looping surface rt

Question

window surface rt is looping dialoging pc and automatic repair

Answer 1

Hello, thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A.

If your PC is stuck in "Automatic Repair" - Diagnosing your PC loop, it is possible that your Operating system might be corrupted.

See if you can boot your device in the Windows Recovery environment (WinRE) -

1. Start your device and wait for the Windows logo (or the manufacturer's logo) to appear.
2. As soon as the Windows logo appears, press and hold the power button until the device shuts down.
3. Turn your device on again and repeat step 2.
4. Turn your device on a third time. Windows should display the Automatic Repair screen.

You can then select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options and try some system recovery methods such as System Restore, Startup Repair, or running a factory reset without affecting the Personal files.

If your Surface laptop is still stuck on the Automatic Repair loop screen, you will have to create a Windows 10 bootable USB Installation media and use it to repair (OR) reinstall Windows.

Creating and using a USB recovery drive for Surface

Once the USB installation media is ready, see "How to Boot your USB drive on Surface laptop."

Boot Surface from a USB device

On the Install Windows screen, you can select 'Repair my computer' and enter into the WinRE to repair your previous operating system.

If you wish to proceed with a clean installation, you can also do that. However, this method will completely wipe all the data in your HDD.

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Answer 2

When a Surface device keeps looping between “Preparing Automatic Repair,” “Diagnosing your PC,” and the Automatic Repair/Recovery screens, use the built-in recovery options in order:

1. On the Automatic Repair screen, select Restart.
   • If Windows starts, immediately install the latest Surface and Windows updates to help prevent the issue from returning. See Download drivers and firmware for Surface in the referenced article.
2. If the loop continues, try to continue to Windows:
   • On the Automatic Repair screen, select Advanced options.
   • On the Choose an option screen, select Continue to exit and try to boot into Windows.
   • If Windows starts, install the latest Surface and Windows updates.
3. If Windows still will not start, reset the device from Windows Recovery Environment (this can remove apps and possibly files, so ensure important data is backed up if possible):
   • On the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot.
   • Select Reset this PC.
   • Choose one of the options:
     • Keep my files: Reinstalls Windows and the apps that came with Surface, removes installed apps and settings, but keeps personal files.
     • Remove everything: Removes all personal files, apps, and settings.
   • Follow the on-screen instructions.
   • If Windows starts after the reset, install the latest Surface and Windows updates.
4. If after a reset the Automatic Repair screen still appears and Windows never starts, the device likely needs service:
   • Use the options in How to get service or repair for Surface to check warranty, create a service order, and prepare the device for shipping.
   • Where available, in-person service centers or self-repair guides and parts may also be used.

If the device completely freezes on the Automatic Repair screen and does not respond, use a USB recovery drive for Surface as described in Creating and using a USB recovery drive for Surface from the referenced article.

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References:

• Surface turns on and starts Automatic Repair