One of the more well-known issues to the average Windows 10 user is the automatic repair loop. It’s a system constructed to troubleshoot problems within the operating system (OS). Despite being created to fix issues, though, the automatic repair loop itself often faces issues. As a Windows 10 user, it's particularly useful to know how to fix an automatic repair loop in Windows 10 so that you can access systems without recourse to the IT department.
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Built to diagnose a variety of common problems that may stop the system from booting, the automatic repair system-recovery tool is designed to make a user’s life easier. It’s often started by default after a consecutive set of two failed attempts to boot.
The system can, however, fall victim to an endless loop of reboots while performing such troubleshooting tests. When this happens, users are greeted frequently by a black screen or a blue screen of death. At the same time, users are prevented from accessing the system.
What causes a Windows automatic repair loop?
A variety of causes can create a situation in which the automatic repair loop takes hold of a system. Corrupted or missing system files, for example, could cause the problem. Corruption in Windows Boot Manager files can also be problematic, as well as issues with Windows Registry or hard drives that are not compatible. Sometimes, the problem can even be a broken Windows update.
Knowing the signs of a failed Windows automatic repair utility is key. Here’s what to look out for:
- A black screen displaying an error message is on your device. It reads “Diagnosing your PC” or “Preparing automatic repair”
- There is a “Preparing automatic repair” message displayed on a black screen, though no progress is being made
- A message reading “Automatic repair couldn’t repair your PC” or “Your PC did not start correctly” is displayed on a blue screen
How to fix a Windows automatic repair loop
There are many ways of solving the automatic repair loop issue, and it will largely depend on how the issue manifests itself. It could be either a:
- An unresponsive system and a black screen
- An error code and a blue screen
To help you, we’ve put together some solutions on how to bypass the Windows automatic repair loop error quickly and efficiently in each scenario.
Blue screen – Undo changes using System Restore
System Restore rolls your OS back to its previous state by overwriting files on your PC’s local drive and restoring your system to a time when everything was working.
- Click on "Advanced options” in the automatic repair blue screen
- Navigate to “Troubleshoot” > “Advanced Options” > “System Restore”
- Choose the restore point created right before the blue screen appeared (Windows 10 creates a system restore point each time it installs an update, driver, or app)
- Click "Next"
- Wait until the restore process finishes, then restart your computer.
Blue screen – Run built-in system repair tools
Windows offers built-in System File Checker and CHKDSK (check disk) utility tools to check and repair missing or corrupted system files. Access these helpful tools using the steps given below:
- Restart your PC and press the “F8” key (this will trigger the Windows troubleshooting menu)
- Select “See advanced repair options”
- In the “Choose an option” menu, click “Troubleshoot”
- Under the “Troubleshoot” menu, select the “Advanced options” option
- Select “Command Prompt” in the “Advanced options”
- In the command prompt window, type “chkdsk /r c:” and hit Enter. This command will check your drive for errors using the CHKDSK utility and automatically repair them if possible
- Type “sfc /scannow” and hit Enter. This will check the integrity of Windows system files using the System File Checker tool
- Type “Exit” to close the Command prompt
- Finally, restart your computer.
Black screen – Run antivirus scans and update drivers
In Safe Mode, you can uninstall device drivers, roll back Windows 10 updates, remove viruses, and more. Here’s how to launch your system in Safe Mode:
- Turn off your PC
- Download and install Windows Installation Media
- Restart your PC
- Upon rebooting, press “F2,” “F11,” or “Delete” to enter BIOS
- Boot using “Windows Installation Media”
- Under the Windows Setup window, choose "Next"
- Navigate to "Repair your computer" > "Troubleshoot" > "Advanced options" > "Startup Settings”
- Choose the Safe Mode (Enable Safe Mode, Enable Safe Mode with Networking, and Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt) that meets your needs
- Once you enter your desired Safe Mode, run antivirus software to scan and remove viruses. Delete problematic files by uninstalling incompatible software or drivers and update your device driver.
Black screen – Disable automatic repair loop
When all else fails, you can disable the automatic repair tool to see if the system will boot without it. To do so, use the following steps:
- Insert a Windows installation disc/media into your PC
- Select your language preferences, and click “Next”
- Click on “Repair your computer”
- Click on “Troubleshoot”
- Click on “Advanced Options”
- Click on “Command Prompt”
- In the command prompt window, type “bcdedit /set {current} recoveryenabled No” and hit “Enter” (this command deletes problematic system files)
- Type “exit” and press Enter
Other Windows errors and repair solutions
As any Windows user will know, it’s easy to run into problems when using the operating system. It can often be quite difficult to know how to remedy such issues, especially when there can be many different causes.
The blue screen of death, for example, can be linked to a number of errors. A lack of sufficient space in the system disk, faulty device drivers, or corrupted hard disks can all cause this error to occur.
The process of fixing this error can involve checking that Windows updates and drivers are installed, as well as removing any recently installed updates or drivers and removing certain peripherals.
Other general Windows errors can include not being able to update between operating systems, as well as limited storage errors following upgrades and unnecessary notifications in Windows 10.
