Windows 11 Reset PC not working “There was a problem when resetting your PC”

The “Reset this PC” feature in Windows 11 allows you to restore your PC to its factory settings while keeping or removing your personal files. It can be useful when you want to refresh your system, fix some errors, or prepare your device for a new owner. However, sometimes the reset feature might not work as expected on Windows 11. You may encounter a frustrating error message that says “There was a problem when resetting your PC. No changes were made.” There are several reasons, Reset This PC Not Working on Windows 11, Corrupted system files or drivers to conflicting third-party software, and disk errors are common. Here are multiple troubleshooting steps to fix this problem, so you can bring your system to the factory settings.

Reset PC Not Working on Windows 11

The error “There was a problem when resetting your PC, No changes were made” can occur for various reasons, such as corrupted system files, malware infections, hardware failures, or incompatible drivers. Sometimes, the error can also occur due to a glitch in the reset process itself.

• Damaged or corrupted system files can hinder the reset process, preventing it from completing successfully.
• Conflicts with third-party applications, especially those recently installed, may interfere with the reset functionality.
• Issues with the disk, such as errors or bad sectors, also the reason why “Reset this PC” feature is not working on Windows 11
• Drivers that are outdated or incompatible with Windows 11 might cause issues during the reset process.
• “There was a problem when resetting your PC. No changes were made.” error after attempting to Reset this PC.
• Incorrect system configurations or settings may prevent the reset process from completing successfully.

Check for Windows Updates

Ensuring that your Windows 11 is up to date is crucial for the proper functioning of the Reset this PC feature. Regular updates address security vulnerabilities and improve system stability.

• Click the start button then select settings
• Navigate to the Windows Update section in the left pane and hit check for updates,
• Download and install any available updates,
• Once done, restart your PC to apply the changes, now check fit the reset PC is complete without any problem.

Repair Windows 11 using SFC and DISM

Corrupt system files can indeed be a common reason why the “Reset this PC” feature might not be working as expected on Windows 11. Running the System File Checker (SFC) and the Deployment Imaging Service and Management Tool (DISM) can help address these issues.

Press Windows key + S, type cmd and open the command prompt as administrator,

Now run the following two commands, and let it complete 100%

• sfc /scannow
• dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

SFC is a built-in Windows tool that scans and repairs corrupted system files, while the DISM command-line tool can be used to repair Windows images.

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

Running these commands can help fix corrupted system files and enhance the overall stability of your Windows 11 system. After running these tools, attempt to use the “Reset this PC” feature again.

Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

The Windows Update troubleshooter is a valuable tool in resolving issues related to system updates. Running this troubleshooter can automatically identify and fix problems that may be preventing successful resets.

• Press the Windows key + X and select settings
• Navigate the system then troubleshoot and click on other troubleshooters,
• Click Run next to Windows update, the troubleshooter automatically identifies and fixes common issues related to Windows updates, ensuring a smoother update process.
• It can address problems, restart services, clear update caches, and verify update components for improved functionality.

Check for Third-Party Software Conflicts

Certain third-party applications can interfere with the Reset PC process. Temporarily disabling or uninstalling recently installed third-party applications helps eliminate potential conflicts that might hinder the reset process.

• Temporarily disable or uninstall recently installed programs and try resetting your PC again.
• If the issue is resolved, you can gradually enable the applications to identify the culprit.
• Disable any encryption software, antivirus software, or third-party disk management tools before attempting to reset your PC.
• Verify that all third-party software is compatible with your version of Windows 11.

Check for Disk Errors

Again Disk errors can also impact system functionality. Yes problems with the disk, like corrupted parts or issues with how files are organized, it can make resetting the PC difficult.

Open Command Prompt as an administrator and run the command chkdsk /f to check for and fix disk errors. Allow the process to complete and restart your computer.

Also Free up some disk space by deleting any unnecessary files, emptying the Recycle Bin, uninstalling any unused programs, or using the Disk Cleanup tool.

Reset PC from Safe Mode

Again reset Windows 11 PC from Safe Mode can be beneficial in troubleshooting certain issues. Safe Mode is a diagnostic mode in Windows where only essential drivers and services are loaded. Performing a reset in Safe Mode (with networking) helps eliminate potential conflicts with third-party applications and allows for a more stable environment for the reset process.

To boot into safe mode:

• Hold down the Shift key, click on the Power icon in the bottom right and select “Restart.”
• In the Advanced Startup Options menu, go to “Troubleshoot” > “Advanced options” > “Startup Settings” > “Restart.”
• After the restart, you will see a list of startup settings. Press the 4 or 5 key to enable Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking, respectively.

Now To reset your PC, go to Start > Settings > System > Recovery. Next to Reset this PC, select Reset PC.

Perform a Startup Repair

This is a built-in feature that can fix some common boot problems that may prevent your PC from resetting. To access it, you need to boot your PC from a Windows installation media (such as a DVD or a USB drive) or use the Advanced Startup Options if your PC has a recovery partition.

• Hold down the Shift key, click on the Power icon in the bottom right and select “Restart.”
• In the Advanced Startup Options menu, go to “Troubleshoot” > “Advanced options” and select > Startup Repair.

Use System Restore

This is another built-in feature that can restore your PC to a previous point in time when it was working properly. This can undo any changes that may have caused the error.

Again access the advanced option, Hold down the Shift key click on the Power icon in the bottom right and select “Restart.”

Once you see the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > System Restore.

• Select your user account and enter your password if required.
• Choose a restore point from the list or click on Show more restore points to see more options.
• Click on Next and then Finish to confirm your choice.
• Wait for the system restore process to complete.

Reset your PC manually

If none of the above methods work, you can try to reset your PC manually by deleting all the files and folders in the C:\Windows\System32\config\systemprofile folder. This folder contains some temporary files that may interfere with the reset process.

• Boot your PC from a Windows installation media or use the Advanced Startup Options as described above.
• Once you see the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.
• Type the following command and press Enter:

 rd /s /q C:\Windows\System32\config\systemprofile

Type exit and press Enter to close the Command Prompt. Restart your PC and try to reset it again.

These are some of the most common and effective solutions for fixing the error “There was a problem when resetting your PC”. We hope that this article has helped you resolve this issue and successfully reset your PC.