Fix the Infinite Loop of “Preparing Automatic Repair” on Windows 10

Is the “Preparing Automatic Repair” loop preventing you from using your computer, installing files, or accessing files? Then, you can put your worries aside, as this guide will help you fix this issue in the most effective ways. 

This frustrating problem occurs when corrupted files, faulty system upgrades, or incompatible driver updates trigger Windows’ automatic repair tool after two unsuccessful boot attempts. 

However, instead of diagnosing and resolving the problem, this tool sometimes encounters recurring issues, entering an infinite loop of “Preparing Automatic Repair.” 

Though often accompanied by confusing Black or Blue Screen of Death errors, Windows 10 stuck in “Preparing Automatic Repair” is easy to fix. Before guiding you through the solutions, let’s have a quick overview of the error and its causes for better understanding. 

What Is “Preparing Automatic Repair”

The built-in Windows troubleshooting tool, “Preparing Automatic Repair,” automatically diagnoses and fixes problems that prevent your computer from starting normally. When Windows runs into an issue during the boot process, for instance, corrupted system files, a broken Master Boot Record (MBR), or other critical issues, it may kick in the Automatic Repair process to solve the problem. 

However, the Automatic Repair may fail. When the Automatic Repair fails, the PC may be stuck on a black screen with error messages, such as “Diagnosing your PC” or “Preparing Automatic Repair,” a black screen with no error message, or a blue screen with “Your PC did not start correctly,” or “Automatic repair couldn’t repair your PC” messages. If you choose “Restart,” your PC reboots and enters a Windows “Preparing Automatic Repair” loop. 

But why does that happen? 

Let’s answer this question next. 

What Causes “Preparing Automatic Repair” Loop

The Windows auto-repair loop is a mix of various known and unknown causes, such as problems with the Windows Registry, corrupted BOOTMGR (Windows Boot Manager) files, missing or damaged system files, computer hardware (motherboard driver, graphics driver, hard drive driver) issues, and dodgy Windows updates. 

Now that you are familiar with the “Preparing Automatic Repair” Windows 10 PC loop, let’s help you find a way out. 

How to Fix Windows “Preparing Automatic Repair” Loop

You can move out of a PC stuck in “Preparing Automatic Repair” with simple fixes, including disabling anti-malware protection, performing a system restore, repairing system files, starting the PC in safe mode, updating device drivers, performing an antivirus scan, disabling Automatic Repair, repairing the Boot Configuration Data, updating the BIOS/UEFI version, and performing a clean boot. Below are these fixes explained in detail. You can start with the first fix and stop when the issue is resolved. 

Fix 1: Disable anti-malware protection at launch

Disabling the early launch anti-malware protection is the first thing you can do to break the “Preparing Automatic Repair” loop. Here is how. 

• First, restart your computer and choose Advanced Options from the blue Automatic Repair screen.
• Next, click Troubleshoot, navigate to the Advanced Options, and then select Startup Settings.
• After your computer restarts, select Disable early launch anti-malware protection from the on-screen Startup Settings.

• Lastly, restart your computer to complete the process.

Fix 2: Perform a system restore

System Restore rolls your operating system back to an earlier working state, overwriting corrupted files that may be responsible for the loop. Hence, you can follow these steps to execute a System Restore. 

• In the first step, select Advanced Options from the blue Automatic Repair screen.
• Next, choose Troubleshoot, go to Advanced Options, and then select System Restore.
• In this step, select a restore point made before the problem began.
• Click Next and wait until the issue is resolved.

• Lastly, restart your PC.

Also know: How to Show or Restore Desktop Missing Icons in Windows 11

Fix 3: Check and repair system files

Damaged or missing system files may be the reason your PC is stuck in an infinite “Preparing Automatic Repair” loop. Hence, you can follow the steps below to use the built-in System File Checker to find and fix the system file problems. 

• First, reboot your computer from the Windows installation media.
• In this step, choose Next on the Windows Setup window.
• Next, select Repair your computer, navigate to Troubleshoot, choose Advanced Options, and then pick Command Prompt.
• In this step, type sfc /scannow in the on-screen window and press Enter.

• Next, type chkdsk /f /r /x C: and press Enter.
• Lastly, type Exit to move out of Command Prompt and restart your PC.

Fix 4: Boot your computer in safe mode

Booting into safe mode starts Windows with only the necessary drivers and services. It helps identify and troubleshoot the causes of the “Preparing Automatic Repair” Windows 10 loop. Hence, below is how to boot the PC in safe mode. 

