Why Is My PC Showing ‘Automatic Repair Your PC Did Not Start Correctly’ and How Can I Fix It?
Why Is My PC Showing ‘Automatic Repair Your PC Did Not Start Correctly’ and How Can I Fix It?
3 Answers

Understanding the Automatic Repair Loop Issue
When Windows displays an “Automatic repair your PC did not start correctly” message, it indicates that the system’s built-in recovery tools repeatedly fail to fix a startup problem. This issue is most commonly triggered by corrupted or missing system files, faulty driver updates, misconfigured Boot Manager data, or problematic Windows updates . Recognizing the symptoms—whether it’s a perpetual “Diagnosing your PC” message on a black screen or a blue error screen—can help determine which troubleshooting path to take.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting and Fixes
- System Restore via Advanced Options
- Restart your computer until you access the automatic repair screen.
- Click on “Advanced options” to open the Troubleshoot menu.
- Navigate to “Troubleshoot” > “Advanced Options” > “System Restore”.
- Select a restore point from before the problem appeared and complete the restoration process.
- Restart to see if the issue is resolved.
This method reverts your system to a previous working state, potentially replacing corrupted system files with functional ones.
- Repair System Files with CHKDSK and SFC
- Boot into the advanced repair options and open the Command Prompt.
- Run CHKDSK by typing:
chkdsk /r c:
This command scans your disk for errors and repairs any faults. - Next, use the System File Checker by typing:
sfc /scannow
This verifies and restores any missing or corrupted system files. - Once complete, restart your computer.
- Run CHKDSK by typing:
These built-in utilities ensure disk integrity and system file correctness, which can fix underlying issues causing the repair loop .
- Repair the Boot Configuration Data (BCD)
-
Boot from a Windows installation disc or USB drive.
- Select “Repair your computer” then navigate to “Troubleshoot” > “Advanced Options” > “Command Prompt”.
- Execute the following commands one at a time:
• bootrec /fixmbr
• bootrec /fixboot
• bootrec /scanos
• bootrec /rebuildbcd
These commands repair the Master Boot Record and rebuild your Boot Configuration Data so that Windows can locate and boot the operating system properly .
- Disable the Automatic Repair Loop (As a Last Resort)
-
Boot using Windows installation media.
- Open Command Prompt from “Repair your computer” > “Troubleshoot” > “Advanced options”.
- Type:
bcdedit /set {current} recoveryenabled No
This command disables the automatic repair feature. - Restart your PC.
Use this option only if the repair tools are preventing you from booting normally and you have alternative recovery methods available later.
- Update Drivers and BIOS/UEFI Firmware
- If the issue seems to follow a driver or update installation, boot Windows in Safe Mode (accessible via Advanced Options under “Startup Settings”).
- Update any problematic device drivers and uninstall recent, incompatible updates if necessary.
- Additionally, check your BIOS/UEFI firmware version and update it from your manufacturer’s website if an update is available.
- Perform a Clean Boot
-
Press Win + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
- Under the “General” tab, choose “Selective startup” and uncheck “Load startup items.”
- In the “Services” tab, check “Hide all Microsoft services” and then click “Disable all.”
- Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), go to the “Startup” tab, and disable remaining startup items.
- Restart your computer.
A clean boot helps determine if background applications or services are interfering with normal operation. If the PC boots correctly under these conditions, re-enable services one at a time to isolate the problematic one .
Conclusion
By following these logical, step-by-step troubleshooting methods, you can resolve an automatic repair loop in Windows caused by corrupted files, faulty boot configuration data, driver conflicts, or problematic updates. Always ensure that you back up important data before performing advanced repairs and consider referencing multiple authoritative sources such as the and official for in-depth details .

So you\’ve got this annoying \’Automatic Repair: Your PC did not start correctly\’ message popping up, and it\’s a real pain, right? Windows throws this at you when something’s up with how your computer starts—could be from a sudden shutdown, fiddling with hardware, or maybe some dodgy system files. Let\’s dive in and figure this out:
First off, a quick lowdown. Windows has this nifty feature called Automatic Repair. It\’s like a built-in mechanic that gets to work when your PC’s having a hard time starting up. It checks if your disk’s feeling alright and makes sure all those crucial files are in their right spots.
Now, what’s causing this headache and how do we fix it?
- Rough Shutdowns or Power Cuts: Try a normal restart first. Did it work? If not, hit \’Restart\’ a couple more times and let Windows do its thing.
- System Files Gone Bad: Head to \’Advanced options,\’ then \’Troubleshoot,\’ and hit \’Startup Repair.\’ No luck? Open up \’Command Prompt\’ and type in
sfc /scannow
followed bychkdsk /f /r
. Fingers crossed, that’ll sort it out. - Driver or Update Drama: Got to get into Safe Mode from \’Advanced options.\’ See if any recent updates or driver changes have thrown things off—roll them back in your Update History or Device Manager.
- Boot Configuration Mischief: Over in Command Prompt, type these in one by one:
bootrec /fixmbr\nbootrec /fixboot\nbootrec /rebuildbcd\n
- Grumpy Hard Drive: Check on your disk with
chkdsk /f /r
. If you’re finding errors, it might be time to backup your stuff and think about a new drive.
And here’s a bit of advice: If nothing’s doing the trick, you might need to reset Windows while keeping your files intact, or start fresh with a clean installation. Whatever gets it back on track.
Passthrough some joystick if you can. Things might take a while, especially the scans—don’t interrupt, it could make matters worse. If you’re still hitting brick walls and suspect the hardware is on its last legs, getting a tech whiz involved isn’t the worst idea.
Lastly, to keep things smooth in the future: always shut your PC down the right way, keep backups of your important files, peek in on your disk’s health now and then, and maybe set a restore point before any big changes.
Good luck, and hope this little guide helps you out of this mess!

Getting stuck with the “automatic repair your PC did not start correctly” error can be a real headache. Let’s dive into some simple ways to get your machine back up and running:
- Give It a Good Old Restart:
Sometimes, a quick reboot can do wonders. Let the automatic repair try fixing things and then choose “Restart.” Fingers crossed, this might just work!
- Booting Into Safe Mode Might Do the Trick:
Start your computer and press the F8 or Shift + F8 key repeatedly. Choose Safe Mode, and once you’re in, get rid of any recent software or updates that might’ve messed things up, then restart.
- Try Startup Repair Using a Windows Disc:
If you’ve got the Windows installation media hanging around, pop it in and boot from it. Hit Repair your computer, go to Troubleshoot, then Startup Repair. Follow along with whatever it tells you.
- Running SFC and DISM Commands:
Sometimes, faulty system files are the culprits. Boot into Advanced Startup, open Command Prompt, and type
sfc /scannow
. When that’s done, hitDISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
. - Fix Any Boot Problems with These Commands:
Go to Command Prompt from the recovery menu and type these commands:
bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /rebuildbcd
These should clean up any mess with your boot files.
And there you have it! Tackling this issue can be frustrating, but with a bit of patience, you might just save a trip to the repair shop. Remember to back up your data regularly. You never know when tech gremlins might strike again! If you’re still stuck, checking out Microsoft’s support page could help, or it might be time to call in reinforcements.