdedit', '/enum', 'all'])

# Modify boot options to enable safe mode
subprocess.call(['bcdedit', '/set', '{default}', 'safeboot', 'minimal'])

# Reboot the system
subprocess.call(['shutdown', '/r', '/t', '0'])

This code uses the Python subprocess module to execute Windows command-line tools such as bcdedit and shutdown. It first checks if safe mode is enabled and then modifies the boot options to enable safe mode. Finally, it reboots the system to apply the changes. However, this code is just an example and has not been tested, so it should not be used in a production environment.

Alternative Methods to Access Safe Mode

  • Use System Configuration tool
    • Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box
    • Type msconfig and press Enter
    • Select the Boot tab
      Type msconfig and press Enter
Select the Boot tab
    • Check the Safe boot option and select the type of Safe Mode you want to use
    • Click Apply and then OK
      Check the Safe boot option and select the type of Safe Mode you want to use
Click Apply and then OK
    • Restart your computer and it will boot into Safe Mode
  • Use Power Options
    • Press Windows key + X
    • Select Power Options from the menu
    • Hold down the Shift key and click Restart
    • Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart
    • Press the F4 key to boot into Safe Mode, or F5 to boot into Safe Mode with Networking
  • Use the Windows 10 Recovery Environment
    • Restart your computer three times to trigger the Windows 10 Recovery Environment
    • Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart
    • Press the F4 key to boot into Safe Mode, or F5 to boot into Safe Mode with Networking
  • Use the Windows 10 Installation Media
    • Insert the Windows 10 installation media and restart your computer
    • Press any key to boot from the installation media
    • Select language preferences and click Next
    • Select Repair your computer > Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart
      Select language preferences and click Next
Select Repair your computer > Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart
    • Press the F4 key to boot into Safe Mode, or F5 to boot into Safe Mode with Networking
  • Use the Mac Recovery Environment
    • Restart your Mac and hold down the Command + R keys until the Apple logo appears
    • Select Disk Utility and click Continue
      Restart your Mac and hold down the Command + R keys until the Apple logo appears
Select Disk Utility and click Continue
    • Select your startup disk and click Mount
    • Close Disk Utility and select Terminal from the Utilities menu
    • Type csrutil disable and press Enter. This will disable System Integrity Protection (SIP)
    • Type reboot and press Enter to restart your Mac
      Type csrutil disable and press Enter. This will disable System Integrity Protection (SIP)
Type reboot and press Enter to restart your Mac
    • Hold down the Shift key while your Mac is starting up to boot into Safe Mode

Ensuring Safe Data Recovery When Safe Mode Fails

Steps for Safe Data Recovery
Step 1: Use a Data Recovery Software
Step 2: Connect the Hard Drive to Another Computer
Step 3: Boot from a Recovery Disk or USB Drive
Step 4: Try System Restore or Reset
Step 5: Seek Professional Help
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