Looks like Windows didn't load correctly message after the computer is idle

Question

I have a new XPS 9720, and I've experienced this problem at least five times.  When I leave the computer and return an hour or more later, I have the blue recovery screen with the message 'Looks like Windows didn't load correctly'.  I usually use the Restart option, and it starts fine.  I've looked at the Event Viewer and have 9 critical errors all relating to Kernel-Power. The information for the event is 'The system has rebooted without cleanly shutting down first. This error could be caused if the system stopped responding, crashed or lost power unexpectantly.'  There are no dumps on the computer.  According to SupportAssist my drivers are up to date.  Any help would be appreciated.

JOcean · Answer

This page at Recoverit has a number of suggestions. It may be corrupt Windows files .

GaryG45 · Answer

JOcean, I've found similar suggestions at other sites. I've done solutions 1 thru 3, and no problems were found. I'm not sure what I needed to do in Safe Mode. I opened a Word document and Excel spreadsheet and left the computer idle for a while. I'm hoping to avoid solution 4.

The power settings are configured to put the computer to sleep after 30 minutes when plugged in, which it is. Yesterday I took the dog for a walk and after returning the display had the message, and last night after dinner the message was there. Today I've left the computer idle twice for an hour, and no problems.

mkshuman · Answer

I have a client I purchased an XPS 9720 a couple of weeks ago and the very same thing is happenening to theirs also. It is freezing at random and also the looks like Windows did not load correctly blue screen is popping up.

So coincidence or a problem with them?

First computer from Dell I have bought with problems right out of the box.

GaryG45 · Answer

I've done a little more experimenting with the sleep time on my PC. When I changed the sleep time from 30 min to 15 min, the problem occurred around 20 min after being idle. I've since changed the sleep time to Never, and only have the problem occur three times; all after midnight.

I've had two remote sessions with Dell Support. One was prior to doing anything with the sleep time, and the second was on the day I changed the time to Never. Dell support did some Sleep troubleshooting and analysis during the second session. In the first session they did some cleanup and driver updates along with diagnostic tests. I expect to have another session with them tomorrow. I have a feeling I'm headed to either a Windows Repair or a Clean install.

Ol Eli · Answer

I've had a Dell Inspiron computer for just over a year and it has done this multiple times. I've had chat sessions with a Dell tech and also Microsoft tech and it is still giving me this Recovery page. What the heck is causing this!?

GaryG45 · Answer

I had another remote session with Dell on Monday, and the problem occurred Monday night.  Support suggested I create a new user account, which I did on Tuesday, and the problem occurred twice with the new account. When Dell suggested the new user account, they said if it didn't work I would have to use the SupportAssist OS Recovery tool to return the PC to the state that I got it.  Wednesday afternoon I used the tool and everything has been fine.  The tool did backup and restore my data, which caused the tool to run longer.  I think the problem has been fixed.

Amuzhaqi · Answer

I have the same problem with my XPS 9720. Unfortunately, the SupportAssist OS Recovery didn't work for me. Although I updated the BIOS and reset all the settings to their defaults, this issue still occurs. It's annoying since sometimes it will do this while it is in my laptop bag, and it overheats, and the fans are on full blast. This used to happen with my older dell XPS 13 9300, but it works on my work laptop, so I didn't worry much at the time, but now it's become an annoyance.

GaryG45 · Answer

What I accepted as a solution didn't work.  About 5 days after doing the SupportAssist OS Recovery tool to restore Windows to the state I received the PC the problem occurred again.  I contacted Tech Support, and they sent a service tech with a new SSD and motherboard.  It has been a week since they were installed, and there have been no reoccurrences of the problem.  One week isn't enough time for me to say the problem is resolved.

adityapruthi01 · Answer

I too am experiencing the same on my dell inspiron 14 . Did a clean install 3 times now and it doesnt seem to fix this issue. Whenever I leave my laptop idle i see it performing restarts when the lid is closed, leading to a blue screen saying "looks like windows didnt load correctly" .What is this???? How to get rid of it?

Regards

adityapruthi01 · Answer

Also, I noticed something, Go to windows recovery or dell's os recovery supoort assist, try running startup repairs from there , and you'll see something that says an error saying startup repair coudn't repair your pc.

A bit strange. see the attached pic

adityapruthi01 · Answer

Also found another thing, try running a startup repair from eith windows recovery environment or dell's supportassist os recovery , and you'll see both of them will fail, saying coudnt repair your pc.

GaryG45 · Answer

After Dell replaced the motherboard and SSD drive a month ago I haven't had the problem.  No problems during idle times or at any time. I'd suggest opening an issue with Dell's tech support.

adityapruthi01 · Answer

No point, my laptop's out of warranty, cannot afford something almost half of the price i gave 3 years back.

adityapruthi01 · Answer

Did anyone find a solution to this. Very annoying, and drains the battery next time I boot the laptop.

wendy 111 · Answer

@GaryG45​  How soon did you start having this issue after the purchase? Mine started 2 years after being bought

XPS

Looks like Windows didn't load correctly message after the computer is idle

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