Fix: Can’t Get Past Auto Repair Windows 8.1

Are you stuck in the dreaded “Automatic Repair” loop on your Windows 8.1 system? This frustrating issue can prevent your computer from booting properly, leaving you unable to access your files and applications. Many users encounter this problem, often referred to as the “Automatic Repair Loop,” and thankfully, there are several methods you can try to resolve it. If you’ve already created a recovery USB drive, here are some proven steps that have helped others overcome this Windows 8.1 startup problem.

Method 1: Booting into Safe Mode via Startup Settings

This first approach attempts to bypass the automatic repair cycle by accessing Safe Mode, a diagnostic mode that starts Windows with minimal drivers and services.

1. Boot from your USB drive: Insert your recovery USB drive and start your computer. Ensure your BIOS/UEFI settings are configured to boot from USB.
2. Select “Advanced repair options”: From the initial boot menu, choose the option that leads to advanced repair or troubleshooting tools.
3. Select “Troubleshoot”: Navigate through the options and select “Troubleshoot” to access further recovery features.
4. Select “Advanced Options”: Within the “Troubleshoot” menu, find and select “Advanced Options” for more specialized tools.
5. Select “Startup Settings”: Look for “Startup Settings” in the “Advanced Options” menu. This will allow you to change Windows startup behavior.
6. Select “Restart”: Click or select “Restart” to initiate a system reboot, which will lead to the Startup Settings menu.
7. Enter Safe Mode: As your computer restarts, you’ll see the “Startup Settings” menu. Press the 4 key to select “Enable Safe Mode”. This will boot Windows in Safe Mode.
8. Restart Normally: Once in Safe Mode, log in to your account. Then, simply restart your computer again. In many cases, booting into Safe Mode and then restarting resolves the Automatic Repair Loop, and your system should now boot normally.

Method 2: Using Command Prompt to Disable Automatic Repair

If Safe Mode doesn’t resolve the issue, you can use the Command Prompt to disable the automatic repair function temporarily. This can sometimes break the loop and allow Windows to boot.

1. Boot from your USB drive: Again, boot your computer using your recovery USB drive.
2. Access “Repair Your Computer”: When the Windows installation screen appears, look for a “Repair Your Computer” link, usually located at the bottom left corner of the screen, and click on it.
3. Navigate to Command Prompt: Go to “Choose an option” screen, select “Troubleshoot”, then “Advanced Options”, and finally choose “Command Prompt”. This will open a command-line interface.
4. Run bcdedit command: In the Command Prompt window, type bcdedit (without quotes) and press Enter. This command displays the Boot Configuration Data.
5. Identify and Copy resumeobject Identifier: A list will appear. Locate “resumeobject” under the “default” section. Highlight and copy the long alphanumeric identifier string enclosed in curly brackets {} that follows “resumeobject”.
6. Disable Recovery with bcdedit /set command: Type the following command, replacing (the long number you copied) with the identifier you copied in the previous step: bcdedit /set {the long number you copied} recoveryenabled No (without quotes). Press Enter.
7. Successful Operation Message: You should see the message “The operation completed successfully” confirming the command was executed.
8. Exit Command Prompt: Type Exit (without quotes) and press Enter to close the Command Prompt.
9. Reboot Your System: Restart your computer. With automatic repair disabled, your system may now boot into Windows.

Method 3: Check Disk for SSD Issues

If the previous methods fail, there might be an issue with your Solid State Drive (SSD). You can use the chkdsk command to check for and repair file system errors.

1. Open Command Prompt again: Follow steps 1-3 from Method 2 to access the Command Prompt via your USB recovery drive.
2. Run chkdsk /r C: command: In the Command Prompt, type chkdsk /r C: (without quotes) and press Enter. This command will initiate a thorough disk check and attempt to repair any errors on your C: drive (where Windows is typically installed).
3. Wait for Scan to Complete: The disk scan may take a considerable amount of time, potentially several hours, depending on the size and condition of your SSD. Allow the process to complete without interruption.
4. Exit and Reboot: Once the scan is finished, type exit (without quotes) and press Enter. Then, reboot your computer.

By trying these methods, you should be able to troubleshoot and potentially fix the “can’t get past auto repair win 8.1” issue and get your Windows 8.1 system booting normally again. Remember to back up your important data regularly to prevent data loss in case of future system problems.