Is your Windows 11 computer refusing to boot properly? Maybe it’s stuck in a loading loop or showing a blue screen error. Don’t panic — Startup Repair is one of the most powerful built-in recovery tools designed to automatically diagnose and fix startup issues.
In this detailed, beginner-friendly tutorial, we’ll show you how to run Startup Repair on Windows 11 step-by-step, explain when to use it, and provide troubleshooting tips if it doesn’t work.
🧩 What Is Startup Repair in Windows 11?
Startup Repair (formerly “Automatic Repair”) is a Windows recovery utility that scans your system for problems preventing your computer from starting correctly.
It can automatically fix:
- Corrupt or missing system files
- Damaged boot configuration (BCD/MBR)
- Faulty drivers causing startup loops
- Incomplete Windows updates
- Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) boot errors
Think of Startup Repair as Windows’ “self-healing mode” — it diagnoses boot issues and attempts to fix them without deleting your data.
🧭 When Should You Use Startup Repair?
Run Startup Repair if you notice any of these symptoms:
- Windows 11 won’t boot normally.
- The PC restarts endlessly after the Windows logo.
- You see messages like “Automatic Repair couldn’t repair your PC.”
- A blue or black screen appears after startup.
- Startup takes unusually long with no desktop loading.
If your computer starts fine but is slow or crashes later, this tool isn’t the right fix — try System Restore or a Clean Boot instead.
⚙️ 5 Easy Ways to Run Startup Repair on Windows 11
There are several ways to launch Startup Repair, depending on whether your PC can boot or not. Let’s go through each method step by step.
🪄 Method 1: Run Startup Repair from Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE)
If your system fails to boot multiple times, Windows will automatically load WinRE — but you can also open it manually.
Steps:
- Turn on your computer.
- On the login screen, click the Power icon → Hold Shift → Click Restart.
- Wait for the Choose an option menu to appear.
- Select:
- Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Repair
- Choose your account and enter your password (if prompted).
- Windows will begin diagnosing your PC and attempt repairs automatically.
Once the repair completes, your PC will restart. If Windows boots normally, the issue is fixed.
💻 Method 2: Run Startup Repair When Windows Won’t Boot
If Windows 11 can’t even reach the login screen, access WinRE manually through forced shutdowns.
Steps:
- Power on your PC.
- As soon as you see the Windows logo, press and hold the power button until it shuts down.
- Repeat this 3 times — Windows will trigger Automatic Repair mode.
- On the “Preparing Automatic Repair” screen, select your user account.
- Click Advanced options → Troubleshoot → Startup Repair.
Windows will now scan for startup problems and fix them automatically.
🧰 Method 3: Use a Bootable USB Drive to Run Startup Repair
If Windows can’t start at all, use a Windows 11 installation USB (created via the Microsoft Media Creation Tool).
Steps:
- Insert your Windows 11 bootable USB and turn on the PC.
- Press the boot menu key (F9 or Esc, depending on HP, Dell, Lenovo, etc.).
- Choose to boot from the USB drive.
- When the Windows setup screen appears, click Repair your computer (bottom-left corner).
- Select Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Repair.
- Choose your Windows installation and let it run diagnostics.
Afterward, remove the USB and reboot normally.
🧩 Method 4: Run Startup Repair Using System Settings (If Windows Boots)
If you can still log in to Windows 11 but it occasionally crashes on startup, you can trigger Startup Repair from within Windows.
Steps:
- Open Settings → System → Recovery.
- Under Recovery options, click Restart now next to Advanced startup.
- Confirm by clicking Restart now again.
- Once the system reboots, choose:
- Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Repair
Windows will automatically attempt to fix any startup-related issues.
🛠️ Method 5: Use Command Prompt to Launch Startup Repair Manually
If you prefer advanced control, you can trigger Startup Repair through Command Prompt in WinRE.
Steps:
- Boot into Advanced Startup Options (as shown in earlier methods).
