Alex Ruben
How To Resolve the “Preparing Automatic Repair” Loop on Windows 10/11 Blue Screen
If your Windows 10 or 11 machine is stuck in that annoying “Preparing Automatic Repair” loop, it’s kinda frustrating. You turn on your PC, and instead of booting normally, it just keeps trying to fix itself with no luck. This can happen due to corrupted system files, failed Windows updates, or some boot sector issues. Honestly, it feels like Windows is making this way harder than it needs to. But there are some tricks that have a decent shot at getting things back on track—no full reinstall needed (thank god). Depending on the root cause, you might need to try a few different approaches, from simple resets to deeper command-line magic. And, yeah, sometimes it works on the first try, other times you gotta repeat a few steps. So, don’t lose hope just yet.
How to Fix the “Preparing Automatic Repair” Loop in Windows 10/11
Forcibly Shut Down Your Computer
This weird loop happens often because the system fails to boot properly and keeps trying to fix itself. The first thing to do is cut off the power when this happens — sometimes that kick-starts the recovery process or at least lets you access repairs manually.
- Press and hold the power button until your PC turns off.
- Repeat that process two or three times. By the third time, Windows usually kicks you into Advanced Startup Mode.
On some setups, this disrupts the cycle and gives you control—works surprisingly often but not always. Of course, Windows has to make it more confusing than it needs to be.
Access Advanced Startup Options
Once you’re in Advanced Startup, pick your way through to troubleshooting tools:
- Click on Troubleshoot.
- Then go to Advanced options.
If Windows doesn’t automatically show this menu, you might need to boot from a Windows recovery drive or install media. That involves preparing a USB stick with the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft’s site, then booting from it and choosing “Repair your computer.”
Use Startup Repair to Fix Boot Issues
This built-in tool scans your system’s startup files and attempts to fix common issues that cause the loop.
- In the Advanced options menu, select Startup Repair.
- Let it do its thing—sometimes it’s quick, sometimes it’s slow and requires patience.
If it finds problems, it’ll try to repair them automatically. On some machines, this fixes the problem right away; on others, it might not. But it’s usually worth a shot.
Try Command-Line Fixes with Bootrec Commands
If Startup Repair doesn’t do the trick, it’s time for some deeper troubleshooting. Using Command Prompt, you can manually repair the boot records, which is often the culprit in these scenarios.
- In Advanced options, pick Command Prompt.
- Type the following commands one after the other, pressing Enter after each:
bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /scanos
bootrec /rebuildbcdThese commands address specific boot problems—think of them as clearing out the corrupted boot sector or rebuilding the boot configuration data. On some setups, you’ll see errors like “Access denied” for /fixboot. If that happens, do a quick search for that error—sometimes you need to assign permissions or copy boot files manually. Not always straightforward, but often fixes the root cause.
Run System File Checker for Corrupt Files
Corrupted system files are another common reason Windows can’t boot cleanly. The System File Checker (SFC) scans and repairs these files.
- Open Command Prompt if it’s not open already.
- Type
sfc /scannowand hit Enter.
It’ll say what it’s doing—possibly fixing some corrupted DLLs or system files. Be patient because this can take a few minutes. After it completes, restart the PC and see if the loop goes away.
Check System Health with DISM
If SFC didn’t do the whole job, or you still see issues, try using DISM—Deployment Image Servicing and Management. It’s kind of like a deep clean for Windows’ core images.
- In Command Prompt, type this and hit Enter:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealthThis process checks for corrupt system images and attempts to repair them. Sometimes it takes a while, so be patient. Once done, reboot and check if Windows is finally booting normally.
Extra Tips & Troubleshooting Pinch Points
During all this, keep a few things in mind:
- Make sure your device is plugged in—losing power mid-repair can make things worse.
- Give each scan or repair some time; don’t rush or interrupt.
- If commands throw errors, double-check the syntax.
- If you’re comfortable, you might also want to check your disk health with tools like CrystalDiskInfo or run `chkdsk /r` from Command Prompt (if you can get to Windows or even from recovery mode).
Wrap-up
Fixing a “Preparing Automatic Repair” loop isn’t always a one-and-done deal. Sometimes, just running through these commands and tools will do the trick, but other times, more drastic steps—like resetting Windows or even a clean install—are needed. The key is to try the least invasive solutions first before diving into the more complex repairs. Doing all this can definitely be frustrating, but at least some combination of these steps is usually enough to rescue a stubborn system.
Summary
- Force shutdown a few times to trigger Advanced Startup.
- Run Startup Repair from Advanced options.
- Use Command Prompt to execute
bootreccommands for boot sector fixes. - Run
sfc /scannowfor system file integrity. - Try
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealthfor deeper image fixes. - Always keep your power connected and patient during lengthy scans.
Final Words
Stuff like this is annoying, but hopefully, some combination of these techniques will help out. Sometimes, it’s one fix that finally kicks things back into gear, and other times, you might need to try a few. Fingers crossed this helps someone save their weekend.