Failure to Display Security and Shut Down Options: Fix It

If Windows shows “Failure to display security and shut down options” after you press Ctrl + Alt + Delete, you may also find that the computer becomes unresponsive or that the normal security, restart, or shutdown options do not appear.

The full message can say:

The logon process was unable to display security and logon options when CTRL+ALT+DELETE was pressed. If the operating system does not respond, press ESC or restart the computer by using the power switch.

This problem can be caused by corrupted Windows system files, a third-party security program or background service interfering with Windows, or a Windows policy that has removed access to shutdown and restart commands.

In this guide, we’ll explain what the error means and show you the safest ways to fix it, starting with the least disruptive solutions.

What Does “Failure to Display Security and Shut Down Options” Mean?

The message means Windows was unable to properly display the security and sign-in interface normally associated with Ctrl + Alt + Delete.

Normally, pressing Ctrl + Alt + Delete gives you access to options such as:

• Lock
• Switch user
• Sign out
• Task Manager
• Change a password
• Restart or shut down, depending on the Windows configuration

When Windows cannot load that interface correctly, it may display the failure message instead.

The problem is not necessarily caused by the keyboard shortcut itself. In many cases, Windows is responding to the shortcut but another component of the operating system is preventing the security or logon interface from completing.

Microsoft Q&A reports show this error occurring when Windows becomes severely unresponsive, while other cases have involved conflicts between third-party security products. Intel also documents the same error in connection with systems that freeze or become unresponsive and recommends repairing corrupted Windows system files.

Why Is Windows Showing This Error?

There is no single cause that applies to every computer.

The most common possibilities include:

1. Corrupted or missing Windows system files
2. A damaged Windows component store
3. Third-party antivirus or security software conflicts
4. Another background application or service interfering with Windows
5. A Windows policy that removes shutdown and restart commands
6. A broader Windows instability or freezing problem

This distinction matters because you should not immediately start changing registry settings or reinstalling Windows.

Start with the simplest checks and move toward more advanced troubleshooting only when necessary.

Quick Check: Is Windows Completely Frozen?

Before running repair commands, determine whether Windows is still responding.

Try these steps:

1. Press Esc.
2. Move the mouse and see whether the pointer responds normally.
3. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to try opening Task Manager.
4. Press Windows + R to see whether the Run dialog opens.
5. Press Windows + E to see whether File Explorer opens.

If other Windows shortcuts continue to work, the problem may be more specific than a complete system freeze.

If the entire computer is frozen, skip to the section below on safely restarting an unresponsive PC.

If the Computer Is Completely Unresponsive

If Windows does not respond to the keyboard or mouse and you cannot access the normal shutdown menu, you may have no choice but to force the computer to power off.

Hold the computer’s physical power button until it shuts down.

Then wait several seconds and turn it back on.

A forced shutdown should be treated as a last resort because Windows does not get an opportunity to close applications and write pending data normally.

Once Windows starts again, don’t simply assume the problem is gone. If the error returns, continue with the troubleshooting steps below.

1. Restart Windows and Check Whether the Error Returns

If you were able to restart normally, start with a simple test.

After Windows loads:

1. Sign in normally.
2. Wait a few minutes for startup applications to finish loading.
3. Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete.
4. Check whether the security screen appears normally.

If the problem disappears after restarting and does not return, it may have been caused by a temporary Windows process or background-service failure.

If it returns repeatedly, continue troubleshooting.

2. Run DISM to Repair the Windows Component Store

Corrupted Windows components can cause Windows features and system processes to malfunction.

Microsoft recommends using Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) before running System File Checker when repairing corrupted Windows components.

Step 1: Open Command Prompt as Administrator

Open Windows Search and type:

Command Prompt

Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.

Step 2: Run DISM

Enter:

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Press Enter.

The process may take several minutes.

Do not close the Command Prompt window while the operation is running.

When it completes, restart Windows and check whether the security and shutdown error returns.

3. Run System File Checker

If corrupted system files are contributing to the problem, System File Checker can replace damaged protected Windows files.

Microsoft recommends running DISM before SFC when repairing Windows system corruption.

Step 1: Open an Elevated Command Prompt

If you still have the administrator Command Prompt open from the previous step, you can use the same window.

Otherwise, search for Command Prompt, right-click it, and select Run as administrator.

Step 2: Run SFC

Enter:

sfc /scannow

Press Enter.

Wait until the verification reaches 100%.

