If your Windows PC is having trouble booting up, the built-in Startup Repair tool can often resolve the issue. Startup Repair is designed to automatically diagnose and fix common startup problems that prevent Windows from loading correctly.
What is Startup Repair?
Startup Repair is a Windows recovery tool that scans your PC for problems that may be preventing Windows from starting. It then attempts to fix those issues so your computer can boot properly again. Startup Repair is part of the Advanced Startup Options menu, which can be accessed from your PC’s hard drive, a Windows installation USB drive, or a recovery drive.
Some of the issues Startup Repair can fix include:
- Missing or corrupted system files
- Damaged or incorrect Boot Configuration Data (BCD)
- Corrupt or missing boot sectors
- Problems with the Master Boot Record (MBR)
However, Startup Repair is not designed to fix hardware failures, protect against viruses, or recover personal files. It also can’t resolve issues with the Windows installation itself.
How to Run Startup Repair
There are a few different ways to access Startup Repair, depending on whether your PC is booting normally or not:
From Advanced Startup Options
If your PC is booting normally, you can access Startup Repair from the Advanced Startup Options menu:
- Open the Settings app and go to Update & Security > Recovery.
- Under “Advanced startup,” click the “Restart now” button.
- Once your PC restarts, click “Troubleshoot” > “Advanced options” > “Startup Repair.”
- Select your Windows account and enter your password if prompted.
- Click “Continue” to let Startup Repair diagnose and attempt to fix any startup issues.
From a Bootable USB Drive
If your PC isn’t booting at all, you can use a Windows installation USB drive or recovery drive to access Startup Repair:
- Insert the bootable USB drive and restart your PC.
- Press a key when prompted to boot from the USB drive.
- Select your language and click “Next.”
- Click “Repair your computer” > “Troubleshoot” > “Advanced options” > “Startup Repair.”
- Select your Windows account and enter your password if prompted.
- Click “Continue” to run Startup Repair.
If your PC is stuck during the boot process, you can also interrupt the boot three times in a row to force it into the Advanced Startup Options menu.
What Startup Repair Does
When you run Startup Repair, it performs the following steps:
- Scans your PC for problems that may be preventing Windows from booting correctly.
- Analyzes startup log files to determine the cause of the issue.
- Attempts to automatically fix any problems it finds, such as missing or corrupted system files, incorrect BCD settings, or issues with the boot sectors or MBR.
- Creates a log file called “SrtTrail.txt” in the “C:\Windows\System32\Logfiles\Srt” folder with details about the diagnostics and any repairs made.
If Startup Repair is successful, your PC should boot normally after restarting. However, if the tool is unable to resolve the issue, you’ll see a summary of the problem in the log file.
In some cases, running Startup Repair multiple times (up to three) and restarting your PC each time may be necessary to fix the startup issue. If Startup Repair is still unable to resolve the problem, you may need to try other troubleshooting steps or consider reinstalling Windows.
While Startup Repair is a powerful tool for resolving many common boot problems, it’s important to note that it has limitations. It can’t fix hardware failures, protect against viruses, or recover personal files. It’s also not designed to resolve issues with the Windows installation itself.
If you’re experiencing persistent boot problems or suspect a hardware issue, it’s best to consult with a professional or contact the manufacturer for further assistance.