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How to Fix and Disable Fast Startup Not Working in Windows 11: Step-by-Step Guide

Fast Startup is a feature in Windows 11 designed to help your computer boot up faster after shutting down. Sometimes, this feature might not work correctly, causing longer startup times or other issues. Fixing or disabling Fast Startup can help improve system stability and boot performance.

This guide will walk you through simple and detailed steps to troubleshoot and resolve Fast Startup problems. You will also learn how to disable Fast Startup safely if needed. Each step includes clear explanations to make the process easy for everyone.

Whether you want to fix Fast Startup or just turn it off, this article covers everything in a straightforward way. You don’t need any advanced knowledge to follow along.

Let’s get started with a quick note before diving into the steps.

Quick Note Before You Begin

Before making any changes, please ensure your Windows 11 system is up to date. Sometimes, updates include fixes for Fast Startup issues.

  • Check your Windows Update status by going to Settings > Windows Update.
  • Make sure you have administrator rights on your PC, as some steps require administrative access.
  • Save all your work before restarting or shutting down your computer during troubleshooting.

How to Fix Fast Startup Not Working in Windows 11

Step 1: Check If Fast Startup Is Enabled

First, confirm whether Fast Startup is actually turned on. If it’s disabled, it won’t work regardless of other settings.

  1. Press Windows key + S and type Control Panel, then open it.
  2. Navigate to Hardware and Sound > Power Options.
  3. Click Choose what the power buttons do on the left menu.
  4. Click Change settings that are currently unavailable at the top.
  5. Under Shutdown settings, look for Turn on fast startup (recommended) and make sure it is checked.
  6. Click Save changes if you made any updates.

If Fast Startup was already enabled, move on to the next step.

Step 2: Disable and Re-enable Fast Startup

Sometimes toggling Fast Startup off and on again can fix glitches related to this feature.

  1. Follow the same steps as Step 1 to reach the Shutdown settings.
  2. Uncheck the box for Turn on fast startup, then click Save changes.
  3. Restart your computer normally.
  4. Repeat the steps to re-enable Fast Startup by checking the box again.
  5. Restart once more and check if the issue is resolved.

Step 3: Run Power Troubleshooter

Windows includes a built-in troubleshooter that can detect and fix power-related issues affecting Fast Startup.

  1. Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I.
  2. Go to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
  3. Find Power in the list and click Run next to it.
  4. Follow the instructions on screen to complete the troubleshooting process.
  5. Restart your PC after the troubleshooter finishes.

Step 4: Disable Fast Startup Using Command Prompt

If the Control Panel method did not work, you can disable Fast Startup using a command prompt with administrative privileges.

  1. Press Windows key + S, type cmd, then right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
  2. In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:
powercfg -h off

This command disables hibernation, which also disables Fast Startup (since Fast Startup depends on hibernation files).

To re-enable Fast Startup later, use this command:

powercfg -h on

Restart your PC after running either command.

Step 5: Update Device Drivers

Outdated or incompatible device drivers can interfere with Fast Startup. Updating critical drivers may help.

  • Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
  • Expand categories such as Display adapters, Network adapters, and System devices.
  • Right-click each device and select Update driver.
  • Choose Search automatically for updated driver software and follow any prompts.

After updating drivers, restart your computer and check if Fast Startup behaves correctly.

How to Disable Fast Startup in Windows 11

If Fast Startup causes problems or you prefer to disable it completely, follow these simple steps.

  1. Open Control Panel and go to Hardware and Sound > Power Options.
  2. Click Choose what the power buttons do.
  3. Click Change settings that are currently unavailable.
  4. Uncheck Turn on fast startup (recommended).
  5. Click Save changes.
  6. Restart your PC to apply the changes.

Alternatively, use the Command Prompt method described in Step 4 to disable Fast Startup by turning off hibernation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why is Fast Startup not working on my Windows 11 PC?

Fast Startup might not work due to disabled settings, outdated drivers, corrupted system files, or conflicts with certain hardware.

Is it safe to disable Fast Startup?

Yes, disabling Fast Startup is safe. The only difference is that your PC may take a bit longer to start up after a shutdown.

Will disabling Fast Startup affect sleep or hibernate?

Disabling Fast Startup does not affect sleep mode directly, but turning off hibernation (which Fast Startup depends on) will disable both hibernate and Fast Startup.

Can I enable Fast Startup if I use BitLocker encryption?

Yes, but you need to configure BitLocker properly because Fast Startup can cause issues with encrypted drives if not set up correctly.

My PC freezes after enabling Fast Startup. What should I do?

Try disabling Fast Startup to see if the issue resolves. If freezing persists, update device drivers and run system diagnostics.

When Nothing Works

If you have followed all the above steps and Fast Startup is still not working or causing problems, consider these final options:

  • Run the System File Checker tool by opening Command Prompt as administrator and typing sfc /scannow to repair corrupted system files.
  • Use the DISM tool to fix Windows image files by running these commands in sequence:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
  • Consider performing a system restore to a point before the problem started.
  • Visit the official Microsoft support page for additional help: Microsoft Support.

Conclusion

Fast Startup can speed up your Windows 11 boot process, but when it doesn’t work correctly, it can cause frustration. By carefully following this guide, you can check if Fast Startup is enabled, troubleshoot common issues, update drivers, or disable the feature if necessary.

Remember to always keep your system updated and back up important data before making major changes. With these simple steps, you should be able to fix or disable Fast Startup and enjoy a smoother startup experience on your Windows 11 PC.

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