Fix 'Startup Repair cannot repair this computer automatically' in Windows 10/8/7/Vista

On this page, we collected 6 fixes for you to get rid of "Startup repair cannot repair this computer automatically" error on Windows 10/8/7 with step-by-step tutorial guides.

Workable Solutions	Step-by-step Troubleshooting
Fix 1. Remove Peripheral Devices	If you have recently attached a device to your computer, remove the device...Full steps
Fix 2. Run Bootrec.exe	Restart your computer and press "F8", then choose "Repair Your Computer"...Full steps
Fix 3. Run CHKDSK	Restart your computer, choose "Repair Your Computer" > "Command Prompt"...Full steps
More Fixes	Restart your computer. Once it starts, press "F8", choose "Safe Mode with Command Prompt"...Full steps

"Startup Repair cannot repair this computer automatically"

Startup Repair is a Windows built-in tool that can check and replace the missing or damaged system files on your computer. Generally, this tool is applied when your computer cannot boot properly. However, many users have encountered an issue while using this utility, which is "Startup Repair cannot repair this computer automatically". This is the error message in Windows 7 or Windows Vista. In Windows 10, it's equivalent is "Automatic Repair couldn't repair your PC".

Startup Repair cannot repair this computer error.

If you click "View problem details" in Windows 7/Vista, you will the information below. (The problem signature might be shown different variables from the ones above on different OS.)

Problem Event Name: StartupRepairOffline
Problem Signature 01: 6.1.7600.16385
Problem Signature 02: 6.1.7600.16385
Problem Signature 03: unknown
Problem Signature 04: 21200442
Problem Signature 05: AutoFailover
Problem Signature 06: 65
Problem Signature 07: CorruptFile
OS Version: 6.1.7600.2.0.0.256.1
Locale ID: 1033

Then why did Startup Repair fail to work? Generally, when you receive the error message, it may indicate:

There is a problematic device attached to your computer
The file system of your system disk is damaged
The MBR (Master Boot Record) of the hard drive is corrupted
There may be virus attacks, disk write errors or power outages on your disk

6 Fixes for "Startup Repair cannot repair this computer automatically" in Windows 10/8/7

If you cannot specify the cause of why Windows Startup Repair failed, never mind trying the simple fixes first.

Method 1. Remove Peripheral Devices

Based on the information given by Microsoft, if you have recently attached a device to your computers like a camera or portable music player, you can remove the device and restart your computer. Sometimes, Windows cannot repair the computer automatically due to the device connected.

If this tip doesn't work, don't get upset. There are many other ways for you to try.

Method 2. Run Bootrec.exe

Bootrec, also called bootrec.exe utility, is a tool provided by Microsoft in the Windows Recovery Environment. Bootrec.exe can be used to fix the Master Boot Record (MBR), Boot Sector, Boot Configuration (BCD), and boot.ini. If it's the corrupt MBR or BCD that caused the problem, the solution is to correct the MBR or BCD record with the help of bootrec. By the way, this method requires a Windows recovery disk. Since you are using it when you perform a startup repair, you can run bootrec.exe following the steps below.

In Windows 7:

Step 1. Restart your computer and press "F8" once you see the Windows logo.

Step 2. Among the advanced boot options, choose "Repair Your Computer".

Step 3. In the system recovery options, choose "Command Prompt".

Step 4. Enter the commands below in order:

bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot

Method 3. Run CHKDSK

As mentioned, bad sectors and file system errors on your hard drive may be the reason why you receive the error message "Startup Repair cannot repair the computer automatically". Running CHKDSK is able to check and repair your disk errors including bad sectors and file system errors.

Step 1. Restart your computer and press "F8" once you see the Windows logo.

Step 2. Among the advanced boot options, choose "Repair Your Computer".

Step 3. In the system recovery options, choose "Command Prompt".

Step 4. Enter the command below: chkdsk C: /f /r

"C" is the drive letter of your Windows installation drive.

Method 4. Run Windows System File Checker Tool

Windows System File Checker Tool can check and repair missing or corrupted Windows system files on your computer. Besides, using this tool doesn't need the Windows installation CD. All you need is to boot into the Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

Step 1. Restart your computer. Once it starts, press "F8" in 1-second intervals until you see the Windows logo.

Step 2. Then you will see the menu of "Advanced Boot Options". Under it, choose "Safe Mode with Command Prompt".

Step 3. In Command Prompt, enter the following command: sfc /scannow /offbootdir=d:\ /offwindir=d:\windows

Step 4. Restart your computer.

