Resolve “There Was a Problem Resetting Your PC” Error?
Published: October 3rd, 2025 • 14 Min Read
Whenever something is not working quite well in your Windows device, what is the first thing that you do? There is a 99% chance that you will reset it. What if there was a problem resetting your pc? What to do in such a situation? In the worst-case scenario, the reason behind this can be malware, but most likely due to multiple reasons, like new updates or third-party drivers hindering the reset process, a damaged recovery partition, or corrupted system data. This creates a need to force a hard reset on my PC.
No need to worry. In this guide, we will help you understand why Reset This PC didn’t start properly. Along with this, we have discussed 10+ effective solutions to fix Reset your PC error. So let’s get solving.
Standard Steps to Reset Your Windows 10 & 11 PC
Before we discuss “How to fix Windows error resetting PC”. Let’s go through a step-by-step guide to manually reset a Windows 10 or 11 PC
- Go to the Start Menu.
- Click on to the Power icon.
- Hold Shift, then click on Restart.
- You enter Advanced Startup Options. Click on Troubleshoot.
- Select “Reset This PC“.
- Choose Keep My Files.
- Press Next and Confirm.
Tips to Keep in Mind Before Resetting
To avoid this error, “There Was A Problem Resetting Your PC Windows 11/ 10,” keep a few things in mind.
- Create Backup: Before resetting Windows 11 & 10, keep in mind to back up files on a USB or in the Cloud to avoid accidental data loss caused due to failure or other issues
- Plug In: Plug in your laptop or desktop. A sudden shutdown during reset can damage files.
- Stable Internet: Have a stable internet connection so that your Windows device can easily connect to the server for reinstalling.
- Close All Applications: Close all the running applications before resetting, as they will not be automatically saved.
Why Does It Say There Is A Problem Resetting Your PC?
There is no one fixed reason why you are getting “there was a problem resetting your pc, no changes were made” error on a Windows device. It can be due to various reasons, like:
- Corrupted System Files: Whenever you update Windows, or somehow the core system files (eg, ntoskrnl.exe, winlogon.exe) get damaged. Your Windows OS does not function properly and returns an error for reset failure.
- Disk Errors: To restore the system to a fresh state by resetting, Windows has to read and rewrite files on the computer’s hard drive (HDD) or SSD. If some files on the disk can’t be accessed or rewritten, the reset this PC command keeps failing.
- Malware or Virus: Though the chances are less, but viruses and malware can interfere with Windows recovery tools and damage existing files. Due to which it may revert, “there was a problem resetting your PC.”
- Antivirus & Third-Party Software: External software and antivirus programs can lock system files in order to safeguard them. So when you try to reset your Windows 11/ 10, it is likely to fail.
- Insufficient Storage Space: Resetting a Windows device involves copying and reinstalling files to enter a fresh state. But if your Hard Drive is full Windows can’t complete its reset as it won’t be able to copy files.
10 Methods to Fix “There Was a Problem Resetting Your PC”
We understand that you are struggling to reset your PC. There are built-in Windows tools and system-oriented methods that are reliable when your Windows reset fails or gets stuck, even after multiple attempts. We have discussed 10 troubleshooting methods step-by-step to fix the “Windows reset failed error.” Let us five into them.
Method 1: Repair System Files With SFC/DISM Before Reset
SFC and DISM are commands we type into the Command Prompt that scan and fix both the damaged system files and resolve issues caused due to disk errors. Follow the steps to resolve the error messages like “there problem resetting your pc windows 11/ 10”.
- Press Win + S. Then type CMD to open Command Prompt on a Windows device.
- Copy and paste the following command in CMD: sfc /scannow. It will scan, repair, or replace all the broken and missing files.
- Once the process is completed, you still get “there was a problem resetting your PC, Windows 10/ 11 error”. Copy & paste the DISM command: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Note: You must be an administrator running a console session in order to use the sfc and DISM utility.
Best Practices: Make sure you back up important files and have a stable internet connection while running DISM. Make sure you close all the applications that may be running in the background.
Method 2: Fresh Restart/ Reset This PC
Windows 10 & 11 do not exactly have a “Fresh Restart” option. But you reset your PC with Keep all the files option to fix the “There was a problem resetting your PC, no changes were made” error pop-up.
- Open Settings >> System.
- Scroll down to Recovery and click.
- Click on “Reset PC.
- From the pop-up up choose “Keep My Files” >> “Cloud Download”.