• In the first step, force shut down your computer 3 times during the “Preparing Automatic Repair” screen to enter the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).
• Next, go to the Advanced Options, choose Startup Settings, and select Restart.
• After selecting Restart, press F4 or 4 to enter Safe Mode.

Fix 5: Update your device drivers

Since outdated or incompatible drivers are another reason your computer is stuck in the Windows “Preparing Automatic Repair” loop, below is how to update drivers to solve the problem. 

• First, enter the safe mode.
• Once the PC boots into safe mode, type Device Manager in Windows search, and double-click the first search result to open the Device Manager.
• In the Device Manager, double-click each category one by one to see if there is a device with a yellow exclamation mark.
• Right-click the device with a yellow exclamation mark and choose Update Driver from the context menu.
• Next, search automatically for updated drivers and follow the on-screen directions to install the driver update.
• Repeat the above two steps for all devices with a yellow exclamation mark.
• Lastly, restart your computer to let the updated drivers take effect.

Also know: How To Adjust Display Settings in Windows 11 for Better Appearance

Fix 6: Perform an antivirus scan

A virus or malware scan can, besides many other issues, cause your computer to enter an infinite loop of “Preparing Automatic Repair.” Hence, you can follow the directions below to scan and fix your PC. 

• Began by entering the safe mode.
• Next, type Windows Security in the on-screen search bar and click on it in the search results to open it.
• Once the Windows Security opens, navigate to the Virus & threat protection section.
• In this step, click on Scan Options.
• You can now choose Full Scan and click Scan Now to check everything on your drive.

Fix 7: Disable the Automatic Repair feature

Disabling the Automatic Repair feature is the next step you can take to end the “Preparing Automatic Repair” Windows 10 loop, as the Automatic Repair can itself be the reason your computer entered this state. Hence, below is how to disable this feature. 

• First, insert or connect a Windows installation media/disc to your computer.
• Next, start and boot your computer from Windows installation media.
• Once the Windows Setup window appears, select Next, and then navigate to the Repair your computer option.
• In this step, type bcdedit /set {current} recoveryenabled No in the on-screen window and press Enter. Additionally, you can type C: cd Windows\System32\LogFiles\Srt. SrtTrail.txt in the command line and press Enter to delete the problematic files.

Note: If something like Critical Boot file c:\windows\system32\drivers\vsock.sys appears to be corrupt, go to the specified location through the Command Prompt and enter the del command to remove the problematic file.

• Lastly, type exit in the command line to exit Command Prompt and restart your computer.

Fix 8: Check and repair the Boot Configuration Data (BCD)

Corrupted Boot Configuration Data (BCD) may have pushed your system into an infinite “Preparing Automatic Repair” loop. Hence, below are the directions to perform configuration data repair. 

• Boot your computer from the installation media and choose Repair your computer.
• Next, choose Troubleshoot, navigate to the Advanced Options, and select Command Prompt.
• In this step, copy and paste the following commands one at a time in the command line and press Enter after each command.

bootrec /fixmbr 

bootrec /fixboot 

bootrec /scanos

bootrec /rebuildbcd

• Lastly, type exit in the command line to exit the Command Prompt window and restart your PC.

Fix 9: Update your BIOS/UEFI version

A corrupted or outdated BIOS/UEFI may be another factor responsible for the Automatic Repair loop. Hence, you can follow the step-by-step process below to fix the issue. 

• First, restart your PC and enter the BIOS/UEFI settings by pressing the Del, F2, or F10 keys during startup.
• In this step, navigate to the motherboard manufacturer’s official website to locate the updated firmware version.
• If the latest version is available, download the new version and follow the manufacturer’s guide to update the firmware.

Also know: How to Fix the White Screen of Death in Windows 10

Fix 10: Clean boot your computer

A clean boot means starting Windows with only essential drivers and startup programs to identify if background programs are hindering your system performance. Below is how to perform a clean boot. 

• In the first step, boot the computer into safe mode and then press Win+R to access the Run utility.
• Next, type msconfig in the on-screen Run box and press Enter.
• Now, navigate to the General tab, choose Selective Startup, and uncheck Load startup items.
• In this step, go to the Services tab, check Hide all Microsoft services, and choose Disable All.
• Lastly, restart your PC.

Infinite “Preparing Automatic Repair” Loop Fixed

The above are the ways to break free from the Windows 10 “Preparing Automatic Repair” infinite loop. You can apply these solutions sequentially until your computer boots normally. 

Hopefully, you find this guide helpful. However, if you have any questions, you can drop them in the comments section. You can also share your suggestions or feedback with us in the comments. And, for more tech guides like this delivered directly to your inbox for free, subscribe to our newsletter.