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
    2019-08-30T17:58:21+00:00

    Please DO NOT mark this issue as fixed. What has been offered is a WORK AROUND that leaves you having to re-install all your software.

    AGAIN. THIS IS NOT FIXED.

    Please do not mark it as such or ask others to do so. Microsoft needs NO EXCUSES to ignore this issue. Please do not give them one.

    -Forjo

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  2. Anonymous
    2019-08-22T15:11:36+00:00

    Thank you for checking.

    It seems logical that if Safe Mode is working to load the login screen, it is possible that a particular service or driver which is loaded in Normal Mode could be causing the issue

    It would be pertinent to troubleshoot further by attempting a Clean-Boot (disabling all 3rd party startup items/services):

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/929135/how-to-perform-a-clean-boot-in-windows

    This change may or may not affect certain applications from still loading - particularly Antivirus.

    If you believe that the issue could be caused by Antivirus you may need to look at uninstalling that software for troubleshooting purposes separately as this ensures that it can no longer be loading.

    Your machine will remain protected by Windows Defender, you will want to reinstall your Antivirus of choice at a later time.

    Note: Windows Installer is generally not available in Safe Mode although it can be enabled via registry changes.

    In the event that you feel this issue may have occurred after a specific Windows Update - updates are able to be uninstalled through WinRE (Windows Recovery Environment) in Windows 19H1 (1903) or RS5 (1809):

    -From Login, Hold SHIFT and Choose Power, Restart

    -From: Choose an option - Choose Troubleshoot

    -Choose Advanced Options > Uninstall Updates 

    -If your machine has recently performed a Feature Update; like upgrading from Windows 1809 to Windows 1903 choose: Uninstall latest feature update

    -If your machine has recently performed a Quality Update; choose Uninstall latest quality update

    The recovery menu is a little different in Windows 10 RS4 (1803):

    Once entering WinRE and seeing Choose an option:

    -Choose: Troubleshoot > Advanced options

    -Choose: Go back to the previous version 

    Alternatives: 

    You also have the opportunity to choose System Restore in the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE):

    Choose an option > Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > System Restore

    Recovery options in Windows 10 Reference Article: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/12415 including Reset this PC option.

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  3. Anonymous
    2019-08-22T13:59:02+00:00

    Having same problem Tried everything Restoring windows  repairing windows and removing latest update and still same problem Please Help before I just reinstall windows

    Thanks ,

    Rob M

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  4. Anonymous
    2019-08-15T18:14:29+00:00

    Did y find a solution? I have the same problem and I'm desperate

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