Stuck in the Windows Automatic Repair loop

When your PC shows "Preparing Automatic Repair" or "Automatic Repair couldn't repair your PC", restarts, and shows it again, use the recovery tools built into Windows 11 and Windows 10, starting with the least risky.

Before you start

Windows starts its recovery environment (called WinRE) by itself when it cannot start properly. In it, Startup Repair looks for problems such as missing or damaged system files, damaged startup records, incompatible drivers and registry errors. When that repair cannot fix the problem, you can land in a loop.

Common triggers are an interrupted update, a power cut during startup, a bad driver or a failing drive. The fixes below do not touch your files until Fix 6.

• Allow 30 minutes or more.
• If your drive is encrypted with BitLocker, recovery options ask for your recovery key. Find it first. It is usually saved to your Microsoft account.
• Keep the charger plugged in on a laptop.

Reach the recovery menu

If you see an Automatic Repair screen with Advanced options, select it. If not, force the menu to appear.

1. Turn the PC on. As soon as Windows begins to load, hold the power button for about 10 seconds until the PC turns off.
2. Repeat this two or three times, until Windows opens its recovery screen.
3. Select Advanced options if it is shown, then select Troubleshoot, then Advanced options again.

You should see a list of choices that includes Startup Repair, Startup Settings, System Restore and Uninstall Updates. If you can reach Windows normally even briefly, you can also use Settings then System then Recovery then Advanced startup then Restart now on Windows 11, or Settings then Update & Security then Recovery then Advanced startup then Restart now on Windows 10.

Try these fixes in order

Fix 1: Remove extras and restart

This takes about 3 minutes.

1. Shut the PC down by holding the power button for about 10 seconds.
2. Unplug USB drives, memory cards, printers and docks. Leave only the power, and the keyboard and mouse if they are needed.
3. Wait a minute, then press the power button.

Fix 2: Run Startup Repair

This takes 10 to 20 minutes and does not remove your files.

1. Open the recovery menu as described above.
2. Select Troubleshoot then Advanced options then Startup Repair.
3. If asked, choose your account and enter its password. If asked for a BitLocker recovery key, enter it.
4. Wait. The PC may restart. If it finishes, Windows starts.

If it fails, Windows says Startup Repair couldn't repair your PC, and Microsoft says it gives a report of what it found. Move to the next fix.

Fix 3: Uninstall the latest update

Use this if the loop began right after Windows updated.

1. In the recovery menu, select Troubleshoot then Advanced options then Uninstall Updates.
2. Choose the option for the latest quality update first. If that does not help, try the feature update option, which takes the PC back to an earlier version of Windows and may not be offered if the update is old. Uninstalling a security update lowers your protection, so install updates again once Windows starts.
3. Choose your account, confirm, and wait. Then select Done and restart.

Uninstalling an update does not delete your files. Windows may offer the update again later. See Windows Update stuck or failing.

Fix 4: Try Safe Mode

1. Select Troubleshoot then Advanced options then Startup Settings then Restart.
2. On the list that appears, press 4 or F4 for Safe Mode. Press 5 or F5 for Safe Mode with Networking.
3. If Windows reaches the desktop, install pending updates, and check Device Manager for a driver you updated recently. See fix driver problems in Device Manager.
4. Restart normally.

In Safe Mode you can copy important files to a USB drive before you try anything stronger.

Fix 5: Use System Restore

This works only if a restore point exists from before the trouble. System Restore changes system files, drivers and settings back, and does not delete your documents.

1. Select Troubleshoot then Advanced options then System Restore.
2. Choose your account and enter its password if asked.
3. Select a restore point dated before the problem began, then follow the prompts.

If no restore points are listed, go to the next fix. See also how to back up your files and make a restore point.

Fix 6: Reset this PC (last resort)

1. Select Troubleshoot then Reset this PC.
2. Choose Keep my files to keep personal files, or Remove everything.
3. Follow the prompts. Choosing a cloud download needs an internet connection.

Even Keep my files removes your apps, so make a list of the programs you will need to install again.

If it still does not work

• A loop that survives a reset can point to a failing drive or other hardware. Use the support page on your PC maker's website for diagnostics for your model.
• Installing Windows again from Microsoft's own media is possible, but it erases the system drive. Back up first. You can create the media on another PC from Microsoft's download page.
• If the screen is black rather than showing repair, see black screen at startup.
• If the PC will not power on at all, see PC won't turn on.

Frequently asked questions