Among the more frustrating issues of Windows 8/8.1, the “Please Wait Screen” error is markedly emerging forward. Resulting from either a third-party software conflict, or missing/damaged system files, this problem presents itself upon system startup, displaying a “Please Wait” message on a blank screen. Unfortunately, being the obedient user that you are, you follow the instructions and continue staring optimistically at the words for many an hours. However, the verses never seem to disappear, and you fail booting into Windows, yet again. While sometimes, performing a simple restart might resolve the issue, majority times it requires further drilling. This article highlights numerous approaches on how to analyze this problem and remove it appropriately from your system.
The foremost solution which is always encouraged is checking your PC primary healthiness and restoring any discrepancy that perhaps is bringing about the disturbance:
- Step 1 : Download Systimizer – PC Cleaner Tool (Compatible with Windows 10, 8, 7 & XP)
- Step 2 : Click “Scan” to find Windows issues
- Step 3 : Click “Fix” to eliminate all troubles
Method 1: Launch Safe Mode and Perform a Clean Boot
Safe Mode is a troubleshooting mode that starts Windows with minimal set of drivers and services. Boot your OS in this manner and check if the issue appears.
To boot into Safe Mode, execute this procedure:
- While at the “Please Wait” screen, press ALT+CTRL+DEL
- Click the power icon displayed at the bottom right
- Hold down the SHIFT key and select Restart. This will take you to the Windows Startup Settings screen
Note: If ALT+CTRL+DEL does not work, restart your system, hold SHIFT key and keep pressing F8 key before Windows starts up to reach Windows Startup Settings screen
- Select Troubleshoot
- Click Advanced options and choose Startup Settings
- Click Restart
- From the Startup Settings screen, select the number corresponding to Enable Safe Mode
- Choose the user account that has administrative rights
If you again found yourself facing the “Please Wait” error, the problem does not lie with a software conflict and you can jump to Method 2. Else, continue with the Clean Boot steps, and identify the problematic program.
- Open Run box by pressing Windows + R key
- Type msconfig and press Enter
- From the System Configuration dialog box, click the Services tab
- Check Hide all Microsoft services and select Disable all
- Navigate to Startup tab and choose Open Task Manager
- On the Startup tab in Task Manager, select each item and click Disable
- Exit Task Manager
- On the System Configuration dialog box, click OK, and then restart your computer
Once you are in the Clean Boot environment, it is now time to pinpoint the service causing the problem:
- Enter System Configuration dialog box as before, and navigate to Service tab
- Check Hide all Microsoft services
- Select the upper half of check boxes from the list and clear the others
- Click OK and then reboot the system
Check if the problem happens again or not. If it does, repeat these steps, this time clearing the lower half of items in the Service list from the original selection. If the problem did not occur, redo the procedure, this time selecting check boxes that were previously left unchecked.
Continue narrowing down your search till you reach the specific service triggering the error. Once identified, either search further support from the concerned manufacturer, or keep the process disabled to prevent further problems.
Method 2: Repair system files using SFC scan
This is a command-line tool that scans for corrupted files crucial to the system, and automatically initiates a repairing process.
Run this command using the steps mentioned below:
- Reach Advanced options from the Windows Startup Settings described formerly
- Choose Command Prompt
- In the command prompt screen, type the following command
Sfc /scannow
- Press Enter
- Execute the on-screen instructions to complete the scan
Note: This method may require you to insert the Windows installation DVD to extract missing/damaged system files from the media
Method 3: Log in using a different account
Sometimes, the concerned error may be occurring only the specific account. This can fixed by creating a new profile from Safe Mode, and logging in to the system using that account.
To accomplish this, follow this procedure:
- Enter Safe Mode ( See Method 1)
- Point to the lower edge of the screen and drag upwards to select Settings
- Click Change PC settings
- Click Accounts from the left pane and choose then choose Other accounts
- Select Add an account from the right pane
- Type in your Username and Password and click Next
- Select the new account and click Edit
- Set the Account type to Administrator and click OK
Wait for the system to load the new account. Once done, log in to this new User and see if the please wait message bothers you again. If it does, proceed with the following methods.
Method 4: Perform a System Restore
As formerly stated, the Please Wait matter is mostly due to a recent system change in the settings or the configuration files. To undo this alteration, use the System Restore feature and fall back to a previously created restore point.
