Windows Server 2016 Won’t Boot After Update? Here are 3 Fixes

Photo of author

By Victor Ashiedu

Published

Introduction

This guide recommends 2 fixes if Windows Server 2016 won’t boot after update:

  1. Rollback Recent Updates with DISM Command
  2. Perform a System Restore

Options to Restore Windows Server 2016 if Won’t boot After Update

The step by step of the fixes offered in this guide are discussed below

Run DISM Command With /RevertPendingActions Switch

windows server 2016 won't boot after update

If you recently installed a Windows update and the Windows Server 2016 won’t boot after update, the first logical thing to do is to rollback the update.

Here is how:

  • Boot your server to Recovery Environment. Use the steps in this guide Boot Windows Server 2016 to Recovery Mode – use the first method “Without Installation Media”
  • When you get to Choose an option screen, click Troubleshoot.
windows server 2016 won't boot after update
  • At Advanced options screen, click Command Prompt.
windows server 2016 won't boot after update
  • When command prompt opens type the command below. Then press enter.
DISM /image:C:\ /cleanup-image /revertpendingactions 
This command assumes that your Windows installation is on drive C. If it is on a different drive, change the drive letter.
To determine the drive for your Windows installation, type dir c: and press enter. If the drive has a folder called Windows then it is most likely your Windows installation drive. If not try dir d:, and so on.
windows server 2016 won't boot after update
  • At command prompt, type Exit and press enter. Then click Turn off your PC. When your Server is off, press the power button to boot it again.
  • When your Server boots, it will attempt to roll back the update. If it successfully rolls back the update, it should boot normally.

If windows server 2016 still won’t boot after update, try the next fix:

Use System Image Backup to Restore to a Recent Restore Point

To use this method, you MUST have enabled system restore on your server before the error occurred. You MUST also have a valid restore point.

If you have a valid system restore point, restoring it is one easy way to fix Windows Server 2016 if it won’t boot after update.

Here are the steps to perform a system restore from Recovery Environment:

  • Boot your server to Recovery Environment. Use the steps in Boot Windows Server 2016 to Recovery Mode – use the first method “Without Installation Media”
  • When you get to Choose an option screen, click Troubleshoot.
windows server 2016 won't boot after update
  • When Advanced options loads, click System Image Recovery.
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is image-69-1024x534.png
  • On the System Image Recovery screen, click on the user with admin privilege.
0xc000021a server 2016
  • Then enter the password for the user you selected above and click Continue.
0xc000021a server 2016
  • On this page, if you have available restore points they will be listed. Select a restore point taken before the Windows update that broke your server. Then follow the wizard to restore your server.
0xc000021a server 2016
  • When you finish reboot your server.

Conclusion

One of the two methods discussed in this guide should fix Windows Server 2016 if it won’t boot after update.

I hope you found this guide helpful. Kindly let us know the fix that worked for you.

You can post your feedback at [discourse_topic_url].

Also, if you wish to ask any questions, kindly post them on our community platform at [discourse_topic_url]. Your post will get a response as soon as possible.

Want more Windows Server fixes? Visit our Windows Server Fix page.

We go the extra mile to deliver the highest quality content for our readers. Read our Content Writing, Content Review, and Anti-Plagiarism policies to learn more.

About the Author

Photo of author

Victor Ashiedu

Victor is the founder of InfoPress Media, publishers of Ilifeguides and Itechguides. With 20+ years of experience in IT infrastructure, his expertise spans Windows, Linux, and DevOps. Explore his contributions on Itechguides.com for insightful how-to guides and product reviews.

Related Articles

Get in Touch

If this article does not meet your expectations, kindly let us know. We have various ways you can get in touch with us:

  1. Respond to "Was this page helpful?" above
  2. Leave a comment with the "Leave a Comment" form below
  3. Email us at [email protected] or via the Contact Us page.

1 thought on “Windows Server 2016 Won’t Boot After Update? Here are 3 Fixes”

Leave a comment

Send this to a friend