Unable to reconnect to a remote computer after it reboots into safe mode 

Last updated on Oct 07, 2025

Problem 

After rebooting into Safe Mode, the remote computer fails to automatically reconnect to the SetMe Expert console. 

Cause 

The root cause is a lack of network connectivity in Windows Safe Mode, which prevents the SetMe client from communicating with the Expert Console. 

This occurs due to a known limitation with certain network drivers, particularly those for Wi-Fi adapters. Even when booting into "Safe Mode with Networking," these drivers may fail to initialize correctly, leaving the computer without functional internet or local network access. 

The SetMe client is designed to automatically and successfully reconnect to the Expert Console whenever network connectivity is available. However, this reconnection is impossible if the underlying operating system cannot establish a network connection. 

Solution 

Follow these steps to resolve the network connectivity issue in Safe Mode and allow the SetMe client to reconnect. 

1. Use a Wired (Ethernet) Connection

The most reliable solution is to connect the remote computer to the network via an Ethernet cable. 

  • Action: Physically connect the computer to your router or network switch. 
  • Why it works: Wired network adapters have their drivers built into Windows much more often than Wi-Fi adapters. Therefore, they are far more likely to function correctly in "Safe Mode with Networking." 

2. Switch to Safe Mode with Command Prompt 

If your task does not require a graphical interface, you can use this mode to establish a network connection via command line. 

  • Action: Reboot the remote computer and select "Safe Mode with Command Prompt" instead of "Safe Mode with Networking." 
  • Why it works: This mode loads a different set of drivers. In some cases, the network drivers may initialize correctly in this environment, allowing you to run command-line tools for diagnosis or remote access. 

3. Troubleshoot the Network Driver in Safe Mode

If you must use Wi-Fi or a specific network adapter, you need to ensure its drivers are available in Safe Mode. 

  • Action 1: Use a Basic Generic Driver
    1. Boot into "Safe Mode with Networking." 
    2. Open Device Manager (press `Win + R`, type `devmgmt.msc`). 
    3. Expand "Network adapters," right-click your Wi-Fi card, and select "Properties." 
    4. Go to the "Driver" tab and click "Update Driver." 
    5. Choose "Browse my computer for drivers" > "Let me pick from a list of available drivers." 
    6. If available, select a generic "Microsoft" driver (e.g., "Microsoft KM-TEST Loopback Adapter" or a generic NDIS adapter) and install it. You will need to reboot. 
  • Action 2: Reinstall the Driver in Normal Windows
    1. Boot the computer back into Normal Mode. 
    2. Open Device Manager, find your network adapter, and completely uninstall its driver (check the box "Delete the driver software for this device" if available). 
    3. Download the latest driver from the manufacturer's (e.g., Intel, Realtek) website and install it. 
    4. Reboot and test if it now works in "Safe Mode with Networking." A modern, standard-compliant driver is more likely to function. 

Summary: 

The SetMe client is fully capable of reconnecting, but it requires a functional network stack. The core of this issue lies with Windows and the hardware drivers, not the SetMe application itself. Focusing on establishing basic network connectivity in Safe Mode will resolve the reconnection failure. 

Affected operating systems

  • Windows 10
  • Windows 11