Do not close the window while the scan is running.

[INSERT SCREENSHOT 1 HERE — Administrator Command Prompt showing sfc /scannow running in Windows 11]

What If SFC Finds Corrupted Files?

If Windows reports that corrupted files were found and successfully repaired, restart the computer.

Then test Ctrl + Alt + Delete again.

If SFC says it could not repair some files, run DISM again and then run:

sfc /scannow

one more time.

For a related problem involving SFC itself, see our guide on Windows Resource Protection Error: How to Fix It.

4. Check Whether Third-Party Antivirus Software Is Causing the Problem

Third-party security software is another possible cause.

There are documented cases of the exact error occurring when multiple security products conflicted with each other. One Microsoft Q&A case, for example, reported the problem after a computer had both pre-installed McAfee software and ESET installed.

That does not mean every antivirus program causes this error. It means security software should be considered when the problem started after installing, updating, or changing a security application.

What to Check

Think about when the problem started.

Did you recently:

• Install antivirus software?
• Install a security suite?
• Replace one antivirus program with another?
• Install endpoint protection?
• Update security software?
• Install system-monitoring software?

If yes, temporarily investigate that software as a possible cause.

Do not leave your computer unprotected for an extended period simply to test an antivirus conflict. If you need to uninstall a third-party security product, make sure Windows Security or another trusted protection mechanism is active afterward.

5. Perform a Clean Boot

A clean boot starts Windows with essential drivers and startup programs while disabling third-party services and startup applications.

This makes it useful for determining whether another program is interfering with Windows.

Microsoft’s current clean-boot procedure uses System Configuration (msconfig) and Task Manager to disable non-Microsoft services and startup applications.

Step 1: Open System Configuration

Press:

Windows + R

Type:

msconfig

Press Enter.

Step 2: Hide Microsoft Services

Select the Services tab.

Check Hide all Microsoft services.

Then select Disable all.

Do not disable Microsoft services before checking Hide all Microsoft services.

Step 3: Disable Startup Applications

Open the Startup tab and select Open Task Manager.

In Task Manager, open Startup apps.

Disable the enabled third-party startup applications.

Keep track of what you disable so you can restore the normal startup configuration afterward.

[INSERT SCREENSHOT 2 HERE — Windows 11 System Configuration showing Hide all Microsoft services and the clean-boot setup]

Step 4: Restart the Computer

Close Task Manager.

Click OK in System Configuration and restart the PC.

After restarting, test Ctrl + Alt + Delete.

What If the Error Disappears?

If the error disappears after a clean boot, a third-party service or startup application is likely involved.

Don’t simply leave everything disabled. Re-enable items gradually until you identify the software responsible.

6. Check Whether a Windows Policy Is Hiding Shutdown Options

There is an important situation that can look similar but has a different cause.

If the problem is specifically that Restart, Shut down, Sleep, or Hibernate options have disappeared, a Windows policy may be preventing access to those commands.

The policy is:

Remove and prevent access to the Shut Down, Restart, Sleep, and Hibernate commands

When enabled, this policy can remove power commands from places such as the Start menu and the Windows security screen.

Check Group Policy on Windows Pro and Enterprise

Press:

Windows + R

Type:

gpedit.msc

Press Enter.

Navigate to:

User Configuration
> Administrative Templates
> Start Menu and Taskbar

Look for:

Remove and prevent access to the Shut Down, Restart, Sleep, and Hibernate commands

If the policy is enabled on a computer where users should have normal shutdown access, set it to Not Configured or Disabled, depending on the intended configuration.

[INSERT SCREENSHOT 3 HERE — Local Group Policy Editor showing the Remove and prevent access to the Shut Down, Restart, Sleep, and Hibernate commands policy]

Important: Work or School Computers

If this is a company, school, or organization-managed computer, do not change Group Policy simply to restore the shutdown options.

An administrator may have intentionally configured the policy.

Contact the organization’s IT administrator instead.

7. Check Whether the Problem Is Limited to the Power Options

If Ctrl + Alt + Delete opens normally but the shutdown or restart choices are missing, that points more strongly toward a policy or configuration issue than a corrupted logon process.

Test the Start menu:

1. Open Start.
2. Select the Power button.
3. Check whether Restart and Shut down are available.

Then test:

Ctrl + Alt + Delete

If the security screen works but the power commands are missing in both locations, investigate the policy described above.

If the entire security screen fails to load, focus on system corruption, background software conflicts, and Windows stability instead.

