Fix Preparing Automatic Repair Error in Windows: 10 Quick Solutions

“Preparing Automatic Repair” error occurs when users turn on their computers and attempt to start up Windows. The error may occur after a power loss or power failure. Sometimes it’s dismissed as a result of a power outage. The issue can also occur following a failed Windows Update.

If a Windows Update fails, the startup repair tries to fix boot settings and reverse the changes to your Windows, but if it fails, it remains on the “Preparing Automatic Repair” Screen.

This error occurs when Windows fails to boot, and then Startup Repair attempts to fix the problem. This can result in an error loop that renders your Windows unusable since it will not start.

What causes the “Preparing automatic repair” loop on Windows?

Understanding the root cause is key to fixing the issue. Here are the most common reasons for preparing automatic repair errors:

• Corrupted or missing system files
• Failed Windows updates
• Damaged Boot Configuration Data (BCD)
• Hard drive errors or bad sectors
• Malware or virus infections
• Sudden power outages or improper shutdowns

Basic Troubleshooting

Before making any changes or attempting to fix the issue, be patient and wait for at least two hours to ensure the repair process is functioning properly.

If the windows are stuck on preparing an automatic repair error, try power-cycling your computer. Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds after the computer is completely shut down, and remove the power supply from the socket. After 20 seconds before plugging back in the power cord and restarting your computer.

Also read: Windows 11 22H2 Update: What’s the Catch?

How to Fix Windows Preparing Automatic Repair Loop

1. Perform a System Restore

If your Windows is stuck in Preparing Automatic Restore, it indicates that it’s trying to repair corrupted Windows Settings/Files, and it’s failing to do so. Therefore, we could attempt to carry out a manual system restore. This method, however, only works if you’ve made a restore point before your Windows was running smoothly. It’s worth testing for the System Restore GUI.

2. Boot into Safe Mode

This issue may be caused by damaged Windows software or a driver. To resolve this issue first, you must boot into safe mode to remove Windows software and driver updates, to see whether they are the cause.

Safe Mode is a feature that allows users to boot without needless peripherals, services, or GPU drivers. If you can boot successfully into safe mode, a single thing is certain: there isn’t a hardware problem. You may need to uninstall the updates and driver to correct this problem.

• To begin booting into safe mode, wait for the ” Preparing Automatic Repair” to fail
• Then, click Advanced Options > Troubleshoot > Startup Settings
• Click Restart from the bottom right corner of the screen
• After your computer restarts, click the 5 or F5 to open Safe Mode.

Uninstall Windows Updates

When safe mode is opened, click on the Start Menu and type Control Panel to open it.

• Click Uninstall A Program
• Click to view the installed updates in the pane to your left.
• Right-click the Windows Update you have installed recently, and click Uninstall
• Click Yes when confirmation notifications pop up.

After uninstalling the updates, reboot your computer. If the Windows startup repair stuck problem is fixed.

3. Reset Your Computer

If the issue isn’t solved, a simpler alternative is to restart your system. Resetting your computer will remove all drivers and software and reset computer settings. Thus, resetting the computer can be a viable solution if you encounter issues because of corrupted files or drivers.

If you have received an “Automatic Repair couldn’t repair your PC” error, you can restart your PC. If not, wait until the repair process fails.

• Click Advanced Options. Then, select Troubleshoot> Reset This PC > Keep My Files
• Select the account you wish to reset.
• Once you have authenticated the user, click the Reset button to reset your Windows

NOTE: This will take some time, so do not turn off your PC.

After that, the problem should be solved.

Also read: 6 Easy Ways to Fix BIOS ID Check Error During a BIOS Update

4. Check Your Hardware

The issue may not be software-related but rather hardware in your computer. You must determine whether your hard SSD or drive is operating properly, since this problem occurs when Windows cannot start from the disk.

5. Perform a Startup Repair (if appropriate)

Since the automatic Windows repair isn’t functioning properly, we will use the manual startup repair option in Advanced Boot Settings to try to fix the problem. If Startup Repair fixes the Preparing automatic repair issue, then you will not see”Preparing Automatic Repair. But, this option is only available to users who can access the blue ” Automatic Repair couldn’t repair your PC” screen. The screen should look something like this:

If you’re on this screen, you need to follow these steps:

• Select”Advanced Options.
• Click the “Troubleshoot” button and then select “advanced options.”
• Click on the “Startup Repair” button, and Windows will detect and fix your PC on its own.
• Once the diagnosis process is completed, you should check whether the issue is still there.

6. The Command Prompt Fixes You Perform (if appropriate)

If Startup Repair doesn’t fix your problem, you’ll need to repair the registry file manually to restore the settings to their default settings. This should be done using the exact Advanced Options settings we mentioned earlier.

• Select”Advanced Options..
• Click the “Troubleshoot” button and then select “advanced options”.
• Click the “Command Prompt” option, and enter the drive letter for the main drive.

NOTE: In most cases, the letter is “C:.”

• Now type the following commands one by one:
• cd \windows\system32\config
  md backup
  copy *.* backup
  cd regback
  copy *.* ..
• When prompted to overwrite files, type A and press Enter to confirm
• Close Command Prompt
• Click Continue to restart your PC

7. Disable Automatic Repair Loop

You can disable your Automatic Startup Repair feature if you believe that the Windows 11 installation is in good condition. This will allow users to boot into Windows without having to go through the repair process and then get stuck.

• In the WinRE interface, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.
• Enter the following command, then hit enter:

BCDEDIT /set current recoveryenabled no

• Restart your system after running the command.

Also read: Windows Script Host Error: Proven Fixes for Windows 10 or 11

8. Repairing Corrupted Data

In some instances, Preparing automatic repair error could be caused by data corruption in disk. This is why it is suggested to remove the SATA cable that connects the disk to your PC and remove the hard disk. Then connect it to a different computer and try booting up. During start-up, it could offer you the option to repair the HDD. If it does, choose this option and then check whether the issue is still there. Additionally, choose the standard boot drive for this new system and attempt to run SFC and health scans. SFC and health scan using the HDD.

9. Enable the XD-bit (No-Execute Memory Protect) in your BIOS.

It appears that until the XD-bit (better know No-execute memory protection) is turned on in all BIOS settings, the Windows 10 user remains prone to suffering the “Preparing automatic repair” screen loop. The XD-bit feature is turned off by default, and here are the 2 steps you have to take to activate it:

10. Reinstall Windows (Last Option)

If none of the options mentioned above have worked for you, there’s an excellent chance the issue is specific to your particular version or version of Windows 10. If this is the case, installing Windows 10 should resolve the issue.

Final Thoughts

Preparing automatic repair error will not be long-lasting on your computer, and the repair loop could last for several hours. If you’re struggling to prepare the repair automatically, hopefully this article can help you resolve the issue effectively.

FAQs: Preparing Automatic Repair Error