With 6 effective methods, you can easily fix Windows 11 Automatic Repair failed error, along with step by step instructions. Or directly restore Windows 11 from backup. Scroll down to learn more.
Windows 11 includes an Automatic Repair feature to automatically detect and fix startup problems that prevent your PC from booting correctly, such as missing or corrupted system files, multiplefailed bootattempts, or disk errors.
But sometimes Windows 11 automatic repair failed, throwing an error message, or even got stuck in Preparing Automatic Repair. The primary reason may be:
Understanding these triggers and causes helps you diagnose the problem more effectively and choose the right solution to fix the error.
Before attempting any fixes, it’s important to diagnose the cause of the Windows 11 Automatic Repair failed error. Identifying the root issuehelps select the rightsolution.
1️⃣ Check Error Messages and Codes: Look for “Automatic Repair your PC did not start correctly”, “StartupRepair couldn’t repair your PC” or error codes, such as 0xc000000f or 0x490. Take note of them and understand whether the issue is software-related (like corrupted files) or hardware-related.
2️⃣ Run Basic Hardware Checks: Hardware problems can also prevent Windows from repairing itself. Performing quick checks can rule out or confirm hardware issues:
👉 Check your disk health: Run CHKDSK to scan for and repair file system errors.
👉 Verify your RAM: Use the Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool to check for memory issues.
These basic diagnostics help determine whether the error stems from failing hardware or corrupted software, thereby guiding subsequent repair steps.
After identifying the cause of the error, you can try the following methods to address a different part of the Windows boot process and system integrity.
Sometimes, external devices can prevent your device from entering the Automatic Repair screen, and stuck in the “Preparing Automatic Repair” window.
Step 1. Turn off the device. Press and hold the Power button until the PC shutsdown.
Step 2. Remove all external devices, including the keyboard, mouse, external hard drive, printer, memory cards, etc.
⚠️Note: Desktop computers must first connect to an external monitor to verify that the computer can boot up and display images properly.
Step 3. Power on the device and check if this resolves your issue.
Startup Repair is the safest fix to try first because it does not delete personal files and automatically resolves common boot issues.
Step 1. Press and hold the Power button until the PC shuts down. Repeat this process 2-3 times until the screen shows “Preparing Automatic Repair”. Click Advanced options.
Step 2. Click Troubleshoot >Advanced options >Startup Repair.
Step 3. Select your Windows account and enter your password if asked. Wait while Windows scans and repairs startup problems, then restart your PC.
Corrupted or missing system files often cause the Windows 11 automatic repair failed error. Try SFC and DISM torepair the core Windows files.
Step 1. In the Advanced options window, click Command Prompt.
Step 2. Type sfc /scannow and press Enter. Wait for the scan to finish. SFC will automatically fix corrupted files it finds.
Step 3. Restart your PC and test if Windows boots normally. If not, open the Command Prompt window. Try DISM to repair the Windows image itself.
Boot configuration problems can prevent Windows from loading even when system files are intact.
Step 1. Open Command Prompt from the Windows recovery environment.
Step 2. Type the following commands to rebuild BCD and fix MBR. Press Y to add the installation to the boot list.
Step 3. Close the Command Prompt and restart your PC.
When system damage is too severe, resetting or reinstalling Windows 11 becomes necessary. Before start, it’s necessary to backup files to external hard drive as this process will delete all data.
💬 When to Reset vs. Clean Reinstall:
Step 1. On the Advanced Options window, click Advanced options.
Step 2. Click Troubleshoot > Reset this PC.
Step 3. Select Keep my files or Remove everything. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the reset process.
Or you can choose to clean install Windows 11. You need to download MediaCreationTool from Microsoft’s website and create a Windows 11 bootable USB to start the problematic PC. Then, boot from it and click Next > Install Now to get started. Be sure to select the Custom option during installation.
Sometimes, a recent Windows update can cause boot issues. You can try to uninstall the latest updatesin the Windows recovery environment.
Step 1. On the Advanced Options window, click Advanced options.
Step 2. Click Troubleshoot >Advanced options >Uninstall Updates.
Step 3. Choose Uninstall the latest quality update or Uninstall the latest feature update, depending on your needs.
Step 4. Log in to your account with your username and password. Click Continue.
Step 5. Click Uninstall quality update or Uninstall feature update. Your computer will restart and try to remove them automatically.
If you don’t want to reset or clean install Windows 11, try system image recovery. It requires you to create a system image backup or disk backup in advance.
AOMEI Backupper Standard is a reliable backup and restore software that allows you to create a Windows 11 bootable USB to start the problematic PC and restore system image to new hard drive or SSD.
Step 1. Connect the bootable USB to your computer and restart it. Press the BIOS key, such as F2, F10, ESC, Del, etc., to access the BIOS/UEFI settings window. Set the bootable USB as the first boot option and press F10 to save changes and reboot.
Step 2. After loading AOMEI Backupper, click Restore under the Home tab. Select a system backup task. Or click Select Image File to manually browse the image.
Step 3. Tick Restore this system backup and click Next.
Step 4. Select Restore to original location or new location. You need to select a new location manually.
Step 5. On the Operation Summary window, check SSD Alignment for fast speed and click Start Restore to restore Windows 11 to new hard drive.
If the system image is created on another PC with different hardware, it will automatically check the “Universal Restore” feature to install all necessary drivers to ensure a secure boot. This requires an upgrade to enjoy.
The “automatic repair failed Windows 11” error may look alarming, but in most cases, it can be fixed without losing data. You can tryStartup Repair, system file repairs (SFC and DISM), boot configuration fixes, etc., to restore the systemwithout reinstalling Windows.
Only consider reset or clean install whenthe operating system is heavily corrupted. You can also try to restore system image to new hard drive or SSD if you create one in advance.