8. Try Safe Mode

Safe Mode starts Windows with a limited set of drivers and services.

This can help determine whether a third-party driver or service is contributing to the problem.

If the computer works normally in Safe Mode but the error returns during normal startup, a third-party component becomes more likely as the cause.

How to Reach Safe Mode

If you can access Windows normally:

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to System > Recovery.
3. Under Advanced startup, select Restart now.
4. After Windows restarts, select Troubleshoot.
5. Select Advanced options.
6. Select Startup Settings.
7. Select Restart.
8. Choose the Safe Mode option.

If Windows cannot start normally, Windows Recovery Environment may appear automatically after repeated failed startup attempts.

9. Use System Restore If the Problem Started Recently

If the error appeared shortly after installing software, a driver, or a Windows update, System Restore may be worth trying if restore points are available.

System Restore can return system files, drivers, registry settings, and installed programs to an earlier state without normally removing personal files.

If Windows is not starting normally, you can also access System Restore through Windows Recovery Environment.

Do not use System Restore if you don’t have a suitable restore point, and don’t expect it to recover personal files that have already been deleted.

10. Check Windows Update

If the problem began immediately after a Windows update, check whether another update is available.

Go to:

Settings
> Windows Update

Select Check for updates.

Install available updates and restart the computer.

If the issue began directly after a specific update and persists, Windows Recovery Environment may also provide an option to uninstall recent updates.

11. Check Event Viewer for Clues

If the error keeps returning and none of the earlier solutions identifies the cause, Event Viewer can provide useful information.

Press:

Windows + R

Type:

eventvwr.msc

Press Enter.

Look under:

Windows Logs
> System

and:

Windows Logs
> Application

Look for errors occurring around the exact time the security and shutdown problem happens.

You are particularly interested in repeated errors involving:

• Windows services
• System processes
• Drivers
• Security software
• Disk or storage devices
• Unexpected shutdowns

Don’t assume every error in Event Viewer is related to the problem. Focus on events that occur at the same time as the failure.

12. Check for Malware

Malware is not the first thing you should assume when this error appears, but if Windows has suddenly become unstable, security scanning is reasonable.

Open:

Windows Security
> Virus & threat protection

Run a scan.

If you recently installed suspicious software or downloaded files from an untrusted source, perform a more thorough scan.

Avoid installing multiple antivirus products at the same time because competing security programs can themselves create conflicts.

13. Check Your Storage and Hardware if Windows Keeps Freezing

If the security/shutdown error is accompanied by repeated freezes, corrupted files, application crashes, or unexplained boot problems, investigate the hardware as well.

Check:

• SSD health
• Available storage space
• RAM
• CPU temperatures
• Device drivers
• BIOS/UEFI firmware
• Recent hardware changes

If you’re seeing broader storage-related symptoms, our guide on How to Check SSD Health in Windows 11 can help you check the condition of the drive.

If you’re investigating memory problems, you can also use our guide on How to Check RAM Speed in Windows 11 to inspect your installed memory.

14. Repair Windows Before Considering a Reset

If DISM, SFC, clean boot, Safe Mode, and System Restore do not solve the problem, the Windows installation itself may require more extensive repair.

Don’t immediately erase the computer.

Depending on the symptoms, options can include:

• Windows Recovery Environment
• An in-place repair installation
• Resetting Windows while preserving personal files
• A clean installation as a last resort

The appropriate option depends on whether Windows can still boot, whether your files are backed up, and whether the problem is caused by Windows itself or by hardware.

Why SFC and DISM Are Important for This Error

SFC and DISM deserve special attention because Microsoft specifically recommends them for corrupted Windows components.

DISM repairs the Windows component store that SFC depends on for repairing protected system files.

The recommended order is:

DISM
↓
SFC
↓
Restart
↓
Test Ctrl + Alt + Delete

Use:

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

followed by:

sfc /scannow

Allow SFC to complete fully before closing Command Prompt.

What If Ctrl + Alt + Delete Still Doesn’t Work?

If the computer is otherwise responsive but Ctrl + Alt + Delete continues to fail:

1. Test another keyboard if available.
2. Check whether the problem occurs with the On-Screen Keyboard.
3. Restart Windows Explorer.
4. Perform a clean boot.
5. Check third-party security software.
6. Run DISM and SFC.
7. Test Safe Mode.
8. Check Event Viewer for errors.

