How to Fix ‘There Was a Problem Resetting Your PC’?

If you’re reading this, you’ve probably encountered the frustrating message, “There was a problem resetting your PC.” I’ve been there too.

After using Windows for years, I’ve had my fair share of system troubles, and this error is surprisingly common.

The good news? There are some easy fixes you can try to get your PC back on track. In this guide, I’ll walk you through simple steps to solve this problem.

So, let’s dive in and fix this issue together!

Why Does This Error Happen?

This error usually pops up when you’re trying to reset your Windows PC. It can happen for various reasons—like corrupted system files, a problem with your recovery environment, or a hard drive issue.

Most users on Reddit mention that it’s often related to missing or damaged system files.

Fix 1: Run System File Checker (SFC) and DISM

When I encountered this problem resetting your PC, the first thing I did was run the System File Checker (SFC) and DISM tools. These two utilities scan and repair corrupted files, which might be causing the issue.

Step 1: Run SFC

1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator. To do this, type “cmd” into the search bar, right-click on Command Prompt, and choose “Run as administrator.”
2. Type sfc /scannow and hit Enter.
3. The scan may take some time. Once it’s done, you’ll get a message about whether any issues were found and fixed.

Step 2: Run DISM

1. If the SFC scan didn’t fix the problem resetting your PC, try running the DISM tool.
2. In the same Command Prompt window, type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press Enter.
3. This process might take a while too. Once it’s done, restart your PC and try resetting again.
   
   After using both tools, I personally feel that they are often enough to solve many system errors. Most users on social media report success after running these commands.

Fix 2: Restore Windows Recovery Environment

One common reason for this error is a broken Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). If your WinRE is disabled or corrupted, resetting your PC won’t work.

Step 1: Check WinRE Status

1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Type reagentc /info and press Enter.
3. If you see that the Windows Recovery Environment is disabled, you need to enable it.

Step 2: Enable WinRE

1. In the Command Prompt, type reagentc /enable and press Enter.
2. Once enabled, try resetting your PC again.

Fix 3: Use Windows Installation Media

If the above methods don’t work, you can use Windows installation media to reset your PC. I tried this method when my system wouldn’t reset through the usual process, and it worked perfectly.

Step 1: Download Windows Media Creation Tool

1. Visit Microsoft’s official site and download the Media Creation Tool.
2. Follow the instructions to create a bootable USB drive.

Step 2: Reset Using the USB

1. Insert the USB into your PC, restart, and boot from the USB drive.
2. Follow the on-screen instructions to reset your PC. This method is a little more involved but often resolves the issue.

Fix 4: Try a Fresh Install

In some cases, none of the above methods work. That happened to me once, and I had to go for a fresh install of Windows. Most users avoid this step because it wipes all data, but it’s sometimes necessary.

Step 1: Backup Your Data

Make sure you backup important files before proceeding. You can use an external hard drive or cloud storage like Google Drive.

Step 2: Install Windows Fresh

1. Boot from the USB drive you created using the Media Creation Tool.
2. Choose Custom Install and follow the steps to reinstall Windows. This will give you a clean slate.

After using this method, I personally feel that it’s the most effective for stubborn issues, but it should be your last resort.

FAQs

Will I lose my data if I fix this issue?

Running tools like SFC and DISM won’t delete any files, but if you do a fresh install, make sure to backup your data first.

Can I use third-party software to fix There was a problem resetting your PC problem?

While some third-party tools claim to fix Windows errors, it’s generally safer to use built-in tools like SFC and DISM. If those don’t work, using Windows installation media is the next best option.

What if the problem keeps coming back?

If the error happens repeatedly, it could point to a deeper issue like hardware failure or a persistent software problem. In that case, consulting a technician might be necessary.

What is the difference between a ‘Reset’ and a ‘Fresh Install’?

A reset allows you to reinstall Windows while keeping or removing your personal files, and it often preserves drivers and some settings. A fresh install, on the other hand, wipes everything and installs Windows from scratch, giving you a clean start.

What happens if my PC freezes or crashes during the reset process?

If your PC freezes or crashes while trying to reset, you might need to force a restart. After rebooting, try one of the fixes mentioned in the article, like running SFC or using the Media Creation Tool.

Will resetting my PC remove viruses or malware?

Yes, resetting your PC can remove viruses or malware, especially if you choose to delete all files during the reset. However, if the reset process itself is being blocked by malware, you might need to perform a fresh install using the Windows Media Creation Tool.

Conclusion

After using these methods myself, I can say that they’re quite effective. If you’re dealing with this frustrating error, give these fixes a try.

Most users on Reddit and Twitter report that running SFC and DISM works for them, while others have had success with reinstalling Windows using a bootable USB.

Which of these methods worked for you? Leave a comment below and let me know!