- Click on Next. And Confirm to start the PC fresh.
Tip: Make sure you have a stable internet connection before you start Cloud Download and plug in your Windows to avoid any disruption, which can create more damaged files.
Method 3: Reset via Safe Mode
Using Safe Mode to reset the PC allows you to avoid the hindrance caused due to third-party drivers or apps and corrupted system files. This is because Safe Mode only operates the minimal Windows files, drivers, and services. This ultimately helps you troubleshoot the “there was a problem resetting your PC” error.
- Press Win+R together to open the Run command.
- Type in msconfig. Then hit OK.
- Go to the Boot Tab and check the “Safe Mode” checkbox.
- Click “Apply” and then “Ok”.
- From the system configuration pop-up, click on “Restart”.
Note: It is not a 100% effective solution to fix a reset that failed in Windows, but it is likely to create an environment where a reset has a higher chance.
Method 4: Clean Installation with Bootable Media
This is a foolproof manual method to fix “There Was a Problem Resetting Your PC.” But it is quite complicated, technical, and error-prone if not done correctly. It involves wiping out the complete PC and reinstalling Windows through a bootable USB. It helps you bypass corrupted system files and fix broken reset options
- Before starting the process, make sure that you back up and save all the required and important files on a cloud storage or some other place.
- Create a bootable USB with a complete Windows 10/ 11 setup from the official Microsoft site along with the Media Creation Tool, using a healthy computer.
- Insert the USB into the computer where you are getting a Reset error.
- Shut down the computer and then turn it ON.
- When the Windows system Turns On. Press F12/ Esc/ Delete, or any other one mentioned on screen.
- Choose a language and click “Next.”
- Select the USB drive and press Enter.
- Under Refresh drive list, choose USB.
- Choose the Install Now option.
- When prompted to enter the Product Key. Choose “I don’t have a product key” and proceed.
- To install Windows through the connected Bootable USB. Select “Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)”
Finally, you have fixed the “There Was a Problem Resetting Your PC” error.
Note: The USB must have a minimum of 8GB of storage.
Method 5: Advanced Startup
Despite various efforts, if you can restart your Windows PC, prefer opting recovery advanced setup to get rid of the “There was a problem resetting your PC Windows 11/10” error.
- Press Win+I to open settings in Windows.
- Click on System from the left panel.
- Scroll down to “Recovery.”
- Click on RestartNow in front of “Advanced Startup.”
Method 6: Use WinRe Startup Repair When Reset Failed Windows 10/11
WinRE is the core-level recovery environment, which is highly useful if there was a problem resetting your PC. It was built specifically to fix problems that stop your computer from starting or running properly. Follow the steps to resolve “PC Reset Failed Error in Windows 10 and 11.”
- Go to the Start Menu and click on the Power button.
- Hold Shift and click on restart.
- You will enter a blue screen mode with various options on the screen.
- Choose Troubleshoot >> Advanced Options.
- Choose “Startup Repair”.
- Once the diagnosis and Repair are completed. Hit the Reset this PC option.
You can fix any problem you get when you try to reset your PC.
Tip: You can also turn off and on your PC to run automatic repair
Method 7: System Restore To Fix “There was a problem resetting your PC”
Apart from Startup Repair, WinRE also provides System Restore as an advanced startup option, which can help you if your system reset keeps failing.
- From the Start Menu. Restart the PC while holding the Shift button down on the Keyboard.
- You will enter Advanced Startup/ Blue Screen Mode.
- Click on Troubleshoot Menu.
- Choose Advanced Options >> System Restore from the list.
- Hit Windows Installation. Generally, it is installed on the C: drive.
- Press Next.
- Press “Confirm” to start the Restore, and press Finish button.
Your reset error is likely to be fixed after this.
Method 8: Disable Third-Party Antivirus
Using a Third-Party Antivirus can sometimes create a hindrance in the reset processes. This is to protect system files like ntoskrnl.exe, registry hives, winlogon.exe, and others. These files are responsible to reset the PC. Blocking access to these files can lead to “There Was a Problem Resetting Your PC” error on your Windows 10 and 11 devices.
To avoid this, you can disable protection from the third-party antivirus for some time. Then try resetting your PC. You can also switch to your built-in antivirus permanently. They are more compliant with your Windows devices.
