Causes and solutions if you cannot proceed from the "Preparing automatic repair" screen

If you cannot proceed beyond the "Preparing automatic repair" screen, try the following.

• Restart your computer
• computer discharge
• Try setting your hardware to the lowest configuration
• Try booting in safe mode
• Startup repair with recovery drive
• Using professional apps

These methods are explained in an easy-to-understand manner in this article.

Part 1: Details of "Preparing automatic repair" phenomenon

The phenomenon where the "Preparing Automatic Repair" screen appears and the progress stops is one of the most annoying problems faced by computer users.

This phenomenon mainly occurs when the Windows operating system fails to start for some reason.

Windows automatically starts a repair process to fix the problem, but sometimes this process stops before completing.

For example, a recent Windows update may have been incomplete or some system files may have become corrupted.

When this issue occurs, users may find themselves unable to operate the computer, which may interfere with their work and daily life.

Therefore, when faced with the "Preparing automatic repair" phenomenon, it is important to understand and respond appropriately.

What is the reason behind the message "Preparing automatic repair"?

The "Preparing Automatic Repair" message appears when Windows detects a problem.

The main reason is system malfunction or damage, and this process is triggered when the computer does not boot properly.

For example, this message may appear if a Windows update was not installed properly and caused problems with important system files.

Hardware failure or unexpected power loss can also cause this message.

These situations usually mean that your computer performs self-diagnostics and attempts to identify and fix the problem. However, this repair process may not complete and may become stuck in an infinite loop or stall. If you encounter such a situation, it is essential to take appropriate measures.

Typical range of times it gets stuck on "Preparing automatic repair"

The typical length of time the "Preparing Automatic Repair" screen lasts varies from a few minutes to an hour, depending on the health of your computer and the complexity of the problem.

This is the time that Windows automatically analyzes system errors and searches for necessary repair measures. There are two main reasons why this process takes so long.

The first is when the system is facing a very serious problem that will take some time to repair.

Second, there may be a problem with the repair process itself, which may cause the repair to go into an infinite loop or stall.

So, if your computer doesn't get past the "Preparing Automatic Repair" screen for more than a few hours, it's probably beyond normal and requires additional action.

Part 2: Main causes of halted progress and countermeasures

If your computer gets stuck in the "Preparing automatic repair" state, there are many reasons why.

The main ones are system malfunctions, hardware problems, and virus infections.

For example, a system problem could be a failed Windows update or a corrupted system file.

In addition, hardware problems include HDD failure and memory failure.

Additionally, virus infections can alter important system files, preventing normal startup.

By identifying these causes and taking appropriate measures, it is possible to escape from the "Preparing automatic repair" state.

In this section, we will provide a detailed explanation of specific countermeasures for each cause.

Cause 1: Windows update issue

Windows update issues are one of the reasons why your computer won't proceed beyond "Preparing automatic repair".

This could be because the newly applied update is not compatible with the existing system or because of errors that occurred during the update process.

A specific example is when an update causes a conflict with a device driver, making the system unstable.

Fragmentation while downloading and installing updates can also cause system instability and result in a "Preparing automatic repair" state.

These problems can be resolved by taking appropriate measures.

In this article, we will introduce specific ways to deal with Windows update issues.

Cause 2: System file or hardware failure

Malfunctions in system files or hardware can also cause your computer to get stuck at the "Preparing automatic repair" status.

If system files become corrupted or hardware malfunctions, your computer's operating system will have a hard time booting up properly, resulting in it remaining in automatic repair mode.

Specific symptoms may include hardware failures such as motherboard or memory, or system files being altered by a virus.

These problems are remediable with the help of appropriate tools and techniques.

In the following articles, we will detail specific steps for dealing with system file and hardware failures.

Cause 3: Possible virus infection

Virus infection can also be one of the reasons why the program does not proceed beyond "Preparing automatic repair".

The reason is that Windows may not start properly due to viruses or malware modifying or destroying system files or important settings.

Specifically, a virus hidden in an email attachment or software downloaded from a dubious website can enter your system and destroy important files.

However, problems caused by virus infections can be resolved by using appropriate antivirus software and repair tools. In this article, we will explain specific countermeasures in detail.

Part 3: What to do when "Preparing automatic repair" does not proceed

Solution 1: Restart and discharge

The first thing to do when you get stuck at "Preparing automatic repair" is to restart and discharge your computer.

This may be due to a temporary software error or power-related issue.

Specifically, press and hold the power button on your computer and wait until it turns off completely. Next, unplug the power cord and remove the battery if it is removable. Leave it in that state for a few minutes, then reconnect the power cord and battery and start the computer.

Thus, if a temporary error is the cause, a reboot and discharge may resolve the problem.

However, if this method does not improve the problem, there may be a more serious problem and you should consider other measures.

