Fixing the Endless "Preparing Automatic Repair" and "Diagnosing Your PC" Loop in Windows 10

Many Windows 10 users encounter a frustrating issue where their system gets stuck on the "Preparing Automatic Repair" or "Diagnosing Your PC" screen at startup. This can happen for various reasons, including corrupted system files, registry issues, driver conflicts, or hardware malfunctions, causing the system to fail to boot correctly.

Why the "Preparing Automatic Repair" Loop Occurs

Windows launches automatic repair mode when it detects critical errors in the system, aiming to resolve them before they escalate. However, sometimes the system gets stuck during this process, failing to proceed with the repair. Common causes for this issue include:

  • Hard drive or SSD errors affecting system files;
  • Corrupted or missing system files;
  • Driver conflicts, especially following recent updates;
  • Registry errors or configuration issues within Windows.

Ways to Fix the "Preparing Automatic Repair" Loop

Several methods can help you break out of this loop and restore normal system operation. Let's go through each one in detail.

1. Start in Safe Mode

Safe Mode boots your system with a minimal set of drivers and services, helping you bypass many issues. To access Safe Mode, follow these steps:

  1. Force-restart your computer a few times until the recovery options screen appears.
  2. Select "Advanced Options" → "Startup Settings" → "Safe Mode."
  3. Once in Safe Mode, diagnose and remove any recently installed programs or updates that might be causing issues.

2. Run a Hard Drive Error Check

Faulty sectors or other hard drive issues can disrupt system operation. To check for hard drive errors:

  1. Open the Command Prompt from "Advanced Options."
  2. Type the command: chkdsk /f /r and press Enter.
  3. Wait for the scan to finish and then restart your computer.

3. Use the SFC and DISM Commands

These Windows tools can scan for and repair corrupted system files, often resolving issues causing startup errors.

  1. Launch the Command Prompt as an administrator.
  2. Type: sfc /scannow and press Enter.
  3. After the scan completes, run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth to repair any additional image issues.

4. Uninstall Recent Updates

In some cases, a recent update might be causing the problem. Try rolling back recent updates:

  1. In the Advanced Options menu, select "Uninstall Updates."
  2. Remove the latest update, then restart your system.

5. Perform a Full System Restore

If nothing else works, a full system reset to factory settings may be your best option. Note that this will erase all programs and personal data, so it should be considered a last resort.

  1. In the Advanced Options menu, select "System Restore."
  2. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the reset.