How to Fix Startup Repair Loop — "Diagnosing Your PC" Stuck or Repeating on Windows
Windows stuck in Automatic Repair loop, "Diagnosing your PC" screen never finishes, or Startup Repair keeps failing? Break out of the repair loop.
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Main Troubleshooting Guide
How to Fix Windows Boot Loop →Complete symptoms, causes, and step-by-step solutions
Symptoms
You might be experiencing this problem if you notice:
- •Windows reboots into "Diagnosing your PC" every time
- •"Automatic Repair couldn't repair your PC" message on every boot
- •Startup Repair runs but then restarts and runs again
- •Blue screen → "Preparing Automatic Repair" → repeat forever
- •Can't get to Windows desktop — stuck in recovery
- •"Your PC did not start correctly" appearing after every restart
Common Causes
- ⚠Boot Configuration Data (BCD) corrupted
- ⚠System files corrupted — SFC/DISM needed
- ⚠Recent Windows Update broke boot process
- ⚠Driver installed that causes boot failure
- ⚠Disk errors preventing Windows from loading
- ⚠Registry corruption in boot-critical hive
Solutions
Solution 1: Break the Loop — Safe Mode
- 1From "Automatic Repair couldn't repair your PC" screen:
- 2Click "Advanced options" → Troubleshoot → Advanced options
- 3Startup Settings → Restart → press 4 or F4 for Safe Mode
- 4If Safe Mode works: the issue is a driver or software
- 5Uninstall recently installed drivers or programs
- 6Or: System Restore from Safe Mode
Solution 2: Rebuild BCD and Boot Records
- 1From Advanced options → Command Prompt:
- 2bootrec /fixmbr
- 3bootrec /fixboot
- 4bootrec /scanos
- 5bootrec /rebuildbcd
- 6If "Access is denied" on /fixboot: run bootsect /nt60 sys
- 7Restart — Windows should boot normally
Solution 3: Repair System Files Offline
- 1From Advanced options → Command Prompt:
- 2First find your Windows drive letter (may not be C: in recovery):
- 3dir C:\ (look for Windows folder)
- 4dir D:\ (try other letters if needed)
- 5Once found (assume C:):
- 6sfc /scannow /offbootdir=C:\ /offwindir=C:\Windows
- 7DISM /Image:C:\ /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
- 8If all else fails: use System Restore or Reset This PC (keep files)
FIXES THIS IN 5 MINUTES
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