Automatic Repair Couldn’t Repair Your PC

The Automatic Repair feature in Windows 11 is designed to diagnose and fix startup problems automatically when your PC fails to boot properly. Whenever Windows experiences a problem during startup due to corrupted boot files, missing system data, damaged registry entries, or driver issues, the Automatic Repair process triggers to resolve these issues and get your system running again. However, sometimes you may encounter a frustrating situation where Automatic Repair gets stuck in a loop or ends with the message: “Automatic Repair couldn’t repair your PC.”

This error means Windows tried to fix the startup issue but failed to find or repair the underlying cause.

This problem can occur from various sources, from boot loader corruption, damaged system files, faulty updates, or even external hardware conflicts. Whatever the reason, if you’re stuck in the Automatic Repair loop or keep seeing this message, “Automatic Repair couldn’t repair your PC,” This article helps you fix it and get your Windows 11 PC back to normal.

Why Automatic Repair Couldn’t Repair my PC?

This annoying issue happens when your PC shuts down unexpectedly or you have corrupt system files. A corrupted Boot Configuration Data (BCD) file, which is essential for launching the operating system, is another frequent cause. Hardware problems, such as a failing hard drive, Malware infections or a driver incompatibility with the system, can also trigger this issue.

  • Corrupted or missing system files: Crucial files needed to start Windows may have become damaged or deleted.
  • Failed Windows update: A recent update may have installed incorrectly or be incompatible with your system.
  • Hardware issues: Problems with your hard drive (bad sectors) or RAM can cause boot failures.
  • Driver conflicts: Newly installed or outdated drivers can sometimes prevent Windows from starting correctly.
  • Boot configuration data (BCD) corruption: The BCD, which tells your PC how to load Windows, may be corrupted.
  • Malware: A virus or other malicious software can damage system files and prevent booting.

Automatic Repair Couldn’t Repair Your PC solutions infographics

Disconnect External Devices and Restart

Sometimes, connected hardware can interfere with the boot process and trigger the automatic repair, and later, it results Automatic Repair couldn’t repair your PC. Let’s first disconnect all external peripherals like USB drives, printers, external hard disks, and reboot your computer.

  • Turn off your PC completely.
  • Unplug all non-essential external devices.
  • Wait for a few seconds, then turn your PC back on.

Disconnect External Devices

If Windows boots normally, one of the disconnected devices is causing the conflict. Reconnect them one at a time to identify the problematic one.

Boot Into Advanced Startup Options

If your PC is stuck in the repair loop, you’ll need to access Advanced Startup Options to use recovery tools.

  • If you see the “Automatic Repair” screen, select Advanced Options

Automatic Repair couldn't repair your pc

  • Click on Troubleshoot, then Advanced options.

Troubleshoot

Alternatively, you can force restart the PC three times: press and hold the power button until it turns off, then start it again. On the third attempt, Windows will enter Recovery Mode. Refer this Microsoft official article suggests different ways to access to Windows Recovery Environment on Windows PC.

Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE)

The Advanced Startup Options menu gives access to repair utilities such as Startup Repair, System Restore, and Command Prompt, which can help fix deeper boot-level issues.

Run Startup Repair Manually

If the automatic repair failed, running Startup Repair manually may help detect and fix the issue again.

  • Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Repair.
  • Choose your Windows installation and user account.
  • Let Windows attempt to fix startup problems.

Windows Startup Repair

Startup Repair automatically checks essential boot files, registry configuration, and disk integrity. It repairs missing or damaged files needed for Windows to start correctly.

If the process still shows “Automatic Repair couldn’t repair your PC,” move to the next method.

Repair Boot Configuration Data (BCD)

Corrupted Boot Configuration Data (BCD) is one of the most common causes of this error. The BCD contains information about how Windows starts, and if it’s damaged, the system won’t boot properly. Rebuilding it can often resolve the problem.

