Preparing automatic repair

Question

Preparing automatic repair on screen pc will not come on

Answer 1

If you force your PC to restart and Windows does not start normally, are you able to force your PC into the Recovery Environment using these steps.

Start your PC, just as Windows attempts to load (spinning dots), press and hold Power Button for 5 - 10 seconds to perform a Hard Shut Down

Do this twice

On the third start Windows will boot into the Recovery Environment and from there you can access System Repair, Safe Mode, Command Prompt... etc.

Please try each option one at a time, then see if Windows will boot up correctly.

Go to Troubleshoot - Advanced Option - Startup Repair

See if Windows startup can repair itself

Go to Troubleshoot - Advanced Option - System Restore

Check to see if you have a restore point you can go back to

If you do not have a Restore Point, go to Troubleshoot - Advanced Option - Startup Settings and click Restart

Upon restart, press 5 to enter Safe Mode

Once in Safe Mode, backup your data if you do not already have a backup

Open Device Manager and check to make sure all your Drivers are up to date

Reboot to see if Windows will start Normally

If the above fails, go to Troubleshoot - Advanced Options - Reset this PC

Choose to keep your files and apps, just your files or to keep nothing

Then start the Reset

Answer 2

Use Windows Recovery Environment and the built‑in repair/reset options.

1. If the “Preparing Automatic Repair / Diagnosing your PC” screen appears and then freezes, follow the Surface/Windows guidance for Automatic Repair scenarios:
   • When the Automatic Repair screen appears, first choose Restart.
   • If Windows starts, immediately install the latest Windows updates and device drivers to help prevent future problems.
2. If the PC keeps going back to Automatic Repair and will not boot normally:
   • On the Automatic Repair screen, select Advanced options.
   • On the Choose an option screen, try Continue to see if Windows will start. If it does, install all Windows updates.
3. If Windows still will not start, reset the PC from Windows RE (this reinstalls Windows):
   • From Choose an option, select Troubleshoot.
   • Select Reset this PC.
   • Choose one of:
     • Keep my files – reinstalls Windows, removes apps and settings, keeps personal files.
     • Remove everything – removes all personal files, apps, and settings.
   • Follow the on‑screen instructions.
   A reset will:
   • Reinstall Windows and the apps that came with the device.
   • Remove personal settings.
   • Remove apps installed later. Ensure access to product keys and installation files for any desktop apps (for example, Office) that need to be reinstalled afterward.
4. If, after a reset attempt, the PC still returns to the Automatic Repair screen and never starts Windows, the device likely needs hardware or vendor service.

Additionally, on Windows 10/11 devices that can still boot into Settings, Automatic/Startup Repair can be triggered manually:

1. Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security.
2. Select Recovery and under Advanced startup, select Restart now.
3. On Choose an option, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Repair.
4. Choose an account, enter the password, and let Automatic Repair run.

If the system remains stuck on “Preparing Automatic Repair” and cannot reach these menus, proceed directly to vendor or repair service.

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References:

• Surface turns on and starts Automatic Repair
• Fix File Explorer if it won't open or start
• Windows recovery environment

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