HP Pavilion Laptop - Stuck in Preparing Automatic Repair screen

[Kannangceb]

My HP Pavilion Laptop was stuck in 'Preparing Automatic Repair' screen for long time. I have already tried hard shutdown option but that doesn't fix the issue. Please suggest possible resolutions ?

Thanks, KK

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @Kannangceb 

Welcome to the HP Support Community! We're here to help you get back up and running.

Thanks for explaining the situation so clearly—it’s genuinely frustrating to be stuck at the “Preparing Automatic Repair” screen, especially after trying a hard shutdown. 

Let’s walk through a series of focused steps to help your HP Pavilion laptop recover and get back to a usable state.

Step-by-Step: Fix “Preparing Automatic Repair” Loop on Windows 10

1. Perform a Power Drain

• Shut down the laptop completely.
• Unplug the power adapter.
• If the battery is removable, take it out.
• Press and hold the power button for 30 seconds.
• Reconnect power and try booting again.

This clears residual charge and resets hardware states.

 

2. Boot into Recovery Mode

• Power on the laptop and force shutdown as soon as the HP logo appears.
• Repeat this 3 times—Windows should enter Recovery Mode on the next boot.

 

3. Use Advanced Startup Options

Once in Recovery Mode:

• Select Advanced Options > Startup Repair.
• If Startup Repair fails, go back and choose:
  • System Restore (if restore points exist)
  • Command Prompt (for advanced fixes)

 

4. Run Disk Check via Command Prompt

If you reach Command Prompt:

• Type: chkdsk C: /f /r
• Press Enter and allow it to scan and repair disk errors.

This can resolve file system issues that prevent booting.

 

5. Boot into Safe Mode

• From Recovery Mode > Advanced Options > Startup Settings.
• Choose Enable Safe Mode.
• If successful, uninstall any recent updates or drivers that may have triggered the issue.

 

6. Create Windows Installation Media (If Recovery Fails)

If none of the above work:

• On another PC, download the Windows Media Creation Tool:
  Windows 10 Installation Media
• Create a bootable USB drive.
• Boot your HP Pavilion from the USB and choose Repair your computer.

Would you like help creating the bootable USB or navigating the recovery options? I can guide you through that too.

If my response helped, please mark it as an Accepted Solution! ✅ It helps others and spreads support. 💙 Also, tapping "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" makes a big difference! Thanks! 😊

Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye

[Kannangceb]

Hi Hawks_Eye,
Thanks for the response. Unfortunately i'm stuck in option 02 'Boot into Recovery Mode' as my laptop is not going into recovery mode itself. Please could you suggest some other option or guide me to creat the bootable USB or navigating the recovery options?

Many Thanks,

Kannan

 

[Hawks_Eye]

Thank you for trying the recovery steps so thoroughly—I truly appreciate the effort you've put in, and I’m genuinely sorry that your HP Pavilion laptop is still stuck without entering Recovery Mode. 

Let’s now walk through how to create a bootable USB and use it to access recovery options directly.

Step-by-Step: Create Windows 10 Bootable USB and Repair Your Laptop

1. Prepare a USB Drive

• Use a USB drive with at least 8 GB capacity.
• Back up any data on it—it will be erased during setup.

 

2. Download Windows Media Creation Tool

• On a working Windows PC, go to:
  Windows 10 Installation Media
• Click Download tool now.

 

3. Create the Bootable USB

• Run the downloaded tool.
• Accept license terms.
• Choose Create installation media for another PC.
• Select Windows 10, your language, and architecture (64-bit).
• Choose USB flash drive and select your USB device.
• Wait for the tool to finish creating the bootable drive.

 

4. Boot Your HP Pavilion from USB

• Insert the USB into your laptop.
• Power on and immediately press Esc repeatedly until the Startup Menu appears.
• Press F9 to open Boot Device Options.
• Select the USB drive and press Enter.

 

5. Access Recovery Options

• On the Windows Setup screen, click Next.
• Click Repair your computer (bottom left).
• Choose Troubleshoot > Advanced Options:
  • Startup Repair
  • System Restore
  • Command Prompt (to run chkdsk C: /f /r)
  • Startup Settings (to boot into Safe Mode)

These options bypass the internal recovery and allow direct access to repair tools.

Let me know if you'd like help choosing the right recovery option once you're in the menu. I’ll guide you step by step based on what you see.

Regards,

Hawks_Eye