How to Fix “There Was a Problem Resetting Your PC” Error in Windows 11

You decided to reset your Windows 11 PC to fix a stubborn problem, but instead, Windows displays the message “There was a problem resetting your PC. No changes were made.” This error usually occurs when Windows couldn’t complete the reset process due to corrupted system files, disk errors, problems with the recovery environment, or conflicts with third-party software. However, you don’t need to perform a clean installation right away. In this guide, we’ll explain why this error occurs, the most effective ways to fix it, and get the Reset this PC feature working again.

Why Does “There Was a Problem Resetting Your PC” Appear?

The “There was a problem resetting your PC. No changes were made.” error appears when Windows 11 cannot complete the reset process. Instead of restoring your PC, Windows cancels the operation and leaves your system unchanged.

Several issues can prevent the Reset this PC feature from working, including:

• Corrupted system files that prevent Windows from accessing the files required for the reset.
• Problems with the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) or a damaged recovery image.
• Disk errors or bad sectors that interrupt the reset process.
• Third-party antivirus, encryption, or disk management software interfering with Windows recovery.
• Outdated or incompatible device drivers that cause the reset to fail.
• Insufficient free disk space required to create temporary reset files.
• Windows Update or recovery component issues that prevent Windows from restoring the operating system.

The exact cause varies from one PC to another, so work through the solutions below in order. Start with the simpler fixes before moving on to the more advanced troubleshooting steps.

Before You Start

Before trying the solutions below, take a few minutes to prepare your PC. These simple checks can prevent data loss and improve the chances of a successful reset.

• Back up important files to an external drive or cloud storage if you haven’t already.
• Connect your laptop to AC power to prevent the reset from being interrupted by a low battery.
• Disconnect unnecessary USB devices, such as external hard drives, printers, USB hubs, and memory cards. Leave only your keyboard and mouse connected.
• Make sure you have enough free disk space. Windows needs free space to create temporary files during the reset process.
• Remember which reset option you selected—Keep my files or Remove everything—because some troubleshooting steps may behave differently depending on your choice.

Once you’ve completed these checks, continue with the fixes below, starting with the easiest solution.

Fix 1: Restart Your PC and Disconnect External Devices

Before trying more advanced troubleshooting, restart your computer and disconnect any unnecessary external devices. Temporary system glitches or conflicts with connected hardware can sometimes prevent the Reset this PC feature from completing successfully.

Disconnect external hard drives, USB flash drives, memory cards, printers, scanners, docking stations, and other non-essential USB devices. Leave only your keyboard and mouse connected, then restart your PC.

After Windows restarts, go to Settings > System > Recovery, click Reset PC, and try the reset again.

Fix 2: Try Resetting Your PC from the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE)

If resetting your PC in Windows Settings fails with the error “There was a problem resetting your PC. No changes were made,” try resetting from the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) instead.

WinRE runs outside your normal Windows session, which means background applications, third-party services, and some driver conflicts won’t interfere with the reset process. In many cases, this allows Reset this PC to complete successfully when it fails from within Windows.

To reset your PC from WinRE:

1. Open Settings > System > Recovery.
2. Under Advanced startup, click Restart now.
3. When the Choose an option screen appears, select Troubleshoot.
4. Click Reset this PC.
5. Choose either Keep my files or Remove everything, depending on your preference.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the reset.

Can’t boot into Windows?

If Windows won’t start normally, you can still access WinRE by turning your PC on and off three times during startup. Windows should automatically load the recovery environment. From there, select Troubleshoot > Reset this PC and continue with the reset.

If the reset still fails in WinRE, the problem is likely caused by corrupted system files, recovery components, or disk errors. Continue with the next solution to repair Windows before attempting the reset again.

Fix 3: Install Pending Windows Updates

If your PC is missing important Windows updates, the Reset this PC feature may not work correctly. Microsoft regularly releases updates that fix bugs, improve system stability, and repair issues with Windows recovery components. Installing the latest updates can sometimes resolve the “There was a problem resetting your PC” error without any additional troubleshooting.

To check for updates:

1. Open Settings using Windows + I.
2. Select Windows Update from the left pane.
3. Click Check for updates.
4. Download and install any available updates.
5. Restart your computer to apply the changes.

Once your PC restarts, try using Reset this PC again. If the error persists, continue with the next solution.

Fix 4: Repair Corrupted System Files Using SFC and DISM

If Windows system files are damaged or missing, the Reset this PC feature may fail before it can restore your computer. Running the System File Checker (SFC) and Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tools can repair corrupted system files and the Windows image, which often resolves reset-related errors.

1. Press Windows + S, type cmd.
2. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
3. Type the following command and press Enter: sfc /scannow
4. Wait for the scan to reach 100%. If SFC finds corrupted files, it will attempt to repair them automatically.
5. Next, run the following command: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
6. Allow the DISM scan to finish. This process may take several minutes, depending on your system.