- From the Advanced options screen, choose System Restore
- Click Next to the Restore system files and settings message
- Select the restore point you want to revert to, and click Next
- Confirm your decision by clicking Finish
- Click Restart
Method 5: Stop pending updates
Long delay in the booting process can also be traced down to an unfinished system update, still placed in the waiting queue. To disable this process, use the DISM command from recovery console, illustrated here:
- Enter Command Prompt from the Windows Startup Settings
- In the command line, type the following command and press Enter
dism.exe /image:C:\ /cleanup-image /revertpendingactions
Also, you could try renaming pending.xml folder executing the following commands from the opened Command Prompt:
- Takeown /f C:\Windows\winsxs\pending.xml
- Ren C:\Windows\winsxs\pending.xml pending.old
Note: Once you reboot to your system, it is recommended you run Windows Update again
Method 6: End task restoreoptin.exe
Microsoft support forums are flooded with reports of encountering blank screen error owing to restoreoptin.exe, a process used by SkyDrive to store files. This process is considered to conflict with the computer’s operations and bring it to freeze at the startup screen.
Go ahead and try disabling this component. You might be one of the numerous victims of this process.
- Login to the error-inflicted account
- Open Run box by pressing Windows + R key
- Type taskkill /f /im restoreoptin.exe and hit Enter
Reboot the PC and see if the problem resolves. If it does, contact SkyDrive manufacturers and inquire the matter further. For the time being, keep this process disabled.
If none of the described solutions worked for you, use the Refresh your PC feature incorporated in Windows 8 and 8.1 system recover options. This will change PC settings back to its default value, while keeping your personal settings and files intact. Rest assured, you would not need to continue your troubleshooting journey anymore.
Many thanks indeed, have just spent two days with a please wait screen, I can,t say it was any particular method, a bit of a mish mash of all your methods, but finally got to insert msconfig which got me to a system restore, the dell check list then informed me it was the amazon app and the windows store failure launch which created the problems in the first place, so once again thank you very much
regards Nigel Jennings
I am glad it helped 🙂
Fast Easy fix for people who are experiencing this issue (BUT THIS FIX ONLY APPLICABLE TO NVIDIA USERS) and it’s good to know for nVidia Shield and Shadowplay Users, as you may think that you will have to put up with this “Please Wait…” message taking forever in order to keep using the nVidia Streamer Service which is required for nVidia Shield and ShadowPlay etc. (cause for me this nVidia Streamer Service is definately what was causing the massive Please Wait… Wait.
After changing 1 simple setting I was amazed, first fix I found myself through research that I haven’t seen on the web yet, well not for nVidia users anyway atleast) That’s right you don’t have to put up with that please wait.. WAITING….. YOU CAN in fact have the Please Wait message reduce back to its normal loading time whilst still having the nVidia streamer Service active, using my method the nVidia Streamer service will have a delayed start which means it will load automatically right after all of your other normal and custom services have loaded, if not right after, not too long after.
In all should only take 2-3 mins for the nVidia Streamer service to start by itself giving you access to the nVidia Shield and ShadowPlay still, my method is much a much better solution than just putting up with it and trying to bootup with the please wait screen and the nVidia Stremer service at the same time (which is what I think it’s doing, making it glitch/load slow or whatever), or going without the nVidiaStreamer Service (nVidia Shield and Shandowplay) just so you can have a fast boot up which is what some people do bugger that I’m glad I found this fix and will explain what I found that worked for me and hopefully it will resolve your issue too with the “Please Wait…” message after starting the computer and taking like 5-10 minutes longer than what it should to load or what evs.
After doing a bit of research a recent update that you may have done for nvidia graphics drivers etc, (whether via nvidia or windows update download) may have updated your NVIDIA Streamer Service Startup type setting to Automaticlly instead of Automatic.
To fix this either click start and type services.msc or click Start then run and type services.msc then press ENTER. (NOTE: Services can also be accessed by right clicking on My Computer or This Pc for Windows 8 users, then Manage/Management Settings).
Once you’re in Services.msc scroll down to NVIDIA Streamer Service and right-click on it, then go to properties and select Automatic(Delayed) in the dropdown box if it was set to Automatic beforehand, which for me it was. After that, click on Apply, then restart your computer and hopefully should boot up like normal (much quicker) and NVIDIA Streamer Service should also now start shortly after all other services have been loaded because we changed the startup type to delayed easy as pie hope it works for you.
From Shane. Peace.
THIS SAVED MY DAY!!!
Thanks for this very useful info!
Awesome, this helped me restore my computer without any trouble, great job!
I can’t go into safe mode.
I had try on ctrl+alt+delete , and f8 as u mentioned.
But unfortunately it still fails.
Any other method?
Please I need help as I need to use this laptop fast.
Thank you so much!
Continuously strike F8 while holding down SHIFT at computer start
If it doesn’t work
Enable legacy mode using Windows Recover Disc or Windows Installation Media
Follow the link and see Method 1: Safe Mode + Clean Boot combo
http://www.registryrecycler.com/blog/2014/04/fix-stop-error-0xc000021a-cannot-start-computer-in-windows-8-8-1/
Now at start only pressing F8 Nonstop should work
f8 doesn’t work on some PCs. The sure way to go to troubleshooting options is to press and hold shift key then click power icon to restart.
