How to Fix a Computer Stuck in Automatic Repair Loop

Encountering the dreaded “Automatic Repair” screen on your Windows computer can be incredibly frustrating. Instead of booting up normally, your system gets stuck in a loop, endlessly trying to repair itself but failing each time. This issue, often referred to as the automatic repair loop, is a common problem in Windows 10 and 11, and it can leave you locked out of your important files and applications. If you’re facing a computer that says auto repair and seems to be going nowhere, you’re in the right place.

This guide will walk you through the causes of this annoying problem and provide you with step-by-step solutions to get your PC back up and running. You don’t need to be a tech expert to follow these instructions. We’ll break down each method to help you effectively troubleshoot and resolve the automatic repair loop, so you can avoid unnecessary panic and potential data loss.

Understanding the Automatic Repair Loop

The Windows Automatic Repair tool is designed to automatically diagnose and fix boot problems when your system fails to start correctly. Ideally, it should kick in after two unsuccessful boot attempts, identify the issue, and resolve it, allowing your computer to start normally. However, sometimes this self-repair process itself can go wrong. Instead of fixing the problem, it gets stuck in a cycle of diagnosing, attempting repair, failing, and restarting – hence the “automatic repair loop.”

This loop often indicates deeper underlying issues within your system. Common culprits include:

Corrupted System Files: Essential files that Windows needs to boot might be damaged or missing.
Faulty Driver Updates: Recently installed or updated drivers can sometimes conflict with your system and cause boot problems.
Boot Configuration Data (BCD) Errors: The BCD stores boot configuration settings, and corruption here can prevent Windows from starting.
File System Errors: Issues on your hard drive or SSD can lead to boot failures.
Recent Hardware or Software Changes: New installations or changes might be incompatible or cause conflicts.
Malware Infections: In some cases, malicious software can interfere with the boot process.

Recognizing the symptoms is the first step to fixing the issue. You might see messages like “Diagnosing your PC” or “Preparing Automatic Repair” on a black screen for an extended period without progress. Alternatively, you might encounter a blue screen error message stating “Automatic Repair couldn’t repair your PC” or “Your PC did not start correctly.”

Knowing these signs and potential causes helps in choosing the right troubleshooting steps to break free from the automatic repair loop.

Troubleshooting the Automatic Repair Loop: Solutions for Blue Screen

If you’re seeing a blue screen along with the automatic repair message, it often indicates a system-level error that Windows is struggling to resolve. Here are some effective solutions to try:

Undo Changes Using System Restore

System Restore is a built-in Windows feature that can revert your system files and settings back to a previous point in time, known as a restore point. This can be helpful if the automatic repair loop was caused by recent software installations, updates, or driver changes.

On the blue “Automatic Repair” screen, click on “Advanced options”.

A screenshot of the Windows Recovery Environment options, highlighting ‘Advanced options’ for accessing troubleshooting tools.
Navigate to “Troubleshoot” > “Advanced Options” > “System Restore”.
Windows will restart and prompt you to choose an account to continue with System Restore. Select your account and enter your password if required.
In the System Restore window, click “Next”.
Choose a restore point from the list. Ideally, select one created before you started experiencing the automatic repair loop. Windows usually creates restore points automatically during updates or software installations.
Click “Scan for affected programs” to see which programs and drivers will be affected by the restore process. This step is optional but recommended.
Click “Close” and then “Next”.
Review your restore point selection and click “Finish” to start the system restore process.
Wait for System Restore to complete. Your computer will restart after the process is finished.

After restarting, check if your computer boots up normally. If System Restore was successful, it should have rolled back any recent changes causing the automatic repair loop.

Run Built-in System Repair Tools (SFC and CHKDSK)

Windows includes command-line tools like System File Checker (SFC) and CHKDSK that can scan and repair corrupted system files and disk errors, respectively. These tools can be run from the Command Prompt within the Windows Recovery Environment.

