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Windows 11 Stuck in Automatic Repair

Anonymous
2023-08-23T17:05:08+00:00

Hello,

When I attempt to start my Windows 11 PC, it says "Preparing Automatic Repair" and I cannot bypass this, cannot boot to a recovery usb drive (yes settings are correct in my bios) and cannot boot into safe mode or to a command prompt to try to format the drive and install fresh.

I'm not sure what else to try and do, because all attempts lead to the same "Preparing Automatic Repair" screen that just gets stuck and doesn't work. I hope someone has another idea what to try.

Thank you in advance.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Performance and system failures

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  1. David-M 111.3K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2023-08-23T20:22:15+00:00

    I know you already checked your BIOS settings. And I also don't think you made any changes to the BIOS that could have caused this.

    The suggestion to reset the BIOS settings is because sometimes the BIOS itself can have problems, and resetting it usually fixes the problem.

    Windows not starting is probably something corrupted in it. And since you couldn't start WinRE either, it means that even the recovery files may have been corrupted.

    If you recently performed a clean install, this could mean a problem with the HDD/SSD where you installed Windows. It is not common for Windows to have corruption shortly after it has been installed cleanly.

    My suggestion now is for you to be able to boot your computer using the installation media. Since you said the installation media is loading correctly on your laptop, there is something on your PC preventing the installation media from booting.

    Therefore, I suggest you reset your BIOS, even if you are sure you haven't changed anything.

    If the problem persists after resetting the BIOS, I suggest you check for an update to your motherboard's BIOS in the support area of the motherboard manufacturer's website. If necessary, update the BIOS following the manufacturer's instructions.

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  2. David-M 111.3K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2023-08-23T17:40:07+00:00

    Hi Melanie.

    I'm David, and I'm happy to help you.

    Have you tried starting your computer in the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) as instructed below?

    In your case, to do this, you will repeatedly turn your device off, and then on:

    1. Hold down the power button for 10 seconds to turn off your device; (If the device is ON when starting the procedure)
    2. Press the power button again to turn on your device;
    3. On the first sign that Windows has started (for example, some devices display the manufacturer's logo with spinning dots when starting), hold down the power button for 10 seconds to turn off your device;
    4. Press the power button again to turn on your device;
    5. When Windows starts, hold down the power button for 10 seconds to turn off your device;
    6. Press the power button again to turn on your device;
    7. Allow your device to fully start. You will enter WinRE.

    Reference: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/rec...

    If you can get the computer to start into the WinRE, do the following:

    • On the Choose an option screen, select "Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Repair".

    If it persists, use system restore to get Windows to the point where it was working.

    Start your computer again in the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).

    • On the Choose an option screen, select "Troubleshoot > Advanced options > System Restore" and follow the onscreen instructions.

    Let me know the result.

    Feel free to ask back any questions.

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-08-23T18:32:02+00:00

    Yes the USB drive I tried to use is a windows 11 recovery media usb drive that I created using the windows tool. I actually have 2 of those and it will not use either one, it will only boot into the "Preparing Automatic Repair" screen.

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-08-23T17:58:21+00:00

    Hi David,

    I have tried to boot into WinRE by turning the PC off and on again repeatedly with the power button as you mentioned, but the only result is the same "Preparing Automatic Repair" screen where it is stuck loading.

    I cannot get into Windows due to this issue, so I cannot go into the System Restore menu, either.

    Any other suggestions?

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  5. David-M 111.3K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2023-08-23T18:14:36+00:00

    Since you are unable to start the computer in WinRE as instructed, the recovery files may be corrupted.

    In that case, you need to use the recovery environment from a Windows 11 installation media.

    Is this "recovery usb drive" a Windows 11 installation media?

    What tool did you use to create this recovery usb drive?

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