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

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
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

Was this answer helpful?

100+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

158 additional answers

Sort by: Oldest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2019-08-27T16:13:08+00:00

    Hi Saltgrass,

    I'm much the same as Thornton-IT - just typing in the password doesn't work. Also as FacePlants says the blurry screen reverts to the normal welcome screen after a while. I've disabled 3rd party services, disabled the requirement to enter a password on my account, disabled the blurry screen (DisableAcrylicBackgroundOnLogon), uninstalled updates as far as I can so I'm now at Build 18362.1.

    The only thing I haven't been able to do yet is uninstall the virus checker - the registry editor won't let me add the setting to enable the installer/uninstaller program as described elsewhere.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2019-08-27T17:08:29+00:00

    @Thornton-IT and jb472

    OK, is this a laptop and what resolution and DPI setting are you using?

    Do you have your system set to use the Lock screen as a background for the logon page?

    I don't know why this might make a difference, but have you tried a second display?  The boot and logon stuff normally stays on the primary monitor so this may do absolutely nothing.  But there is also a situation with a Black Screen being discussed.  If you were to be connected to even another system, it might be involved.

    Since none of my systems are having this problem, I can only guess and I am trying to go outside the normal box and look for problems in strange places.

    I suppose we can always hope the next CU will straighten this out but the next Win 10 build upgrade may be only a few weeks away....   I would hate to see them release a new build with this situation.

    Is this the registry key you modified?

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Group Policy Objects{0F7626DF-50DE-47F3-B5B3-3145DDA73D90}Machine\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System

    With GPedit   Computer Configuration -- Admin templates  --   System -  Logon - Show Clear logon background

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2019-08-27T17:14:51+00:00

    All of these efforts are great but I believe in the end you will have to reinstall windows.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2019-08-27T17:51:04+00:00

    I can confirm a clean install with all updates installed and all drivers loaded is running fine. I have not installed any of the optional Dell applications and I'm going to avoid any unnecessary programs until we get more information.

    If possible, backup and clean install on your machine if you're able. Especially those of you still running on a machine that had an in-place upgrade from Win 8.x to Win10. It's always nice to start with a fresh install... Even better if you're not forced into it because of a bad update!

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments