Windows Out of Box Experience Fails starting Your Dell Computer for the First Time
Summary: The following article provides information about how to resolve the rare occasions when Windows Out of box experience (OOBE) fails. This is seen when you start the out of box setup on your Dell computer. ...
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Instructions
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
This article covers the rare failures that interrupt the Windows Out of Box Experience (OOBE) steps outlined below. If you have not yet started setup, see the Set Up Windows guide first.
- Selecting your region and keyboard layout
- Accepting the Microsoft License Agreement
- Connecting to a wireless or wired network
- Signing in to or creating a Microsoft account
- Opening the Get Started app
Symptoms
Three distinct failure modes are documented. Identify which error matches your situation and perform the suggested fix.
| Issue 1 — Error message appears | |
|---|---|
|
When it happens |
OOBE encounters an error during any setup screen |
|
What you see |
Something went wrong — but you can try again. |
|
Fix |
Select Try Again the OOBE resumes. Continue through the remaining setup screens as normal. No restart is needed.
NOTE: If Try Again fails a second time, restart the computer by holding the power button (see Issue 2 Fix below). OOBE picks up from a stable point on reboot.
|
| Issue 2 — Setup freezes indefinitely | |
|---|---|
| When it happens |
OOBE gets stuck transitioning between screens |
|
What you see |
Just a moment… (shown for more than 5 minutes with no progress) |
|
Fix |
Hold the power button to power off, Wait 19 seconds, and then turn back on. OOBE restarts automatically and should advance past the previous failure point. Continue through the remaining setup screens as normal. |
| Issue 3 — Connection lost error | |
|---|---|
|
When it happens |
OOBE loses network connectivity at any point during setup |
|
What you see |
Oops, you've lost Internet connection. |
|
Fix |
Select Try Again the OOBE resumes. Continue through the remaining setup screens as normal. No restart is needed
NOTE: If Try Again fails a second time, restart the computer by holding the power button (see Issue 2 Fix above). OOBE picks up from a stable point on reboot.
|
Microsoft has identified that these failures occur due to a timing issue internal to the OOBE process. Under certain conditions, the sequence of initialization tasks can produce a deadlock a state where the setup process is waiting on itself and cannot continue.
For more information, see Microsoft Knowledge Base article Windows-based computer hangs during OOBE setup tasks
NOTE: This issue does not indicate any hardware fault with your Dell computer. The issue is transient and software-based. Microsoft is narrowing the timing window in which this can occur through Windows updates.
After Successful Setup
Once OOBE completes without error, your next recommended steps are:
- See our Update Windows and Drivers library page for information about how to install the latest Windows updates and drivers for your computer.
- Run the Open the Get Started app to tour Windows features and set up essential apps.
Setup Fails
If the setup continues to fail, the Windows installation may be corrupted. See the Reset Windows While Keeping Files section of the Dell Knowledge Base article Troubleshoot a Dell computer that does not boot to Windows 11 or Windows 10 and follow the instructions.
Affected Products
Alienware, Dell All-in-One, Dell Pro All-in-One, Dell Pro Max Micro, Dell Pro Max Slim, Dell Pro Max Tower, Dell Pro Micro, Dell Pro Slim, Dell Pro Tower, Dell Slim, Dell Tower, Inspiron, Legacy Desktop Models, OptiPlex, Vostro, XPS, G Series
, G Series, Alienware, Dell Plus, Dell Pro, Dell Pro Max, Dell Pro Plus, Dell Pro Premium, Inspiron, Latitude, Dell Pro Rugged, Vostro, XPS, Legacy Laptop Models, Tablets, Fixed Workstations, Dell Pro Max Micro XE FCM2250, Dell Pro Max Slim XE FCS1250, Dell Pro Max Tower T2 XE FCT2250, Dell Pro Max 16 MC16250, Dell Pro Max 16 XE MC16250, Dell Pro Micro Plus XE QBM1250, Dell Pro Slim Plus XE5 QBS1250, Dell Pro Tower Plus XE5 QBT1250
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Article Properties
Article Number: 000135587
Article Type: How To
Last Modified: 09 Mar 2026
Version: 12
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