Configuration System Failed to Initialize is a very annoying error message that appears after Windows 11 boots, and as its title suggests, it is a problem that affects the system configuration files.
Cause of Configuration System Failed to Initialize Error
The most likely cause of this problem is unauthorized access to internal Windows settings by a program that is co-loaded with the system.
How to Fix Configuration System Failed to Initialize
There are several ways to solve this problem. One of them is the use of certain Windows tools that are executed from the command line. Specifically, the SFC and DISM commands, whose functions are reserved for verifying the integrity of Windows configuration files and repairing them. Here’s how to use them.
- Right-click Start and select Windows Terminal (Admin).
- Once this screen opens, type the command sfc /scannow (leaving a space after the expression “sfc”). Next, press the Enter key.
- Wait a few minutes for the system scan to complete. If any errors have been found, restart your computer.
Otherwise, do the following.
Type the command Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth (without quotes) and press the Enter key.
Wait several minutes for the process to finish and then restart your PC.
What to do if the problem persists?
If after performing the above procedures you do not get the solution and the error message that gives the title of this article still appears, you will have to opt for an alternative method that consists of executing a clean boot of the system.
This way of booting Windows starts the system with the basic drivers and without any third-party programs running, so if the error message goes away, you can determine by trial and error which program is causing the conflict.
How to perform a clean boot of Windows 11
- Right-click Start and select Run.
- In the Open box, type msconfig and click OK.
- In the System Configuration window, go to the Services tab and check the Hide all Microsoft services box.
- Then click Disable All.
- Now, go to the Windows Startup tab and click Open Task Manager.
- In the Task Manager window, click the Startup tab and make sure to disable all the items on the list. To do this, right click on an element and select Disable.
- Then close Task Manager.
- Return to the Startup tab of the System Configuration window and click OK.
- Next, restart your PC.
If after restarting your PC in a clean environment you notice that the error message no longer appears, it is most likely caused by one of the disabled programs.
To end the problem, activate them one at a time until you can isolate the one causing the conflict. After that, you can uninstall it or install an updated version of it.
See also: