Fix: Windows 10 Stuck on Login Screen / Slow Login [12 Ways]

Quickly fix Windows login screen stuck or not responding issue

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Key notes

  • One of the most painful scenarios for any user is when they can't log into their Windows PC.
  • This means you will have to use a guest account, boot in Safe Mode, or in the worst case, reset your PC.
  • In our article, you will find the main reasons for this issue occurring and working solutions to fix it.
Login screen Windows 10 slow, stuck, frozen

One of the most painful scenarios for any computer user is when you get a login screen Windows 10 slow, stuck, frozen problem.

When this happens, most users don’t know how else to fix the problem, but the first two quick fixes would be a restart or trying to open Task Manager using CTRL+ALT+DEL buttons.

If you experience a login screen Windows 10 slow, stuck, frozen problem on your computer, here are solutions to help you resolve it in no time.

Why is my computer stuck on the login screen?

One of the most common causes of this issue is a failed Windows update. Booting in Safe mode is one of the main fixes that worked for a lot of users.

How can I fix slow, stuck, and frozen login screen issues on Windows 10?

1. Boot in Safe Mode

  1. Click on Start button
  2. Select Settings – the Settings box will open up
    login screen Windows 10 slow, stuck, frozen
  3. Click Update & Security
    Login screen Windows 10 slow, stuck, frozen
  4. Select Recovery
    Login screen Windows 10 slow, stuck, frozen
  5. Go to Advanced startup
    Login screen Windows 10 slow, stuck, frozen
  6. Click Restart now
  7. Select Troubleshoot from the Choose an Option screen, then click Advanced options
  8. Go to Startup Settings and click Restart
  9. Once your computer restarts, a list of options will come up.
  10. Choose 4 or F4 to start your computer in Safe Mode

Safe mode starts up your computer with limited files and drivers but Windows will still run. To know whether you’re on Safe mode, you’ll see the words at the corners of your screen.

If the login screen Windows 10 slow, stuck, frozen problem persists, check whether it occurs while your computer is in Safe mode.

A quicker way to get into Safe Mode is to restart your computer then do the following:

  1. From the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot>Advanced options>Startup Settings>Restart
  2. Once your computer restarts, a list of options will come up.
  3. Choose 4 or F4 to start your computer in Safe Mode

If the login screen Windows 10 slow, stuck, the frozen problem isn’t there while in Safe mode, then your default settings and basic drivers are not contributing to the issue.

Did this help? If not, try the next solution.

2. Perform a Clean Boot

In order to successfully perform a clean boot on Windows 10, you have to be logged on as the administrator, then follow these steps:

  1. Go to the search box
  2. Type msconfig
  3. Select System Configuration
    login screen Windows 10 slow, stuck, frozen
  4. Find Services tab
    login screen Windows 10 slow, stuck, frozen
  5. Select Hide all Microsoft services box
    login screen Windows 10 slow, stuck, frozen
  6. Click Disable all
  7. Go to Startup tab
    login screen Windows 10 slow, stuck, frozen
  8. Click Open Task Manager
    login screen Windows 10 slow, stuck, frozen
  9. Close Task manager then click Ok
  10. Reboot your computer

If you manage to boot in Safe Mode, perform a clean boot to eliminate any software conflicts that may be causing the login screen Windows 10 slow, stuck, frozen issue.

Performing a clean boot for your computer reduces conflicts related to software that can bring up the root causes of the problem. These conflicts can be caused by applications and services that start up and run in the background whenever you start Windows normally.

You will have a clean boot environment after all these steps are carefully followed, after which you can try and check if the problem is gone. If you want to know how to add or remove startup apps on Windows 10, check out this simple guide.

3. Temporarily turn off firewalls and any antivirus software

Sometimes having multiple firewalls, antivirus or anti-malware programs, may at times prevent you from performing certain tasks or running processes on your computer.

