If you’re experiencing issues with your device and are wondering how to remove safe mode, you’ve come to the right place. Safe mode is a diagnostic mode that temporarily disables all third-party apps and services, making it easier to troubleshoot problems. While safe mode can be helpful for resolving certain issues, it’s typically not meant to be used long-term. In this article, we’ll provide step-by-step instructions on how to remove safe mode on various devices, including Windows, Mac, Android, and iPhone.
To exit safe mode in Windows, simply restart your computer. When the computer restarts, it will automatically boot into normal mode. If you’re still experiencing problems after restarting, you can try booting into safe mode with networking. This will allow you to access the internet and troubleshoot problems that may be related to your network connection. To boot into safe mode with networking, press the F8 key repeatedly as your computer starts up. Once you see the Advanced Boot Options menu, select Safe Mode with Networking and press Enter.
On a Mac, you can exit safe mode by restarting your computer. When the computer restarts, hold down the Shift key until you see the login screen. Once you’re logged in, your Mac will boot into normal mode. If you’re still having problems, you can try resetting the System Management Controller (SMC). The SMC is responsible for managing the power supply and other low-level functions on your Mac. To reset the SMC, shut down your Mac and then press and hold the Shift, Control, and Option keys while you press the power button. Hold all four keys for 10 seconds, then release them and press the power button again to turn on your Mac. This should reset the SMC and resolve any issues that may be causing safe mode to stay active.
Exit Safe Mode from Windows Settings
1. Access Windows Settings
To exit Safe Mode through Windows Settings, follow these steps:
- Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
- Click on Update & Security.
- On the left-hand menu, select Recovery.
2. Navigate to Safe Mode Options
Under the “Advanced startup” section, you will find the “Startup settings” option. Click on the Restart now button next to it.
3. Exit Safe Mode
Your computer will restart into the Startup Settings menu. Select option 4: Enable Safe Mode (or press F4) to disable Safe Mode and boot into normal mode.
Use the System Configuration Tool
The System Configuration Tool is a utility that allows you to modify the settings that are used to start Windows. You can use this tool to disable Safe Mode.
To access the System Configuration Tool, press Windows key + R, type “msconfig” in the Run dialog box, and then click OK.
In the System Configuration Tool window, click on the “Boot” tab.
In the Boot options section, uncheck the “Safe boot” checkbox.
Click on the “Apply” button and then click on the “OK” button.
You will be prompted to restart your computer. Click on the “Restart” button to restart your computer and disable Safe Mode.
Once your computer has restarted, Safe Mode will be disabled.
Here are the steps in a table format:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Press Windows key + R, type “msconfig” in the Run dialog box, and then click OK. |
| 2 | In the System Configuration Tool window, click on the “Boot” tab. |
| 3 | In the Boot options section, uncheck the “Safe boot” checkbox. |
| 4 | Click on the “Apply” button and then click on the “OK” button. |
| 5 | Click on the “Restart” button to restart your computer and disable Safe Mode. |
Restart Your Computer in Safe Mode with Networking
There is a slightly different way to restart your computer in Safe Mode with Networking. This time, you need to do the following:
- Start your computer.
- As soon as you see the Windows logo, repeatedly press the F8 key until you see the Windows Advanced Options Menu.
- Use the arrow keys to select Safe Mode with Networking, and then press Enter.
- Log in to your computer.
| Possible Reason for Computer Entering Safe Mode | Troubleshooting Tips |
|---|---|
| Corrupted system files | Run the System File Checker (SFC) tool to scan and repair corrupted system files. |
| Faulty drivers | Update or reinstall the drivers for devices that are malfunctioning. |
| Malware infection | Run a full system scan using a reputable antivirus software to detect and remove any malware infections. If necessary, perform a clean installation of Windows. |
| Hardware issues | Check for any loose connections or malfunctioning hardware components. Reseat or replace faulty hardware as needed. |
| Failed system update | Try rolling back the system to a previous restore point before the update was installed. |
| Other software conflicts | Disable or uninstall any recently installed software or programs that may be causing conflicts. |
| Overheating | Ensure that your computer’s cooling system is working properly. Clean any dust or debris from the vents and fans. |
Run System Restore
System Restore is a Windows feature that allows you to revert your computer’s system files and settings to an earlier point in time. This can be useful if you have made recent changes that have caused problems with your computer, or if you have installed a new program or driver that is causing conflicts. To run System Restore, follow these steps:
1. Click on the Start button and type “System Restore” into the search bar.
2. Click on the “System Restore” result.
3. In the System Restore window, click on the “Next” button.
4. Select a restore point from the list of available restore points. The restore points will be listed by date and time, with the most recent restore point listed at the top.
