The 'Preparing Automatic Repair' loop is one of the most frustrating errors a Windows 11 user can face. It occurs when the operating system detects a boot failure and enters an infinite cycle of trying (and failing) to fix itself. This is usually caused by corrupted system files, damaged boot configuration data, or faulty hardware drivers. If your PC is stuck on this screen, follow this step-by-step guide to break the loop and get back to your desktop.

1. Perform a Hard Power Reset

Before trying complex software fixes, clear the temporary memory (CMOS) and discharge static electricity. Force your PC to shut down by holding the power button for 10 seconds. Unplug the power cable and, if you are using a laptop with a removable battery, take it out. Wait for 30 seconds, reconnect everything, and try to boot. Sometimes, this simple step resets the hardware state and clears the error.

2. Boot into Safe Mode

Since you cannot reach the desktop normally, you must access the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). Interrupt the boot process three times by turning the PC off using the power button as soon as the Windows logo appears. On the fourth attempt, Windows will enter the 'Advanced Startup' menu. Navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart. Once the list appears, press 4 or F4 to enable Safe Mode. If the PC boots into Safe Mode, the issue is likely a third-party driver or software you recently installed.

3. Use the System File Checker (SFC) and DISM

If Windows is stuck because of corrupted core files, you can repair them using the Command Prompt. From the Advanced options menu, go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt. Type the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each:

• sfc /scannow
• DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Note: If you are running this from the recovery environment (not Safe Mode), you may need to specify the drive letter using the /offbootdir flag.

4. Rebuild the Boot Configuration Data (BCD)

A corrupted bootloader is a common cause of the repair loop. In the Command Prompt (via Advanced options), type the following commands to repair the master boot record and rebuild the boot configuration database:

• bootrec /fixmbr
• bootrec /fixboot
• bootrec /rebuildbcd

If you receive an 'Access is denied' error on the fixboot command, type bootsect /nt60 sys and then try the fixboot command again.

5. Disable Early Launch Anti-Malware Protection

Sometimes, Windows gets stuck in a loop because a driver (often from an antivirus) is flagged as malicious during the boot process. You can bypass this by going to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart. When the menu appears, press 8 or F8 to select 'Disable early launch anti-malware protection'. If your computer boots successfully, update your antivirus software immediately.

6. Perform a System Restore

If you have System Protection enabled, you can roll back your system to a previous state before the repair loop started. Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > System Restore. Select a restore point from a date when your computer was working correctly and follow the on-screen instructions. This will not delete your personal files, but it will uninstall apps and drivers installed after the restore point was created.

7. Disable the Automatic Repair Tool

If you believe your Windows installation is actually fine but the repair tool itself is glitching, you can force Windows to ignore the repair cycle. In the Command Prompt, type: bcdedit /set {default} recoveryenabled No. Restart your PC. If Windows was only stuck due to a logic error in the repair tool, it may now boot directly to the login screen.

💡 Pro Tip: Keep your software updated to avoid these issues in the future.