- Select Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Command Prompt.
- In the Command Prompt window, type:
startrep.exe - Press Enter to run the Startup Repair utility manually.
This command launches the same repair process as the graphical interface.
🧠 What Happens During Startup Repair?
When Startup Repair runs, it automatically:
- Scans for corrupted boot files.
- Verifies disk integrity.
- Checks Windows registry and BCD (Boot Configuration Data).
- Replaces missing or broken system files.
- Reboots and tests for successful startup.
If successful, your system will boot normally. If not, it will display a report outlining what went wrong.
⚡ What If Startup Repair Doesn’t Work?
Sometimes, Startup Repair can’t fix deep-level issues. You’ll see a message like:
“Startup Repair couldn’t repair your PC.”
In that case, try these next steps:
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Boot files are corrupted | Run bootrec /fixmbr and bootrec /fixboot via Command Prompt |
| Recent driver/software issue | Use System Restore |
| Bad Windows update | Uninstall the last update via Advanced Options → Uninstall Updates |
| Disk errors | Run chkdsk /f /r C: |
| Persistent crashes | Consider Reset This PC or a clean Windows reinstall |
🧩 How to Use System Restore After Failed Startup Repair
If Startup Repair fails, use System Restore to revert Windows to a stable point.
Steps:
- Boot into WinRE → Troubleshoot → Advanced options → System Restore.
- Select your Windows account and password.
- Choose a restore point created before the problem occurred.
- Follow the prompts and let Windows roll back the system state.
Your personal files remain safe, but apps installed after the restore point will be removed.
🧱 How to Prevent Startup Problems in the Future
Avoid having to run Startup Repair repeatedly by following these simple maintenance tips:
- Keep Windows updated with security patches.
- Install drivers only from trusted manufacturers.
- Use Windows Security to prevent malware infections.
- Regularly back up your system with File History or OneDrive.
- Avoid abrupt shutdowns and power cuts.
🧾 Quick Summary Table: Startup Repair Options
| Scenario | Best Method | Access Path |
|---|---|---|
| PC boots normally | System Settings | Settings → System → Recovery → Advanced Startup |
| PC stuck on boot logo | Forced shutdown 3x | Auto Repair Mode |
| PC won’t boot at all | Bootable USB | Repair your computer → Troubleshoot → Startup Repair |
| Advanced users | Command Prompt | startrep.exe |
✅ Conclusion
If your Windows 11 PC refuses to start, Startup Repair is your first line of defense. It can automatically detect and resolve many common boot issues — from corrupted system files to bad updates.
Start with the simplest method (via WinRE) and work your way through USB or Command Prompt if needed. And remember — if all else fails, you can still restore or reset your PC to get back to a working state.
❓ FAQs: How to Run Startup Repair Windows 11
1. What does Startup Repair actually fix?
It fixes startup-related issues like corrupted system files, damaged boot records, and driver conflicts that prevent Windows from booting properly.
2. Will Startup Repair delete my files?
No. Startup Repair only modifies system files. Your personal files remain intact.
3. How long does Startup Repair take in Windows 11?
It usually takes 5–15 minutes, depending on your system speed and issue severity.
4. What if Startup Repair fails to fix the problem?
Try using System Restore, bootrec commands, or Reset this PC as alternative repair methods.
5. Can I run Startup Repair without a USB?
Yes, you can access it directly from Advanced Startup Options or Automatic Repair Mode without external media.
🧭 Summary: Key Takeaways
- Startup Repair is a built-in Windows 11 utility that automatically fixes boot problems.
- Access it via WinRE, Settings, or a bootable USB.
- It’s safe, non-destructive, and effective for most boot issues.
- If Startup Repair fails, try System Restore, bootrec, or Reset This PC.
- Keep your system updated and backed up to avoid startup issues in the future.
By following these steps, you’ll know exactly how to run Startup Repair on Windows 11 and restore your system’s health without losing any data. 💻⚙️