How to Run Startup Repair on Windows 10

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Few things spike your heart rate like pressing the power button on your PC and
getting… nothing useful. Maybe Windows keeps rebooting, maybe it’s stuck on
“Preparing Automatic Repair,” or maybe it just sits on a logo like it’s on vacation.
Before you start pricing new laptops, there’s a powerful built-in tool worth trying:
Startup Repair in Windows 10.

Startup Repair is part of the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). It scans your
system for common boot problemslike corrupted system files, broken boot records,
or configuration issuesand attempts to fix them automatically so Windows can start
normally again. You don’t need to be a tech pro; you just need to know how to get
to it and what to expect.

In this guide, we’ll walk through multiple ways to run Startup Repair on Windows 10,
show you when it’s the right tool for the job, explain what it actually does under
the hood, and share some real-world troubleshooting experiences so you can approach
boot problems with a clear plan instead of blind panic.

What is Startup Repair in Windows 10?

Startup Repair is an automated diagnostic and repair tool Microsoft
includes with Windows 10. When Windows fails to start correctly, Startup Repair
can:

• Scan for and replace missing or corrupted system files.
• Repair a damaged Boot Configuration Data (BCD) store.
• Fix problems with the Master Boot Record (MBR) or boot sector.
• Address certain driver or registry issues that block startup.

It focuses specifically on boot problems. If your PC turns on but is just
slow, unstable, or full of random glitches, other tools like System Restore,
“Reset this PC,” or DISM/SFC are usually more appropriate. But if Windows 10
can’t get to the desktop or keeps looping through Automatic Repair, Startup Repair
is often your first line of defense.

When should you use Startup Repair?

Use Startup Repair when you see symptoms like:

• “Automatic Repair couldn’t repair your PC” or similar messages.
• Endless loops of “Preparing Automatic Repair” or “Diagnosing your PC.”
• Windows 10 restarts repeatedly before reaching the sign-in screen.
• Black or blue screens immediately after the Windows logo appears.
• Error messages mentioning boot configuration, boot device, or missing system files.

If the system still boots sometimes but behaves oddly, you can still run
Startup Repair as a preventative checkbut don’t be surprised if it reports that
it “couldn’t repair your PC” because, from its perspective, there’s nothing
obviously broken in the startup pipeline.

Ways to run Startup Repair on Windows 10

You can launch Startup Repair from several places, depending on how broken
your system is:

• From the Settings app (if you can still sign in).
• From the sign-in screen using Shift + Restart.
• By forcing Windows into WinRE with repeated failed boots.
• From a recovery drive or Windows 10 installation USB/DVD.

Let’s go step-by-step through each method so you can match the approach to your
exact situation.

Method 1: Run Startup Repair from the Settings app

This is the easiest method and works when you can still log into Windows 10 and
reach the desktop.

Step-by-step: Using Advanced startup in Settings

1. Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.
2. Go to Update & Security > Recovery.
3. Under Advanced startup, click
   Restart now.
4. Your PC will reboot into the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).
   On the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot.
5. Click Advanced options.
6. Choose Startup Repair.
7. Select your Windows 10 user account when prompted and enter your password if
   required.
8. Let Startup Repair run its diagnostics. This may take several minutes and can
   involve one or more restarts.

After the process completes, Windows will either boot normally, tell you it
couldn’t detect a problem, or display an error with more details. Make a note of
any messagesit helps a lot with the next steps if you need deeper repairs.

Method 2: Run Startup Repair from the sign-in screen

Sometimes you can reach the sign-in screen but not the actual desktopmaybe
logging in hangs or immediately reboots. In that case, you can trigger Advanced
startup directly from the sign-in screen.

Using Shift + Restart

1. At the sign-in screen, don’t log in yet.
2. Click the power icon in the lower-right corner.
3. Hold down the Shift key on your keyboard and, while holding it,
   click Restart.
4. Keep holding Shift until the Choose an option screen appears.
5. Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Repair.
6. Choose your account, enter your password if prompted, and let Startup Repair do
   its thing.

This Shift + Restart trick is one of the fastest ways to reach WinRE when Windows
is only partially working.

