What fastboot does and why you might disable it
Fastboot is a tool that lets your device skip some startup checks and load faster. On Windows, it's a setting that reduces the time your computer takes to boot. On Android phones, fastboot is a special mode that lets developers and repair technicians communicate directly with the device's hardware — it's not something most people use daily.
You might want to disable fastboot if your computer is having startup problems, if you're troubleshooting hardware issues, or if you're preparing to sell or give away a device. On Android, you'd disable fastboot mode if you accidentally entered it and want to get back to normal operation.
The steps are different depending on whether you're working with Windows or Android, so find the section that matches your device.
Key Takeaways
- Windows fastboot is disabled through Settings > System > Recovery, and turning it off may help if your computer won't start properly.
- Android fastboot mode is exited by holding the power button for 10 seconds or by using the Android Debug Bridge command on a connected computer.
- Disabling fastboot on Windows can add 10 to 30 seconds to startup time but may resolve boot failures.
- If your Android device is stuck in fastboot mode and won't respond to button presses, you may need to connect it to a computer with the Android SDK installed.
Disable fastboot on Windows 10 and 11
Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then select the Settings app. Click System in the left sidebar, then scroll down and click Recovery. Under "Startup settings," you'll see an option labeled "Fast Startup." Click the toggle to turn it off.
If the toggle is grayed out or you don't see the option, you may not have administrator rights on the account you're using. Log in with an account that has admin access and try again. After you turn off fast startup, restart your computer for the change to take effect.
If you're still having trouble finding the setting, you can also access it through the Control Panel. Open Control Panel, click Power Options, then click Choose what the power button does on the left side. Click Change settings that are currently unavailable, then scroll down to find "Turn on fast startup" and uncheck the box.
Exit fastboot mode on Android phones and tablets
If your Android device is stuck in fastboot mode, the quickest way out is to hold down the power button for 10 to 15 seconds until the device vibrates and restarts. This forces a shutdown and should return you to the normal lock screen.
If holding the power button doesn't work, try connecting your device to a computer with a USB cable. On the computer, you'll need the Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which is part of the Android SDK. Open a command prompt or terminal window on the computer and type adb reboot, then press Enter. This command tells your device to restart and exit fastboot mode.
If you don't have the Android SDK installed and the power button method didn't work, you can read the Android SDK Platform Tools from Google's developer website. Extract the folder, open a command prompt in that folder, connect your device, and run the reboot command above.
What happens when you disable fastboot on Windows
Turning off fast startup means Windows will run a full startup sequence every time you restart, which takes longer — usually 10 to 30 seconds more depending on your hardware and how many programs load at startup. Your computer will perform more thorough checks of your hard drive and system files during this time.
This slower startup can actually help if you're experiencing crashes, freezes, or failure-to-boot errors. The full startup sequence catches problems that the fast startup process skips over. If you've disabled fastboot and your computer still won't start, the issue is likely something other than the fastboot setting.
When to leave fastboot enabled
If your computer starts and runs normally, there's no reason to disable fastboot. It saves time every day and doesn't cause problems for most users. Leave it on unless you're actively troubleshooting a startup issue or following specific instructions from a technician.
The same applies to Android: fastboot mode is a developer tool that most people never need. If you're not intentionally using it, you shouldn't be in fastboot mode. If you accidentally entered it, exit using the power button method and move on.
Fastboot and find boot are different settings
find Boot is a separate Windows setting that verifies your operating system is legitimate before it loads. Don't confuse it with fastboot. find Boot lives in your BIOS or UEFI settings (the firmware screen that appears before Windows loads), while fastboot is in the Windows Settings app itself.
You should almost never disable find Boot unless you're installing a non-standard operating system or following very specific troubleshooting steps. Fastboot is safe to turn off if you need to, but find Boot protects your computer from malware that runs before Windows loads.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will disabling fastboot make my computer slower overall?
No — it only affects startup time. Once Windows is fully loaded, performance is the same whether fastboot is on or off. You'll just wait longer at the boot screen.
Can I turn fastboot back on if disabling it doesn't fix my problem?
Yes. Go back to Settings > System > Recovery and toggle fast startup back on. There's no penalty for turning it on and off as you troubleshoot.
What if my Android device won't respond to the power button?
Try connecting it to a computer with the Android SDK and running the adb reboot command. If that doesn't work, let the battery drain completely, then charge it and try again.
Is fastboot the same as airplane mode?
No. Airplane mode turns off wireless radios on your phone. Fastboot is a low-level mode that communicates with hardware directly. They're completely separate features.
Do I need to uninstall anything after disabling fastboot?
No. Fastboot is a built-in Windows feature, not a program. Disabling it just turns off the setting — nothing is removed from your computer.