Safe Mode is a diagnostic mode that allows you to troubleshoot problems with your computer. It starts your computer with a minimal set of drivers and programs, which can help you identify and fix problems that may be preventing your computer from starting normally. However, when you’re finished troubleshooting and want to use your computer as normal, you’ll need to exit Safe Mode and resume normal operation.
The process for exiting Safe Mode varies depending on your operating system. For Windows, you can usually exit Safe Mode by simply restarting your computer. When you restart your computer it will load the normal operating system, you can try to restart your computer by clicking the Start button, then selecting the Power icon and choosing Restart.
If restarting your computer doesn’t work, you can try manually exiting Safe Mode by changing the boot settings in your computer’s BIOS. To do this, you’ll need to restart your computer and press a specific key to enter the BIOS setup menu. The key you need to press will vary depending on your computer’s manufacturer; however, it is often one of the function keys (F1, F2, F10, or F12) or the Del key. Once you’re in the BIOS setup menu, look for a setting called “Boot Mode” or “Safe Mode” and change it to “Normal”. Then, save your changes and exit the BIOS setup menu. Your computer should now restart in normal mode.
Understanding Safe Mode
What is Safe Mode?
Safe mode is a troubleshooting mode for computer operating systems that disables all non-essential programs and services, allowing you to start the system with minimal functionality. It’s designed to help identify and fix software problems that may prevent the computer from starting or operating normally. When you enter safe mode, only the basic drivers and applications required for the operating system to function are loaded. This can help isolate the cause of a software conflict and allow you to fix the issue without having to reinstall the operating system.
When to Use Safe Mode
Safe mode is typically used when experiencing issues such as:
- Error messages when starting the computer
- Software conflicts or crashes
- Driver problems
- Malware or virus infections
- Hardware compatibility issues
Benefits of Safe Mode
Safe mode offers several benefits, including:
- Diagnostics: It helps identify software conflicts and hardware problems by disabling non-essential programs and services.
- Troubleshooting: Allows you to fix issues by isolating the cause and performing troubleshooting steps in a simplified environment.
- Malware removal: Can assist in removing malware or viruses that may interfere with the normal operation of the system.
- System recovery: If the operating system fails to start normally, safe mode can provide an alternative way to access the system and perform recovery operations.
Restarting the Device
Step 1: Power off the Device
Begin by switching off your device completely. To do so, locate the power button, usually on the side of the device, and press and hold it for a few seconds until the power off menu appears. Select “Power off” or “Shut down” from the options provided.
Step 2: Wait for a Few Minutes
Once the device is powered off, allow it to remain in this state for a few minutes. This step is important as it gives the device time to fully shut down and clear any temporary settings or processes. Wait for at least 2-3 minutes before proceeding to the next step.
Step 3: Power on the Device
After waiting, press and hold the power button again to restart the device. Observe the device’s boot-up process and wait until it has fully loaded into the operating system. Typically, the device will automatically exit Safe Mode and boot into normal mode.
| Troubleshooting Tip | Solution |
|—|—|
| Device does not exit Safe Mode after restarting | Try restarting the device a second time or perform a factory reset |
| Device repeatedly enters Safe Mode | Check for any third-party apps or malware that may be triggering Safe Mode |
| Boot process takes excessively long | Allow more time for the device to restart completely, especially if it is a large or complex device |
Accessing the Bootloader
Accessing the bootloader is the first step towards removing Safe Mode. The bootloader is a piece of software that loads the operating system into the computer’s memory when the computer starts up. To access the bootloader, you will need to press a specific key or combination of keys during the boot-up process. The key you need to press will vary depending on your computer’s manufacturer.
Common Keys for Accessing the Bootloader
| Manufacturer | Key(s) |
|---|---|
| Acer | F2 |
| ASUS | F2 or Del |
| Dell | F2 or F12 |
| HP | F10 or Esc |
| Lenovo | F1 or F2 |
| MSI | F11 or Del |
| Samsung | F2 or F8 |
| Toshiba | F2 or F12 |
Once you have pressed the correct key, the computer will boot into the bootloader. The bootloader will typically display a menu of options. Use the arrow keys to navigate the menu and select the option to boot into the operating system. Once you have selected the option, press Enter to boot into the operating system. The computer will then exit Safe Mode.
