How to Prevent Your PC from Booting into Diagnostics at Startup

If your PC is booting into diagnostics at startup, this could indicate a hardware issue or a problem with the operating system. This guide will walk you through several steps to troubleshoot and resolve the issue.

Step 1: Check for Hardware Issues

Boot issues at startup can often be traced back to hardware malfunctions. Follow these steps to identify and resolve hardware-related issues:

Disconnect External Devices: Disconnect any external peripherals such as USB drives, external hard drives, printers, etc., and restart the PC. External devices can sometimes cause conflicts with your internal hardware. Inspect Internal Components: If you are comfortable opening your PC, inspect all internal components such as RAM, the hard drive, and the graphics card. Ensure they are properly seated and securely connected. Loose connections can lead to boot issues.

Step 2: Access BIOS/UEFI Settings

BIOS/UEFI settings can play a crucial role in your PC's boot process:

Restart Your PC: Restart your computer and enter the BIOS/UEFI setup. This is usually done by pressing a key like F2, F10, DEL, or ESC immediately after powering on. Check Boot Order: Look for options related to boot order and ensure that your primary hard drive is set as the first boot device. Incorrect boot order settings can cause the PC to boot into diagnostics. Disable Diagnostic Settings: If you see any diagnostic settings enabled, disable them if necessary. Some manufacturers have specific diagnostic tools that can be configured in the BIOS/UEFI settings.

Step 3: Disable Automatic Diagnostics

If your PC has a specific diagnostic tool or feature, you might need to disable it:

Look for options to disable automatic diagnostics in the BIOS/UEFI or via a dedicated key during startup. For example, Dell SupportAssist or HP Hardware Diagnostics.

Step 4: Repair the Operating System

If the issue is related to the operating system, you can try the following steps:

Create a Bootable USB Drive: Create a bootable USB drive with Windows installation media. Boot from the USB Drive: Boot from the USB drive and select 'Repair your computer' from the Windows installation media options. Select 'Troubleshoot': Once in the Windows Recovery Environment, select 'Troubleshoot' and then 'Advanced options'. Select 'Startup Repair': Select 'Startup Repair' to automatically fix common issues and repair the operating system.

Step 5: Reset BIOS to Default

If the issue persists, resetting the BIOS to default settings might help:

In the BIOS/UEFI, look for an option to load default settings. This can sometimes resolve boot issues caused by incorrect configurations.

Step 6: Check for Software Conflicts

If you can access Windows Recovery Environment, boot your PC into Safe Mode:

Boot into Safe Mode to help isolate and identify any software conflicts causing the diagnostics to trigger. Safe Mode loads only essential drivers and updates, providing a cleaner environment to troubleshoot issues.

Step 7: Run Hardware Diagnostics

To further diagnose hardware issues, run the built-in diagnostics provided by your PC manufacturer:

Some manufacturers offer built-in hardware diagnostic tools that can be run during startup via a specific key. These tools can help identify hardware malfunctions. Consult your manufacturer’s documentation for specific instructions.

If none of these steps resolve the issue, it may be best to consult the manufacturer's support or a professional technician for further assistance.