PC stuck at a blurry login screen

Anonymous
2019-07-31T17:27:31+00:00

I recently updated my PC and now it is stuck at the login screen. It boots up normally to the lock screen, after pressing any button or using the mouse it goes to the next screen for the login but does not load the password box and the screen remains blurry. I can use the power, network and easy of access buttons but that is it.

Safe mode will not start, restarting 3 times does not take me to the repair screen, ctrl+alt+delete does nothing, I even tried using ctrl+F8 and nothing has worked. Anyone have any ideas on how to fix/bypass the login screen?

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Windows Hello, lock screen and sign-in

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Anonymous
2019-09-05T01:28:41+00:00

***FIX***

Initial Steps (Enter Recovery Environment):

  1. Enter Recovery Environment (If you are unable to get into the recovery environment via a menu, you can turn off your system during the initial boot when the Windows logo is on the screen and the dots are circling. Do this at least twice and you'll see the message "Starting Automatic Repair").
  2. Once the recovery environment loads select "See advanced repair options", then "Troubleshoot", then "Advanced options".

Method #1 (Via Command prompt - assumes basic command prompt knowledge):

  1. Click "Command Prompt".
  2. Change directory to your boot drive if necessary (for example, type c: and press <ENTER>)
  3. Type "CD %windir%\system32\config\systemprofile\appdata\local\microsoft\windows\caches <ENTER>
  4. Type "DIR <ENTER>" and make sure you are in the right path. You should see one or more .db files -- usually just cversions.3.db. If there are no files in this directory see the addendum below.
  5. Type "DEL *.* <ENTER>"
  6. Reboot and test

Method #2 (Via Safe Mode and File Explorer - may require adjusting permissions):

  1. Click "Start-up Settings" and "Restart" to reboot the system and get the option to enter Safe Mode.)
  2. At the Startup Settings screen press "4" to boot in Safe Mode.
  3. Log into your administrator-level account.
  4. Open File Explorer and browse to**%windir%\system32\config** (example: c:\windows\system32\config)
  5. Gain access to systemprofile (you may be able to just double-click it to gain access)
  6. Drill down to**%windir%\system32\config\systemprofile\appdata\local\microsoft\windows\caches**
  7. Delete all files inside caches
  8. Reboot and test

Addendum

Some have reported that it is necessary to clear the caches folder of the local user account also or instead of the systemprofile account. If the above procedure does not work for you, delete the file(s) in the local user cache folder (located in %localappdata%\microsoft\windows\caches) using either Safe Mode or the recovery environment command prompt.

Good luck!

Special thanks to John_E_M for first suggesting the localappdata caches folder, and to Artaeos who also narrowed down the problem to the systemprofile caches folder at the same time I did. Great job guys!

**Edited 9/6/2019 to add command prompt method, local account provision, and acknowledgements**

-Forjo

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  1. Anonymous
    2019-08-29T19:10:08+00:00

    I will leave you folks alone, but if it was me, I would be trying to change the Video drivers in some manner.  Perhaps check for new ones or revert the system to basic video or even disable one GPU if you have two..

    Good luck with it..

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  2. Anonymous
    2019-08-29T18:47:34+00:00

    there is a new update now available in the Microsoft Update Catalog - I don't know how to install it from safe mode but has anyone else been able to check it?

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  3. Anonymous
    2019-08-29T18:36:48+00:00

    You know, Process Monitor has the ability to record system events even during a reboot.  I wonder if setting that up might allow you to see what is actually happening just before the system tries to go to the logon screen?  If the LogonUI.exe was involved, why just certain systems?  And since I am not familiar with these systems, anything in common, such as being Legacy systems?

    I am still waiting for someone to post this on the Dell community site in the Windows 10 section.  Probably not much help there, but some of the moderators do have contact with the technical folks. 

    There was a Win 10 update about two years ago which messed up my 9365 2-in-1 so I could no longer shut it down.  We had to take unusual steps to get the system back to a normal operation.

    Can you set up Remote Desktop in Safe Mode?

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  4. Anonymous
    2019-08-29T18:08:16+00:00

    Just so you know, you can't perform an overlay install by booting from a disk or USB. That's not been possible for a long time.  The only way is from a running copy of Windows.

    Unless someone knows another way -- which is why I asked.

    -Forjo

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