Method 5. Perform System Restore

If you've created a Windows system restore point as a system backup on your Windows 10/8/7 PC, you have the chance to fully restore your PC to its original state, at least to the previous state. System Restore is a feature in Microsoft Windows that allows users to revert their computer's state (including system files, installed applications, Windows Registry, and system settings) to a previous point in time. Thus, it can be used to recover from system malfunctions or other problems.

Procedure 1. Restore Important Data from the Dead PC

When you are stuck with "Startup Repair cannot repair this computer automatically" or '"Automatic Repair couldn't repair your PC" error message on Windows PC, don't rush to perform System Restore. Performing a system restore will take your PC back to an earlier point in time, called a system restore point. Restore points are generated when you install a new app, driver, or Windows update, and when you create a restore point manually. Restoring won't affect your personal files, but it will remove apps, drivers, and updates installed after the restore point was made. Therefore, we highly recommend you to try powerful data recovery software - Deep Data Recovery with Bootable Media to get your data out of the current 'dead' PC:

Notice: This will require a second healthy computer for help.

Free Download
Windows 11/10/8/7, 100% Secure

Note: To guarantee a high data recovery chance, install Qiling data recovery software on another disk instead of the original disk where you lost files.

Step 1. Launch Deep Data Recovery on your Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8, or Windows 7 computer. Choose file types and click "Next" to start.

Select file types that you want to recover

Step 2. Select the disk partition or storage location where you lost data and click "Scan".

Step 3. This recovery software will start scanning the disk to find all lost and deleted files. When the scan process completes, click "Filter" > "Type" to specify lost file types.

Step 4. Preview and restore lost Windows files. You can double-click to preview the scanned files. Then, select the target data and click the "Recover" button to save them to another safe spot in the PC or an external storage device.

Procedure 2. Perform a System Restore

If you have enabled the System Restore on your computer and created a system restore point, you can fix "Startup repair cannot repair this computer automatically" in Windows 10/8/7/Vista be performing a system restore:

For Windows 10/8/8.1 users:

Step 1. Reboot your Windows 10/8 PC into Advanced Startup, and click "Troubleshoot".

Enter system restore option.

Step 2. Select "Advanced options", choose "System Restore".

Choose System Restore to fix startup repair cannot repair PC error.

Step 3. Click on the Administrator Account and enter your password, click "Continue" to move on.

Restore system point.

Step 4. Choose your system restore point created previous and follow the on-screen guidelines to complete the whole process.

For Windows 7/Vista Users:

Step 1. Insert your Windows installation CD or disc.

Step 2. Press any key when "Press any key to boot from CD or DVD" message appears.

Step 3. Select a language, a time and currency, and a keyboard or input method, and then click "Next".

Step 4. Click "Repair your computer".

Step 5. Select your Windows installation drive, which is usually C:\ and click "Next".

Step 6. In the System Recovery Options Dialog Box, click on "System Restore".

Step 7. Follow the System Restore Wizard instruction and choose the appropriate restore point.

Step 8. Click "Finish" to restore the system.

Finally, restart your computer and copy your restore data back to your PC. You should be able to use your computer and data again.

Method 6. Repair Startup Error Without System Backup

If you don't have a system backup, fixing "Startup Repair couldn't repair your PC" error will be more complex. You can:

Procedure 1. Restore from the Problem PC

You can directly follow the detail guidelines above to rescue your data with the help of Deep Data Recovery with Bootable Media. It fully allows you to recover data when PC won't boot or start in Windows 10/8/7/Vista.

Procedure 2. Clean Install/Reinstall Windows OS

When you don't have a system restore point on your PC, the best way to remove 'Startup Repair' error on Windows 10/8/7, etc. is to perform a clean install of Windows OS. You can directly turn to Microsoft for online assistance (and Windows 7/Vista users are recommended to try this way). Or you can refer to the article about how to clean install Windows 10.

How to Prevent "Startup Repair cannot repair this computer automatically" Error

After restoring your PC back to life and rescuing all precious data, it doesn't mean that your PC and data are safe now. Virus attack, system failure, system crash, data loss, and other unknown issues may occur anytime. How to prevent these issues from happening? That's quite difficult! Is it possible to protect your System and data securely from these disasters? Sure!

Powerful Windows system backup software - Qiling Backup can help. It provides System Backup, File Backup, Disk/Partition Backup, System Clone, and other more advanced features to help you fully protect your PC from these issues. It will help you prevent and protect your computer from 'Startup Repair failure' error or similar issues. Making a backup is always the best way to prevent complete data loss.

The Bottom Line

"Startup Repair cannot repair this computer automatically" is a relatively complex issue related to Windows. Although there are solutions to the problem, it may be difficult for you to apply since these operations are seldom taken during your daily use. If you don't want to try it yourself, you can send your computer to professionals for manual repair.