The Comprehensive HP Laptop Fix Guide (Win 10/11)

We know how incredibly frustrating it is when your HP laptop gets stuck on that looping “Preparing Automatic Repair” screen. You’re waiting for it to fix itself, but it just keeps restarting over and over. It feels like your computer is holding your files hostage.

Don’t panic! This is a very common issue, and usually, it can be fixed at home without losing any data. Since we’re certified HP repair specialists, we’ve boiled down the solutions into a clear, sequential path.

The root cause is almost always a corrupted Windows file or a failing hardware component (like the hard drive or SSD). Follow the steps below, and you’ll go from the easiest, least invasive solutions to the most powerful fixes.

 

Common Causes of the Automatic Repair Loop

Before you dive into the fixes, it helps to understand why this happens:

• Corrupted System Files: Power loss, malware, or failed updates damaged critical Windows files.
• Failed Windows Updates: An interrupted or faulty major update (especially during the shutdown phase) can prevent Windows from starting.
• Hardware Issues: A failing Hard Drive/SSD or corrupted RAM is a very common culprit, especially on older machines.

 

Before You Begin: Protect Your Data

We recommend prioritizing your data. If your issue is a failing hard drive, every restart attempt risks further corruption. If the steps below don’t work and you need a clean install, you’ll lose everything unless you back up first.

How to Back Up When Windows Won’t Boot:

1. External Connection: Remove your laptop’s hard drive and connect it to another computer using a SATA-to-USB adapter.
2. Bootable Media: Use a bootable USB drive (like Linux or Windows PE) to copy files to an external drive.
3. Professional Help: If you’re not comfortable, seek Data Recovery Service professional help for data recovery.

 

Step-by-Step Fixes (From Basic to Advanced)

1. Remove External Devices

It sounds simple, but Windows might be trying to boot from an external drive or device.

• Disconnect all USB drives, SD cards, printers, and external monitors.
• Restart the laptop. If it still fails, proceed to the Hard Reset.

2. Hard Reset Your HP Laptop

This drains all residual power from the components and clears the BIOS/UEFI temporary memory.

• Power off your laptop completely.
• Unplug the charger and remove the battery (if possible—many newer models have internal batteries).
• Hold the power button down for a full 15 seconds.
• Reconnect the battery and charger, then power on.

3. Run HP Hardware Diagnostics (F2 Key)

This is a critical step, as a hardware failure will bypass all software solutions. We recommend you do this immediately after the hard reset.

• Turn off your laptop.
• Power on and immediately press the F2 key repeatedly to access the HP PC Hardware Diagnostics menu.
• Run the System Test and Component Tests (focus heavily on the Hard Drive/SSD and Memory).
• NEW: If errors are detected, make a note of the error codes! Codes like **301, 303, or 305** typically indicate an imminent hard drive failure. If you get a hardware error, you need physical repair or replacement, not software troubleshooting. PC Repair Service

4. Boot into Safe Mode (F11 Key / Windows 10 & 11 Access)

If hardware is fine, the problem is software. We need to access the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).

• Power on your HP and press F11 repeatedly immediately to enter WinRE.
• If F11 fails (common on some modern systems): Force the system to boot into recovery by turning the laptop off and on three times while it’s starting up.
• Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
• After the restart, choose 4 or F4 for Safe Mode.

If you can boot into Safe Mode, immediately uninstall any recent updates or drivers that might have caused the issue.

5. Use Windows Recovery Options

If Safe Mode doesn’t work, use the deeper repair tools in WinRE (F11).

• In the Recovery Environment, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options:
  • Startup Repair: Let Windows attempt to fix itself automatically.
  • System Restore: Roll back your system to a previous working state (if you have restore points enabled).
  • Uninstall Updates: Remove the last quality or feature updates.

6. Command Prompt Repairs

This is where you manually fix the boot configuration and system files.

In Advanced Options, select Command Prompt. Run these essential commands (press Enter after each one):

7. System Reset or Clean Installation (Last Resort)

If everything above fails, the corruption is too deep. You have two final options:

• System Reset: Choose Reset this PC (you can usually choose to keep or remove your files). This is less invasive than a full reinstall.
• Clean Windows Installation: You’ll need a bootable USB with Windows media created on another working PC. Boot from the USB (F9 at startup to select the boot device) and follow the prompts. Remember: this option wipes your main drive, which is why data backup is crucial.

 

Preventing Future Repair Loops

Good maintenance saves future headaches.

• Keep Windows and drivers up to date.
• Back up your data regularly to an external drive or cloud service.
• Monitor your hardware’s health using the built-in HP Diagnostics (F2 on startup).
• Always shut down your laptop properly—avoid forced power-offs unless absolutely necessary.

 

Expert Q&A