HP Pavilion stuck in automatic repair loop

[gekefg]

I have an HP Pavilion laptop that I bought in 2018 and have not used it until now. At first it was showing a CMOS 502 error at startup. I replaced the CMOS battery, and the CMOS error is now gone.

However, after replacing the battery, the system is now stuck in a “Preparing Automatic Repair” loop. Sometimes it just stays on the HP logo with the spinning circle and never loads Windows.

What I have tried so far:

• Ran HP System Fast Test — all components including the hard drive passed.

• Loaded BIOS defaults (F9 → Save & Exit).

• Attempted to install/upgrade to Windows 11 using a USB installer but it eventually goes back into “Preparing Automatic Repair” and loops again.

At this point, it seems like either the Windows bootloader is corrupted, or something is preventing Windows from completing startup or installation.

What would be the recommended next step?

[Deep_World]

Hi @gekefg,
 
Welcome to the HP Support Community!

Thanks for reaching out!

Sorry for the inconvenience caused don’t worry let me help you.

To better understand the issue, could you please provide a few more details?

• When you attempted the Windows 11 installation via USB, did the setup actually begin (copying files, showing progress), or did it fail before reaching that stage?
• Do you recall if the laptop originally came with Windows 10, and whether you’ve tried reinstalling Windows 10 instead of upgrading directly to 11?
• Is your hard drive an HDD or SSD? Sometimes older HDDs can pass basic tests but still fail under load.

Suggested troubleshooting steps

1. Run Startup Repair from Recovery Environment
   • Boot from your Windows installation USB.
   • Select Repair your computer → Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Repair.
   • This can attempt to fix bootloader issues automatically.
2. Check Boot Order in BIOS
   • Ensure the internal hard drive is listed first (after USB if you’re installing).
   • Sometimes incorrect boot order can cause looping.
3. Try Command Prompt Repair
   • From the same Advanced options menu, open Command Prompt.
   • Run:

bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /scanos
bootrec /rebuildbcd
 

• This rebuilds the boot configuration data.

1. Test with Windows 10 Media
   • Since the laptop was purchased in 2018, it likely shipped with Windows 10.
   • Try installing Windows 10 first to confirm stability, then upgrade to Windows 11 later.
2. Check Drive Health More Thoroughly

• HP’s Fast Test is a quick check. If possible, run the Extensive Test in HP Hardware Diagnostics, to scan for bad sectors.

I hope this helps.

I'm glad I could help! 😊 If this resolved your issue, please mark it as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" Your feedback not only keeps us going but also helps others find the solution faster! 

Take care and have an amazing day ahead! 

Best regards,

Deep_World