If you turn off your computer intentionally or accidentally during the booting phase, Windows will resume from where you left the last time when you restart your computer. The screen that you see this time is called Windows Resume Loader. On the Windows Resume Loader screen, you can continue with the system resume or delete the restoration data and proceed to the system boot menu. But it is not as simple as it sounds for some users. You can use only your keyboard to select an option on the Windows Resume Loader screen. For some users, their keyboard stops working on the Windows Resume Loader screen due to which they are unable to start their system. If you are facing such a problem, the solutions explained in this article will help you fix the issue.
Windows Resume Loader Keyboard not working
If your keyboard is not working on the Windows Resume Loader screen, try the following suggestions to fix the issue.
- Remove the battery and insert it again
- Switch between USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports
- Drain the capacitors of your laptop
- Connect a PS/2 keyboard if your system has a PS/2 port
- Enable USB keyboard in BIOS
- Enter Windows Recovery Environment and disable Hiberfil.sys
- Perform a System Restore
Let’s see all these fixes in detail.
1] Remove the battery and insert it again
Some users were able to fix the problem simply by removing the battery of their laptops and inserting it again. You can also try this trick. If it works, you will save your time in the troubleshooting methods explained below. Follow the steps written below:
- Turn off your laptop.
- Remove its battery.
- Wait for a few minutes.
- Connect the battery again and turn on the laptop.
Check if this fixes your problem.
Read: What happens if you interrupt System Restore or Reset Windows
2] Switch between USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports
If your system has both USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports, try to switch between both ports. For example, if you have connected your keyboard to the USB 3.0 port, remove it from there and plug it into the USB 2.0 port. Now, check if your keyboard works on the Windows Resume Loader screen or not.
3] Drain the capacitors of your laptop
If the above two methods did not work, try draining the capacitors of your laptop. The following steps will guide you on this:
- Turn off your laptop completely.
- Remove all the peripherals connected to your laptop.
- Remove its battery and the power cord (if you have connected it).
- Press and hold the power button for approximately 15 to 20 seconds. This will drain its capacitors.
- Insert the battery and connect the power cord and peripherals.
- Turn on your laptop.
See if you can select any option on the Windows Resume Loader screen by using your keyboard or not. If not, try the next potential fix.
4] Connect a PS/2 keyboard if your system has a PS/2 port
Some systems still have a PS/2 port. Check if your system has this port. If yes, connect a PS/2 keyboard to the PS/2 port. The PS/2 keyboard should work on the Windows Resume Loader screen. If you do not have the PS/2 keyboard, ask your friends if they have it or not.
This should fix the problem.
5] Enable USB keyboard in BIOS
The issue of the irresponsive keyboard on the Windows Resume Loader screen also occurs if the keyboard is not active on that screen. You can check this in your system BIOS settings. If your keyboard is disabled in the BIOS, enabling it will fix the issue. Computers of different brands have a different processes to enable the keyboard in BIOS. Refer to your computer’s user manual to know how to enable the keyboard in BIOS.
6] Enter Windows Recovery Environment and disable Hiberfil.sys
If the hibernation mode is enabled on your system, you will find the Hiberfil.sys file on your system. The Hiberfil.sys is a file that stores the state of your system just before entering hibernation mode. Windows uses this file to resume your system from where you left the last time. You are currently in a loop where you are returning to the Windows Resume Loader screen again and again. To get out of this loop, you have to disable the Hiberfil.sys file. For this, you have to start your system in WinRE (Windows Recovery Environment).
Because you are stuck in a loop that is preventing you from booting your system, you cannot enter Windows Recovery Environment via Windows 11/10 Settings. You can enter Windows RE by interrupting the normal boot sequence. To do so, power off your system, then power on it again. Now, press and hold the power button to turn it off again before the login screen appears. Do this three times. The fourth time, Windows will enter into the Recovery Environment automatically.
Once you enter Windows Recovery Environment, you will see the Automatic Repair screen, where you will see two options, Restart and Advanced options. Select Advanced options and then go to “Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.” This will launch the Command Prompt. Now, enter the following command and hit Enter to disable the Hiberfil.sys file.
powercfg -h off
After the execution of the above command, restart your computer.
7] Perform a System Restore
If you have created a System restore point, you can use it to restore your system. System Restore is a tool developed by Microsoft that helps users protect and repair their computers. When you turn on System Restore, Windows takes a snapshot of system files and registry and saves them as a restore point. You can use this system restore point to take your system back to the previous working state.
Enter Windows Recovery Environment by following the process explained above. After that, go to “Troubleshoot > Advanced options.” Now, select System Restore.
Read: Can’t Type Password at the Login Screen in Windows
How do I fix Windows Resume Loader on my laptop?
If you are stuck on the Windows Resume Loader screen, you can fix this problem by disabling the Hiberfil.sys file. Windows creates this file when you activate the hibernation mode. After disabling the Hiberfil.sys file, Windows cannot use that file to resume your system from where you left off the last time. This will fix the issue.
How do I resume my laptop keyboard?
If your laptop is stuck on the Windows Resume Loader screen, you can resume it with simple fixes. Restart your PC, and check if the lights turn on for the keyboard. Next, boot into the BIOS or UEFI and check if, for some reason, the keyboard shows as disabled. If so, you can enable it in BIOS settings. If none of these work, you may want to connect with the support team to sort it out.
I hope this helps.
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