Fixed: Windows Keeps Booting into Automatic Repair
Don't worry if Windows keeps booting into automatic repair. On this page, you'll learn several methods to fix the Windows Automatic Repair loop issue.
Error: Windows keeps booting into Automatic Repair
Automatic Repair is a mechanism integrated into Windows that automatically resolves boot-related issues when a starting problem arises. When your computer fails to function properly, it may display the "Automatic Repair loop", causing it to repeatedly reboot. As a result, PC boot failure occurs, rendering all programs, services, and files inaccessible.
1. The computer is stuck on a black screen, with the error message "Preparing Automatic Repair" or "Diagnosing your PC".
2. Windows displays "Preparing Automatic Repair" but then goes blank.
3. Automatic Repair is stalled on a blue screen with the message "Your PC did not start correctly" or "Automatic Repair couldn't repair your PC." If you click "Restart", your computer will restart and enter the Automatic Repair loop.
Why Windows 10/11 stuck in preparing Automatic Repair loop?
"Preparing Automatic Repair" loop is a common issue, usually caused by underlying system errors. This loop can occur when the system fails to boot correctly multiple times and tries to repair itself automatically but can't. Here are some common causes:
▍Problems of Windows Registry: Windows Registry stores critical information related to system configuration, drivers, and installed programs. If key registry entries are corrupted or misconfigured, Windows might fail to boot properly
▍Corrupted or Missing System Files: Damaged or missing system files can prevent Windows from booting normally, causing it to loop into automatic repair.
▍Faulty or Corrupted Boot Configuration Data (BCD): If the BCD is corrupted or misconfigured, Windows may fail to load properly.
▍Windows Updates: A problematic or interrupted update may result in the system not booting correctly.
How to fix Windows 10/11 stuck in Automatic Repair
Whatever position you find yourself in, whether it's a blue screen or a black screen of the "Automatic Repair" cycle, the most important thing is to get your data out of the "dead" machine. Here are several solutions for Windows stuck in automatic repair.
Tip: Most of the solutions require WinRE. You can restart your PC and press the F8 key on your keyboard before the Windows logo and spinning icon appear. Or, use installation media to enter boot troubleshooting menu.
Fix 1. Run fixboot and chkdsk
If you can't figure out what's causing a Windows 10 automatic repair loop, you can try using system repair tools to remedy it. The chkdsk command initiates a low-level check for faults on your system drive using the Check Disk software. If it discovers any issues, it will automatically fix them.
Step 1. When Windows boot troubleshooting menu to appear. Select See advanced repair options to begin. From the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.
Step2. In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter: chkdsk c: /r
Step 3. If the chkdsk command fails, you can also try using the Fixboot command. In the same Command Prompt window, enter the following command and press Enter:
- bootrec /fixmbr
- bootrec /fixboot
- bootrec /rebuildbcd
Fix 2. Perform a system scan
Step 1. Enter Windows boot troubleshooting menu as the same in the Fix 1.
Step 2. Select See advanced repair options > Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
Step 3. In the list of various restart options. Choose Enable Safe Mode with Networking by selecting F5 on your keyboard.
Step 4. In Safe Mode, right-click the Start menu and select Windows PowerShell (Admin). In the PowerShell window, type the following command and press Enter:
- DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Step 5. When the DISM tool finishes running, reboot your PC and follow the above steps to open the PowerShell window in Safe Mode again. Then, type the following command and press Enter:
- sfc /scannow
This command will check the integrity of Windows system files and allow us to verify if Windows is fully repaired.
Fix 3. Restore the Windows Registry
The registry files may also be corrupted as a result of malware infections or disk issues. Consequently, in order to restore functionality, it is necessary to navigate to the Windows registry and modify a few values.
Step 1. Open the Windows boot troubleshooting menu. Select See advanced repair options > Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.
Step 2. Type command and press Enter:
- C:\Windows\System32\config\\rregback* C:\Windows\System32\config\
Fix 4. Disable Automatic Repair
If you are confident that your Windows is operational, you may wish to disable the automatic startup repair system. This should enable you to enter Windows without the repair cycle occurring. Nevertheless, this will only function if your Windows system is functioning effectively. It can be employed to ascertain whether Windows is truly at fault.
Step 1. In Windows boot troubleshooting menu, Select See advanced repair options > Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.
Step 2. Type command and press Enter: bcdedit
Step 3. Check the values for identifier and recoveryenabled. The identifier value should be {default} and recoveryenabled should be yes. type this command and press Enter:
- bcdedit /set {current} recoveryenabled no
Fix 5. Use boot repair tool to fix Automatic Repair loop
If the showed methods are failed or you don’t want to use CMD commands because they’re a little hard for you, you can try to create a boot repair USB to stop Automatic Repair loop on your computer.
AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional provides a more user-friendly solution to resolve Windows boot issues. It is a robust disk management tool for Windows 11/10/8/8.1/7 that includes a Boot Repair function. The "Boot Repair" feature will automatically identify and resolve any boot-related issues that may arise, eliminating the necessity for manual intervention. This application enables you to quickly restore your PC by creating a bootable drive if Windows fails to launch normally.
Step 1. Download and install AOMEI Partition Assistant on a working computer and connect an available USB drive to it.
Step 2. Open the software and select the Boot Repair tool below the Recover section.
Step 3. Click the create a bootable disk option to create a bootable USB drive.
Step 4. Plug the created drive into the non-booting computer and change the boot sequence in BIOS to boot the computer from it. Once the computer starts up successfully, it will automatically load the Boot Repair tool and perform a scan of boot problems.
If your computer can boot normally, directly click Next to start the system’s boot entry scan.
Step 5. Once the scan completes, you can see all scan results, including system paths, system versions, and boot status. Select the repairable boot entries you want to repair and click the Repair button.
Step 6. Wait for the repair process to finish, then remove the bootable USB drive and boot your Windows from the original system drive.
Tip: AOMEI Partition Assistant also has "Rebuild MBR" and "Check Partition" functions to help you fix Windows stuck in automatic repair loop.
Fix 6. Disable early launch anti-malware protection
Disabling early launch anti-malware protection is another method for exiting the Windows Automatic Repair cycle.
Step 1. Restart the computer and select "Advanced options" from the blue screen of the Automatic Repair.
Step 2. Select "Startup Settings" from the "Advanced Options" menu under "Troubleshoot."
Step 3. Select "Disable early launch anti-malware protection".
Fix 7. Perform System Restore
If a Windows restore point has been established prior to the Automatic Repair cycle occurrence, it is possible to resolve the issue by performing a system restore. It is important to remember that the system restore process will overwrite the files on the system C drive. Therefore, it is recommended that you first extract your data from the computer.
Step 1. On the Automatic Repair blue screen, choose "Advanced options".
Step 2. Navigate to "Troubleshoot" > "Advanced Options" > "System Restore".
Step 3. Choose a restore point, click "Next" to restore your computer to a healthy state.
Step 4. Wait until the restore process finishes and then restart your computer.
Conclusion
If you are sad that Windows keeps booting into automatic repair, hope you can follow this post to solve Windows 11 stuck in automatic repair loop problem. Try the aforementioned solutions depending on whether you are experiencing a blue screen "Automatic Repair" or a black screen "Preparing Automatic Repair" error.
AOMEI Partition Assistant is a reliable partner if you meet any disk and drive problems. If you are using Windows Server system, you can choose the Server Edition to fix your PC issues.