5. Click on the “Next” button.
6. Confirm that you want to perform the system restore by clicking on the “Finish” button.
What to expect during a System Restore
During a System Restore, your computer will restart and the system files and settings will be reverted to the selected restore point. This process can take some time, depending on the size of your hard drive and the number of changes that have been made since the restore point was created.
Additional information about System Restore
System Restore is not a complete backup solution. It only reverts your system files and settings to an earlier point in time. It does not recover any files or data that you have lost. If you have lost important files or data, you should use a data recovery program to recover them.
| Pros of System Restore | Cons of System Restore |
|---|---|
| Can revert your computer to an earlier point in time | Does not recover lost files or data |
| Can fix problems caused by recent changes or installations | Can be time-consuming |
| Is easy to use | May not be able to fix all problems |
Boot into Safe Mode and Use Command Prompt
To boot into Safe Mode and use the Command Prompt, follow these steps:
- Restart your computer.
- As the computer starts to boot, press and hold the F8 key.
- On the Advanced Boot Options screen, select Safe Mode with Command Prompt.
- Press Enter.
- Log in to your computer with an administrator account.
Use System Restore in Safe Mode
If you’re unable to boot into Safe Mode with Command Prompt, you can try using System Restore. System Restore is a tool that can revert your computer to a previous state, which may fix the issue you’re experiencing.
To use System Restore, follow these steps:
- Boot into Safe Mode.
- Click on the Start menu.
- In the search bar, type “System Restore” and press Enter.
- In the System Restore window, click on the Next button.
- Select a restore point and click on the Next button.
- Click on the Finish button to start the System Restore process.
Run System File Checker (SFC)
The System File Checker (SFC) is a tool that can scan and repair corrupted system files. To run SFC, follow these steps:
- Boot into Safe Mode with Command Prompt.
- At the command prompt, type the following command and press Enter:
sfc /scannow
The SFC scan will take some time to complete.
Update Your Drivers
Outdated drivers can sometimes cause problems with your computer. To update your drivers, follow these steps:
- Click on the Start menu.
- In the search bar, type “Device Manager” and press Enter.
- In the Device Manager window, expand the category for the device you want to update.
- Right-click on the device and select the “Update Driver” option.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to update the driver.
Reinstall Windows
If all else fails, you may need to reinstall Windows. Reinstalling Windows will erase all of the data on your computer, so be sure to back up your important files before you proceed.
To reinstall Windows, follow these steps:
- Insert the Windows installation DVD into your computer.
- Restart your computer.
- As the computer starts to boot, press the key that is displayed on the screen to boot from the DVD.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall Windows.
Disable Safe Mode from the Command Line
If you’re unable to exit Safe Mode through the System Configuration utility, you can use the Command Prompt to disable it. Here’s how:
1. Press “Windows Key + R” to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “msconfig” and press Enter to open the System Configuration utility.
3. Click on the “Boot” tab.
4. Under “Boot options,” uncheck the box next to “Safe boot.”
5. Click on “Apply” and then “OK”.
6. Restart your computer. Your computer will now boot normally without Safe Mode.
Disable Safe Mode with msconfig
MSConfig is a Microsoft utility that allows you to manage startup programs and services. You can use MSConfig to disable Safe Mode by following these steps:
- Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type msconfig in the Run dialog box and press Enter.
- Click on the Boot tab.
- Clear the Safe boot check box.
- Click on the Apply button.
- Click on the OK button.
- Restart your computer.
Additional Information
If you are unable to disable Safe Mode using msconfig, you may need to disable it manually. To do this, you will need to edit the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) store. The BCD store is a file that contains the boot configuration settings for your computer. You can edit the BCD store using the bcdedit command-line tool.
To disable Safe Mode manually, you will need to open a command prompt with administrator privileges and run the following command:
bcdedit /deletevalue safeboot
After you have run the command, restart your computer and Safe Mode will be disabled.
Uninstall Recently Installed Software
If you suspect that a recently installed software program is causing your computer to start in safe mode, uninstalling it may resolve the issue. To uninstall a program:
- Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type “appwiz.cpl” and press Enter.
- In the Programs and Features window, find the program you want to uninstall.
- Click on the program and select Uninstall.
- Follow the prompts to complete the uninstallation.
- Restart your computer and check if the safe mode issue is resolved.
