How To Fix Preparing Automatic Repair Loop in Windows 11

Seeing the message “Preparing Automatic Repair” every time you start your PC can be alarming. Instead of booting normally, Windows 11 may enter a continuous repair loop, restart repeatedly, or display a blank or blue screen. This issue prevents access to the desktop and can make your system unusable.

The Automatic Repair loop usually occurs due to corrupted system files, failed Windows updates, disk errors, damaged boot configuration data (BCD), or hardware-related problems. While it may appear serious, the issue can often be resolved using built-in recovery tools available in Windows 11.

If your PC is stuck in the Preparing Automatic Repair loop, follow the detailed solutions below carefully.

How To Fix Preparing Automatic Repair Loop in Windows 11

Most of these steps require accessing the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).

If your PC does not enter recovery automatically:

1. Turn on your PC.
2. As soon as Windows begins loading, hold the power button to force shutdown.
3. Repeat this process 2–3 times.
4. Windows should display Preparing Automatic Repair and enter recovery mode.

Once in recovery, follow the methods below.

1. Run Startup Repair

Startup Repair automatically detects and fixes common boot issues.

1. In the recovery screen, click Advanced options.
2. Select Troubleshoot.
3. Click Advanced options again.
4. Choose Startup Repair.
5. Select your Windows account.
6. Enter your password if prompted.
7. Wait for Windows to diagnose and repair issues.

After completion, restart your PC and check if Windows boots normally.

2. Boot into Safe Mode

Safe Mode loads Windows with minimal drivers and services.

1. From Advanced options, click Troubleshoot.
2. Select Advanced options.
3. Click Startup Settings.
4. Press Restart.
5. Press 4 to enable Safe Mode.

If Windows starts in Safe Mode:

• Uninstall recently installed updates.
• Remove newly installed drivers.
• Uninstall third-party software.
• Restart normally to test.

If Safe Mode works, a recent change likely triggered the repair loop.

3. Run System File Checker (SFC) in Recovery

Corrupted system files can cause repeated boot failures.

1. From Advanced options, select Command Prompt.
2. Enter the following command:sfc /scannow /offbootdir=C:\ /offwindir=C:\Windows
3. Press Enter.
4. Wait for the scan to complete.
5. Restart your PC.

This checks and repairs corrupted system files offline.

4. Run CHKDSK to Check Disk Errors

Disk corruption can prevent Windows from booting properly.

1. Open Command Prompt from recovery.
2. Type:chkdsk C: /f /r
3. Press Enter.
4. Wait for the scan to complete (this may take time).
5. Restart your PC.

If bad sectors or disk errors are detected, CHKDSK will attempt to repair them.

5. Rebuild Boot Configuration Data (BCD)

If the boot configuration is corrupted, Windows may enter a repair loop.

1. Open Command Prompt in recovery.
2. Enter the following commands one by one:bootrec /fixmbr bootrec /fixboot bootrec /scanos bootrec /rebuildbcd
3. Press Enter after each command.
4. Restart your PC.

Rebuilding BCD restores proper boot configuration.

6. Disable Automatic Repair

Sometimes disabling automatic repair allows Windows to boot.

1. Open Command Prompt in recovery.
2. Type:bcdedit /set {default} recoveryenabled no
3. Press Enter.
4. Restart your PC.

If Windows boots, you can further diagnose underlying issues.

7. Uninstall Recent Updates

Failed updates frequently cause repair loops.

1. From Advanced options, select Uninstall Updates.
2. Choose Uninstall latest quality update.
3. If that does not work, try Uninstall latest feature update.
4. Restart your PC.

If a recent update caused the issue, this should restore stability.

8. Perform System Restore

If you have restore points enabled, you can revert to a previous working state.

1. Click Advanced options.
2. Select System Restore.
3. Choose a restore point created before the issue started.
4. Follow the prompts.
5. Restart your PC.

This restores system files and settings without affecting personal data.

9. Reset Windows 11 (Keep Files)

If none of the above methods work, resetting Windows may be necessary.

1. From the recovery screen, select Troubleshoot.
2. Click Reset this PC.
3. Choose Keep my files.
4. Follow on-screen instructions.

This reinstalls Windows while preserving personal files but removes installed apps.

Conclusion

The Preparing Automatic Repair loop in Windows 11 is typically caused by corrupted system files, boot configuration errors, failed updates, or disk problems. In most cases, running Startup Repair, performing SFC and CHKDSK scans, or rebuilding the boot configuration resolves the issue.

By carefully following the step-by-step solutions above, you should be able to break the repair loop and restore normal boot functionality. If the problem persists even after resetting Windows, it may indicate deeper hardware issues such as a failing hard drive that requires further diagnosis.