When Windows starts giving too many problems, resetting the PC feels like the final and safest option. You click Reset this PC, expecting a fresh start — and then Windows throws another punch with the message:
“There was a problem resetting your PC.”
That moment is genuinely frustrating. You’re already dealing with system issues, and now even the reset tool refuses to work. At this point, most users feel stuck and don’t know what to try next.
The good news is this: in most cases, the issue is not your files, not your hardware, but a broken or corrupted Windows recovery and reset environment. Once that is fixed properly, resetting works again.
Let’s walk through this calmly, step by step, using methods that actually work.
Why This Reset Error Happens in the First Place
Before fixing anything, it helps to understand what’s going wrong.
Windows reset relies heavily on:
- The Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE)
- Core system image files
- Windows servicing components
If any of these are corrupted, incomplete, or out of sync after updates, driver issues, forced shutdowns, or failed upgrades, Windows simply cannot complete the reset process.
So the first goal is not resetting — the first goal is repairing the reset tool itself.
Step 1: Open Command Prompt as Administrator
Before we begin repairing Windows components, we need proper system access.
Start by opening Windows Search, type cmd, then:
- Right-click on Command Prompt
- Choose Run as administrator
- Click Yes when asked for permission
This opens an elevated Command Prompt, which is required for all the commands below.
Step 2: Temporarily Disable and Re-Enable Windows Recovery Environment
Now we’ll fix the recovery environment itself. This step sounds simple, but it’s extremely important.
In the Command Prompt window, type the following command:
reagentc /disable
Press Enter.
If everything goes right, Windows will respond with:
“REAGENT.EXE: Operation successful.”
Wait for a few seconds. This pause allows Windows to properly unregister the recovery environment.
Now type the second command:
reagentc /enable
Press Enter again.
This re-creates and re-registers the Windows Recovery Environment cleanly. In many cases, this alone fixes the reset error — but we’ll continue to make sure everything else is healthy.
Step 3: Repair Windows Image Using DISM
Now that the recovery environment is reset, the next step is checking and repairing the Windows system image.
In the same Command Prompt window, type:
dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
Press Enter.
This command does several important things behind the scenes:
- It scans your Windows image files
- Detects missing or corrupted components
- Downloads and replaces damaged files from Windows Update if needed
This process can take time — sometimes several minutes — and may appear stuck. That’s normal. Do not close the window. Let it reach 100% completion.
Patience here really matters.
Step 4: Scan and Repair System Files Using SFC
Once DISM finishes, we move on to the final system repair tool.
Type the following command:
sfc /scannow
Press Enter.
This command scans all protected system files and repairs integrity violations. It specifically fixes issues that affect Windows features like:
- Reset this PC
- Windows Update
- Recovery tools
- Core OS stability
Again, wait until it reaches 100%.
You may see one of two results:
- No integrity violations found
- Integrity violations were found and successfully repaired
Both are fine. The important thing is that the scan completes successfully.
Step 5: Reset Windows Using Advanced Startup (Important Change)
Now comes a very important detail.
Do not reset Windows from Settings → Recovery anymore.
Instead, use Advanced Startup, which uses a more reliable recovery path.
Here’s how:
- Open Settings
- Go to System → Recovery
- Under Advanced startup, click Restart now
- Let the PC restart
When you see the blue recovery screen:
- Click Troubleshoot
- Select Reset this PC
- Choose Keep my files or Remove everything
- When asked, choose Cloud download
Why Cloud Download Is Recommended
If your reset failed earlier using Local reinstall, there’s a high chance local system files are damaged.
Cloud download fetches a fresh Windows 11 image directly from Microsoft servers and uses it for installation. It takes more time and internet data, but it is far more reliable.
In most cases, this completes the reset successfully.
If Reset Still Fails: The Guaranteed Method Using Windows 11 ISO
If you still get the same error even after all of this, don’t worry. There is one method that almost always works.
Instead of resetting, we perform a repair-install using the official Windows 11 ISO.
Step 6: Download Official Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft
Open any browser and search for Windows 11 download.
Click the official Microsoft page:
🔗 https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11
Scroll down to Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO):
- Select Windows 11 (multi-edition)
- Click Download
- Choose your language
- Click Confirm
- Download the 64-bit ISO
The file size is around 7–8 GB, so allow time for the download to complete.
Step 7: Install Windows 11 on Supported Hardware
Once downloaded:
- Right-click the ISO file
- Click Mount
- Open the mounted drive
- Double-click setup.exe
Proceed with installation and choose “Keep personal files and apps” if you want to preserve everything.
This acts like a deep reset using fresh Windows files.
Step 8: Install Windows 11 on Unsupported Hardware (Important)
If your system is unsupported and setup.exe refuses to run, there’s a workaround.
Inside the mounted ISO folder:
- Click the address bar
- Type cmd
- Press Enter
This opens Command Prompt directly inside the ISO directory.
Now type:
setup.exe /product server /compat ignorewarning /migratedrivers all
Press Enter, allow permissions, and continue.
When Windows setup appears:
- Choose Change how setup downloads updates
- Select Not right now
- Accept license terms
- Choose Keep files, settings, and applications (or only files if you prefer)
- Continue installation
This method bypasses compatibility checks and performs a clean, fresh Windows repair using the latest ISO — often more reliable than reset itself.
Why This Method Is Actually Better Than Reset
A reset relies on existing system files. A repair-install using an ISO:
- Uses a completely fresh Windows image
- Fixes deep corruption
- Keeps your files and apps
- Updates the OS to the latest stable release
In many cases, this feels like a brand-new system without data loss.
Final Thoughts
The “There was a problem resetting your PC” error looks scary, but it’s rarely the end of the road. In most cases, fixing the recovery environment and system files is enough. And even if that fails, reinstalling Windows using the official ISO is a reliable and cleaner solution.
Take it step by step. Don’t rush. Windows issues feel overwhelming — but with the right approach, they’re very fixable.
Disclaimer
These steps modify core Windows components. Follow each command carefully and ensure your device remains powered during the process. Back up important data before performing system repairs or reinstallations.
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