If you are unable to uninstall a program through the Add/Remove Programs menu, you can try using a third-party uninstaller tool, such as IObit Uninstaller or Revo Uninstaller.
Note: Make sure to create a backup of your important data before uninstalling any software programs.
| Program Name | Uninstall Command |
|---|---|
| Google Chrome | “C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe” –uninstall |
| Microsoft Edge | “C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Edge\Application\msedge.exe” –uninstall |
| Firefox | “C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\uninstall\helper.exe” -nsis-interactive |
Update Drivers
Updating drivers is crucial for ensuring optimal performance and stability of your computer. Outdated drivers can lead to system malfunctions, including Safe Mode. To update drivers, follow these steps:
1. Identify Outdated Drivers
Open Device Manager by searching for it in the Start menu. Expand each hardware category to view the installed devices. Outdated drivers will be marked with a yellow exclamation mark.
2. Download Driver Updates
Visit the manufacturer’s website for each device and locate the latest driver downloads. Download the appropriate drivers for your operating system and bit version.
3. Install Driver Updates
Run the downloaded driver installers. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the updates. Restart your computer after installing all updates.
4. Check for Additional Updates
Open Windows Update by searching for it in the Start menu. Check for any available driver updates and install them.
5. Use Device Manager Update
In Device Manager, right-click on an outdated device and select “Update driver.” Windows will automatically search for and install updates.
6. Use a Driver Update Tool
Third-party driver update tools can scan your system and automatically download and install the latest drivers. However, it’s recommended to use reputable tools and exercise caution when using them.
7. Verify Driver Updates
After installing updates, check Device Manager again to ensure the exclamation marks have disappeared and the drivers are updated.
8. Troubleshoot Installation Issues
If you encounter errors during driver installation, try downloading the drivers directly from the manufacturer’s website or using a different update method.
9. Partial Driver Updates
In some cases, drivers may only be partially updated, leading to persistent Safe Mode issues. To resolve this, manually uninstall the existing driver, restart your computer, and then install the latest version of the driver. This ensures a clean installation and resolves any conflicts or remnants of the previous driver.
Contact Microsoft Support
If you’re unable to remove Safe Mode using the methods described above, you can contact Microsoft Support for assistance. Here’s how:
- Go to the Microsoft Support website: https://support.microsoft.com/
- Click on “Contact us” in the top right corner.
- Select “Windows” as the product you’re experiencing issues with.
- Click on “Get support.”
- Select “Chat with a support agent.”
- Explain your issue to the support agent and they’ll walk you through the steps necessary to remove Safe Mode successfully.
- Go to the Microsoft Support website: https://support.microsoft.com/
- Click on “Contact us” in the top right corner.
- Select “Windows” as the product you’re experiencing issues with.
- Click on “Get support.”
- Select “Chat with a support agent.”
- Explain your issue to the support agent and they’ll walk you through the steps necessary to remove Safe Mode successfully.
- Press and hold the power button until the power off menu appears.
- Tap the “Restart” option.
- Your device will restart and safe mode will be removed.
- The “Safe mode” icon will be displayed in the corner of the screen.
- Some features and apps may be disabled.
- Your device may run slower than usual.
- Go to the Settings menu.
- Select the “General” tab.
- Scroll down and tap the “Reset” button.
- Tap the “Erase All Content and Settings” button.
- Enter your passcode or Touch ID to confirm.
| Method 1: Using the System Configuration Utility | Method 2: Using the Command Prompt | Method 3: Using the Windows Boot Manager | Method 4: Using the Advanced Startup Options | Method 5: Using the Registry Editor | Method 6: Using the Windows Recovery Environment | Method 7: Using the bcdedit Command | Method 8: Using the Uninstall a Program Feature | Method 9: Using the Clean Boot State | Method 10: Contacting Microsoft Support |
|---|
Method 10: Contacting Microsoft Support
If none of the above methods work, you can contact Microsoft Support for help.
To contact Microsoft Support, follow these steps:
How To Remove Safe Mode
Safe mode is a troubleshooting mode that limits the functionality of your device to the bare essentials. This can be helpful in diagnosing and resolving software issues. However, you may want to remove safe mode once you have resolved the issue.
To remove safe mode, follow these steps:
People Also Ask
How do I know if my device is in safe mode?
There are a few ways to tell if your device is in safe mode:
What should I do if I can’t remove safe mode?
If you are unable to remove safe mode using the steps above, you may need to reset your device to factory settings. This will erase all of the data on your device, so be sure to back up your data before proceeding.
