A one-hour restart usually points to updates, repair tasks, disk errors, drivers, or heat; try the checks below to end the loop safely.
What A One-Hour Restart Usually Means
If a laptop sits on “Restarting” or “Working on updates” for ages, it’s rarely random. Big system updates can take a while, and repair tools sometimes run before the desktop loads. Long waits can also come from disk errors, driver crashes, or overheating that trips a safety reboot. The goal here is to tell normal from stuck, then act.
Start with context. Did you just install updates, new drivers, or a big app? Is the fan loud or the case hot? Did the battery hit low charge mid-update? The answers point you toward the right fix.
Quick Triage: Symptom → Cause → Fast Action
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Fast Action |
|---|---|---|
| “Working on updates” for 45–90 minutes | Feature update or repair pass | Keep power and Wi-Fi on; wait up to 90 minutes, then move to Step 2 below |
| Restart, brief logo, then restart again | Startup repair or driver crash | Boot to recovery tools; run Startup Repair or Safe Mode |
| Fans roar, chassis feels hot, restart repeats | Thermal trip | Shut down; clean vents; try again on a cool, hard surface |
| Disk LED solid, slow grind sounds | Disk or file system errors | Run a disk check; back up as soon as you reach the desktop |
| Only happens on battery or when moved | Loose power or battery health | Use the charger; reseat cables; test with and without battery if removable |
Why Is My Laptop Restarting For So Long? Causes And Fixes
Windows: Update Loop Or Repair
Windows can sit on a blue or black screen while it installs a feature release or tries to fix startup files. When it works, the bar moves, the spinner animates, and the device finally boots. When it doesn’t, the loop repeats. If you can reach the sign-in screen, run the built-in Windows Update troubleshooter to clear bad cache files and reset update services.
If the device won’t reach the desktop, use the Windows recovery menu from the power menu (Shift + Restart) or after two failed boots. There you can try Startup Repair, Safe Mode, or Uninstall Updates. These tools are designed for exactly this hang.
Mac: Update Stuck Or Spinning
On a Mac, a long restart during a macOS update usually means the installer is finishing system changes. If the progress bar doesn’t move for a long stretch, start in Mac safe mode to clear caches and run checks, then try the update again. Safe mode also helps isolate login items or extensions that block a clean boot.
Heat, Dust, And Power
Modern laptops protect themselves by shutting down or restarting when sensors reach a high temperature. Blocked vents, a blanket, or a packed dust filter can trigger a loop, especially during updates that run the CPU hard. Give the machine room to breathe, blow out dust with short bursts of compressed air, and test on AC power with the lid open.
Disk And File System Errors
Bad sectors or a damaged file system slow every write and can stall an update or repair task. On Windows, run CHKDSK on your system drive; plan for a reboot to let it scan before the OS loads. On Mac, use Disk Utility’s First Aid from Recovery. If the scan reports a rising count of reallocated sectors or can’t complete, move your data to an external drive and prepare for a replacement disk.
Drivers, Peripherals, And BIOS/UEFI
Out-of-date drivers, a flaky USB hub, or a half-applied firmware update can all block progress. Disconnect extras (printers, docks, gamepads), then try again. For Windows, update graphics and storage drivers from the laptop maker’s tool or site after you’re back in the desktop. For firmware, run the vendor’s updater with the charger attached and the system idle.
Step-By-Step: Get Out Of A Restart Loop
Before You Force A Power Down
- If the screen shows progress that changes over time, give it longer. A big Windows release or macOS upgrade can cross an hour on older hardware.
- Keep the charger connected. A low battery mid-update can corrupt files and restart the process.
Safe Power Cycle
- Press and hold the power button for 10–15 seconds to turn the machine off fully.
- Wait 30 seconds, then power on. Listen for fans and watch for a progress bar or spinner.
Windows Path
- Enter the recovery menu: hold Shift while selecting Restart, or let Windows trigger it after two failed boots.
- Run Startup Repair. If it can’t fix things, pick Safe Mode and remove the last driver or update.
- Still stuck? In Safe Mode, run the Windows Update troubleshooter, then try updates again.
- Open an Administrator Command Prompt and run:
chkdsk C: /f /r. Approve the scan at next restart.
Mac Path
- Start in Mac safe mode using the steps for your chip (Apple silicon or Intel).
- Re-run Software Update from System Settings. If it fails, restart to Recovery and run Disk Utility → First Aid on “Macintosh HD”.
- Reconnect only the charger and built-in devices while testing.
Table: Fixes By Platform And Symptom
| Scenario | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Update screen for an hour | Wait up to 90 minutes; then use recovery menu → Startup Repair → Safe Mode → Update troubleshooter | Wait; then boot safe mode; retry update; if needed, run First Aid |
| Reboot loop before login | Recovery menu → Startup Repair; uninstall last update; check drivers | Safe mode; remove login items; reinstall macOS over the top |
| Hot chassis, loud fan | Shut down; clean vents; re-seat RAM/SSD only if comfortable | Shut down; clean vents; let it cool before retry |
| Disk light solid or clicking | Run CHKDSK; back up; replace failing drive | Run First Aid; back up; replace failing drive |
Read The Signs: Stuck Vs. Normal
Normal: the progress bar inches forward, the spinner animates, and messages change. Stuck: no motion for a long stretch, repeated restarts at the same point, or disk activity flatlines. When stuck, move to recovery steps above; lingering for many hours rarely fixes itself. If the machine repeats the same boot splash three times in row, treat it as stuck and switch tactics.
Make Long Restarts Less Likely
Keep Updates Predictable
- Schedule big OS updates for a time when the laptop can sit plugged in.
- Pause non-critical updates while traveling.
- After you’re back up, finish any pending updates in one go to clear the queue.
Give Storage And Cooling Some Care
- Leave 15–20% free space on the system drive so the installer has room to work.
- Clean vents and fans every few months; a can of compressed air works well.
- Use a stand or a firm surface; soft bedding traps heat and slows the job.
Be Cautious With Drivers And Peripherals
- Prefer drivers from the laptop maker’s tool or site instead of random archives.
- Unplug docks and USB gear before a big update; add them back after a clean boot.
- Keep firmware updates on AC power and let them finish without moving the machine.
When To Get A Technician
Seek hands-on help when restarts return under light load, the device hits a thermal limit even after cleaning, or the disk tool reports errors it can’t fix. Swollen batteries, burnt smells, or liquid damage also call for a pro. Back up first if you can reach the desktop, or use a bootable USB to image the drive.
Bottom Line: Stop The Hour-Long Restart
Check whether it’s a normal update or a stall. If progress stops, do a safe power cycle, use recovery tools, clear update cache, and scan the disk. Keep power, space, and cooling in shape to prevent a repeat. With the steps above, most laptops break out of the loop without data loss.