Same!! Please help, nothing happens when i press any buttons! i have tried all these options! And still I have no fix – is there a way to fix it without being able to press these buttons, can not go into safe mode either?! Wtf is going on
What is the model of your laptop or computer?
I suggest you asking the manufacture as for example on my asus laptop I had to press F11 continiously
Not only ctrl +alt+ delt
you should holding the shift button also before logo screen then it will shown troubleshoot options
* select startup setting
Thank you very much for the help. Of all the suggested methods, performing a System Restore worked. Thanks again!
Thank you so much for your help… I was so down and felt terrible about my decision to buy Dell and still use Windos os… rather than going to Apple. Now my problem is about to be solved.. thanks to you. Thank you.
I keep having to repeat restore points. A day or so later after when booting I get the problem again. Tried method 1 but after the clean boot I still get the problem. Any ideas. Note safe mode therefore enters with out the issue.
You have a service or driver or an application that is causing the issue.
You have to identify the faulty one yourself, by disabling services/startup items and then re-enabling one by one or half of them, and booting to normal mode.
Read the ending paras of Method 1.
wow, thank you so much for existing <3
Hi guys,
I had horrid time with this issue and for a simple fix I did system refresh which cleared application and re installed without any loss of ur personal data. Took me just 15 mins. I believe it was because of few faulty application
Thanks for your help, none of the solutions actually worked but it did enable me to use safe mode to save down files before using the ‘Reset your PC’ option. It seems Dell machines like mine are more susceptible and one of the first things my machine did was to update the Amazon app. These silly apps are getting the boot.
Hello.. It’s the second time that this please wait screen happens to me. When I try method 1 I get to the point where I should be in Clean Boot but I still the current bane of my existence the please wait screen .. Can you help in detail?
Did you get to Safe Mode?
If not follow the instructions in my reply to Elvin
I had the same problem, got to restart in safe mode & disabled everything, but when I got to the second restart & meant to be in ‘clean boot’ the please wait screen reappeared…
Proceed with the other solutions…
i have to create a new account and delete the original one (still have my users documents) since asus didn’t give me a reinstall disk, it seems like it works, also unintall mcafee
How do I get to the “Refresh your PC” option in the very last text box? Nothing seems to work
Follow the link
http://www.registryrecycler.com/blog/2013/03/windows-8-refresh-your-pc-without-affecting-files/
I just purchased and msi gt70 dominator pro and it was it came with windows 8 already installed. It tried to update and the update failed. Now the screen just says please wait and none of the commands work. Ctr + alt + del doesn’t work. And it doesn’t allow me to get to safe mode either? Can anyone help me with this?
Well… it happened on my surface… no key board…. HOW????
Try a USB Keyboard
I had tried all of these methods but can’t work on my acer notebook. and i don’t know how to disable services. I mean to say how can i turn off wifi and bluetooth using keys? if screen is still please wait.
You need to go to Safe Mode first
Read my comments in reply to Elvin
http://www.optimizewindows8.net/2014/01/fixing-please-wait-screen-problem-in-windows-8-8-1/#comment-39062
I had the please wait screen. All I did was turn my computer off then on again, I waited for the bios prompt. In the bios I went into the boot section and change from a normal boot into a fast boot then went to exit, saved the changes and restarted. This seems to have worked, I think my problem had to do with a power outage, where the power came off and on again twice within a couple of hours.
how did you go to boot section through bios
Thought I had a problem when the windows update screen came up and sat at 100% complete for about 15 mins but just needed a little patience no a lot of patience and eventually my log in came up. Only used this computer a few times…
Hi, i tried method one and didn’t work out…
so i tried to create new account and it worked.
(but i wanted to go back to my Microsoft account)
so i reopened the Microsoft account and i got the massage again.
But i realized that the One drive is whats cause the problems.
So problem solved
Hello,
I got the “Please wait” message with Windows 8.1 on Lenovo X240. ALT+CTRL+DEL does not work. Restarting system and holding SHIFT key and keeping pressing F8 key does not work. I bought the computer with Windows 7 with option to upgrade on line to 8 and 8.1 and unfortunately I did not think to make the recovery file…..So got only recovery disk for Windows 8.
I will appreciate your advise…..!
You need to go to Safe Mode first
Read my comments in reply to Elvin
http://www.optimizewindows8.net/2014/01/fixing-please-wait-screen-problem-in-windows-8-8-1/#comment-39062
While waiting for my comment to be published I have found the solution. Thank you.
Hey. Kmita. Which solution worked for you`? – I have the same machine og same problem
How can I go to method 2 when my screen is still stuck in please wait
You need to follow method 1 till the below step
Click Advanced options and choose Startup Settings
I have had this error before and using method 1 I fixed it, I got it again, and iI used method 1 again and it didn’t work
Proceed with other solutions described
I m using win 8.1 . after entering password , the screen shows blank for long time , but wireless mode , power options are active .
