Fix Windows 10 Preparing Automatic Repair Loop (Easy Guide)

If you use Windows 10, you may have seen the message “Preparing Automatic Repair” when starting your computer. Usually, this is normal—Windows is just trying to fix issues by itself.

But sometimes, your PC gets stuck in this loop and never boots properly. This is called the Windows 10 Preparing Automatic Repair loop. Don’t worry—you can fix it by following some simple methods.

In this guide, we’ll explain why this happens and how to fix it step by step.

Table of Contents

What Is the Windows 10 Preparing Automatic Repair Loop?

When Windows finds problems during startup, it automatically runs a built-in tool called Automatic Repair. This tool checks and tries to repair boot errors. However, if Windows cannot solve the issue, your computer may restart and show the same message again, creating an endless loop.

Why Does My PC Get Stuck in Automatic Repair?

The Windows 10 automatic repair loop can happen for different reasons, such as:

Corrupted or missing system files
Damaged boot configuration (MBR or BCD)
Failed Windows updates
Faulty drivers or software conflicts
Hardware problems (hard drive or RAM issues)

How to Fix Windows 10 Preparing Automatic Repair Loop

Method 1 – Restart Your PC in Safe Mode

Shut down your PC completely.
Turn it on and when you see the Windows logo, press and hold the power button to force shutdown.
Repeat this process 2–3 times until Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) appears.
Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart.
After restart, press 4 or F4 to enter Safe Mode.

If your PC starts in Safe Mode, you can uninstall any faulty drivers or remove recent updates.

Method 2 – Use Windows Startup Repair Tool

Windows has a built-in Startup Repair tool.

Enter WinRE as explained above.
Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Repair.
Let Windows scan and try to fix startup problems automatically.

Method 3 – Run System File Checker (SFC) and DISM

Corrupted system files are a common reason for the loop.

In WinRE, open Command Prompt.
Type this command and press Enter:

sfc /scannow

This scans and repairs corrupted files.

If that doesn’t work, run this command:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

This repairs deeper issues in the Windows image.

Method 4 – Rebuild Boot Files with Bootrec

If boot files are damaged, you can fix them with Bootrec commands.

Open Command Prompt in WinRE.
Type these commands one by one and press Enter after each:
bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /scanos
bootrec /rebuildbcd
Restart your PC and check if it boots normally.

Method 5 – Disable Automatic Repair Temporarily

Disabling automatic repair won’t fix the main issue, but it can help you log in and back up files.

In Command Prompt, type:

bcdedit /set {default} recoveryenabled No

2. Restart your PC.

Method 6 – Reset Windows 10

If nothing else works, you may need to reset Windows.

Go to Troubleshoot > Reset this PC.
Choose:
- Keep my files (removes apps and settings but keeps personal files)
- Remove everything (full reset).

This will reinstall Windows and remove the loop error.

When to Suspect a Hardware Problem

If your PC still shows the Windows 10 preparing automatic repair loop even after resetting:

Your hard drive may have bad sectors. Run a disk check using chkdsk /f /r.
Your RAM could be faulty. Test it using Windows Memory Diagnostic.

If you find errors, you may need to replace the hardware.

Final Thoughts

The Windows 10 automatic repair loop can be frustrating, but most of the time it can be fixed with Safe Mode, Startup Repair, or system commands like SFC and Bootrec.

If none of the methods work, try resetting Windows or checking your hardware. With patience and the right steps, you should be able to get your computer running again.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What does “Preparing Automatic Repair” mean in Windows 10?

It means Windows has detected a startup problem and is trying to fix it automatically. Normally, it should repair the issue, but sometimes it gets stuck in a loop.

2. How do I fix the Windows 10 Preparing Automatic Repair loop?

You can fix it by:

Booting into Safe Mode
Using the Startup Repair tool
Running SFC and DISM commands
Rebuilding boot files with Bootrec
Resetting Windows if nothing else works

3. Does disabling Automatic Repair fix the loop permanently?

No. Disabling automatic repair only stops Windows from running repair at startup. It helps you access your files, but it does not solve the main problem.

4. Can a bad hard drive cause the automatic repair loop?

Yes. If your hard drive has bad sectors or is failing, Windows may get stuck in the loop. Running a disk check (chkdsk /f /r) can help detect and fix some errors.

5. Will I lose my files if I reset Windows 10? If you choose Keep my files, your personal data stays safe, but apps and settings will be removed. If you choose Remove everything, all files and programs will be deleted.