  • In the Advanced options, open Command Prompt.
  • Type the following commands one by one and press Enter after each:

bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /scanos
bootrec /rebuildbcd

Boot MBR and Rebuild BCD

Here’s what each command does:

  • bootrec /fixmbr – Writes a new Master Boot Record (MBR) to the system partition without overwriting the existing partition table. It’s useful if the MBR is corrupted or infected by malware.
  • bootrec /fixboot – Writes a new boot sector to the system partition, fixing issues caused by a damaged or missing boot sector.
  • bootrec /scanos – Scans all disks for Windows installations that aren’t currently listed in the Boot Configuration Data store.
  • bootrec /rebuildbcd – Rebuilds the BCD by adding any detected Windows installations back into the boot list.

Once the process completes, close the Command Prompt and restart your PC and check if Windows started normally.

Run System File Checker (SFC) and DISM

Sometimes, Corrupted or missing system files can prevent Windows from booting properly. Use SFC (System File Checker) and DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) to scan and repair them.

  • Open Command Prompt from Advanced options.
  • Run the sfc /scannow command to check and repair system files
  • This scans protected Windows files and replaces any damaged versions with correct ones from the cache.
  • After that, run the DISM command to restore the Windows image: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
  • This verifies and repairs corruption within the Windows component store used by SFC.
  • Once the scanning is complete 100%, reboot your PC and check if this helps.

If Automatic Repair fails because of missing or damaged system files, SFC and DISM restore those core components, allowing Windows to start normally again.

Check Disk for Errors (CHKDSK)

Hard drive issues, such as bad sectors or file system corruption, can also trigger startup errors. Running CHKDSK helps identify and repair them.

  • Launch Command Prompt in recovery mode.
  • Type the chkdsk C: /f /r command and press Enter
  • If prompted, type Y to schedule a scan, then restart your PC.

Note: Replace C: with your system drive letter if it’s different.

What these parameters do:

/f – Automatically fixes file system errors.
/r – Locates bad sectors and attempts to recover readable data.

CHKDSK scans your disk surface for logical or physical issues and repairs them, restoring the integrity of the system volume.

Disable Automatic Repair Loop

If you’re stuck in a never-ending Automatic Repair cycle, you can disable it to regain manual control.

  • Open Command Prompt from Advanced options.
  • Type this command and press Enter: bcdedit /set {default} recoveryenabled No
  • Restart your computer. You can now boot into Safe Mode or try other repairs manually.

It disables the automatic startup repair feature, prevent Windows from enter the repair loop each time it fails to boot.

Use System Restore (If Available)

If you have a System Restore point created before the problem occurred, you can roll back your PC to that earlier state.

  • Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > System Restore.
  • Choose your account and select a restore point.
  • Follow the prompts to complete the restoration.

It reverts system files, installed programs, and settings to a previous state without deleting your personal data.

FAQs: Automatic Repair couldn’t repair your PC

Q1. What does “Automatic Repair couldn’t repair your PC” mean?
It means Windows detected a startup problem but couldn’t fix it automatically due to issues like bootloader corruption or missing system files.

Q2. How do I escape the Automatic Repair loop?
You can disable the loop using the command bcdedit /set {default} recoveryenabled No in the recovery Command Prompt.

Q3. Will I lose data during these repairs?
No, these fixes mainly target system files and boot data. However, always back up important files before performing resets or reinstalls.

Q4. Does resetting Windows fix the issue permanently?
Yes, a reset reinstalls the entire operating system, fixing almost all boot-related errors.

Q5. How can I prevent this error in the future?
Regularly update Windows, keep backups, avoid sudden power-offs, and check your disk health periodically.

Also read:

Steve Ballmer
Steve Ballmer
With over 7 years of experience in the IT industry, I have experience in IT support, helpdesk, sysadmin, network admin, and cloud computing. Certified in Microsoft Technologies (MCTS and MCSA) and also Cisco Certified Professional in Routing and Switching.

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