When Windows 10 says Startup Repair couldn’t repair your PC or gets stuck in an automatic repair loop, click Advanced options and work through the recovery tools in order: Uninstall Updates, System Restore, then Command Prompt to check the disk and rebuild the boot files with chkdsk and bootrec. If none of that works, Reset this PC reinstalls Windows and can keep your personal files. Back up your data first if you can reach it.
Step 1: Open Advanced options
- On the Automatic Repair screen, click Advanced options.
- Click Troubleshoot > Advanced options.
If you can’t get to this screen, turn the PC on and hold the power button to force it off as soon as the Windows logo appears. Do this three times, and Windows opens recovery on the next start. You can also boot from a Windows USB drive and choose Repair your computer.
Step 2: Uninstall a recent update
If the problem started after an update, choose Uninstall Updates and try Uninstall latest quality update first, then Uninstall latest feature update.
Step 3: Use System Restore
Choose System Restore, pick a restore point from before the problem started, and follow the prompts. Your personal files aren’t affected, but apps and drivers installed after that point are removed.
Step 4: Repair the disk and boot files
- Choose Command Prompt.
- Find your Windows drive letter, which may not be C: in recovery. Type
bcdeditand look at osdevice, or typedir C:\Windowsand try other letters until you find it. - Check the disk (replace C with your Windows drive):
chkdsk C: /f /r - Repair system files:
sfc /scannow /offbootdir=C:\ /offwindir=C:\Windows - Rebuild the boot records, one command at a time:
bootrec /fixmbrbootrec /fixbootbootrec /scanosbootrec /rebuildbcd - Type
exitand choose Continue to start Windows.
If bootrec /fixboot says Access is denied on a UEFI PC, rebuild the boot files with bcdboot C:\Windows instead.
Step 5: Check the log to find the cause
In Command Prompt, run notepad C:\Windows\System32\Logfiles\Srt\SrtTrail.txt. The Root cause found line often names a driver file or disk problem. A failing driver (a .sys file) can sometimes be fixed by starting in Safe Mode from Startup Settings and uninstalling it.
Step 6: Stop the repair loop (temporary)
If the PC keeps launching Automatic Repair even though Windows might start, run bcdedit /set {default} recoveryenabled No in Command Prompt, then restart. Turn it back on later with bcdedit /set {default} recoveryenabled Yes.
Step 7: Reset or reinstall Windows
- Choose Troubleshoot > Reset this PC.
- Choose Keep my files to keep documents but remove apps, or Remove everything.
- Choose Cloud download for a fresh copy of Windows.
If reset fails, reinstall from a USB drive. See how to reset a Windows PC and how to install Windows.
Recover your files first
From Command Prompt in recovery, type notepad, then use File > Open as a mini file browser to copy important files to a USB drive. Or remove the drive and connect it to another PC.
Related: Open Command Prompt at startup.
Frequently asked questions
What causes Startup Repair to fail?
Common causes include a bad update or driver, corrupted boot files, file system errors, and a failing hard drive or SSD.
How long should Startup Repair take?
Usually under an hour. If it’s been running much longer, force the PC off and use the steps above.
Could it be a hardware problem?
Yes. If chkdsk finds many bad sectors or the drive makes clicking noises, the drive may be failing. Back up your data and replace it.
Does this work on Windows 11?
Yes. The recovery tools and commands are the same on Windows 11.
Kermit Matthews runs Live2Tech from just outside Philadelphia. He is an IT specialist with over 20 years of experience, from a university help desk to small-business IT, IT management and his own consulting practice, and has written tech guides full time since 2020. Steps are checked against the current software on a real device or the maker’s official documentation. More about Kermit.