Method 3: Run Startup Repair when Windows won’t boot at all

If Windows 10 fails to start several times in a row, it often automatically
triggers the recovery environment. If it doesn’t, you can “encourage” it a bit.
Use this method if you can’t even get to the sign-in screen.

Triggering WinRE with failed boots

1. Start the PC and watch for the Windows logo to appear.
2. As soon as you see the logo or spinning dots, hold the power button
   for about 5–10 seconds to force a shutdown.
3. Repeat this start–force-shutdown process two or three times.
4. On the next startup, Windows should detect repeated failed boots and automatically
   launch Preparing Automatic Repair, leading to
   WinRE.
5. When you see Automatic Repair or Recovery options, choose
   Advanced options.
6. Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Repair.

This method feels a bit aggressive, but it is the documented way Windows 10
decides “Okay, something is definitely wrong, let’s bring up recovery tools.”

Method 4: Run Startup Repair from a recovery drive or installation media

If the recovery environment on your drive is damaged, or if you’re stuck in a
nasty Automatic Repair loop, starting from a USB drive is a great fallback.

What you’ll need

• A Windows 10 USB recovery drive you created earlier, or
• A Windows 10 installation USB/DVD created with Microsoft’s
  Media Creation Tool.

Steps to run Startup Repair from USB

1. Insert the USB recovery drive or installation media into the PC.
2. Turn on the computer and press the appropriate key (often F12,
   Esc, or F9) to open the boot menu.
3. Select your USB or DVD drive as the boot device.
4. If you’re using installation media, choose your language and click
   Next, then select Repair your computer instead
   of installing Windows.
5. On the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot.
6. Go to Advanced options > Startup Repair.
7. Pick the Windows 10 installation you want to repair and follow the prompts.

Using external media is especially useful when your internal drive’s recovery
partition is missing, damaged, or inaccessible.

What happens when you run Startup Repair?

While Startup Repair is running, it quietly works through a checklist of tests and
fixes. You won’t see all the details, but behind the scenes it may:

• Scan for damaged or missing system files required for boot.
• Check the BCD store and repair invalid entries.
• Verify the integrity of the boot sector and MBR.
• Look for problematic drivers that load early in the boot process.
• Attempt to roll back certain changes that prevent Windows from starting.

When it finishes, you’ll usually see one of three outcomes:

1. Windows boots normally. GreatStartup Repair found an issue and
   fixed it. Keep an eye on your system for a while and consider backing up your
   data and creating a fresh recovery drive.
2. Startup Repair couldn’t repair your PC. This means the problem
   is either outside what the tool can fix (for example, severe disk damage) or not
   related to the boot process itself.
3. No problems found. In this case, your issue might be related to
   drivers, updates, malware, or hardware that only shows up later in the boot
   sequence.

What to try if Startup Repair doesn’t fix the problem

If Startup Repair can’t get Windows 10 running, don’t panic. You still have
several other tools available in WinRE.

1. System Restore

If you had System Restore enabled, you can roll your PC back to a
previous restore point:

1. From WinRE, go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options.
2. Select System Restore.
3. Choose a restore point from before the boot issue started.

This can undo problematic driver installs, registry changes, or software
updates without touching your personal files.

2. System File Checker and DISM

You can use command-line tools to repair deeper system corruption:

1. In Advanced options, choose Command Prompt.
2. Run:
   sfc /scannow /offbootdir=C: /offwindir=C:Windows
   (adjust drive letters if needed).
3. If SFC reports it can’t fix everything, you can use
   DISM with installation media to repair the Windows image and
   then re-run SFC.

3. Uninstall recent updates

If the issue started right after a Windows update, try:

1. Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options.
2. Select Uninstall Updates.
3. Remove the latest quality or feature update and test booting again.

4. Reset this PC (as a last resort)

If nothing works and your hardware is healthy, you can use Reset this PC
to reinstall Windows 10. You’ll have the option to keep your personal files, but
apps and settings will be removed, so make backups first if you can.