Force Restarting
In some cases, you may need to force restart your device to exit Safe Mode. To do this:
1. Press and hold the Power button for about 10 seconds.
2. Release the Power button.
3. Press and hold the Volume Up button until the device restarts.
4. Once the device is restarted, it should be out of Safe Mode.
5. If your device has a removable battery, you can remove the battery and then reinsert it to force restart the device.
6. **For some devices, you may need to follow a specific key combination to force restart the device. Refer to the table below for key combinations for different device manufacturers:**
| Device Manufacturer | Key Combination |
|---|---|
| Apple | Press and hold the Power button and Volume Up button simultaneously until the Apple logo appears. |
| Samsung | Press and hold the Power button and Volume Down button simultaneously until the Samsung logo appears. |
| Press and hold the Power button and Volume Down button simultaneously until the bootloader menu appears. | |
| OnePlus | Press and hold the Power button for 10 seconds. |
| Huawei | Press and hold the Power button and Volume Up button simultaneously until the Huawei logo appears. |
Rebooting without Safe Mode
If rebooting the device does not remove Safe Mode, try the following steps:
1. Check the Startup Key F8
During startup, press and hold the F8 key repeatedly until the Advanced Boot Options menu appears. If Safe Mode is not listed, the device is not in Safe Mode.
2. Disable Safe Mode from MSConfig
1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “msconfig” and press Enter.
3. In the System Configuration window, navigate to the Boot tab.
4. Uncheck the “Safe boot” option.
5. Click “OK” and restart the device.
3. Use the Command Prompt
1. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Type the following command and press Enter:
bcdedit /deletevalue {default} safeboot
4. Disable Driver Signature Enforcement
1. Restart the device and press Shift + F8 during startup.
2. Select the “Disable driver signature enforcement” option.
3. Restart the device again.
5. Remove Third-Party Software
If Safe Mode was caused by third-party software, uninstall or disable it through the Control Panel or Settings.
6. Scan for Malware
Run a full system scan with an antivirus or anti-malware program to detect and remove any potential threats.
7. Perform a System Restore
If all else fails, consider performing a System Restore to a point before Safe Mode was enabled.
| System Restore |
|---|
| 1. Open the Start menu and type “System Restore”. |
| 2. Select “Create a restore point”. |
| 3. Click “System Restore” and follow the on-screen instructions. |
Removing Malicious Software
Malicious software, such as viruses and malware, can infiltrate your system while you’re in Safe Mode, making it difficult to remove. To effectively remove these threats, follow these steps:
8. Run a Full System Scan with Anti-Malware Software
Install a reputable anti-malware program, such as Malwarebytes Anti-Malware or Kaspersky Internet Security.
Update the software to the latest version.
Perform a full system scan. This may take several hours, depending on the size of your hard drive and the number of files on your system.
The anti-malware software will scan your files and identify any suspicious or malicious programs.
Quarantine or remove any malicious files that are detected.
Restart your system normally once the scan is complete.
If the anti-malware software detects any threats, follow the instructions provided by the software to quarantine or remove them.
Once the threats are removed, restart your computer normally to exit Safe Mode.
How To Take Off Safe Mode
If you’re experiencing problems with your computer and you’ve tried restarting it, you may need to take it out of Safe Mode. Safe Mode is a diagnostic mode that starts your computer with a minimal set of drivers and programs, so it can be helpful for troubleshooting problems. However, if you’re not experiencing any problems with your computer, Safe Mode may prevent you from using some features or programs. To take your computer out of Safe Mode, follow these steps:
- Click the Start button.
- Click Settings.
- Click Update & Security.
- Click Recovery.
- Under Advanced startup, click Restart now.
- On the Startup Settings screen, click the Restart button.
- On the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot.
- Select Advanced options.
- Select Startup Settings.
- Click the Restart button.
- On the Startup Settings screen, press the number that corresponds to the Safe Mode option you want to disable. For example, if you’re in Safe Mode with Networking, press 4.
- Your computer will restart and you’ll be taken back to the normal Windows desktop.
People Also Ask About How To Take Off Safe Mode
How do I know if my computer is in Safe Mode?
When your computer is in Safe Mode, the words “Safe Mode” will be displayed in the corners of the screen. You may also notice that some of your usual programs and features are not available.
How do I disable Safe Mode?
To disable Safe Mode, follow the steps outlined in the main article. You can also press the F8 key during startup to access the Startup Settings menu, and then select the option to disable Safe Mode.
Why is my computer stuck in Safe Mode?
There are several reasons why your computer might be stuck in Safe Mode. One possibility is that you have a hardware problem, such as a damaged hard drive or a faulty memory module. Another possibility is that you have a software problem, such as a corrupted file or a virus. If you’re not sure why your computer is stuck in Safe Mode, you can try to troubleshoot the problem by following the steps outlined in the main article.
