There Was a Problem Resetting Your PC: How to Fix It

If you tried to use Reset this PC and Windows shows the message “There was a problem resetting your PC,” the reset process could not complete. In some cases, Windows may also say “No changes were made.”

This error can happen in Windows 11 or Windows 10 when recovery files are damaged, Windows system files are corrupted, the Windows Recovery Environment is not working correctly, or Local reinstall cannot access the files it needs.

The good news is that you may not need to reinstall Windows manually right away. Start with the simpler fixes below, then move to the more advanced options if Reset this PC keeps failing.

If you are not sure which reset options to choose, see our full guide on how to factory reset Windows 11 or Windows 10.

Why Windows Says “There Was a Problem Resetting Your PC”

This error usually appears when Windows cannot complete the reset using the recovery method you selected. It does not always mean your PC is permanently damaged.

Common causes include:

• Damaged or missing recovery files.
• Corrupted Windows system files.
• Problems with the Windows Recovery Environment.
• Not enough free storage space.
• A failed Local reinstall.
• Interrupted updates or previous repair attempts.
• Disk or system image problems.

If the message appears after choosing Local reinstall, switching to Cloud download may be enough. If the error keeps coming back, you may need to repair corrupted Windows system files or use Windows recovery media.

Before You Try These Fixes

Before making repair changes, back up anything important if you can still access Windows. These fixes are meant to repair the reset process, but some later options can affect files, apps, or system settings.

Also make sure your laptop is plugged into power. If the PC shuts down during a reset, repair, or reinstall, the problem can become harder to fix.

If the PC is still usable, check your free storage before trying again. A reset or repair can fail if the drive is almost full, so you may want to free up disk space in Windows before running Reset this PC again.

1. Try Cloud Download Instead of Local Reinstall

The easiest fix is to try the reset again using Cloud download instead of Local reinstall.

Local reinstall uses recovery files already stored on your PC. If those files are damaged or missing, Reset this PC may fail with the “There was a problem resetting your PC” error.

To try Cloud download:

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to System > Recovery in Windows 11, or Update & Security > Recovery in Windows 10.
3. Under Reset this PC, click Reset PC or Get started.
4. Choose Keep my files or Remove everything.
5. Select Cloud download.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Cloud download requires a stable internet connection and may use several gigabytes of data, but it can work when Local reinstall fails.

2. Run DISM and SFC to Repair Windows Files

If Reset this PC is not working because Windows system files are corrupted, running DISM and SFC can help repair the system before you try the reset again.

Open Command Prompt as administrator or Terminal as administrator, then run this command first:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Wait for the command to finish. Then run:

sfc /scannow

After the scan completes, restart the PC and try Reset this PC again.

For a more detailed walkthrough, see our guide on how to repair corrupted Windows system files.

3. Check the Windows Recovery Environment

Reset this PC depends on the Windows Recovery Environment, also called Windows RE or WinRE. Microsoft documents the REAgentC command as the tool used to configure Windows RE and recovery options.

To check its status, open Command Prompt as administrator and run:

reagentc /info

Look for the Windows RE status line.

If it says Disabled, run:

reagentc /enable

Then restart your PC and try Reset this PC again.

If the command fails, or if Windows RE still does not work after enabling it, the recovery partition or recovery configuration may be damaged. In that case, using Windows installation media may be the simpler solution.

4. Try Reset This PC from the Windows Recovery Environment

When the reset fails from Settings, try starting Reset this PC from the Windows Recovery Environment instead. From the sign-in screen:

1. Hold down the Shift key.
2. While holding Shift, click the Power icon and select Restart.
3. When the recovery menu opens, choose Troubleshoot.
4. Select Reset this PC.
5. Choose Keep my files or Remove everything.
6. Choose Cloud download if available.
7. Follow the on-screen instructions.

If Windows will not start normally, your PC may open Automatic Repair after several failed boot attempts. From there, go to Advanced options > Troubleshoot > Reset this PC.

If your main goal is to undo a recent bad update, driver, or system change, you may want to try System Restore when Windows won’t boot before resetting the PC.

5. Try Startup Repair, System Restore, or Uninstall Updates

If Reset this PC keeps failing, the problem may be related to startup files, recent system changes, a bad update, or Windows corruption.

From the Windows Recovery Environment, go to:

Troubleshoot > Advanced options

Then try the option that best matches your situation:

• Startup Repair: Use this if Windows does not boot correctly.
• System Restore: Use this if the problem started after a recent update, driver, or software change.
• Uninstall Updates: Use this if the reset problem appeared after a Windows update.

These options do not replace a full reset, but they may make Windows stable enough for Reset this PC to work again.

6. Try Resetting After a Clean Boot

If Windows still starts, a background service or third-party app may be interfering with the reset process. A clean boot starts Windows with fewer non-Microsoft services, which may help you try Reset this PC again with less interference.

To do a basic clean boot:

1. Press Windows + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
2. Go to the Services tab.
3. Check Hide all Microsoft services.
4. Click Disable all.
5. Open Task Manager and disable unnecessary startup apps.
6. Restart the PC.
7. Try Reset this PC again.

After testing, return to normal startup settings so Windows and your apps can load normally again.

7. Reinstall Windows Using Installation Media

If none of the previous fixes work, the most reliable option is to reinstall Windows using installation media. You will need:

• Another working PC.
• A USB drive with enough space.
• Microsoft’s Windows installation media tool.
• A backup of your important files.

With installation media, you can boot from the USB drive and reinstall Windows manually. Depending on the option you choose during setup, this may remove files, apps, and settings, so do not continue unless your important files are backed up.

This option is more manual than Reset this PC, but it is often the best solution when Reset this PC is not working and Windows keeps showing the same error.

FAQ

Final Tips

If you see “There was a problem resetting your PC,” do not jump straight to a full reinstall unless you have to. Start with Cloud download, repair Windows system files, and check the Windows Recovery Environment first.

If Reset this PC still does not work, using Windows installation media may be the cleanest way to recover the system and start fresh.