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Fix Turn on Fast Startup Option Missing in Windows 10

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If the “Turn on fast startup” checkbox is missing from your Windows 10 power options, the feature is likely disabled by Group Policy, your system doesn’t support hibernation, or the power plan is corrupted. This guide walks you through the most common fixes, from enabling hibernation to resetting power settings, so you can restore the option and speed up boot times.

What Is Fast Startup and Why Does It Matter?

Fast Startup (also called Fast Boot) is a Windows 10 feature that combines elements of a cold shutdown and hibernation. When you shut down your PC with Fast Startup enabled, Windows closes all user sessions and logs you off, but the kernel session (the core of the OS) is saved to the hibernation file (hiberfil.sys). On the next boot, Windows loads that file instead of reinitializing the entire kernel, which can significantly reduce startup time—especially on traditional hard drives.

The option is controlled through Control Panel → Power Options → Choose what the power buttons do. If the checkbox is absent, it usually means one of the following:

  • Hibernation is disabled (the hiberfil.sys file is missing).
  • Group Policy or registry settings hide the option.
  • Your device driver or BIOS/UEFI settings block it.
  • The power plan is corrupted or misconfigured.

Why Is the Option Missing? Common Causes

Understanding the root cause helps you apply the right fix. Here are the most frequent reasons:

  • Hibernation disabled: Fast Startup relies on hibernation. If you or a system tool ran powercfg /h off, the option disappears.
  • Group Policy restriction: In Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise, administrators can hide the option via gpedit.msc under Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → System → Shutdown.
  • Registry setting: The HiberbootEnabled DWORD in HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Power can be set to 0 to disable the checkbox.
  • Unsupported hardware: Some older systems or those with certain SSD/NVMe drivers may not expose the option if the firmware doesn’t support hibernation properly.
  • Fast Startup already forced: In rare cases, the feature is enabled by default but the checkbox is hidden because the system is in a special state (e.g., Modern Standby).

How to Fix: Step-by-Step Solutions

1. Enable Hibernation via Command Prompt

Open Command Prompt as Administrator (search for “cmd”, right-click → Run as administrator) and run:

  1. Type powercfg /h on and press Enter.
  2. Close the window and restart your PC.
  3. Go to Control Panel → Power Options → Choose what the power buttons do.
  4. Click Change settings that are currently unavailable (the shield icon).
  5. Look for the Turn on fast startup checkbox under Shutdown settings.

If the checkbox still doesn’t appear, check if the hibernation file was created by running dir /a hiberfil.sys in the C:\ root of Command Prompt.

2. Modify Group Policy (Windows 10 Pro/Enterprise)

If you have a Pro or Enterprise edition, Group Policy might be hiding the option:

  1. Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.
  2. Navigate to Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → System → Shutdown.
  3. Double-click Require use of fast startup.
  4. Set it to Not Configured or Disabled, then click OK.
  5. Restart your PC and check the power options again.

3. Edit the Registry

If Group Policy isn’t the culprit, a registry tweak can force the checkbox to appear:

  1. Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
  2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Power.
  3. Look for a DWORD named HiberbootEnabled. If it doesn’t exist, right-click → New → DWORD (32-bit) and name it HiberbootEnabled.
  4. Set its value to 1 (decimal).
  5. Close the registry editor and restart.

If the value was already 1, try setting it to 0, restart, then set it back to 1 to refresh the setting.

4. Reset Power Settings

Corrupted power plans can hide options. To reset all power plans to default:

  1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
  2. Type powercfg -restoredefaultschemes and press Enter.
  3. Restart your PC.

5. Check BIOS/UEFI Settings

Some systems disable hibernation in firmware. Look for settings like Fast Boot or Hibernate in your BIOS/UEFI (usually accessible by pressing F2, Del, or Esc during startup). Enable them if present. Note that enabling Fast Boot in BIOS may cause the Windows option to disappear because the OS defers to firmware—this is normal.

What to Do If the Option Still Doesn’t Appear

If you’ve tried all the above and the checkbox remains missing, consider these alternatives:

  • Use Command Prompt to enable Fast Startup manually: Run powercfg /h on and then shutdown /s to perform a full shutdown. On the next boot, Windows will use the hibernation file automatically, even if the checkbox is hidden.
  • Check for Windows updates: Some driver updates can re-enable or disable the feature. Make sure your system is up to date.
  • Run the Power Troubleshooter: Go to Settings → Update & Security → Troubleshoot → Additional troubleshooters → Power and run it.
  • Create a new local user account: If the issue is profile-specific, a new account may show the option.

Fast Startup vs. Hibernate vs. Sleep: What’s the Difference?

Many users confuse these three power states. Here’s a quick breakdown:

  • Sleep: The system saves the current session to RAM and enters a low-power state. Wake-up is instant, but power is still consumed (small amount).
  • Hibernate: The entire memory contents are written to the hard drive (hiberfil.sys) and the PC powers off completely. Resume is slower than sleep but faster than a cold boot.
  • Fast Startup: A hybrid of shutdown and hibernate. It logs off users and hibernates the kernel session, but not your open programs. It’s designed for faster boot times after a shutdown, not for resuming work.

Note that Fast Startup does not affect restart. A restart still performs a full cold boot, which is why you might see a restart take longer than a shutdown.

Potential Downsides and When to Disable Fast Startup

While Fast Startup is generally beneficial, it has known drawbacks:

  • Encrypted disks: If you use BitLocker or third-party encryption, Fast Startup can cause issues with pre-boot authentication. Windows may show a warning when enabling it.
  • Dual-boot systems: Fast Startup can lock the Windows partition, making it inaccessible from Linux or other OSes. If you dual-boot, it’s often recommended to disable it.
  • Windows Updates: Some updates require a full shutdown to complete installation. Fast Startup can interfere with this, causing updates to fail or hang.
  • Driver issues: Certain hardware (especially older GPUs) may not wake properly from the hibernation file, leading to glitches or crashes.

If you experience any of these, it’s safe to disable Fast Startup. To do so, uncheck the box in the same power options menu, or run powercfg /h off to disable hibernation entirely (which also removes the option).

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the fast startup option grayed out?

If the checkbox is visible but grayed out, you need to click Change settings that are currently unavailable at the top of the Power Options window. This unlocks the shutdown settings, allowing you to toggle the checkbox.

Does fast startup work on SSDs?

Yes, but the benefit is smaller. On an SSD, the difference between a cold boot and fast startup is often just a few seconds. Some users disable it on SSDs to free up disk space (the hibernation file can be large) or avoid potential driver conflicts.

Can I enable fast startup if hibernation is turned off?

No. Fast startup requires the hibernation file. You must first enable hibernation with powercfg /h on. If you later turn off hibernation, fast startup will automatically be disabled.

Will fast startup affect my open programs?

No. Fast startup only hibernates the kernel, not user applications. When you shut down, all programs close normally, and you’ll need to reopen them after boot. It’s not a resume feature like hibernation.

How do I check if fast startup is currently enabled?

Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run powercfg /a. This shows available sleep states. If “Fast Startup” is listed as available, it’s enabled. If it says “Disabled,” the feature is off.

Is fast startup safe to use?

For most users, yes. It’s a standard Windows feature. However, if you use disk encryption or dual-boot, you may want to disable it to avoid compatibility issues. Always ensure your system is backed up before making significant power setting changes.

Related

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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