If this is the cause of the issue, while still in Safe Mode turn either of the three off temporarily then try to log in again.

Ensure you turn these programs back on immediately after you’re done to prevent hackers, viruses and worms from damaging your system.

4. Manually reset Windows Updates components

  1. Right-click Start
  2. Select Command Prompt (Admin)
    login screen Windows 10 slow, stuck, frozen
  3. Click Yes when asked for permissions
    login screen Windows 10 slow, stuck, frozen
  4. Stop the BITS, Cryptographic, MSI Installer, and Windows Update Services by typing the following commands at a command prompt:
    • net stop wuauserv
    • net stop cryptSvc
    • net stop bits
    • net stop msiserver
  5. Press Enter after each command you type
  6. Rename the SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2 folder by typing the commands below in the Command Prompt then press Enter after each command you type:
    1. Ren C:WindowssoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
    2. Ren C:WindowsSystem32catroot2 Catroot2.old
  7. Restart the BITS, Cryptographic, MSI Installer, and Windows Update Services by typing the following commands in Command prompt:
    • net stop wuauserv
    • net stop cryptSvc
    • net stop bits
    • net stop msiserver
  8. Type Exit in the Command Prompt to close it

Try running Windows Updates again to check if the login screen Windows 10 slow, stuck, the frozen issue has been resolved.

Disclaimer: this solution contains steps that are part of modifying the registry. Please note that serious problems may occur if you do this incorrectly. Ensure you follow these steps correctly, and carefully.

Back up the registry before you modify it, then restore it if a problem occurs.

Note: It isn’t recommended to uncheck the Give me updates for other Microsoft products when I update the Windows update option. Windows Updates downloads and installs updates required to run Windows efficiently.

5. Change registry settings

  1. Right-click Start
  2. Select Run
    login screen Windows 10 slow, stuck, frozen
  3. Type regedit
    login screen Windows 10 slow, stuck, frozen
  4. Press Enter
  5. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USERSOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindowsCurrent VersionPush Notifications
    login screen Windows 10 slow, stuck, frozen
  6. You will see NoToastApplicationNotification
  7. Double click on it
  8. Change its value from 1 (default value) to 0
  9. Click OK
  10. Sign out, then sign in again

If this doesn’t fix the login screen Windows 10 slow, stuck, frozen issue, try the next solution.

If you can’t edit your registry in Windows 10, take a look at this guide that will help you get past this problem.

6. Check Event Viewer

  1. Right click Start
  2. Select Event Viewer
    login screen Windows 10 slow, stuck, frozen
  3. Expand Windows Logs in the left pane
    login screen Windows 10 slow, stuck, frozen
  4. Click Application Log then highlight the first event in the log and use arrow keys to scroll down. You may come across logs with yellow warnings or red errors.
  5. If you see a red error, double click on it to bring it up then copy its contents to a document
login screen Windows 10 slow, stuck, frozen

Event Viewer may indicate what is causing the login screen Windows 10 slow, stuck, frozen issue. Such an issue may occur due to recent changes in software or hardware.

7. Run System Maintenance troubleshooter

This resolves most of the common system problems.

  1. Click Start
  2. Go to the search field box and type Troubleshooting
  3. Click on Troubleshooting
  4. Click on System and Security
    Login screen Windows 10 slow, stuck, frozen
  5. Click on System Maintenance
    Login screen Windows 10 slow, stuck, frozen
  6. Click Next
  7. Follow the instructions to run the system maintenance troubleshooter.

8. Perform an Automatic Repair

  1. Insert the Windows Installation disk or USB drive then restart your computer. You will see a message requesting you to Press any key to boot from DVD.
  2. Press any key to boot from DVD
  3. Once you see the Install Windows page displayed, click Repair your computer to start Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE)
  4. In WinRE, go to Choose an option screen
  5. Click Troubleshoot
  6. Click Advanced Options
  7. Click Automatic Repair

In order to do this, you need to download Windows 10 ISO then create a Media Creation tool, which you can do from another computer.

