How to Fix “Repairing Disk Errors” Loop in Windows 10

Before we dive in, it’s important to note that if you suspect your hard drive is failing, it’s crucial to back up your important data as soon as possible. Hard drive failures can lead to permanent data loss, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Method 1: Remove External Devices

Sometimes, external devices like printers, scanners, or external hard drives can interfere with the boot process and cause the “Repairing Disk Errors” loop. Try unplugging all external devices, except for your keyboard and mouse, and see if that resolves the issue.

Method 2: Run Startup Repair

To run Startup Repair, follow these steps:

1. Turn off your computer and wait a few seconds.
2. Turn it back on and repeatedly press the F8 key (or the appropriate key for your manufacturer) to enter the Advanced Boot Options menu.
3. Select “Repair Your Computer” and press Enter.
4. Select your keyboard layout and click “Next.”
5. Click “Troubleshoot” and then “Advanced Options.”
6. Select “Startup Repair” and follow the on-screen instructions.

This process will attempt to identify and fix any issues preventing Windows from booting properly.

Method 3: Rebuild the Boot Configuration Data (BCD)

If Startup Repair doesn’t work, you can try rebuilding the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) using the following steps:

1. Boot from the Windows 10 installation media or recovery drive.
2. Click “Repair your computer” and select “Troubleshoot” > “Advanced options” > “Command Prompt.”
3. In the Command Prompt, type the following commands and press Enter after each one:
   • bootrec /rebuildbcd
   • bootrec /fixmbr
   • bootrec /fixboot
4. Exit the Command Prompt and restart your computer.

This process will rebuild the BCD, which stores information about the boot process, and may resolve any issues causing the “Repairing Disk Errors” loop.

Method 4: Run CHKDSK

CHKDSK is a built-in Windows utility that can scan and repair disk errors. To run CHKDSK, follow these steps:

1. Boot from the Windows 10 installation media or recovery drive.
2. Click “Repair your computer” and select “Troubleshoot” > “Advanced options” > “Command Prompt.”
3. In the Command Prompt, type the following command and press Enter:
   • chkdsk /f /r
4. Wait for the scan to complete and follow any on-screen instructions.
5. Exit the Command Prompt and restart your computer.

The /f parameter fixes errors on the disk, while /r locates bad sectors and recovers readable information.

Method 5: Reset or Reinstall Windows 10

If none of the above methods work, you may need to reset or reinstall Windows 10. This will restore your system to its default settings, but it will also remove any installed programs and personal files. To reset your PC:

1. Boot from the Windows 10 installation media or recovery drive.
2. Click “Repair your computer” and select “Troubleshoot” > “Reset this PC.”
3. Choose whether to keep your personal files or remove everything, then follow the on-screen instructions.

If resetting doesn’t work, you may need to perform a clean installation of Windows 10. This will erase your entire hard drive, so make sure to back up any important data first.