Troubleshooting a Boot Failure After Using CCleaner and Updating NVIDIA Drivers

If you’ve ever encountered a boot failure after performing routine maintenance on your computer, you’re not alone. Recently, a user experienced a frustrating scenario after installing a new NVME SSD and attempting to run CCleaner for registry cleanup, followed by an NVIDIA graphics driver update. Here’s a breakdown of their situation and some troubleshooting tips that might help you if you find yourself in a similar predicament.

The Situation

After successfully migrating many of their games to a new NVME SSD, this user sought to eliminate any potential registry issues by using CCleaner. However, the aftermath of this process led to complications when they attempted to update their NVIDIA graphics drivers. An error prevented the installation, prompting a restart that would ultimately result in a complete failure to boot their system.

Upon rebooting, the user was met with a blank screen—no display, no keyboard recognition (indicated by the lack of a caps lock light), and an inability to access the Windows repair mode through the F11 key. Although the CPU and case fans were operational, along with RGB lighting on the RAM and graphics card, there was no display from the Aorus screen or BIOS options. Even more perplexing, the system proved unresponsive to the power button, requiring a manual shutdown via unplugging or turning off the power supply.

Specifications

Operating System: Windows 10
Graphics Card: GTX 1070ti
Processor: Ryzen 2600
Motherboard: Gigabyte X470 Aorus Gaming 5 Wi-Fi

Steps to Resolve the Issue

While this situation can be daunting, there are several troubleshooting steps that can be undertaken to restore functionality to your computer:

Power Cycle Your System: Start by completely powering down your PC. Disconnect it from the power source, hold down the power button for 10-15 seconds, and then reconnect the power. This can help clear temporary states and might allow for a normal boot-up.
Check Connections: Ensure that all internal components, such as the SSD, RAM, and GPU, are securely connected. A loose connection may lead to the system failing to boot.
Reset BIOS Settings: If you can access the motherboard, consider resetting the BIOS. This can sometimes resolve issues related to hardware configuration conflicts following updates or installations.
Boot into Safe Mode: If you manage to get some form of video