If an Acer Swift Go 14 will not load Windows, press F2 at the Acer logo for BIOS Setup or Alt and F10 to reach Acer's recovery tools; F12 opens the boot menu if you have enabled it. Windows also offers Startup Repair on its own after failed starts. If a BitLocker recovery screen appears after a BIOS change, the key is saved to your Microsoft account.
Differential
Likely causes of “Acer Swift Go 14 is stuck at startup, automatic repair or recovery”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A failed Windows update
What separates it It restarts repeatedly or shows a recovery screen after an update
How to confirm Let Windows run Startup Repair or choose Uninstall updates in recovery
- 2
A BIOS change that triggers BitLocker
What separates it A screen asks for a recovery key
How to confirm Sign in to your Microsoft account on another device to find the key
- 3
Corrupted system files
What separates it Windows does not finish loading
How to confirm Use Startup Repair and System Restore
- 4
A failing drive
What separates it The laptop cannot find the drive
How to confirm Check the drive in BIOS and back up at once
- 5
A wrong boot order
What separates it It tries the network or a USB drive first
How to confirm Check the boot order in BIOS
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The exact error text
- Whether an update or a BIOS change came first
- Where your BitLocker key is
- Whether the drive shows in BIOS
Try in this order
0 of 5 completedOpen BIOS or recovery
ReversibleRestart and press F2 at the Acer logo for BIOS Setup, or Alt and F10 for Acer recovery.
Let Startup Repair run
ReversibleIf Windows offers Automatic Repair, let it finish and choose Advanced options if it fails.
Try Uninstall updates or System Restore
ReversibleFrom Advanced options go back to a working state.
Find the BitLocker key
ReversibleOn another device sign in to your Microsoft account's recovery keys page.
Reset only as a last resort
ReversibleChoose Reset this PC and Keep my files, with the charger connected.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Acer startup keys
- F2 for BIOS Setup, F12 for the boot menu (enable it in BIOS first) and Alt and F10 for recovery are the keys Acer documents on many laptops.
- Other Acer lines
- The Aspire, Predator and Nitro use the same keys.
- Keep the key
- Write down your BitLocker recovery key location before a BIOS update; a firmware change is the most common reason the recovery screen appears.
- Acer recovery files
- Acer laptops keep a recovery partition with the factory image on the drive; Alt and F10 at the logo reaches Acer's recovery, but a clean install from a Windows USB drive is the option when that partition is damaged.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the Aspire 5 A515 family.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the drive does not appear in BIOS, book service
- !If recovery keeps failing, back up and contact Acer
- !If you cannot find a BitLocker key, contact Microsoft support or your IT department
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
The tool that scans for problems stopping Windows starting.
Restore, reset and other recovery options.
Acer's recovery media article, cited by title.
The Acer Swift ultrabook line.
The Acer Aspire line.
The Acer Predator gaming line.
The Acer Nitro gaming line.
Exact questions
Common questions
How do I reach Acer recovery on a Swift Go?+
Restart and press Alt and F10 at the Acer logo for Acer's recovery tools.
Why does my Acer ask for a BitLocker key after a BIOS update?+
A firmware change can make Windows treat the laptop as changed. The key is in the Microsoft account linked to the PC.
Will Startup Repair delete my files?+
No. Reset this PC is the option that can remove them.
How do I boot an Acer Swift Go from a USB recovery drive?+
Enable the F12 boot menu in BIOS, then press F12 at the Acer logo and choose the USB drive.
What is Acer eRecovery Management?+
Acer's recovery tool, reached with Alt and F10 at the logo on many models, which can restore the laptop to a factory state; back up first because it can remove your files.
What if Alt and F10 does nothing on my Acer?+
Some models need the keys pressed repeatedly right after the power button; if there is still no response, boot from a Windows recovery USB drive with the F12 boot menu enabled.