Running SFC, the DISM tool further enhances system health by repairing the Windows image

Once both scans are complete, restart your computer and try using Reset this PC again. If the error still appears, move on to the next solution.

Fix 5: Check Your Drive for Errors Using CHKDSK

Problems with your hard drive or SSD, such as file system errors or bad sectors, can interrupt the reset process and cause Windows 11 to display “There was a problem resetting your PC. No changes were made.” Running the CHKDSK utility scans your drive for errors and attempts to repair them automatically.

1. Press Windows + S, type cmd.
2. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
3. Type the following command and press Enter: chkdsk C: /f
4. If Windows asks to schedule the scan for the next restart, type Y and press Enter.
5. Restart your PC and allow CHKDSK to scan and repair the drive. Depending on your drive size, this may take some time.

After Windows starts normally, try using Reset this PC again. If the reset still fails, continue with the next solution.

Fix 6: Perform a Clean Boot

If the Reset this PC feature still isn’t working, a third-party application or background service may be interfering with the reset process. Performing a Clean Boot starts Windows with only essential Microsoft services and drivers, making it easier to determine whether background software is causing the problem.

• Press Windows + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
• On the Services tab, check Hide all Microsoft services, then click Disable all.

• Switch to the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager.
• Disable all startup applications one by one.

• Close Task Manager, click Apply, then OK.
• Restart your computer.

After your PC starts in a Clean Boot state, go to Settings > System > Recovery, select Reset PC, and check if the reset completes successfully.

Fix 7: Try Resetting Your PC in Safe Mode

If the reset still fails after performing a Clean Boot, try resetting your PC from Safe Mode. Safe Mode starts Windows with only the essential drivers and services, which can help if a driver, service, or startup component is preventing the reset from completing.

To boot into Safe Mode:

1. Hold the Shift key and click Restart from the Power menu.
2. On the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings.
3. Click Restart.
4. After your PC restarts, press 4 to enter Safe Mode or 5 to enter Safe Mode with Networking.

Once you’re in Safe Mode:

1. Open Settings > System > Recovery.
2. Click Reset PC next to Reset this PC.
3. Choose either Keep my files or Remove everything, then follow the on-screen instructions.

If the reset completes successfully, restart your computer normally. If you still receive the “There was a problem resetting your PC. No changes were made.” error, continue with the next solution.

Fix 8: Run Startup Repair

If Windows can’t repair itself during the reset process, damaged startup or recovery files may be the cause. Startup Repair is a built-in Windows recovery tool that automatically scans for and fixes problems preventing Windows from starting or using certain recovery features, including Reset this PC.

To run Startup Repair:

• Hold the Shift key and click Restart from the Power menu.
• On the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Repair.

• Select your Windows account if prompted and enter your password.
• Wait while Windows scans your PC and attempts to repair any startup-related problems.

Once the repair is complete, restart your computer and try using Reset this PC again.

If Startup Repair doesn’t resolve the issue, proceed to the next solution.

Fix 9: Perform a Windows 11 Repair Install (Keep Files & Apps)

If Reset this PC still isn’t working after trying the solutions above, the Windows installation or recovery components may be damaged. In this case, performing a Windows 11 Repair Install (also called an in-place upgrade) is one of the most effective ways to repair the operating system without losing your personal files, installed applications, or most settings.

A repair install reinstalls Windows using the latest Windows 11 installation files while replacing corrupted system files and recovery components. This often restores the Reset this PC feature and resolves problems that SFC, DISM, or Startup Repair couldn’t fix.

To perform a repair install:

1. Download the latest Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft’s official website.
2. Right-click on the ISO file, select Mount, then double-click on Setup.exe
3. Follow the on-screen instructions until you reach the Choose what to keep screen.
4. Select Keep personal files and apps, then continue with the installation.
5. Wait for Windows to complete the repair installation. Your PC will restart several times during the process.

Once the repair install is finished, sign in to Windows and try using Reset this PC again. If the reset still fails, the remaining option is to perform a clean installation of Windows 11.

Fix 10: Clean Install Windows 11 (Last Resort)

If you’ve tried all the solutions above and Reset this PC still fails with the message “There was a problem resetting your PC. No changes were made,” a clean installation is the most reliable way to restore Windows.

Unlike Reset this PC, a clean installation completely removes the existing Windows installation and installs a fresh copy of Windows 11. This eliminates corrupted system files, damaged recovery components, software conflicts, and other issues that may be preventing the reset process from completing.

Important: A clean installation removes all applications, settings, and personal files stored on the Windows drive. Back up your important data to an external drive or cloud storage before continuing.

To perform a clean installation:

1. Create a bootable Windows 11 USB drive using Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool.
2. Boot your PC from the USB drive.
3. Select Install now and follow the on-screen instructions.
4. During setup, choose the Windows partition and continue with the installation.
5. Once Windows is installed, reinstall your applications and restore your personal files from your backup.

A clean installation takes longer than using Reset this PC, but it’s often the most effective solution when Windows recovery features are severely damaged or no longer function properly.

Frequently Asked Questions