6 Ways to Fix Windows 10/11 ‘Automatic Repair’ Loop Issue

Experiencing a “Preparing Automatic Repair” loop on Windows 10/11? You’re not alone. Many users encounter this issue, often resulting in a black screen. Some may also receive specific error notifications.

• Windows 10/11 Automatic Repair Failed. Log File c:\windows\system32\logfiles\srt\srttrail.txt
• bootrec.exe /fixboot Access Denied
• Windows 10/11 Error: Your PC Did Not Start Correctly

Here’s what you should know. No matter what error message is being displayed on your screen, know that you can resolve it. We will discuss a few possible fixes below. But before we do proceed with it, what is an Automatic Repair loop and why does it occur?

Automatic Repair Loop: What Is It?

Automatic Repair is a built-in utility for Windows 8 and Windows 10/11 devices. It is designed to launch right away once a problem is detected on a Windows system.

Generally, when the Automatic Repair tool is launched, Windows will automatically diagnose the problem, be it with corrupt drivers, registry settings, or even system files. And then, it will fix any problems it finds. Finally, it will reboot your computer.

However, if Windows does not shut down properly, it will get stuck on an Automatic Repair loop. This means, Windows will continue diagnosing problems and repairing them over and over.

Situations like this may happen if you haven’t correctly shut down your computer due to a power outage, corrupt or incomplete registry data, or a system crash. So, to ensure you don’t fall into a never-ending loop, make sure you don’t force quit Windows.

In the event that you find yourself accidentally or unintentionally stuck in an Automatic Repair loop, we suggest that you try the following fixes:

Fix #1: Reboot Your Computer.

Oftentimes, your computer gets stuck on an Automatic Repair loop because Windows thinks that your computer is having problems, even when there aren’t any. To put an end to the loop, just restart your computer. Here’s how:

1. Press the Power button while constantly pressing the F8 key on your keyboard.
2. You should then see the Windows Boot Manager.
3. Select Windows 10/11.
4. Hit Enter.
5. Your computer should now restart and boot as it normally would.

Fix #2: Use the Command Prompt.

If you get the message that your computer did not start correctly, use the Command Prompt instead. Use the steps below as your guide:

1. Go to the Boot Options menu.
2. Select Advanced Options -> Troubleshoot.
3. Choose Command Prompt.
4. Input the following commands. Make sure you hit Enter after each command.
   • bootrec.exe /rebuildbcd
   • bootrec.exe /fixmbr
   • bootrec.exe /fixboot
5. Restart your computer.

If using the Command Prompt does not fix the problem, use the chkdsk command: chkdsk c: /f /r /x.

Fix #3: Disable the Anti-Malware Protection Early Launch Option.

Some Windows 10/11 users have found that enabling the early launch option of your anti-malware software can trigger the Automatic Repair loop issue. Thus, you might want to disable it temporarily. Just follow the steps below to disable the anti-malware protection early launch option:

1. Go to Advanced Options.
2. Select Troubleshoot -> Advanced Options.
3. Navigate to Startup Settings.
4. Restart your computer.
5. After it restarts, disable Early Launch Anti-Malware Protection.
6. Reboot your computer again.

Fix #4: Fix Corrupt Registry Files.

If you are seeing the “Windows Automatic Repair Could Not Repair Your PC” message, it is an indication that Windows 10/11’s registry is corrupted. So, you might want to fix it by restoring your previous registry directory. Here’s how:

1. Go to Advanced Options and select Troubleshoot.
2. Choose Advanced Options and click Command Prompt.
3. On the command line, input this command:
   • C:\Windows\System32\Config\RegBack*
   • C:\Windows\System32\Config
4. Hit Enter.
5. If asked whether you would like to overwrite your files or not, simply input All.
6. Hit Enter.
7. Next, input Exit.
8. Hit Enter.
9. Restart your computer.

Fix #5: Get Rid of the Problematic File.

Is the error message “Windows Automatic Repair Could Not Repair Your PC” showing on your screen with the log file SrtTrail.txt? This could be an indication that some of your system files are corrupted. To fix it, you need to check the SrtTrail.txt file first and delete the affected files.

Let the instructions below be your guide:

1. Go to the Boot menu.
2. Select Troubleshoot and click Advanced Options.
3. Choose Command Prompt.
4. On the command line, input the C:\cd\Windows\System32\LogFiles\Srt\SrtTrail.txt command and hit Enter.
5. You should now be notified that a certain critical file is corrupt. To delete it, input this command: cd c:\Windows\System32\Drivers\Del vsock.sys.

Fix #6: Use System Restore.

If you have activated System Protection before and have created a restore point, perform a quick System Restore. By doing this, you can restore your previous settings and fix the Automatic Repair loop.

To use System Restore, follow these steps:

1. Go to Advanced Startup Options.
2. Select Troubleshoot and click Advanced Options.
3. Choose System Restore.
4. Pick a certain restore point. Ideally, choose one that you have created before the Automatic Repair loop issue occurred.
5. Wait while Windows restores your computer to that point.

Once the system restore process is completed, all the files that you have created after the restore point will be deleted.

Conclusion

System Restore errors may happen when you least expect them. It’s just relieving to know that there are many available solutions you can try. You can start with the easiest fix, which involves rebooting your computer. If it does not work, you can move on to the next possible fix and so on.

But then again, if you don’t trust your troubleshooting skills, we suggest that you seek help from professionals. Let them do the repair job instead to keep your computer from incurring irreversible damage.

Once everything is fixed, download and install a trustworthy PC Repair tool. This way, you can optimize your computer and keep it running efficiently at all times.

Do you have other fixes to add? Did we miss an important point or step above? We’d like to know. Comment on them below!