Windows Startup Repair is a built-in feature designed to diagnose and fix issues preventing your computer from booting properly. When Windows encounters problems during startup, it may automatically trigger Startup Repair to resolve the issue. However, sometimes Startup Repair itself can fail to load or complete the repair process, leading to an endless loop of failed attempts to start your system.
Common Causes of Windows Startup Repair
Several factors can contribute to Windows Startup Repair being triggered or failing to resolve the issue:
Unexpected PC shutdown: If your computer shuts down unexpectedly due to power outages, hardware failures, or improper shutdown procedures, it can lead to corrupted system files and trigger Startup Repair.
Viruses and malware: Malicious software can infect your system, damage critical files, and cause startup problems that prompt Startup Repair.
Driver issues: Incompatible, outdated, or corrupted device drivers can interfere with the boot process and trigger Startup Repair.
Damaged BCD settings: The Boot Configuration Data (BCD) stores important information about the boot process. If these settings are corrupted or misconfigured, it can prevent Windows from starting properly.
Corrupted boot partition: The partition where Windows is installed can become corrupted due to file system errors, bad sectors, or other issues, leading to startup problems.
Blue screen of death (BSOD): A BSOD, also known as a system crash or stop error, can occur due to various hardware or software issues and prevent Windows from booting normally.
Symptoms of Windows Startup Repair Failure
When Startup Repair fails to resolve the startup issue, you may encounter the following symptoms:
Startup Repair loop: Your computer may continuously attempt to launch Startup Repair on each boot, but the repair process never completes, leaving you stuck in an endless loop.
Startup Repair takes a long time to launch: In some cases, Startup Repair may take an unusually long time to start, indicating that there are significant issues with the boot process.
Startup Repair claims repairs have been executed, but the problem persists: Even after Startup Repair claims to have fixed the issue, your computer may still fail to boot properly, suggesting that the underlying problem has not been resolved.
Troubleshooting Windows Startup Repair Failure
If you’re experiencing issues with Windows Startup Repair, you can try the following troubleshooting steps:
Disable automatic restart: If your computer is stuck in a Startup Repair loop, you can try disabling automatic restart on system failure to prevent the endless loop and gain access to the system.
Run CHKDSK command: Use the CHKDSK command to scan and repair file system errors on your hard drive, which may be causing startup problems.
Boot into Safe Mode: Start your computer in Safe Mode to diagnose and troubleshoot issues without loading all startup programs and drivers.
Repair MBR and rebuild BCD: If the Master Boot Record (MBR) or Boot Configuration Data (BCD) is corrupted, you can use the bootrec command to repair the MBR and rebuild the BCD.
Run SFC and DISM commands: Use the System File Checker (SFC) and Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) commands to scan for and repair corrupted system files.
Disable Early Launch Anti-malware Protection: If a third-party anti-malware program is interfering with the boot process, you can try disabling Early Launch Anti-malware Protection.
Delete problematic files: If a specific file is causing the startup issue, you can try deleting it using the Command Prompt.
Perform a system reset: As a last resort, you can perform a system reset to restore your computer to its default settings and remove any problematic software or drivers.
If none of these troubleshooting steps resolve the issue, you may need to consider more advanced options, such as using a Windows installation disc or USB drive to perform a repair installation or clean install of Windows.