Fix Windows Startup Repair Cannot Repair This Computer Automatically

Startup Repair is a native Windows tool designed to scan and replace any missing or corrupted system files on your computer. It is used when your system encounters booting issues. However, when used in Windows 7 or Vista, users often encounter a common error message: “Startup Repair cannot repair this computer automatically,” while Windows 10 users might see “Automatic Repair couldn’t repair your PC.”

Why Does The Error Occur

This issue occurs due to the following causes:

– An incompatible external device is connected to your computer.
– The file system on your system disk is damaged.
– Corrupted Master Boot Record (MBR) on your hard drive.
– Other reasons include virus attacks, disk write errors, or power outages.

Bonus Tip: Recover Data Before Troubleshooting

If you encounter the “Startup Repair Cannot Repair This Computer Automatically” error on your PC, consider recovering your data from the drive. Doing so ensures that even if some data is lost during troubleshooting, you have a backup available. We suggest using the Advanced Disk Recovery app for data recovery.

Step 1: Download and Install Advanced Disk Recovery using the download button below.
Step 2: Launch the software and choose the areas to be scanned.

Step 3: Click on the Start Scan Now Button.

Step 4: Choose the Deep scan option to recover files from the deepest sectors of your hard drive and click on Scan Now.

Step 5: A list of files that can be recovered will be displayed. Click on the check box next to the files you wish to recover and click on the Recover button.

Step 6: You will have to specify the location where you wish to save these recovered files and click on OK.

Step 7: Wait for some time, and you will have recovered all your important data.

Fixes For Startup Repair Cannot Repair This Computer Automatically

Fix 1: Remove All Peripheral Devices

According to Tech experts, if you’ve recently connected a device such as a camera or portable music player to your computer, disconnecting the device and restarting your computer can resolve the issue. Windows sometimes displays an error message when an incompatible device is connected. Disconnecting it and restarting the PC can help. Check if the issue persists. If not, try reconnecting the device again via a different port.

Fix 2: Activate Bootrec.exe

Bootrec.exe is a command-line tool in Windows used to repair the Master Boot Record (MBR), Boot Sector, or BCD (Boot Configuration Data) when issues prevent your computer from booting properly. It’s an important tool for troubleshooting and fixing problems related to the boot process of Windows operating systems. Here are the steps:

Step 1: Reboot your PC in the Windows Recovery Environment.
Step 2: Select the Repair Your Computer in the Advanced Boot Options window.
Step 3: Choose Command Prompt.
Step 4: Copy and paste the following commands one by one, followed by the Enter key.

bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot

Fix 3: Activate CHKDSK

If you get the error message “Startup Repair cannot repair the computer automatically” due to disk errors, running CHKDSK allows you to scan and fix disk errors, including bad sectors and file system errors. Here is what you need to do.

Step 1: Reboot your PC in the Windows Recovery Environment.
Step 2: Select the Repair Your Computer in the Advanced Boot Options window.
Step 3: Choose Command Prompt.
Step 4: Copy and paste the following commands one by one, followed by the Enter key.

chkdsk C: /f /r

Fix 4: Run Windows SFC Tool

The Windows System File Checker Tool can verify and repair missing or corrupted Windows system files on your computer. Importantly, you can use this tool without requiring the Windows installation CD; simply boot into Safe Mode with Command Prompt to activate it.

Step 1: Reboot your PC in the Windows Recovery Environment.
Step 2: Select the Safe Mode with Command Prompt in the Advanced Boot Options window.
Step 3: Copy and Paste the following command followed by Enter.

sfc /scannow /offbootdir=c:\ /offwindir=c:\windows

Step 5: Reboot your PC.

Fix 5: Perform System Restore

A system restore will undo the changes and take the PC to a point where everything works properly. There will be no loss of files, but you will lose any apps you have installed after that time and all the settings you have changed. Here is what you need to do:

Step 1: Reboot your PC in the Windows Recovery Environment and choose Troubleshoot.

Step 2: Select “Advanced options” and “System Restore”.

Step 3. Select the Administrator Account, type your password, and choose “Continue”.
Step 4: Select the system restore point you created and follow the on-screen instructions to finish the process. 

Read Also: How to Fix Windows 10/11 System Restore Is Taking a Long Time

Get the Computer Working After The Issue

You can try the above fixes and troubleshoot the “Windows Startup Repair Cannot Repair This Computer Automatically” error. In addition to this, as a precaution, create a system backup to avoid any data loss. Do write to us in the comments section about what you think was the cause of this issue on your PC and how you resolved it.