Method 9: Free Up Storage Space to Fix Reset Errors
A lack of storage on the HDD of the Windows Device can always create an error when resetting the PC. This is because some extra storage space is needed to back up your current installations, store .temp files, and reinstall Windows. So if your drive is full, you will always face issues. “There Was a Problem Resetting Your No Changes Were Made” will pop up whenever you try to reset. Clean up some storage space to rest properly.
So you can try out a few options
- Wipe Computer Data All At Once
- Wipe Free Space on Hard Drive
- Delete Undeletable Files From Windows
- Erase the Data Beyond Recovery in Windows
- Clean up unusable files
No doubt Windows has developed great tools to fix any error, and resetting the device is the first resort users try. Though Windows has developed multiple effective and advanced ways to fix “There Was a Problem Resetting Your PC Error.” There are certain limitations to these:
- No Guarantee:
- Potential Data Loss:
- Technically Complex:
- Time Consuming
Specialized Tool to Fix “There was a Problem Resetting your PC”
More often than not, reset errors occur due to the “Corrupted files” that are impossible to delete, or the lack of storage space. But deleting them one by one without an automated tool can be tricky and extremely time-consuming. To avoid this, we recommend using an advanced specialized software, BitRecover Data Wipe Tool.
Using the tool gives you the advantage of both deleting multiple damaged data in one go from the core of Windows. And it meets the International Erasure Standard for Complete Data Destruction. Giving you the space you need to reset your PC properly and not letting corrupted files interfere with the Windows reset process. If you have any questions related to tool usage for resetting the PC properly. Click on the “Live Chat” icon on the bottom right. Our Tech team is always available for your support.
Why Choose Professional Tool to Fix Windows Problem Resetting PC?
Are you facing the “There Was A Problem Resetting Your Pc No Changes Were Made” error? Then, using the special tool to fix the error when resetting PC should be the go-to choice due to the following reasons.
- Bulk File Selection Feature: You can get more space in your PC by cleaning all the data or the selected file in few clicks with its bulk selection feature and drive wipe out option to avoid errors resetting your PC.
- Instantaneous Results: There is no scope for trial and error. It is a guaranteed solution that works faster with its advanced algorithms.
- No Technical Complexities: Anyone who does not have even complex technical knowledge can use the tool easily. It has a simple UI. Using its features to erase data and reset the PC can be done in just a few clicks.
- Advanced Filter to Clean Data: You can get rid of files based on a date range so that no current data is lost, and even mask some file formats to only get rid of select files to create space.
- Compatibility: The specialized tool can be easily installed and set up on both Windows and Mac devices.
- Tech Support: We have our in-house development team, who can help you customize features of this advanced tool based on the needs of your organization or personal use.
- Diagnose Your Drive: The tool even has a check your drive health feature. That helps detect bad sectors, corrupted files, and storage errors before you reset the PC.
FAQs: “There Was a Problem Resetting Your PC”
Q1: Why is Trouble Resetting PC more Common in Windows 10 & 11?
Windows 10 & 11 have frequent trouble resetting because of complex system files and recovery features. Windows 10 & 11 have more third-party apps and updates that can hinder the reset process.
Q2: What is the difference between restarting & resetting your PC?
Restart & Reset are actually two different procedures. Restarting your PC doesn’t make any changes to files or settings. Resetting Windows is reinstalling Windows; resetting the system back to factory default.
Q3: How do I force reset a PC?
To force a hard reset on your PC. Go to the Start menu. Click on the Power button. Hold Shift and click Restart. From the Advanced Startup screen, choose Troubleshoot >> Reset this PC. Choose Keep my files. Press Next and Confirm.
Q4: What does it mean when I try to reset my PC and it says could not find the recovery environment?
It is a common reason behind “there was a problem resetting your pc error.” It indicates your recovery partition/environment (system files to restore or repair your operating system) is damaged or missing.
Conclusion
We hope now you understand “How to resolve there was a problem resetting your PC?” But if you still have any issues related to the species tool and how you use it to fix problems related to resetting the PC. Reach out to our Tech Support team through the Live Chat section.
Resetting Windows is the solution to most errors, but do not panic if you face trouble resetting it. It’s likely due to a corrupted system file, issues with the recovery environment or a third-party program, or an antivirus interfering with its system files. To resolve this, you can try our manual methods like SFC/ DISM, Safe Mode, System Recovery, Advanced Startup, and many more. But to save time, you can choose the Specialised tool to help reset the pc to a brand new state, which will also save you a lot of manual effort.