For more info on how to create a bootable USB drive with Windows 10 on it, check out this in-depth guide. The Media Creation Tool isn’t working on Windows 10? Don’t worry, we’ve got the right fix.

Note: If you don’t see the Press any key to boot from DVD message, you need to change the boot order in your BIOS settings to start from disk or USB.

Be careful when changing BIOS settings as the BIOS interface is designed for advanced computer users because you may change a setting that may prevent your computer from booting properly.

You should only update BIOS when necessary like when solving a compatibility problem. It can be complicated and render your computer inoperable in case of any errors.

Follow the steps below exactly as they are to change boot order then perform a repair:

  1. In the restart process, check for any instructions on how to interrupt normal startup
  2. Enter the BIOS Setup Utility.
    • Most computers use F2, F10, ESC or DELETE key to begin this setup
  3. Find a tab in BIOS set up utility labeled Boot Order, Boot Options, or Boot
  4. Use the arrow keys to go to Boot Order
  5. Press Enter
  6. Locate the removable device (CD, DVD, or USB flash drive) in the Boot list
  7. Use arrow keys to move the drive upwards to appear as the first in Boot list
  8. Press Enter
  9. Your boot order sequence has now been changed to boot from DVD, CD, or USB flash drive
  10. Press F10 to save changes and exit BIOS Setup Utility
  11. Click Yes in the confirmation windows
  12. Your computer will restart normally
    • Let the scan proceed for a few minutes to remove any malware infecting your computer
  13. Select your preferred language, currency, time, keyboard or other input methods
  14. Click Next
  15. Click Repair your computer
  16. Choose the operating system you want to repair (in this case Windows 10)
  17. Click Next
  18. On Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot
  19. Select Advanced Options
  20. Click System Restore or Startup Repair

Once the repair is complete, check whether the login screen Windows 10 slow, stuck, frozen issue goes away, otherwise try the next solution.

9. Run Microsoft Safety Scanner

  1. Download the tool
  2. Open it
  3. Select the type of scan you want to run
  4. Start the scan
  5. Review scan results on the screen, which lists all malware identified on your computer

Microsoft Safety Scanner is a tool designed to locate and remove malware from Windows PCs. It only scans when manually triggered, then you get to use it 10 days after you download it.

This means you need to download the latest version of the tool before you perform each scan on your computer.

However, the Microsoft Safety Scanner tool doesn’t replace your antimalware program. It helps remove malicious software from your Windows 10 computer.

To remove the Microsoft Safety Scanner tool, delete the msert.exe file by default. Check if the login screen Windows 10 slow, stuck, frozen issue persists. If so, try the next solution.

10. Run a System File Checker (SFC Scan)

While you’re still in safe mode, you can perform the following actions to try and resolve the login screen Windows 10 slow, stuck, frozen issue:

  1. Run a System File Checker (SFC) scan
  2. Run the DISM tool

How to run an SFC scan

A System File Checker scan checks all protected system files, and then replaces the incorrect versions, with the genuine, correct Microsoft versions. Here’s how to do this:

  1. Click Start
  2. Go to the search field box and type CMD
  3. Select Command Prompt
    login screen Windows 10 slow, stuck, frozen
  4. Right click and select Run as Administrator
    login screen Windows 10 slow, stuck, frozen
  5. Type sfc/scannow
    Login screen Windows 10 slow, stuck, frozen
  6. Press Enter
  7. Restart your computer

How to run the DISM tool

If you still get the login screen Windows 10 slow, stuck, frozen issue, run the DISM tool, or Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool.

The DISM tool helps fix Windows corruption errors when Windows Updates and service packs fail to install due to corruption errors, like if you have a damaged system file.

