Windows 10, stuck at black screen with loading spinning circle

Hello Anya,

To resolve your concern, we have found a thread that is similar to your query. Follow the resolution provided by Anannya Podder. Other Community members have found it helpful. Click here.

Let us know how it goes.

Do you have a Windows 10 recovery disk? If yes, we can use that in order for you to be able to boot to the advanced options and start recovering your PC. If not, you can create one by downloading the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool from here, and then saving it to a flash drive.

Once you have the recovery tool ready, boot to the media device and then the PC should recognize the device and the start up repair will start.

If you will still encounter issues, let us know and we'd gladly assist.

I have recently had several computers have this problem after the Creator's Update.

I tracked it down to issues with Intel integrated graphics controllers. It seems to happen on Skylake processors (eg. i3, i5 6xxx and 7xxx series). I have also seen it happen on some Intel-based computers with factory-installed Nvidia chips).

The computer isn't hung, just the spinning screen displays instead of the desktop. Windows is actually merrily running and displaying a desktop that you can't see. To prove it, press Win-X, u, u and the computer will shut down (if your computer logs in without a password).

First you need to  restart into automatic repair:  
(The screens listed vary slightly in wording and options from Windows version to version)

1. Press and hold the power button until the computer shuts down.
2. Press the power button again
3. As soon as the spinning wheel starts, press and hold the power button
4. Repeat until automatic repair starts (usually 3 loops).
5. Select "advanced options"
6. Select "Troubleshoot"
7. Select "Advanced options" from the Troubleshoot menu
8. Select "Startup settings"
9. Click Restart
10. The computer will restart into the startup menu.
11. Select "Safe mode with networking" (isn't this so much better than pressing F8 on startup?)
12. Windows will restart in safe mode.
13. Right-click on the windows logo and choose "device manager"
14. Find your video adapter and uninstall the driver.
15. reboot the computer -- it should reboot normally.
16. Find and download the latest driver FROM YOUR COMPUTER MANUFACTURER'S WEB SITE.

Just to add to possible reasons of the issue, I had this problem with a laptop.

It was stuck on the spinning wheel on black screen for 2 days. I had hard rebooted and it was going back to that screen.

I simply disconnected my usb mouse and then the update percentage came back and it finished within 15min.

So check your usb devices.

I am having the same problem now after upgrading Windows 10 using Creators update. I tried the recommendation but there was no "Advance Option" that I can select. After the auto repair started, Windows Defender auto starts and after completion and press "Next", the laptop re-boots. I am back to square 1.

P/s laptop is clean - no usb devices attached

Do you have a Windows 10 recovery disk? If yes, we can use that in order for you to be able to boot to the advanced options and start recovering your PC. If not, you can create one by downloading the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool from here, and then saving it to a flash drive.

Once you have the recovery tool ready, boot to the media device and then the PC should recognize the device and the start up repair will start.

If you will still encounter issues, let us know and we'd gladly assist.

Need help. My laptop stuck at the black screen with the spinning dots. I hv tried using auto repair function but there was no function for me to choose at all. What came out was the windows defender. After it finish scanning, it re-boots and I am back with the black screen. So I downloaded the Win10 Recovery Disk. I plug in the USB and reboots but nothing happen. How do I change the boot procedure?

Hi Faridaus,

There are multiple reasons why you are getting a black screen error after installing the Windows 10 Creators Update. Here’s a link that would walk you through the troubleshooting steps to resolve your concern depending on which black screen error you are experiencing.

Let us know if you need additional information.

After the auto repair, you should have a screen that has two options: restart or advanced options. The machine I used to create the tutorial was Creators Edition.

Both of the machines I have on the bench have SSDs and doing repeated forced restarts on a PC with an SSD is to dangerous to attempt (if power is interrupted from an SSD mid-write it can be immediately and irrevocably rendered toast).