How to Fix the Automatic Repair Loop in Windows 8: A Comprehensive Guide

If you’re experiencing the dreaded automatic repair loop in Windows 8, where your computer keeps restarting and entering the automatic repair mode without successfully booting into Windows, don’t panic. There are several troubleshooting steps you can take to resolve this issue and get your system back up and running. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the process of fixing the automatic repair loop in Windows 8.

Entering the Advanced Startup Options Menu

The first step in resolving the automatic repair loop is to access the Advanced Startup Options menu. To do this, follow these steps:

Click on the Restart now button and Windows 8 will restart your computer.
Once your computer restarts, it should go directly into the Advanced Startup options menu.
If your computer doesn’t automatically enter the Advanced Startup options menu, you can force it to do so by pressing the F8 key repeatedly during the boot process.

Once you’re in the Advanced Startup options menu, select the Troubleshoot option.

Using the Command Prompt to Fix the Automatic Repair Loop

One of the most effective ways to resolve the automatic repair loop is to use the Command Prompt. Here’s how to do it:

In the Advanced Startup options menu, click on the Troubleshoot button and then the Advanced options button.
When the advanced options screen opens, click on the Command Prompt option.
In the Command Prompt, type the following commands and press Enter after each one:
bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /rebuildbcd
Once the commands have finished executing, type exit and press Enter to close the Command Prompt.
Restart your computer and see if the automatic repair loop has been resolved.

If the automatic repair loop persists, you can try a few other troubleshooting steps using the Command Prompt.

In the Command Prompt, type cd %windir%\system32\config and press Enter to navigate to the system32\config folder.
Type ren system system.001 and press Enter to rename the System registry hive.
Type ren software software.001 and press Enter to rename the Software registry hive.
Type exit and press Enter to close the Command Prompt.
Restart your computer and see if the automatic repair loop has been resolved.

If renaming the registry hives doesn’t work, you can try using the System Restore feature to roll back your system to a previous restore point.

In the Advanced Startup options menu, click on the Troubleshoot button and then the Advanced options button.
Click on the System Restore option and follow the on-screen instructions to restore your system to a previous restore point.

Keep in mind that System Restore will only work if you have previously created a restore point on your system.

Using the Windows 8 Recovery Drive to Fix the Automatic Repair Loop

If none of the above methods work, you can try using a Windows 8 recovery drive to fix the automatic repair loop. Here’s how to do it:

Create a Windows 8 recovery drive using another computer. You can do this by searching for “recovery drive” in the Start menu and following the on-screen instructions.
Insert the recovery drive into your computer and restart it.
In the Advanced Startup options menu, click on the Troubleshoot button and then the Advanced options button.
Click on the Command Prompt option and follow the same steps as above to execute the bootrec commands and rename the registry hives.
If the automatic repair loop persists, you can try using the System Image Recovery feature to restore your system from a previously created system image.

Keep in mind that using a system image will restore your system to the state it was in when the image was created, so you may lose any data or changes made since then.

If all else fails, you can try resetting your system to its factory settings using the Windows 8 recovery drive. This will erase all your personal files, apps, and settings, so make sure to back up any important data before proceeding.

In the Advanced Startup options menu, click on the Troubleshoot button and then the Reset your PC option.
Follow the on-screen instructions to reset your system to its factory settings.

Keep in mind that resetting your system will remove all your personal files, apps, and settings, so make sure to back up any important data before proceeding.

In conclusion, the automatic repair loop in Windows 8 can be a frustrating issue, but with the right troubleshooting steps, it can be resolved. By using the Command Prompt, System Restore, or a Windows 8 recovery drive, you can get your system back up and running in no time. Remember to always back up your important data before attempting any major system changes.