Windows 10 Startup Repair Not Working? Fix It

If Windows 10 Startup Repair fails or loops endlessly, the underlying cause is usually a corrupted boot configuration, a damaged system file, or a failing hard drive. This guide walks through the most effective fixes, from simple command-line repairs to rebuilding the BCD store, so you can get back into Windows without reinstalling.

Why Startup Repair Fails

Startup Repair (also called Automatic Repair) is a Windows recovery tool that tries to fix problems preventing Windows from booting. It scans for common issues like missing or corrupted boot files, faulty drivers, and disk errors. However, it doesn’t always succeed. The most common reasons it fails include:

Corrupted Boot Configuration Data (BCD): The BCD store contains boot options for Windows. If it’s damaged, Startup Repair may not be able to rebuild it automatically.
Damaged system files: Critical Windows files (like those in the System32 folder) may be corrupted, and Startup Repair can’t restore them without a working recovery environment.
Failing hard drive: Bad sectors or physical damage can prevent the repair tool from reading or writing data needed for the fix.
Recent updates or driver installs: A problematic update or driver can cause boot loops that Startup Repair can’t resolve.

Before You Start: Create a Recovery Drive

If you’re reading this on another computer, your first step should be to create a Windows 10 installation media (USB or DVD) using Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool. This gives you access to the recovery environment even if your PC’s built-in recovery options are broken. You’ll need a USB drive with at least 8GB of space and another working Windows PC to download the tool.

Fix 1: Run the Bootrec Commands

The most effective fix for a corrupted BCD is to manually rebuild it using the bootrec tool. Here’s how:

Boot from your Windows 10 installation media or access the recovery environment (Repair your computer > Troubleshoot > Command Prompt).
In the Command Prompt, type the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each:

bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /scanos
bootrec /rebuildbcd

If you get an error on /fixboot saying “Access is denied,” run this instead:

bcdboot C:\Windows

(Replace C: with your Windows drive letter if it’s different.) This command copies boot files from the Windows folder to the system partition. After running these, restart your PC.

Fix 2: Use DISM and SFC to Repair System Files

If bootrec doesn’t work, the problem may be corrupted system files. Use the Deployment Imaging Service and Management Tool (DISM) and System File Checker (SFC) to repair them:

Open Command Prompt from the recovery environment as above.
Run this command to repair the Windows image (this may take a while):

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

If you get an error because Windows isn’t online, you can specify a source from your installation media:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:D:\sources\install.wim /LimitAccess

(Replace D: with your DVD/USB drive letter.)

After DISM completes, run SFC:

sfc /scannow

This scans and repairs protected system files. Restart and try booting normally.

Fix 3: Check Disk for Errors

A failing hard drive can cause startup repair to fail. Run a disk check to find and fix bad sectors:

Open Command Prompt from the recovery environment.
Run this command (replace C: with your Windows drive):

chkdsk C: /f /r

The /f flag fixes errors, and /r locates bad sectors and recovers readable information. This can take hours on a large drive. If you see a message that the drive is locked, type Y to schedule it for the next restart.

Fix 4: Disable Automatic Restart on Failure

Sometimes Windows gets stuck in a loop where it tries to repair, fails, and restarts. To break the loop, disable automatic restart:

From the recovery environment, go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
After the restart, press F8 or the number key for “Disable automatic restart on system failure.”

This gives you a chance to see the actual error code (like a blue screen with a stop code) which can help you diagnose the issue. For example, INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE often indicates a disk or driver problem.

Fix 5: Reset or Reinstall Windows

If all else fails, you may need to reset Windows or reinstall it. The reset option keeps your personal files if you choose “Keep my files,” but it removes installed apps and drivers. To do this:

Boot from your installation media and select “Repair your computer.”
Go to Troubleshoot > Reset this PC.
Choose “Keep my files” or “Remove everything” (the latter is more thorough but erases all data).

If the reset fails, you’ll need to do a clean install by booting from the media and selecting “Install now.” This wipes your drive, so back up important data first if possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Startup Repair keep looping?

A loop usually means the repair tool finds a problem but can’t fix it, so it restarts and tries again. This often points to a corrupted BCD or a failing hard drive. Running bootrec commands or chkdsk from the command prompt is the best way to break the loop.

Will I lose my files if I run these fixes?

No, the bootrec, DISM, SFC, and chkdsk commands only repair system files and disk errors; they don’t touch your personal files. However, if you end up doing a clean install, you will lose everything on the system drive unless you back it up first.

Can I run Startup Repair from a USB drive?

Yes, you can boot from a Windows 10 installation USB and select “Repair your computer” to access the same recovery tools. This is often necessary if your PC’s built-in recovery partition is damaged.

How do I know if my hard drive is failing?

If chkdsk reports many bad sectors, or if you hear clicking noises from the drive, it’s likely failing. You can also check the SMART status in your BIOS or use a tool like CrystalDiskInfo (on another PC) to assess drive health. If the drive is failing, back up data immediately and replace it.

What if I don’t have a Windows installation media?

You can create one on another PC using Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool. If you don’t have access to another PC, you can try pressing Shift+Restart in Windows to access recovery, but if Windows won’t boot, you’ll need to borrow a friend’s PC or use a public computer.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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