Restart your PC. If it automatically goes into the Automatic Repair screen, click “Advanced options”. If not, you may need to interrupt the normal boot process a few times (e.g., by pressing the power button during startup) to force Windows to boot into the recovery environment.
Navigate to “Troubleshoot” > “Advanced options” > “Command Prompt”.
In the Command Prompt window, type chkdsk /r c: and press Enter. This command will check the file system on your C: drive (where Windows is typically installed) for errors and attempt to repair them. The /r parameter also locates bad sectors and recovers readable information.

Command Prompt displaying the CHKDSK command with parameters, used for checking and repairing disk errors in Windows.
CHKDSK may take some time to complete, depending on the size of your drive and the extent of errors. Let it finish the process.
After CHKDSK is done, type sfc /scannow and press Enter. System File Checker will scan for corrupted or missing system files and replace them with correct versions.
Wait for SFC to complete the scan and repair process. It will display a message upon completion, indicating whether any integrity violations were found and fixed.
Type exit and press Enter to close Command Prompt.
Click “Continue” or “Restart” to reboot your computer normally.

After restarting, see if your computer boots into Windows without the automatic repair loop. Running SFC and CHKDSK can resolve many common boot issues caused by file corruption or disk errors.

Troubleshooting the Automatic Repair Loop: Solutions for Black Screen

If you’re facing a black screen with the automatic repair message, it might indicate issues with drivers, malware, or deeper system problems. Here are solutions to try for a black screen scenario:

Safe Mode – Antivirus, Driver Update

Safe Mode starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and services. This can help you bypass any problematic drivers or software that might be causing the automatic repair loop. Once in Safe Mode, you can perform actions like running antivirus scans, uninstalling incompatible software, and updating drivers.

Turn off your PC completely.
Boot from Windows Installation Media (DVD or USB). If you don’t have installation media, you’ll need to create one using another working computer by downloading the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft’s website.
In the Windows Setup window, choose your language preferences and click “Next”.
Click on “Repair your computer” in the bottom left corner.
Navigate to “Troubleshoot” > “Advanced options” > “Startup Settings”.
Click “Restart”. Your computer will reboot to the Startup Settings menu.
Press the number key corresponding to “Enable Safe Mode”, “Enable Safe Mode with Networking” (if you need internet access), or “Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt” depending on your needs. Usually, “Enable Safe Mode with Networking” (Option 5 or F5) is a good choice if you plan to update drivers or run online scans.
Once Windows boots into Safe Mode, perform the following actions:
- Run an Antivirus Scan: Use your installed antivirus software or a reputable online scanner to check for and remove any malware that might be causing the issue.
- Uninstall Problematic Software: If you recently installed any new software before the automatic repair loop started, uninstall it to see if it resolves the problem.
- Update Device Drivers: Outdated or corrupted drivers, especially for graphics cards, can cause boot issues. Open Device Manager, look for any devices with warning icons (yellow exclamation marks), and update their drivers. You can right-click on a device, select “Update driver,” and choose “Search automatically for updated driver software.” You may need to download drivers from the manufacturer’s website if automatic update doesn’t work.

After performing these steps in Safe Mode, restart your computer to see if it boots normally.

Disable Automatic Repair

As a last resort, you can disable the Automatic Repair feature itself. This prevents Windows from attempting automatic repairs during startup, which might bypass the loop and allow you to boot into Windows normally (though it doesn’t fix the underlying issue).

Note: Disabling Automatic Repair is not a permanent solution but a workaround to get your system running so you can troubleshoot further.

Boot from Windows Installation Media as described in the Safe Mode section.
In the Windows Setup window, choose your language preferences and click “Next”.
Click on “Repair your computer”.
Navigate to “Troubleshoot” > “Advanced Options” > “Command Prompt”.
In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:

bcdedit /set {current} recoveryenabled No
Type exit and press Enter to close Command Prompt.
Click “Continue” or “Restart” to reboot your computer normally.

With Automatic Repair disabled, your computer might boot directly into Windows. If it does, you should still investigate and fix the root cause of the original problem to prevent future issues.

Advanced Solutions

If the above solutions don’t resolve the automatic repair loop, you can try these more advanced methods:

Boot Configuration Data (BCD) Repair

Corruption in the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) can prevent Windows from starting correctly. Rebuilding or repairing the BCD can resolve boot issues related to configuration data.