Best practices when using Startup Repair

• Give it time. If the hard drive is large or the problems are
  complex, Startup Repair may take a while. Avoid interrupting it unless it’s
  clearly frozen for a very long period.
• Write down error messages. Take photos of any logs, paths, or
  error codes shown at the end of the process. They’re extremely helpful if you
  move on to manual repairs or ask for support.
• Check hardware, too. No amount of software repair will fix a
  dying hard drive. If you hear unusual clicking sounds or see frequent SMART
  warnings, back up your data and test the disk.
• Create a recovery drive while things are healthy. A 16 GB USB
  recovery drive can save you from a lot of stress later.
• Back up regularly. Startup Repair is great, but backups are
  better. If a repair fails, backups turn a disaster into an inconvenience.

Real-world experiences with Startup Repair on Windows 10

Tools are easier to trust when you know how they behave in the real world. Here
are some common scenarios and what typically happens when you run Startup Repair.

Scenario 1: The “mysterious blackout” after a power loss

Picture this: You’re working on a big project, a storm rolls through, and the
power blinks out right in the middle of a Windows update. The next time you boot,
Windows 10 starts, shows the logo, then restarts. Over and over.

In this situation, it’s common for critical boot files or configuration data to
get corrupted mid-write. Startup Repair can shine here. From WinRE, you launch
the tool, it quietly scans the BCD, checks key system files, and repairs what’s
broken. Many users report that after 10–20 minutes of letting it work, Windows
suddenly boots up as if nothing ever happenedaside from a stern reminder to buy
a UPS.

Scenario 2: Driver or software gone wrong

Another classic pattern: you install a new graphics driver, antivirus, or system
tuning utility, reboot, and suddenly the machine hangs right after the spinning
dots. Sometimes Startup Repair can fix this by undoing or bypassing problematic
changes that affect the boot chain, but it’s not guaranteed.

In practice, people often run Startup Repair first, then follow up with
System Restore to roll the system back to a restore point created
before the driver installation. The combination of Startup Repair plus System
Restore is surprisingly effective for “it was working yesterday” boot problems.

Scenario 3: Endless Automatic Repair loop

The Automatic Repair loop is one of the more frustrating experiences. You see
“Preparing Automatic Repair,” then “Diagnosing your PC,” and thenback to the
beginning. Rinse, repeat.

In this loop, Startup Repair is technically already trying to help, but it may be
stuck. Booting from a Windows 10 installation USB and manually
selecting Startup Repair from the Advanced options often gives
better results. If the loop continues, more advanced steps like checking the disk
with chkdsk, running SFC/DISM, or even cloning the drive to rule out
hardware failure may be required.

Scenario 4: When Startup Repair tells you “it couldn’t repair your PC”

This message doesn’t necessarily mean everything is hopeless. It usually means:

• The issue isn’t in the boot files Startup Repair knows how to fix, or
• The underlying problem is deeperlike a failing drive, severe corruption, or malware.

In practice, this is often the point where experienced users pivot to:

• System Restore from WinRE.
• Manual BCD repair using bootrec commands.
• Running DISM and SFC from Command Prompt.
• Backing up data via Command Prompt or a Linux live USB, then reinstalling Windows.

The key is not to keep blindly rerunning Startup Repair in the hopes that the
tenth attempt will do something different. Once it tells you it can’t repair your
PC, move on to the next tier of tools.

Mindset tips for dealing with boot problems

Boot failures feel dramatic, but solving them is often a step-by-step, calm
process:

• Start with Startup Repairit’s quick, guided, and safe.
• If that fails, System Restore and uninstalling updates are your
  next “easy” options.
• Move to Command Prompt tools (SFC, DISM, chkdsk, bootrec) only
  when needed.
• Consider a clean install of Windows 10 only after you’ve backed up important
  data and exhausted the simpler fixes.

Most importantly, treat this whole process as a reminder to set up good habits:
automated backups, a recovery drive, and avoiding random “registry cleaners” or
mystery driver tools. With those in place, Startup Repair becomes one part of a
larger, much safer recovery strategy.

The next time your Windows 10 machine refuses to boot, you won’t just stare at
the screen in despair. You’ll know exactly how to run Startup Repair, how to
interpret the results, and what to try nextturning a stressful moment into a
manageable technical task.