Windows Stuck in Automatic Repair loop? Here’s how to fix it!

Windows Automatic Repair is designed to help when your PC cannot start normally. But sometimes it fails to fix the startup problem and keeps sending the computer back to the same “Preparing Automatic Repair” or “Automatic Repair couldn’t repair your PC” screen. This is known as an Automatic Repair loop. It usually means Windows has detected a startup problem but cannot resolve the underlying cause. It could be damaged system files, corrupted boot configuration data, a problematic driver or update, file-system errors, or even a problem with the storage drive. To address such situations, Windows 11 includes several recovery tools in the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) that can help you repair startup problems while keeping your personal files intact. Let’s take a look at how to fix Windows getting stuck in the Automatic Repair loop and get your PC to start normally.

Why Is Windows Stuck in an Automatic Repair Loop?

Automatic Repair is a Windows recovery feature that triggers when your PC fails to start normally. It checks for common startup problems and tries to fix them automatically. If Automatic Repair fails to resolve the startup problem, Windows may restart and run the repair process again. When the same problem occurs repeatedly, your PC can get stuck in a continuous Automatic Repair loop, repeatedly showing messages such as “Preparing Automatic Repair” or “Diagnosing your PC.”

Several problems can cause Windows to repeatedly enter Automatic Repair, including:

• Corrupted system files: Important Windows files may be damaged, missing, or modified.
• Failed Windows update: An interrupted or incorrectly installed update can prevent Windows from starting properly.
• Corrupted boot configuration: Problems with the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) can stop Windows from finding or loading the operating system.
• Problematic drivers: A recently installed or updated driver may cause Windows to fail during startup.
• File-system errors: Errors on the Windows installation drive can prevent Windows from reading required files correctly.
• Unexpected shutdowns: A power failure or forced shutdown during an update or system operation can sometimes leave Windows in an inconsistent state.
• SSD or hard drive problems: File corruption or a failing storage drive can cause repeated startup failures.

1. Disconnect External Devices and Restart

Sometimes a USB drive, external hard disk, memory card, printer, or another connected device can interfere with the startup process. This is especially worth checking if the Automatic Repair loop started after you connected new hardware.

Shut down the PC completely and disconnect all non-essential external devices. Leave only the keyboard, mouse, display, and power connection attached.

Then turn the computer back on.

If Windows starts normally, reconnect your devices one at a time. This can help identify whether a particular USB device is causing the startup problem.

If Windows still goes back to the Automatic Repair screen, the problem is more likely related to Windows itself rather than a connected device. Move on to the next fix.

2. Uninstall the Latest Windows Update

If the Automatic Repair loop started after a recent Windows update, the update itself could be responsible. A failed update, incompatible driver, or change made during the update process can sometimes prevent Windows from starting correctly.

You can remove the most recently installed update from the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). This will probably help with the automatic repair issue.

From the Automatic Repair screen, select:

Advanced options → Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Uninstall Updates

If your PC keeps restarting into Automatic Repair and you cannot get past the recovery screen, you can access the same recovery tools using a Windows 11 installation USB.

You’ll need a bootable Windows 11 installation USB. Start the PC from the USB drive and, when the Windows Setup screen appears, select:

Repair your computer → Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Uninstall Updates

You may see options to uninstall the latest quality update or latest feature update. Start with the latest quality update, as it is the smaller, more frequent type of Windows update.

After the update is removed, restart your PC and check whether Windows can boot normally.

3. Use System Restore

If the Automatic Repair loop started after installing a driver, application, or system change, System Restore may be able to take Windows back to an earlier working state.

System Restore does not normally remove your personal files, but it can remove recently installed drivers, apps, and system changes made after the selected restore point.

From the recovery options, go to:

Advanced options → System Restore

Choose your user account, enter your password if prompted, and select a restore point created before the Automatic Repair problem started.

If you cannot access Advanced options from the Automatic Repair screen, boot your PC from a Windows installation USB and select:

Repair your computer → Troubleshoot → Advanced options → System Restore

Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the restore. Once finished, restart the PC and check whether Windows can boot normally.

No restore points available? Don’t worry—you can skip this method and move to the next fix.

4. Boot Windows into Safe Mode

Safe Mode starts Windows with only the essential drivers and services. If a recently installed driver, application, or background service is causing the Automatic Repair loop, Windows may start normally in Safe Mode.

From the recovery menu, select:

Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart

After your PC restarts, press 4 or F4 to start Safe Mode. If you need internet access, press 5 or F5 to start Safe Mode with Networking.

If you cannot reach Advanced options because the PC keeps restarting into Automatic Repair, boot from a Windows installation USB and select:

Repair your computer → Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart

Once Windows starts in Safe Mode, remove any recently installed driver or application that may have caused the problem, or undo other recent system changes. Then restart the PC normally.

