How do you fix common operating system errors that prevent booting?

1 Boot into Safe Mode

Safe mode is a diagnostic mode that allows you to boot your operating system with minimal drivers and services. This can help you troubleshoot the source of the error and perform repairs. To boot into safe mode, you need to interrupt the normal boot process by pressing a specific key or combination of keys. For Windows, you can press F8 or Shift+F8 before the Windows logo appears. For Linux, you can press Esc or Shift during the boot menu. For Mac OS, you can press and hold the Shift key after the power button.

2 Use System Restore or Recovery

System restore or recovery is a feature that allows you to revert your operating system to a previous state when it was working properly. This can undo any changes that might have caused the error, such as installing or removing software, updating drivers, or modifying settings. To use system restore or recovery, you need to access it from the safe mode or the recovery mode. For Windows, you can find it in the Advanced Options menu. For Linux, you can use the Timeshift tool or the distribution-specific recovery option. For Mac OS, you can use the Time Machine backup or the macOS Recovery option.

3 Repair or Reinstall the Operating System

If the previous methods do not work, you might need to repair or reinstall your operating system. This can fix any corrupted or missing files that are essential for booting. To repair or reinstall your operating system, you need to have a bootable media, such as a CD, DVD, or USB drive, that contains the installation files for your operating system. You can create this media using another computer or download it from the official website of your operating system. Then, you need to insert the media into your computer and boot from it. You will see a menu that gives you the option to repair or reinstall your operating system.

4 Check the Hardware and BIOS

Sometimes, the operating system error can be caused by a hardware failure or a BIOS misconfiguration. Hardware failure can occur due to physical damage, overheating, or wear and tear. BIOS misconfiguration can occur due to incorrect settings, outdated firmware, or malware infection. To check the hardware and BIOS, you need to perform some tests and adjustments. For hardware, you can use diagnostic tools, such as Memtest86, CrystalDiskInfo, or Hardware Diagnostics, to check the memory, disk, and other components. For BIOS, you can enter the setup menu by pressing a specific key during the boot process, such as Del, F2, or F10, and check the boot order, the date and time, and the security settings.

5 Scan for Malware and Clean the Disk

Malware can infect your operating system and cause errors, slowdowns, crashes, or data loss. Malware can also hide in the boot sector, the master boot record, or the EFI system partition, and interfere with the boot process. To scan for malware and clean the disk, you need to use a reliable antivirus or anti-malware program that can detect and remove malware from your operating system and your boot sector. You can also use a disk cleanup tool, such as CCleaner, Disk Cleanup, or BleachBit, to delete any unnecessary or temporary files that might occupy space and affect the performance of your operating system.

6 Update the Drivers and Software

Drivers and software are essential for the communication and functionality of your operating system and your hardware devices. However, outdated, incompatible, or faulty drivers and software can cause conflicts, errors, or crashes that prevent your operating system from booting. To update the drivers and software, you need to use a device manager or a software updater program that can scan your operating system and your hardware devices and install the latest versions of the drivers and software. You can also check the official websites of your operating system and your hardware manufacturers for any updates or patches that might fix the errors.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?