How to Use the Windows 10 Startup Repair Tool to Fix Boot Problems in 2024

If your Windows 10 PC is stuck on the boot screen or won’t start up properly, don’t panic. Windows 10 includes a handy built-in tool called Startup Repair that can often fix common booting issues without much fuss. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to access and use Startup Repair to get your computer back up and running in no time.

What is Startup Repair?

Startup Repair is a troubleshooting tool that’s part of the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) in Windows 10. It’s designed to automatically diagnose and repair a variety of startup problems that may be preventing your PC from booting normally, such as missing or corrupted system files, driver conflicts, or issues with the boot configuration data (BCD).

When Startup Repair detects a startup problem, it will automatically run and attempt to fix the issue. If it’s successful, your PC should boot up normally the next time you restart it. If not, you can manually run Startup Repair from the WinRE to see if it can resolve the problem.

How to Access Startup Repair

There are a few different ways to access the Windows Recovery Environment and run Startup Repair:

From the Advanced Startup Options menu

If your PC is booting normally, you can access the Advanced Startup Options menu from the Settings app:

Open the Settings app and go to Update & Security > Recovery.
Under “Advanced startup”, click the Restart now button.
Once your PC restarts, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Repair.
From a bootable Windows installation media

If your PC won’t boot at all, you can access the WinRE using a bootable Windows installation USB drive or DVD:

Create a bootable Windows 10 installation media using the Media Creation Tool.
Boot your PC from the USB drive or DVD.
On the “Install Windows” screen, click “Repair your computer”.
Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Repair.
From the automatic repair process

If your PC fails to boot twice in a row, Windows will automatically attempt to diagnose and repair the issue using the Startup Repair tool:

After the second failed boot attempt, Windows will automatically enter the WinRE.
Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Repair to run the tool.

How to Use Startup Repair

Once you’ve accessed the Windows Recovery Environment, using Startup Repair is pretty straightforward:

Select the operating system you want to repair (if you have multiple installations).
Select your user account and enter your password if prompted.
Click “Continue” to allow Startup Repair to scan your system for issues.
If any problems are found, Startup Repair will attempt to fix them automatically.
Once the repair process is complete, click “Shutdown” and restart your PC to see if the issue has been resolved.

If Startup Repair is successful, your PC should boot normally the next time you start it up. If not, you may need to try additional troubleshooting steps or consider a clean reinstall of Windows 10.

It’s important to note that Startup Repair is not a magic bullet that can fix every possible boot problem. If your system has more complex issues, such as hardware failures or malware infections, Startup Repair may not be able to resolve them. In those cases, you may need to seek further assistance from a professional or explore other recovery options.

That being said, Startup Repair is a powerful tool that can often get your Windows 10 PC back up and running with minimal fuss. By understanding how to access and use it, you can save yourself a lot of time and frustration when dealing with those dreaded boot problems.