Bitcoin Core will not run on Windows 10

[SkierScott]

So, began installation of Bitcoin Core on Windows 10 and it was working on syncing.  The computer shut down and after rebooting it will no longer run.  I can see the application under task manager for about 30 seconds then it simply disappears without leaving a trace.  Is there a log file or something I can look at?  I've tried uninstalling multiple times and removed all directories and while it will "reinstall" it will not start the GUI and no background tasks seem to be running.  Any ideas on how to get it setup and running?

Bitcoin Client Software and Version Number: Bitcoin Core 64-bit
Operating System: Windows 10 Pro version 21H1 OS build 19043.1110
System Hardware Specs: Intel i7-3770S 8GB RAM
Description of Problem: App will not run
Any Related Addresses: N/A
Any Related Transaction IDs: N/A
Screenshot of the problem: Nothing ever appears on screen
Log Files from the Bitcoin Client: Can't find any

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[beertoll]

Most likely some data was corrupted because of the abrupt shutdown. And although you've tried to delete all traces - that data is still tucked somewhere and the app tries to use it. Maybe uninstalling it with something like Revo Uninstaller will help. These specialized utilities do a better job sometimes.

[nc50lc]

-snip- Is there a log file or something I can look at?

Yes there is.
In your data directory, there's a file named "debug.log", that's the log file.

Windows 10 - Bitcoin Core's default data directory is in: %appdata%/bitcoin
Appdata= Click 'Search' or 'Run' (WinKey+R), type %appdata% then press enter.

[SkierScott]

-snip- Is there a log file or something I can look at?

Yes there is.
In your data directory, there's a file named "debug.log", that's the log file.

Windows 10 - Bitcoin Core's default data directory is in: %appdata%/bitcoin
Appdata= Click 'Search' or 'Run' (WinKey+R), type %appdata% then press enter.

There is no bitcoin directory at this location and I've searched for a "debug.log" file and can't get a hit.

The computer shut down and after rebooting it will no longer run.

By shutdown, do you mean normal shutdown after closing Bitcoin Core or unexpected shutdown due to electrical loss/problem?

Bitcoin Client Software and Version Number: Bitcoin Core 64-bit

What version of Bitcoin Core do you use? Version 0.21.1 (latest version when i write this post)?

I think it was a windows upgrade.  The syncing was occurring so everything was working at that time.  Core hadn't run for long and I decided to update another computer as there was a supposed windows security update and I think I got trigger happy and rebooted multiple PCs including the one running core.  So, not electrical but certainly an interruption in the middle of synching.

Yes, Bitcoin Core 21.1

[DaveF]

Try looking in this folder if you are on Windows 10:
C:\Users\[your user name]\AppData\Roaming
 (might be hidden by windows)
You can also check the application logs in windows event viewer to see if there is anything there giving an error.

One or both of those locations should give you more info.

Windows 10 - Bitcoin Core's default data directory is in: %appdata%/bitcoin
Appdata= Click 'Search' or 'Run' (WinKey+R), type %appdata% then press enter.

FYI some security software blocks you from going there it give a popup warning. Usually on corporate domains but I have seen it with some other AV.

-Dave

[SkierScott]

Most likely some data was corrupted because of the abrupt shutdown. And although you've tried to delete all traces - that data is still tucked somewhere and the app tries to use it. Maybe uninstalling it with something like Revo Uninstaller will help. These specialized utilities do a better job sometimes.

This did the trick!  There were 3 keys remining in the registry.  I'm not sure if lingering keys was the issue as I think there was another file Revo identified that was deleted.  Either way, it is now syncing the blockchain!

Thanks so much to everyone's quick responses!

[nc50lc]

Windows 10 - Bitcoin Core's default data directory is in: %appdata%/bitcoin

FYI some security software blocks you from going there it give a popup warning. Usually on corporate domains but I have seen it with some other AV.

That's the same directory posted in your reply, that shortcut will enable him to go there without changing the 'hidden folder' view setting.
If there'll be a warning, it will also pop-up upon manually browsing to the directory.

[khaled0111]

There were 3 keys remining in the registry.  I'm not sure if lingering keys was the issue as I think there was another file Revo identified that was deleted. 

This was, most likely, the cause of the problem. To completely remove bitcoin core, you have to uninstall it, remove the whole directory (after you back up the wallet.dat file) then remove all the registry entries it created.
Happy you managed to solve the issue but you didn't need any software to clean the registry. You could have done it manually from regedit (window + r), search for bitcoin then remove the keys.

Also, in case of corrupt block data, it's better to try reindexing and see if it fixes the problem before removing everything and starting from scratch.