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
    2019-08-27T18:03:25+00:00

    my computer is a laptop - Inspiron 15z 5523. Display resolution is 1366x768. Scale and layout is 100%. Not sure how to find the DPI setting. I haven't tried a second screen.

    The registry key I added was HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System\DisableAcrylicBackgroundOnLogon

    I also had my touchscreen disabled as it was malfunctioning previously. I have tried enabling it but still no joy.

    I've also tried disabling Fast Startup by setting the HiberbootEnabled registry key to 0. This key is in

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Session Manager\Power

    I think this had caused me an issue with an upgrade in the past.

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  2. Anonymous
    2019-08-27T18:28:35+00:00

    Hi,

    I have the same problem on DELL Precision T3500 with Windows 10 Profesional after installing KB4505903 (compilation 18362.267). When my computer restarted, a login screen appears and when I hit any key, the login screen blurs and stuck for about 15 seconds. Then it gets back to user select screen. I tried put my password on blurred screen but I was not able to log in to system. I am able to log in to system in safe mode and computer is working fine.

    Then! In my system configuration I have enabled RDP. Turns out that I am able to log in to system by RDP. Unfortunately some processes are using too much processor time. For example: Chrome Installer, Dropbox Updater, Inter Driver Update, Windows Update. All this processes are using about 20% of my procesor time.

    I was able to install latest update KB4512508 (compilation 18362.295) but this didn't help... still have the same problems.

    Additional information - when logged in from RDP I go to Settings, Accounts, Log in options - whole Settings windows hangs and cryptographics service is using more then 50% of processor time...

    So... In my opinion this has nothing to do with graphics configuration and this is not a blur screen that is the problem. This has to bo something wrong with login process, some cryptographic things, etc.

    Useful tip - start your windows in safe mode, enable RDP, reboot, log in from another machine to try to back up you data if needed.

    I hope Microsoft will find out the problem very quick and apply needed patch in next upgrade.

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  3. Anonymous
    2019-08-27T19:55:20+00:00

    So, you have a lower resolution system.  You probably don't mess with your DPI setting since that comes in with the higher res systems.

    You appear to have the correct Registry key but I was surprised to see you needed to add the System key.  If you use Gpedit, there are other registry entries with that setting also.  And it did turn mine off.  I would have thought turning off that setting would solved the basic issue for your systems.

    Fast Startup can be turned off in the Windows Settings.

    I will keep checking and possibly even installing Win 10 on an older Inspiron 1545 which has a lower resolution.  I will also check a system that is just a straight HD display..

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  4. Anonymous
    2019-08-27T21:11:50+00:00

    I am up to three computers now with this issue.  All Dell 9020 All-In-Ones.  A solution would be amazing right about now!!!

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