Boot from Windows Installation Media.
Navigate to “Repair your computer” > “Troubleshoot” > “Advanced options” > “Command Prompt”.
In Command Prompt, type the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each:
- bootrec /fixmbr (Repairs the Master Boot Record)
- bootrec /fixboot (Writes a new boot sector)
- bootrec /scanos (Scans for Windows installations)
- bootrec /rebuildbcd (Rebuilds the Boot Configuration Data)
Wait for each command to complete before proceeding to the next. bootrec /rebuildbcd might ask you to add installations to the boot list; type Y for Yes and press Enter if prompted.
After all commands are executed, type exit and press Enter.
Restart your computer.

These Bootrec commands can fix various boot-related problems caused by a corrupted BCD.

Update BIOS/UEFI Firmware

In rare cases, an outdated or corrupted BIOS/UEFI firmware can contribute to boot issues, including the automatic repair loop. Updating your motherboard’s firmware might resolve compatibility problems.

Caution: BIOS/UEFI updates are risky. Incorrect updates can brick your motherboard. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.

Identify Your BIOS/UEFI Version: Restart your computer and enter BIOS/UEFI settings. The method to enter BIOS/UEFI varies by manufacturer but often involves pressing keys like Del, F2, F10, F12, or Esc during startup. Look for the BIOS version information in the BIOS/UEFI setup.
Check Manufacturer’s Website: Visit your motherboard manufacturer’s website (e.g., ASUS, Gigabyte, MSI, etc.) and find the support or download section for your motherboard model.
Download Latest Firmware: Look for the latest BIOS or UEFI firmware version available for your motherboard. Download the firmware file.
Follow Update Instructions: Carefully read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for updating the BIOS/UEFI. The update process usually involves using a USB drive formatted in FAT32 and using a BIOS update utility within the BIOS/UEFI settings.
Update BIOS/UEFI: Use the provided utility to flash the new firmware. Do not interrupt the process.
Restart your computer after the update is complete.

Updating BIOS/UEFI should be considered as a last resort and performed with caution.

Perform a Clean Boot

A clean boot starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. This helps isolate whether background applications or services are interfering with the system and causing the automatic repair loop.

Press Win + R, type msconfig, and press Enter to open System Configuration.
In the “General” tab, select “Selective startup” and uncheck “Load startup items”.
Go to the “Services” tab, check “Hide all Microsoft services”, and then click “Disable all”.
Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), go to the “Startup” tab, and disable all startup items.
Click “Apply” in System Configuration and then “OK”.
Restart your computer.

If your computer boots successfully after a clean boot, it indicates that a background service or startup program was causing the issue. You can then gradually re-enable services and startup items one by one to identify the culprit.

Preventing Future Automatic Repair Loops

While troubleshooting is essential, preventing future automatic repair loops is even better. Here are some proactive measures:

Regularly Update Windows: Keep your Windows operating system up to date with the latest patches and updates. These updates often include bug fixes and improvements that enhance system stability.
Keep Drivers Updated: Ensure your device drivers, especially for graphics cards and other hardware components, are up to date. Obtain drivers from the manufacturer’s website or use Device Manager.
Install a Reputable Antivirus: Use a reliable antivirus program and keep it updated to protect your system from malware infections that can cause boot problems.
Avoid Unstable Software: Be cautious when installing software from untrusted sources. Stick to reputable applications to minimize the risk of introducing system instability.
Regularly Check Disk Health: Use tools like CHKDSK periodically to check for and repair file system errors on your hard drive or SSD.
Create System Restore Points: Manually create system restore points before making significant system changes, installing new software, or updating drivers. This gives you a rollback option in case something goes wrong.

By following these preventive measures, you can significantly reduce the chances of encountering the automatic repair loop and maintain a stable and healthy Windows system.

While the “Automatic Repair” loop can be a daunting issue, understanding its causes and applying these troubleshooting steps can help you effectively resolve it. Remember to proceed methodically, starting with the simpler solutions and moving to more advanced ones if needed. With patience and the right approach, you can get your computer back to its normal working state and avoid future occurrences of this frustrating problem.