5. Repair Corrupted System Files with SFC and DISM

Damaged or missing Windows system files can prevent the operating system from starting correctly. System File Checker (SFC) and DISM can scan Windows components and repair corruption that may be causing the Automatic Repair loop.

Because Windows isn’t starting normally, you’ll need to run these tools from the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).

Go to:

Advanced options → Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Command Prompt

If you cannot access this menu, boot from a Windows installation USB and select:

Repair your computer → Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Command Prompt

First, run:

sfc /scannow /offbootdir=C:\ /offwindir=C:\Windows

Wait for the scan to finish. If SFC reports that it could not repair some files, you can try DISM:

DISM /Image:C:\ /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

However, when running these commands from WinRE, Windows may not be mounted as the usual C: drive. If the commands don’t work as expected, first identify the Windows installation drive before running an offline repair.

To identify the correct drive letter.

Run:

diskpart

Then:

list volume

Look for the volume containing your Windows installation. You can leave DiskPart by entering:

exit

Then replace C: in the DISM command with the correct Windows drive letter.

After the repairs finish, close Command Prompt and restart your PC. Check whether Windows can now boot normally.

6. Repair the Windows Boot Configuration

If Windows system files are intact but the boot configuration is damaged, Windows may fail to start and repeatedly return to Automatic Repair. Problems with the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) can occur after failed updates, unexpected shutdowns, or changes to disk partitions.

From WinRE, open:

Advanced options → Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Command Prompt

If you cannot reach Advanced options, boot from a Windows installation USB and select:

Repair your computer → Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Command Prompt

First, try rebuilding the boot configuration with:

bootrec /rebuildbcd

If Windows finds an installation, follow the prompt to add it to the boot list.

You can also run these commands to repair the boot records:

bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot

Restart your PC after the commands complete and check whether Windows starts normally.

Note: If bootrec /fixboot returns “Access is denied,” don’t keep repeating the command. Windows 11 systems using UEFI may require a different approach to rebuild the EFI boot files.

7. Check Your Drive for Errors

If the Windows drive has file system errors or bad sectors, Windows may fail to start and repeatedly enter Automatic Repair. The Check Disk (CHKDSK) tool can scan the drive and attempt to repair these problems.

• Open Command Prompt from Advanced Startup Options.
• Type the command chkdsk /r /f C: and press the Enter key
• Allow the scan to complete. If any errors are found, Windows will attempt to repair them.

When the scan finishes, restart the PC and check whether Windows can start normally. If CHKDSK reports serious drive errors or the problem keeps returning, the storage drive itself may need further testing or replacement.

8. Disable Automatic Repair

Disabling Automatic Repair can stop the loop and allow manual troubleshooting by preventing Windows from repeatedly entering repair mode.

• Open Command Prompt from Advanced Startup Options.
• Type command, bcdedit /set {current} recoveryenabled No and press the enter key
• Close the command prompt, restart your PC and check if Windows boots normally.

9. Reset Windows as a Last Resort

If none of the previous fixes can get Windows out of the Automatic Repair loop, Reset this PC is the final recovery option to consider before performing a clean Windows installation.

From WinRE, go to: Advanced options → Troubleshoot → Reset this PC

Windows will give you two choices:

• Keep my files: Reinstalls Windows while keeping your personal files, but removes installed apps and resets many settings.
• Remove everything: Removes your personal files, apps, and settings and gives you a fresh Windows installation.

If your goal is to repair Windows while preserving your personal data, Keep My Files is the safer choice. However, you should still back up important files whenever possible before resetting Windows.

Follow the on-screen instructions and allow the reset process to finish without interrupting the PC.

What to Do If Windows Is Still Stuck in Automatic Repair

If Windows still returns to Automatic Repair after trying the fixes above, the problem may be related to a failing SSD/HDD, serious Windows corruption, or another hardware issue.

Before reinstalling Windows, check whether your important files are backed up. If the storage drive is showing errors, making unusual noises, disappearing from BIOS/UEFI, or repeatedly failing CHKDSK, consider replacing the drive rather than repeatedly repairing Windows.

If the drive appears healthy, a clean installation of Windows 11 may be the next step. This should be considered a last resort because it can remove your apps, settings, and files depending on how Windows is reinstalled.

How to Prevent an Automatic Repair Loop

You cannot prevent every startup failure, but a few habits can reduce the chances of Windows getting stuck in Automatic Repair again:

• Keep Windows and device drivers updated, but avoid interrupting an update while it is installing.
• Shut down Windows normally instead of repeatedly forcing the PC to power off.
• Keep backups of important files so a serious startup or drive issue doesn’t result in data loss.
• Monitor the health of your SSD or hard drive, especially if you notice slowdowns, file errors, or unexpected crashes.
• Create a System Restore point before making major system changes, such as installing unfamiliar drivers or software.

These steps won’t eliminate startup problems, but they can make recovery easier if Windows fails to boot again.