If the same error occurs with different keyboards and continues in multiple Windows startup environments, the problem is more likely to involve Windows or another system component than a defective keyboard.

What If the Shutdown Options Are Completely Missing?

If Windows works normally but Shut down, Restart, Sleep, and Hibernate are missing, don’t treat it exactly like the full security-screen error.

First check whether a policy is hiding those commands.

On supported Windows editions, look for:

Remove and prevent access to the Shut Down, Restart, Sleep, and Hibernate commands

under the Start Menu and Taskbar administrative policies.

On managed work or school computers, the setting may be controlled by an organization through policy or device management.

What If the Error Appears After Every Restart?

If the error returns after every restart, look for something that loads automatically with Windows.

The most useful tests are:

1. Clean boot
2. Safe Mode
3. Third-party antivirus/security software
4. Recently installed drivers
5. Recently installed applications
6. Windows updates
7. System file integrity
8. Hardware health

If the error disappears in a clean boot but returns during normal startup, gradually re-enable third-party services and startup applications to identify the conflict.

What If Windows Is Also Showing Other Errors?

If you are seeing multiple unrelated Windows errors at the same time, don’t troubleshoot each message in isolation.

For example, if the computer also has startup problems, storage errors, or repeated freezes, there may be a broader Windows or hardware issue.

Our Windows 11 Error 0xC0000185 guide covers a different startup problem that can involve damaged boot information, storage problems, or hardware changes.

If you are seeing a Windows Resource Protection error after running SFC, our Windows Resource Protection Error guide explains how to troubleshoot that specific failure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes “Failure to display security and shut down options”?

Common causes include corrupted Windows system files, damaged Windows components, third-party security software conflicts, background services, and Windows policies that remove shutdown commands.

How do I fix “Failure to display security and shut down options” in Windows 11?

Start by restarting Windows if possible. Then run DISM and SFC, check third-party security software, perform a clean boot, and investigate Windows policies if only the shutdown commands are missing.

Why does Ctrl + Alt + Delete show this error?

Windows uses the Ctrl + Alt + Delete sequence to access its security and sign-in interface. If the required Windows process or component cannot respond correctly, Windows may display this error instead.

Does this error mean Windows is corrupted?

Not necessarily. Corrupted system files are one possible cause, but third-party software, security products, Windows policies, and broader system instability can produce similar symptoms.

Can antivirus software cause this error?

It can. There are documented cases where conflicts involving third-party security products were associated with the exact error. This is especially worth investigating if the problem started after installing or changing security software.

Should I reinstall Windows?

Not as your first step.

Try DISM, SFC, a clean boot, Safe Mode, System Restore, and other non-destructive troubleshooting methods first. Reinstalling Windows should be considered only after simpler solutions fail or when the installation is seriously damaged.

Why are my Shut Down and Restart options missing?

If Windows itself works normally but the power commands are missing, a policy such as Remove and prevent access to the Shut Down, Restart, Sleep, and Hibernate commands may be responsible.

On managed work or school computers, the policy may have been intentionally configured by an administrator.

Can a clean boot fix this problem?

A clean boot can help when a third-party service or startup application is interfering with Windows. If the error disappears during a clean boot, re-enable services and startup applications gradually to identify the cause.

Can SFC fix this error?

SFC can fix the problem when corrupted or missing protected Windows system files are responsible. Microsoft recommends running DISM before SFC when repairing Windows component corruption.

What should I do if my computer is completely frozen?

If Windows does not respond to the keyboard, mouse, or other normal shutdown methods, a forced power-off may be necessary. Hold the physical power button until the computer shuts down, then restart it and investigate why the system became unresponsive.

Final Thoughts

The “Failure to display security and shut down options” message is usually a symptom of a Windows process or configuration problem rather than a problem with the Ctrl + Alt + Delete shortcut itself.

The safest troubleshooting order is:

Restart Windows
↓
Run DISM
↓
Run SFC
↓
Check third-party security software
↓
Perform a Clean Boot
↓
Check shutdown/restart policies
↓
Test Safe Mode
↓
Use System Restore if appropriate
↓
Check Event Viewer and hardware
↓
Repair Windows if necessary

If the problem appeared suddenly, pay particular attention to what changed immediately beforehand. A new security program, driver, Windows update, startup application, or system configuration change can provide an important clue.

Most importantly, do not jump straight to a Windows reset or clean installation. In many cases, the underlying problem can be identified and repaired without deleting your applications or personal files.