Troubleshooting: PC Fails to Start Following CCleaner Use and NVIDIA Driver Installation

Troubleshooting Boot Issues After System Maintenance

In a recent experience that many tech enthusiasts might be able to relate to, I encountered a significant issue following some routine maintenance on my PC. After upgrading to a new NVME SSD and reorganizing my game library, I aimed to keep my system optimized by running CCleaner to eliminate any registry errors. However, things took a turn for the worse.

A few hours later, I attempted to install the latest NVIDIA drivers, but I was met with an error message indicating the installation could not proceed at that moment. Unsure of the next steps, I decided to restart my computer. Unfortunately, that simple action triggered a series of problems: my machine refused to boot up completely.

Here’s the troubling scenario: the monitor remained blank, and it appeared as if the system wasn’t recognizing my keyboard—indicated by the caps lock not illuminating as expected. Attempts to access Windows Recovery by pressing the F11 key proved futile. While I could hear the CPU and case fans running and noticed the RGB lights on both my RAM and graphics card were active, there was no sign of the Aorus logo or BIOS options appearing on the display.

An additional complicating factor was that I couldn’t power down the system in the usual way; the power button became unresponsive, requiring me to either unplug the device or switch it off from the back.

System Specifications

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

This experience serves as a reminder of how critical it is to approach system maintenance with caution, especially when it involves registry cleaning and driver updates. If you find yourself in a similar situation, here are a few troubleshooting tips to consider:

Power Cycle Your System: Disconnect all peripherals, hold the power button for about 10 seconds, and then restart your PC to see if it resolves the issue.
Check Hardware Connections: Ensure that all cables, including power and data connections to the SSD and other components, are secure.
Boot into Safe Mode: If you can access the boot menu, try initiating Safe Mode to further diagnose the problem.
Clear CMOS: Resetting the BIOS settings by clearing the CMOS can sometimes help if the system is experiencing boot issues.
**Seek Professional