If every time you turn on your computer you are met with the "Preparing Automatic Repair" or "Your PC did not start correctly" screen and never reach the desktop, your system has entered a boot-repair loop. This frustrating situation usually has a handful of fixable causes. Here is the step-by-step way out.
The Most Common Causes of the Loop
Automatic Repair kicks in when Windows detects a problem at startup, but when it cannot fix that problem it gets stuck in a loop. The most common causes are: a corrupt boot configuration (BCD), damaged system files, a faulty driver or update, file system errors, and—rarely—a failing disk.
Fix 1: Repair the Boot Files
From the repair screen, open Advanced options > Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt. Repair the boot configuration and the file system:
bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /rebuildbcd
chkdsk C: /f /r
When the operations finish, type exit and restart the computer. Most loops caused by a corrupt boot are resolved here.
Fix 2: Scan the System Files
Again from the Command Prompt, scan the system files in the recovery environment using the correct drive letter. First identify the drive where Windows is installed (usually C or D), then run:
sfc /scannow /offbootdir=C:\ /offwindir=C:\Windows
If the drive letter is different, change the C: in the command accordingly. You can find the correct letter with diskpart > list volume.
Fix 3: Remove the Latest Update or Driver
If the loop started after an update, try Advanced options > Uninstall Updates > Uninstall latest quality update. You can also enter Safe Mode from Startup Settings and roll back a problematic driver in Device Manager.
Fix 4: Use System Restore
If a system restore point was created earlier, use Advanced options > System Restore to roll back to a date before the problem started. This returns your system settings to a working state without touching your files.
Fix 5: Temporarily Disable Automatic Repair
To break out of the loop, reach the desktop and fix the actual problem, you can temporarily turn off automatic repair. In the Command Prompt:
bcdedit /set {default} recoveryenabled No
This breaks the loop and lets Windows attempt a normal startup. After fixing the problem, re-enable it by running the same command with Yes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Will the automatic repair loop delete my data?
No, none of these steps delete your files. Still, if the cause of the loop is a disk failure, it is recommended to back up your data at the first opportunity.
bootrec /fixboot says "Access is denied", what should I do?
On UEFI systems you need to mount the EFI partition first and then run bootrec again. Alternatively, you can rebuild the boot files with the bcdboot command.
If nothing works, what is the last resort?
Back up your data by connecting the disk to another computer, then perform a "Reset this PC" or a clean install. If the disk tests are bad, replace the disk.
Conclusion
The Automatic Repair loop is mostly caused by corrupt boot files or a faulty update. Repairing the boot with bootrec and chkdsk, removing the latest update, and using System Restore resolve the vast majority of cases. If these steps are exhausted, a clean install is the definitive solution.