Solution 2: Boot in safe mode and troubleshoot

When faced with a situation where "Preparing automatic repairs" does not progress, booting in safe mode and troubleshooting are effective solutions.

Safe mode is a mode in which Windows starts with a minimum number of drivers and programs, making it easier to identify system problems.

Specifically, when you start your computer, hold down a certain key (usually F8 or Shift+F8) and select Safe Mode from the menu that appears.

After booting into Safe Mode, you can perform troubleshooting tasks such as restoring the system or uninstalling certain updates.

This will hopefully resolve the "Preparing automatic repair" issue.

However, if this does not resolve the issue, you may need to consider further measures.

Solution 3: Using a recovery drive and Startup Repair

Using a recovery drive and Startup Repair are two powerful ways to resolve issues where your computer is stuck at "Preparing Automatic Repair".

A recovery drive is a tool that helps you repair or reinstall your Windows operating system, especially if your system files are corrupted.

Specifically, boot your computer from a recovery drive created on a USB memory, etc., and use the repair tool included in it to perform startup repair.

This will repair corrupted system files and errors related to Windows startup, and you can expect to be able to start Windows normally.

However, be careful when using this method, as the recovery drive must be created in advance.

Solution 4: Use professional software

Consider using professional software to resolve the issue where your computer is stuck at "Preparing automatic repair".

Specialized software can be of great help, especially when the problem lies deep within the system or when the specific cause cannot be identified.

for example,"Windows Boot Genius"or"EaseUS Partition MasterSoftware such as `` provides the ability to diagnose and repair system startup problems. By using these software, you can expect the "Preparing automatic repair" issue to be resolved. However, in order to use these software properly, it is important to understand how to operate them.

Solution 5: Try setting your hardware to its lowest configuration (from my experience)

This case is written from my experience.

I received a request to repair a computer that would not progress beyond a spinning screen that literally said "Preparing automatic repair."

It was a Fujitsu notebook computer, and its configuration was like this.

• CPU 8th generation Core i5
• Memory 4GB x 2 pieces
• SSD 128GB
• HDD 1TB

No matter what I try, it just keeps saying "Preparing automatic repair" and won't proceed, even if I leave it for about 8 hours, it doesn't work.
Even if I replace the memory or SSD, the symptoms do not change.

The cause was the hard disk.
I didn't think so because it was recognized in the BIOS.
When I removed the hard disk, Windows 11 started up easily.
When I connected it with a SATA-USB conversion cable and checked the hard disk, I could not format it.
To put it simply, it was broken.

The repair was completed by replacing the hard disk with another one.

 Part 4: Preliminary knowledge to prevent the "Preparing automatic repair" problem

To prevent the "Preparing automatic repair" issue, you need some prior knowledge.

This problem is caused by an unexpected system error or hardware problem, so you can take precautions to reduce the chances of it happening.

Specific precautions include regularly backing up your system, applying the latest security patches, and avoiding downloading software from unknown sources.

Creating a recovery drive is also an important precaution.

By having this prior knowledge, even if you encounter the "Preparing automatic repair" issue, you will be able to calmly deal with it and safely restore your system.

Preventive measure 1: Regular system updates and security checks

The first precaution to prevent the "Preparing automatic repair" issue is regular system updates and security checks.

This is because systems that do not have the latest security patches and functional improvements applied may be more prone to malfunctions. Specifically, it is important to run Windows Update regularly to keep your system up to date.

You should also perform regular virus scans to protect your system from malware and viruses.

By following these steps properly, you can reduce the risk of the "Preparing automatic repair" issue occurring. This will enable you to build the foundation for maintaining a stable computer environment.

Precaution 2: Create and store a recovery drive

Creating and storing a recovery drive is a good way to prevent the "Preparing Automatic Repair" issue.

A recovery drive is an important tool when a system failure occurs. That's because a recovery drive allows you to repair system files, drivers, and reinstall Windows.

For example, you can store Windows recovery tools on a USB flash drive and use it as a recovery drive. However, since you need to create a recovery drive in advance, we recommend that you do this along with regular system backups.

This way, if you run into a "Preparing automatic repair" issue, you'll be prepared to deal with it quickly and gracefully.

Summary of causes and solutions when you cannot proceed from the "Preparing automatic repair" screen

If you get stuck at the "Preparing automatic repair" screen, the main causes are Windows update problems, system file or hardware failures, and possible virus infections.

These issues compromise system stability and prevent automatic repair processes. Specific remedies include rebooting, discharging, booting into safe mode, using a recovery drive, and using specialized software.

It is important to select and implement these methods appropriately depending on the cause of the problem. Also, don't forget to take precautions, such as regular system updates and security checks, and creating and storing a recovery drive.

Through these measures, it is possible to effectively resolve the "Preparing automatic repair" issue.