How to rectify this problem ?
Hello,
THANKS A LOT, men. This helped me a lot…!!!!!!!!!!!
That is why I’m installing Ubuntu. Windows is increasingly worse after xp
And what shoul i do with the other account?? Should i remove it?
Copy your data and remove the account if do not require it.
no key combination recommended has changed the screen from the “please wait” and the dell computer came with windows 8 installed so I didn’t get a start-up disc. Now what?
Get an ISO from here http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/create-reset-refresh-media
and burn it to Disc or USB
Thank you so so much. Method 1&2&3 didn’t work… until method 4 finally got my computer to work!
Massive thankyou for this; it worked brilliantly!
Cheers
Andy 🙂
None of the methods work for me. I can’t get to my password login page and it just shows a Please Wait page. Tried all the methods above but I can’t get to anything that will allow me to start in Safe Mode or any power button on my screen at all. What should I do??
You need to go to Safe Mode first
Read my comments in reply to Elvin
http://www.optimizewindows8.net/2014/01/fixing-please-wait-screen-problem-in-windows-8-8-1/#comment-39062
Method 6 worked for me, but thing is it wwill happen again everytime my pc boot so I have to taskkill it.
Mine is not skydrive but it’s onedrive, is there any difference anyway?
And how to disable this process so the please wait doesn’t appear again?
The very first method solved my mess. Thanks a lot!
There is one more trick you can try is to boot up and then quickly shut down by holding down the power button for 4 seconds. Apparently if you do this say 3 times in a row you get a startup repair option and you can restore your settings or actions done before the bug.
NO, the above mentioned all the steps doesn’t fit to me.
This problem starts while my task manager, Regedit, command prompt , all these got disabled.
I am unable to take any alternative.
These all are still disabled, and i am helpless
Untill and unless , my taskmanager, regedit and cmd will not be rectified, I wouldn’t be able to come out with this riddle.
Everytime i would opt for restart, the problem will come again! ! ! !
PLEASE HELP ME OUT OF THIS FREAKY, nd please dont suggest me to format or else restore.
I dont want to opt this process
Please Help me !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
as with all MS products lately, nothing worked here, threw in the towel, want to MAC, sucks too
No intelligent life on earth, just people masquerading as such
I tried system restore and now the laptop wont even start 🙁
Please help me! I tried everything but nothing works, Its been more than 3 hours now, its still saying Please Wait
Hey,I performed a system restore and it fixed my problem.but recently I updated my computer and this stupid issue came up again. I know that this update is the one causing the problem. I have a feeling I didn’t fully install the update, plz help me and tell me what to do.Ima school student and I have tons of projects to submit and this is the only computer I’ll ever get. I don’t have the Windows 8.1 CD tho
Didn’t work really pissed
None of these options doesn’t work on my hp
When I pressed f2 something about a operating system came up
Hitting control + alt + delete instead of f8 before the blue screen brought up system repair for me. This was the only thing that worked. Couldn’t figure out how to get to system restore from here though just system recovery. Hello factory settings! Hoping this works!
I use an HP and I have tried all the method here to no avail. I just installed a game witcher and changed the name of my PC then I restarted but its has been in the blue screen showing please wait.I use a windows 8 os.
Really Thanks, Use the steps, It helps very very much…
Omg i was so in tension that the pc won’t boot up. Thank you very much. Your 5th step worked for me.
It has happened to me once before n that time it stopped when i restored my system. I turned off automatic updates but it appeared again n now even system restore isnt working. Refresh your pc option is asking for some kind of external media device idk probably a windows cd or something but i dont have it.. What do i do? Please help
It doesn’t let press ctrl + alt + delete at all it just sits there on please wait…. Please help ?
Your the man.
Ive been able to get me lap top back after it being stuck on please wait for three days.
Thanks for your sound advice.
Trebor from bournemouth.
thank you
Mines from Fujitsu and one day when I was opening my laptop it got stuck on the logo screen f12 isn’t working and f2 says please wait what do I do
Somehow it worked after trying all steps but not sure of which one. thanks..
Thanks a lot
A combination of the above mentioned methodes helped me to pass the please wait headache.
I’m using an Acer laptop.
Please wait… happened and I turned my laptop off, then when I turn it on, it goes to a screen that gives options:
Safe Mode
Safe Mode with Networking
Safe Mode with Command Prompt
Start Windows Normally
When I choose Start Windows Normally, it goes back to “Please Wait…”
When I choose Safe Mode, it goes to a black and white screen and says it loads files and then goes back to “Please wait…”
Same thing with the other Safe Mode options.
I tried the Alt+Ctrl+Del and Shift+F8 but both aren’t working in any of the modes I select.
Please help! All my files are saved in this laptop. 🙁
Disabling nvidia graphics service worked like a champ..thanks