How to Troubleshoot Windows 10 / 11 Stuck in an Automatic Repair Loop

When your Windows 10 or 11 system gets stuck in an Automatic Repair loop, it can be frustrating and hinder your productivity. This guide will help you understand what Automatic Repair is, why it might fail, and how to resolve the issue effectively.

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What is Automatic Repair in Windows 10 / 11?

Automatic Repair is a built-in troubleshooting tool in Windows 10 and 11 designed to fix common startup issues automatically. When Windows detects a problem preventing it from booting correctly, it launches the Automatic Repair tool to diagnose and repair the issue.

• Automatic Repair activates when Windows fails to start after multiple attempts.
• It checks for corrupt system files, boot configuration errors, and other startup-related issues.
• If the repair is successful, your system will boot normally, but in some cases, the tool may fail, leading to a repair loop.

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What to Do if Windows 10 / 11 Automatic Repair is Not Working

If your system is stuck in an Automatic Repair loop, several troubleshooting steps can help you fix the problem. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Restart Your Computer

• Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve temporary glitches.
• Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds to force a shutdown.
• Turn your computer back on and check if it starts normally.

2. Boot Into Safe Mode

• Safe Mode allows you to start Windows with minimal drivers and services.
• To enter Safe Mode:
  • Restart your PC and press F8 (or Shift + F8) before Windows loads.
  • Select “Troubleshoot” > “Advanced Options” > “Startup Settings.”
  • Choose “Enable Safe Mode” from the list.
• Once in Safe Mode, you can attempt system repairs or uninstall recently installed software causing issues.

3. Run System File Checker (SFC) and DISM

• Use the Command Prompt in the Advanced Startup options to check for corrupt system files:
  1. Access the “Advanced Options” from the Automatic Repair screen.
  2. Select “Command Prompt” and run these commands:
     • sfc /scannow (to scan and repair system files)
     • DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth (to fix Windows image issues)
• Restart after the commands finish to see if the repair loop is resolved.

4. Check Disk for Errors

• Corrupted or bad sectors on your hard drive can prevent Windows from starting properly.
• From the Command Prompt, type:
  • chkdsk /f /r
• Let the tool scan and repair any disk errors. This process may take some time depending on your drive size.

5. Restore the System to a Previous Point

• If you’ve recently installed new software or updates, performing a system restore might fix the issue:
  • From the “Advanced Options” menu, select “System Restore.”
  • Choose a restore point created before the problem started.
• Follow the prompts to restore your system to that earlier point.

6. Reset Windows (With or Without Losing Data)

If none of the previous methods work, you can reset your Windows 10 or 11 system. Windows provides an option to reset your PC while either keeping or removing your personal files. Here’s how to do it:

To reset Windows:

1. Access the “Advanced Options” menu from the Automatic Repair screen.
2. Select “Troubleshoot” > “Reset this PC.”

You will see two options:

• Keep my files: This option resets Windows while keeping your personal files (such as documents, pictures, and videos) intact. It will remove apps and settings, but your personal data remains safe.
• Remove everything: This option wipes everything, including your personal files, apps, and settings, and reinstalls a fresh copy of Windows. Use this option if you’re looking for a complete reset.

Steps to reset:

• After selecting your preferred option, follow the on-screen instructions.
• Once the reset is complete, your PC will restart, and Windows will be reinstalled based on your selection.

Note: Always back up your important data before attempting a reset, even when choosing the “Keep my files” option, as unexpected issues can sometimes cause data loss.

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How to Disable Automatic Repair in Windows 10 / 11

If Automatic Repair is repeatedly failing and preventing your computer from booting, disabling the feature might be necessary to regain control over your system.

Before we proceed, read the following carefully:

Why Disable the Windows Automatic Repair?

Disabling Automatic Repair can help you:

• Avoid repair loops: If Automatic Repair constantly fails to fix the issue, it may prevent your system from booting. Disabling it allows you to address the root cause manually.
• Gain control for manual troubleshooting: You can use Safe Mode or other diagnostic tools without the interruption of Automatic Repair.
• Access the error codes or the stop errors: This is one of the best methods to show the error codes and find exactly what causes the system to fail when startup.
• Preserve system performance: In some cases, Automatic Repair may mistakenly identify a problem, leading to unnecessary repairs or slow startup.

Note: Automatic Repair is a useful feature, but disabling it should be a temporary solution to regain access to your system. Always aim to fix the underlying issue after disabling Automatic Repair.

Steps to Disable Automatic Repair:

1. Access Advanced Options
   • Restart your computer and interrupt the boot process three times (force shutdown each time) to trigger the “Preparing Automatic Repair” screen.
   • Select “Advanced Options” from the Automatic Repair window.
2. Open Command Prompt
   • In the Advanced Startup menu, navigate to “Troubleshoot” > “Advanced Options” > “Command Prompt.”
3. Execute the Command to Disable Automatic Repair
   • Type the following command to disable Automatic Repair:
     • bcdedit /set {default} recoveryenabled no
   • This will turn off the Automatic Repair feature.
4. Restart Your PC
   • After running the command, reboot your system to see if the issue is resolved.

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How to Enable Automatic Repair in Windows 10 / 11

If you need to re-enable the Automatic Repair in Windows 10 / 11, follow the following steps, but before you proceed, it is important to quickly read the below.

Why Re-enable Automatic Repair?

You might want to re-enable Automatic Repair to:

• Ensure that Windows can automatically diagnose and fix boot-related problems without manual intervention.
• Help address startup issues caused by corrupted system files, disk errors, or problematic boot configurations.

Note: While Automatic Repair is a valuable tool, it’s important to keep in mind that it won’t always be able to fix all issues. If problems persist, additional troubleshooting may be necessary.

Steps to Enable Automatic Repair:

1. Access Advanced Startup Options
   • Start by opening the “Advanced Startup” options, which are typically accessed from the boot process or through the system settings.
   • You can trigger Advanced Startup by:
     • Restarting your computer and interrupting the boot process three times by force shutting down (hold the power button for 10 seconds).
     • Or, in Windows, go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > under Advanced startup, click Restart now.
2. Open Command Prompt
   • Once in the Advanced Startup options:
     • Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.
3. Run the Command to Enable Automatic Repair
   • In the Command Prompt, type the following command to enable Automatic Repair:
     • bcdedit /set {default} recoveryenabled yes
   • Press Enter to execute the command. This will enable the Automatic Repair feature.
4. Restart Your Computer
   • After running the command, close the Command Prompt and restart your PC. Automatic Repair will now be enabled, and it will attempt to diagnose and fix issues if Windows fails to boot properly in the future.

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Conclusion

Getting stuck in an Automatic Repair loop can be frustrating, but with the right approach, you can fix the issue. Start with basic steps like restarting your PC and booting into Safe Mode. If needed, try advanced methods such as running system checks, resetting Windows, or disabling Automatic Repair temporarily.

Remember, while disabling Automatic Repair can provide temporary relief, you should investigate and resolve the underlying cause of the problem to prevent it from recurring.