Here’s how to run the DISM command on your PC to check if it helps:

  1. Click Start
  2. In the search field box, type CMD
  3. Click Command Prompt in the search results list
    login screen Windows 10 slow, stuck, frozen
  4. Type Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Once the repair is complete, reboot your computer and check if the issue persists.

If Safe Mode is stable, then the issue is most likely with drivers, but your computer could also need disinfection or system file repair as most problems in Windows 10 are corruption issues passed from previous operating systems.

In this case, while still in Safe Mode, do the following:

  1. Click Start
  2. Go to the search box and type Update
  3. Click Check for Updates to check for and speed up critical updates taking time to install
    login screen Windows 10 slow, stuck, frozen
  4. Right click Start button
  5. Select Device Manager
  6. Import any missing or drivers with errors from the computer or manufacturer’s website

Have trouble updating your Windows 10? Check out this guide that will help you solve them in no time.

Also still in Safe mode, download, install, and decline trial version of Malwarebytes and adware cleaners, then update and run full scans. Make sure you uninstall bloatware antivirus programs and enable a built-in Windows Defender to test your PC’s performance.

Once the above is sorted, do the following:

  1. Right-click Taskbar
    login screen Windows 10 slow, stuck, frozen
  2. Select Task Manager
  3. On Startup tab, disable everything until your install is stabilized
    login screen Windows 10 slow, stuck, frozen
  4. Restore only what you need including Windows

11. Perform a System Restore

  1. Right click Start
  2. Click Control Panel
  3. Click System and Security
    Login screen Windows 10 slow, stuck, frozen
  4. Click System
    Login screen Windows 10 slow, stuck, frozen
  5. Click System Restore
  6. Click Choose a different restore point
  7. Click Next
  8. Click a restore point created before you experienced the problem
  9. Click Next
  10. Click Finish

If you get a login screen Windows 10 slow, stuck, frozen after an upgrade, use System Restore to create restore points when you install new apps, drivers, or Windows updates, or when you create restore points manually.

You can’t open Control Panel on Windows 10? Take a look at this step-by-step guide to find a solution.

Restoring doesn’t affect your personal files. It, however, removes apps, drivers and updates installed after the restore point was created.

However, if you’re facing a critical error and Windows deletes all your files in the update process, don’t panic just yet. We’ve written extensively about this and our guide will surely help you get all your files back.

To go back to a restore point, do the following:

  1. Right-click Start
  2. Select Control Panel
  3. In the control panel search box, type Recovery
  4. Select Recovery
    Login screen Windows 10 slow, stuck, frozen
  5. Click Open System Restore
    Login screen Windows 10 slow, stuck, frozen
  6. Click Next
  7. Choose the restore point related to the problematic program/app, driver or update
  8. Click Next
  9. Click Finish

If you’re interested in more info on how to create a restore point and how would that help you, take a look at this simple article to find out everything you need to know.

12. Run disk clean up

Before doing this, ensure you have sufficient disk space on a Windows drive.

  1. Click Start
  2. In the search field box, type disk cleanup
  3. Select Disk Cleanup from the search results
  4. The disk cleanup drive selection box will appear.
  5. Click Ok to set off the disk space calculation process
    login screen Windows 10 slow, stuck, frozen
  6. Go to Properties>Tools>Error checking
  7. Check the box and click Run

How to exit Safe Mode after fixing the login screen Windows 10 slow, stuck, frozen problem

Once you’re able to fix the login screen Windows 10 slow, stuck, frozen issue, exit Safe Mode using the steps below:

  1. Right click Start button
  2. Select Run
  3. Type msconfig
  4. A pop up will open
  5. Go to the Boot tab
    printer won’t print in Windows 10
  6. Deselect or uncheck Safe Boot option box
  7. Restart your computer

Did any of these solutions work to fix the login screen Windows 10 slow, stuck, frozen issue on your computer? Let us know in the comments section below.

Also, leave there any other suggestions or questions you may have and we’ll be sure to check them out.

More about the topics: Fix Login issues, windows 10