An error with BCD could give rise to Windows 10 stuck on please wait and you will have to rebuild BCD. Other solutions which have been proved to be working include disabling services, running the troubleshooter, performing a startup repair, resetting Windows Update Components, and running DISM and SFC scans. Today, this article explains about BCD and how to overcome this Windows update error.
A List Of Solutions
Rebuild BCD
You can rebuild BCD using the Command prompt or Registry Editor. To rebuild BCD when you cannot access the desktop, you should opt for Command Prompt.
- Step 1: Power on your computer and as the logo starts to show up, press the power button three times to go to Advanced Recovery Environment
- Step 2: Choose Troubleshoot then select Command Prompt.
- Step 3: On the Command Prompt, type the following commands and press Enter after each of them.
- bootrec /fixmbr
- bootrec /fixboot
- bootrec /scanos
- bootrec /rebuildbcd
- Step 4: After you finish, restart your computer.
Disable Services
If you notice Windows 10 stuck on please wait as you start up your computer, you should consider disabling three Windows Services. Those services include Windows Error Reporting Service, Network list service, and Knowledge of network location.
- Step 1: Power on your computer and as the logo starts to show up, press the power button three times to go to Advanced Recovery Environment
- Step 2: Choose Troubleshoot then select Advanced Options.
- Step 3: Hit Startup settings then Click restart.
- Step 4: Once the PC restarts, click Enable Safe mode and this will boot your computer into Safe Mode
- Step 5: In Safe Mode, press Windows key + R, type services.msc then hit Enter to open Windows Services Manager.
- Step 6: Right-click each of the three services mentioned above then choose Properties.
- Step 7: Hit Stop under Services Status and change Startup type to Disabled.
- Step 8: Click Apply, choose Ok and restart your computer.
Run Update Troubleshooter
Whenever you run into a problem in Windows 10, one of the first actions you should take is to let Windows detect and fix the problems by itself. Windows OS packs built-in troubleshooters that come in handy while solving errors.
- Step 1: Power on your computer and as the logo starts to show up, press the power button three times to go to Advanced Recovery Environment
- Step 2: Choose Troubleshoot then select Advanced Options.
- Step 3: Hit Startup settings then Click restart.
- Step 4: Once the PC restarts, click Enable Safe mode and this will boot your computer into Safe Mode
- Step 5: Press Windows + I to open Settings.
- Step 6: Click Update & security, select Troubleshoot and choose Additional troubleshooters.
- Step 7: Select Windows Update then click Run the Troubleshooter.
- Step 8: Follow the on-screen instructions to complete troubleshooting then restart your computer.
Startup Repair
Startup Repair can tackle many problems that prevent Windows from loading. Thus, during discussions about Windows 10 stuck on please wait, Startup Repair shows up from time to time.
- Step 1: Power on your computer and as the logo starts to show up, press the power button three times to go to Advanced Recovery Environment
- Step 2: Choose Troubleshoot, select Advanced Options and hit Startup Repair.
- Step 3: Wait for the repair to get complete then restart your computer.
Reset Windows Update Components
If the error occurred when you restart your computer after downloading the updates, you will need to delete the Update Components.
- Step 1: Power on your computer and as the logo starts to show up, press the power button three times to go to Advanced Recovery Environment
- Step 2: Choose Troubleshoot then select Advanced Options.
- Step 3: Hit Startup settings then Click restart.
- Step 4: Once the PC restarts, click Enable Safe mode and this will boot your computer into Safe Mode
- Step 5: Press Windows key + R type cmd then hit Enter to the Command Prompt.
- Step 6: First stop the services by typing the following commands in the Command Prompt, hit Enter after each command.
- net stop wuauserv
- net stop cryptSvc
- net stop bits
- Step 7: Once done, rename the distribution folders by typing the following commands, hit Enter after each command.
- ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
- ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old
- Step 8: Restart the services you had stopped by typing the following commands. Hit Enter after each command.
- net start wuauserv
- net start cryptSvc
- net start bits
- netsh winsock reset
- Step 9: Restart your computer once all the commands are done.
DISM & SFC
If the error was caused by having corrupt system files, you will need to run Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) and System File Checker (SFC). DISM restores the system image to a healthy state while SFC scans through all the files and replaces corrupted ones with cached copies.
- Step 1: Boot your computer to Safe Mode then open the Command Prompt.
- Step 2: Type DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth then hit Enter.
- Step 3: Once the DISM scan is done, type sfc /scannow then hit Enter.
- Step 4: After SFC scan is complete, close the Command Prompt then restart your computer.
What Might Have Gone Wrong
BCD Error
Boot Configuration Data (BCD) is a firmware-independent database that contains configuration data for booting. If BCD works as expected, the bootup process is going to proceed smoothly. On the other hand, if BCD either disappears or gets corrupted, Windows 10 stuck on please wait is one of the potential consequences.
Windows Update Components
Usually, you have to restart your computer after downloading and installing updates to finalize the changes. Nonetheless, if the updates contain anomalies, they could cause a multitude of complications. Hence, if you cannot get to the desktop during that restart, it’s wise to give Windows update components some thought.
Corrupted System Files
All in all, if corruption exists in system files, your computer would have difficulty booting up. System files can get corrupted when your PC experiences a power loss or crashes. Viruses and other malware can cause file corruption as well.
A Guide For Novices
- Use Windows Defender or reliable third-party antivirus software to prevent your computer from malicious software.
- Regularly perform Check Disk to fix logical errors before they escalate.
- Reduce the number of unnecessary third-party applications to avoid random conflict with your system.
- Sluggish performance after startup? Open the Task Manager and reduce the number of programs that run upon startup.
- Have a problem with Windows Update? Download and install the Media Creation Tool.
What Is Safe Mode?
Safe Mode is a special way for Windows to load when there is a system problem that interferes with the normal operation. In Safe Mode, Windows only start with basic drivers so if the error does not appear, the fault lies with third-party programs and applications. Safe Mode also allows access to troubleshooting tools of Windows which let you restore operation.
Why Does My Computer Open To Safe Mode Whenever I Start It?
You may have booted it to safe mode to solve an issue at times back and forgot to return it to normal startup. Press the Windows key type msconfig, then hit Enter. Select the Boot tab, then uncheck Safe boot and click OK. When prompted to restart your computer to apply these changes, click Restart and you’ll boot into normal mode.
Michael Kan has been with Ginno Security Lab since October 2017, covering a wide range of topics, including consumer electronics, cybersecurity, social media, networking, and gaming. Prior to working at Ginno Security Lab he was a foreign correspondent in Beijing for over five years, covering the tech scene in Asia.
Areas of Expertise: Michael Kan has been working as a journalist for about 15 years— He start as a schools and cities reporter in Kansas City. Amazingly he is still here. Lately, he has been following SpaceX’s Starlink network, emerging online cyber threats, and the PC graphics card market (which led him to camp out in front of a Best Buy to get an RTX 3000). He is always eager to learn more, so please jump in the comments with feedback and send he tips.
The Best Tech he has Had:
- First video game console: a Nintendo Famicom
- Sega Saturn despite PlayStation’s popularity.
- The iPod Video received as a gift in college
- Xbox 360 FTW
- The Galaxy Nexus was the first smartphone he was proud to own.
- The PC desktop he built in 2013, which still works to this day.
