Windows stuck at black screen with spinning circle during boot

ksio89 · 02 May 2018

After installing April Update (version 1803, build 17134.1), Windows Update installed an update last night, which I supposed was 17134.5, and asked for a reboot. I turned down the laptop, I saw the message stating that Windows was working on updates, and then it shut down. However, when I booted up today, it got stuck in a black screen with spinning circle animation. The mouse cursor is visible, but nothing else works. Ctrl+Alt+Esc to open Task Manager does not work, neither does Ctrl+Alt+Del.

Is it possible to repair the installation without having to clean install Windows? I created a bootable USB flash drive and chose to repair Windows, but it didn't work. I wonder if using command prompt will be able to help me. Is there any software from which I can recover my files from C:\ partition before doing a clean installtion? Thanks in advance.

edit: I managed to enter into Startup settings and then boot in Safe Mode. It booted into a blue screen with this message:

"We couldn't complete the updates
Undoing changes
Don't turn off your computer."

And now it booted into Safe mode. I moved personal files from C:\ into D:\ partition, but I wish I could back up the whole C: partition, in case I have no other choice than to perform a clean installation.

edit 2: looks like it was an issue with Intel Graphics drivers. I booted into Safe mode, uninstalled Intel HD Graphics drivers and rebooted, and not it booted normally. I reinstalled latest Intel HD Graphics drivers package obtained from Intel website, and it's booting normally, apparently the problem has been solved. I wonder if Windows Update forced broken Intel graphic drivers.

zbook · 02 May 2018

1) Consider making a backup image using Macrium:
Macrium Software | Macrium Reflect Free
Backup and Restore with Macrium Reflect Windows 10 Tutorials

2) Run the full Dell diagnostics:
Support for Inspiron 15R 5537 | Diagnostics | Dell US

3) Run the Dell detect drivers:
Support for Inspiron 15R 5537 | Drivers & downloads | Dell US

Ascerta · 03 May 2018

ksio89 said:

edit 2: looks like it was an issue with Intel Graphics drivers. I booted into Safe mode, uninstalled Intel HD Graphics drivers and rebooted, and not it booted normally. I reinstalled latest Intel HD Graphics drivers package obtained from Intel website, and it's booting normally, apparently the problem has been solved. I wonder if Windows Update forced broken Intel graphic drivers.

I can confirm that it worked. I had exactly the same issue with black screen with spinning dots. Had to force shut down computer, boot up in Safe Mode and uninstall the driver and Windows booted up as normal.

Thank you.

ksio89 · 03 May 2018

You're welcome, I'm glad I could help someone else. Curious that I asked for help in first place, found out the solution by myself and then posted it here so other users could solve this issue as well.
Well, here's a more detailed solution, credits belong to user "DonLekei" from Microsoft Answers forums:

I have recently had several computers have this problem after the Creator's Update.

I tracked it down to issues with Intel integrated graphics controllers. It seems to happen on Skylake processors (eg. i3, i5 6xxx and 7xxx series). I have also seen it happen on some Intel-based computers with factory-installed Nvidia chips).

The computer isn't hung, just the spinning screen displays instead of the desktop. Windows is actually merrily running and displaying a desktop that you can't see. To prove it, press Win-X, u, u and the computer will shut down (if your computer logs in without a password).

First you need to restart into automatic repair:
(The screens listed vary slightly in wording and options from Windows version to version)

Press and hold the power button until the computer shuts down.
Press the power button again
As soon as the spinning wheel starts, press and hold the power button
Repeat until automatic repair starts (usually 3 loops).
Select "advanced options"
Select "Troubleshoot"
Select "Advanced options" from the Troubleshoot menu
Select "Startup settings"
Click Restart
The computer will restart into the startup menu.
Select "Safe mode with networking" (isn't this so much better than pressing F8 on startup?)
Windows will restart in safe mode.
Right-click on the windows logo and choose "device manager"
Find your video adapter and uninstall the driver.
reboot the computer -- it should reboot normally.
Find and download the latest driver FROM YOUR COMPUTER MANUFACTURER'S WEB SITE.

edit: according to some users, you don't even need to uninstall integrated graphic drivers, you just need to boot into Safe Mode, and it will then reboot normally. Others stated you can simply disable Intel HD Graphics and re-enable it later. It's worth trying both methods.