Can't open Windows 10 - stuck on spinning device

I have been battling this problem for over two years (since version 14). It has been frustrating, to say the least. Every time the solution has been to remove parallels, and restore a time machine backup of the VM. I have tried everything in this forum with no avail. I agree with other users, I believe the instability lies between Microsoft updates and the hypervisor running away with host resources. I own my own business and have lost countless hours on this particular instability. When Parallels announced v16 today, I almost took the suckers bait of "they had to fix this" in a major revision release. I couldn't take the chance. Over the weekend I removed Parallels and installed VMWare Fusion. It lacks the bells and whistles, but is a no-thrills stable VM host. Parallels lost a long time customer today. I have been running their software since version 12. The frustration I encountered myself and those in this forum was enough evidence that it was time to move on.
 
I struggled with this all day yesterday, Mac totally unresponsive and burning up even when I managed to force quit parallels . I've started running the prl_disk_tool check 2 hours ago and still not even 1% progress.
 
I've had the same issue on a Mac 10.14 with Parallels Desktop 14.
First Parallels wouldn't start, then Windows wouldn't boot.
For me starting in recovery mode and running Disk First Aid did the trick for Parallels itself.
To get Windows to finally boot I just had to be patient and wait around 1,5 hours until it booted.
All Windows-updates are installed (even when clicking the check for updates-button)
Ever since it's been working.

I hope it stays that way...
 
I had same problem. I spent few hours find issue. Event i can't install new version of windows. Changed PD version also not worked. Finally I found problem. It was because of type c hub (dell d6000), i use it for dual monitor. If anyone has same problem disconnect all usb devices and check again.
 
I had a similar problem. Parallels would start but Windows would be stuck at the spinning wheel, which happened for days (I'd leave it running in the background all day but it still wouldn't boot). I have just been able to get Windows to start by going to Actions-->Reset. I ignored the warning message and canceled disk checking (Windows prompted me to press any key if I wanted to cancel disk checking), Windows went on to install a few updates, and my VM booted up okay. It's now running smoothly.
 
I downgraded to PD15 due to my VM getting stuck on boot every 1-2 days, which was affecting my work productivity. Very annoying problem with PD 16, hope this issue is resolved soon. Force Quitting the VM from activity monitor should not be a valid solution since you risk corrupting the VM.
 
I am and have been struggling with this same issue now for two years and have reinstalled windows and parallels countless times including purchasing brand new windows pro licence keys to attempt to resolve. This is now causing me significant problems and lost time and is making it unworkable. A solution or some response to this would be helpful. I have submitted a technical report number 350160723
 
Same problem here. I tried restoring a PVM file from a few months ago and the problem persists. How many technical reports does Parallels need in order to fix the problem (I see 13 pages of comments here dating back to 2019)? I also think that Parallels should extend our licenses for several months as I have been unable to use it for some time.
 
Same problem here as well. Downgrading to PD 15 does not appear to be a valid workaround based on comments in this thread.
 
Disabling the option the "Enable TRIM" under Hardware / Hard Disk / Advanced Settings seems to have helped here.
Fabian,
Wow, thank you for the tip, because your fix just worked for me and I can finally run Windows 10 again under Parallels Desktop for Mac 16. I did spend an hour on the phone waiting for support, and three sessions on chat, but could never get a live response. This support forum was the solution for me. Happy dance.
 
I have a significant issue with trying to open my Windows 10 VM. When I click on the Parallels desktop icon in the dock, I get the usual large window asking me to click to open windows 10, but then all that happens is that I get the "starting' window with the big spinning device, and windows 10 never opens. I don't mean the mac coloured beach ball, I mean the large spinning cog device that comes up in Parallels desktop window (thumbnail).
Then, sometimes I can shut down Parallels desktop but when I try to start it again I get another start window, but nothing happens (thumbnail). Then, I can't quit Parallels desktop without force quitting it. That makes my whole MacBook Pro unstable, including the Mac OS - the whole computer slows down badly and never properly shuts down (I just get the small apple spinning cog - not the beach ball, the small spinning cog device). I then have to hard shut down the Mac. This also seems to cause instability in the Mac OS when I boot up again.
This can only be remedied by booting the MBP in safe mode, and/or running first aid in disk utility, which seems to restore everything OK, until I try to run Parallels again - and the whole sorry saga is repeated.
Windows is unfortunately an essential business tool for me because I need to run Dragon. But my Windows 10/Parallels desktop installation is currently unuseable. Any suggestions/help would be greatly appreciated.
Running OS 10.14.5. Parallels desktop 14.1.3. All Windows updates are installed.

Tom

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Same issue, and my Experimax guys solved it quickly for me. On the Mac side click on the Parallels vertical red bars at the top of screen.
Choose ACTIONS
Choose STOP
When prompted to stop Windows 10, choose STOP.
Then try to restart windows in parallel.
May have to repeat above sequence several times. My tech had to try 3 times before windows would reload. Then several windows updates downloaded. Problem solved til next windows updates that corrupt parallels again but now I have the fix
 
Thanks much, KristenB. I just started having this problem today after successfully booting into Windows once. Question is will I have do these gyrations every time I use Windows?
 
Spent two days(!!!!) without any solution with problem similar to above. After "Checking disks...." several times for up to 2 hours the MacPro freeze and I have to force quit the laptop. How to solve this, cannot come any further since no other process can be started at the same time as Parallells/Win10 tries to start. I am not a technician, just need the Mac to work
 
Thanks much, KristenB. I just started having this problem today after successfully booting into Windows once. Question is will I have do these gyrations every time I use Windows?
After using KristenB's remedy once I have been able to successfully boot into Windows a couple times since then.
 
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