Preparing Automatic Repair Loop

[CareyG]

My laptop won't get past the screen with the HP logo, please help! Note: I think I have Windows 11, but I am really not positive because I can't get onto my PC to check. Here is what I have done so far:

Turned on and off the PC, with and without the power cord.

Turned on the PC, hit esc and got to the menu, I went through all of the checks, some data I wrote down that I thought might be important: System Board ID: 89BD ; Processor Type: 11th Generation ; Diagnostics Version: 8.2.0.0 (it says I need to update this, but again can't get the PC past the opening screen). 

I ran through all of the checks and all (symptom, system, component, processor and memory) all come back as OK, no issue.

The most I can get it to do is to press esc while PC is booting up, I get to the menu, press F11 (on the touchscreen) for "System Recovery". Sometimes it will just sit in "please wait" other times after 20 minutes or so of that it will then switch to "Preparing Automatic Repair" then finally other times it will say "Your device ran into a problem and needs to restart we will restart for you". The PC will restart but then just go back to the HP "Please Wait" screen or the "Preparing Automatic Repair" screen. Any help would be appreciated. 

[Kuroi_Kenshi · Accepted solution]

Hi @CareyG,

Welcome to the HP Support Community! 

Thanks for reaching out about your query regarding your laptop!

We're thrilled to have the opportunity to assist you and provide a solution.

Try these steps:

1. Perform a Hard Reset

• Disconnect the power cord.
• Remove the battery (if applicable) and any external devices connected to the PC.
• Press and hold the power button for 15 seconds to drain any residual electrical charge.
• Reconnect the power cord and turn on the PC.

2. Access the Boot Menu

• Turn on the PC and immediately press the Esc key repeatedly until the Startup Menu is displayed.
• From the Startup Menu, press F2 to open System Diagnostics.
• Run the System Tests, particularly the extensive test for the hard drive and memory, to ensure that these components are functioning correctly.

3. Perform a System Recovery

If the tests pass but the PC still doesn't boot, you might need to perform a system recovery:

• Turn off the PC.
• Turn it on and immediately press the F11 key repeatedly until the Choose an option screen is displayed.
• Select Troubleshoot > Recovery Manager.
• Follow the on-screen instructions to perform a system recovery.

4. Check BIOS Settings

Ensure that the BIOS settings are correctly configured:

• Turn on the PC and repeatedly press the F10 key to enter the BIOS Setup Utility.
• Check the Boot Order to ensure that the hard drive is first in the boot sequence.
• Save any changes and exit the BIOS.

5. Use Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE)

If your system is still unresponsive:

• Turn on the PC and press F11 to access the WinRE.
• Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Repair.
• Follow the on-screen instructions to perform a repair.

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,

[CareyG]

Hi thank you SO much for replying. I wanted to let you know my laptop doesn't have the F11 keys on the keyboard. I can press ESC to get to that menu though. 

So I've run all of those system checks and everything is 100% fine. I got to your system recovery step, then it said please wait, then it gave me a blue screen and said it ran into an error, needs to restart we we will do that for you. When it restarts it takes me to the blue BitLocker Recovery screen. I found my key from my MS site and have entered it a few times it takes a long time seems like it is doing something then it just brings me back to the Bitlocker screen. I clicked for additional recovery information and got error code: Protector  (E_FFVE_SECURE_BOOT_CHANGED)

[zoey7886]

@CareyG, I see you were interacting with @Kuroi_Kenshi however, he's away for now and I'd love to help you out!

Thanks for the detailed update — it really helps paint a clear picture.

From what you’ve described, your laptop is caught in a loop due to a secure boot conflict, likely triggered by a BIOS or hardware change that BitLocker is flagging as suspicious. The error code E_FFVE_SECURE_BOOT_CHANGED points directly to this.

Let’s try the following steps to gently guide your PC back to life:

Enter BIOS & Check Secure Boot

Power off your laptop completely.

Power it back on and immediately tap Esc repeatedly until the Startup Menu appears.

Press F10 to enter BIOS Setup.

Navigate to Security > Secure Boot Configuration.

If Secure Boot is Enabled, try disabling it. Save changes (F10) and exit.

(You might feel a moment of hesitation as the screen flickers—totally normal.)

Let BitLocker Catch Up
Once Secure Boot is off, boot again. When prompted, enter the BitLocker recovery key one more time. This time, it should not loop you back—if the stars align, you’ll land gently into Windows.

If this doesn’t work:
We may need to use another device to create a bootable USB drive with Windows 11 and perform a repair install.

Hope this helps! 

Take care, and have an amazing day!  

Did we resolve the issue? If yes, Please consider marking this post as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" to give us a helpful vote - your feedback keeps us going!  

Regards, 

[CareyG]

Hi Zoey, thank you I followed your directions and got to the boot options menu and secure boot was enabled and I disabled it. It brings me back to the disable bit locker screen and I have put in my key twice and and keeps bringing me back to the bitlocker screen. 

I think I need the USB drive option. I don't have another PC to create a drive. Is this something I can purchase? Can I go to best buy and get one?

Thanks Carey 

[zoey7886]

@CareyG, Thank you so much for the update — you're doing a great job navigating through a frustrating situation, and I totally get how disheartening these loops can feel.

You're right — at this point, creating a bootable USB is the best next step. You can absolutely get help with this at Best Buy (or any local tech shop). Ask them for a bootable USB with the Windows 11 installation media. Just be sure to carry your BitLocker recovery key along — it will still be needed during repair.

Once you have the USB:

Plug it into your laptop.

Tap Esc at startup > Select Boot Device Options (usually F9).

Choose the USB drive.

Follow the on-screen prompts to Repair your computer (not Install).

You're almost there — hang in there! 🌟

Hope this helps! 

Take care, and have an amazing day!  

Did we resolve the issue? If yes, Please consider marking this post as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" to give us a helpful vote - your feedback keeps us going!  

Regards, 

[CareyG]

Hi Zoey, thanks for your help, I was able to make a USB drive, I got to startup repair, the screen said 'diagnosing PC' for like a second, then it said startup repair couldn't repair, try advanced options. It was almost as though it didn't even do anything. I also tried uninstall latest feature update and it said we ran into a problem try resetting your PC. 

Should I use the 'system restore' ? When I do click that it says "to use system restore you must specify which windows installation to restore. Restart your PC, select an OS and then select system restore." If this is what I should do I don't know how to get to selecting an OS? As once I shut down the PC I can only press esc then I'm back at that same menu,

If I chose another option the only files I am concerned about are those on my C drive, luckily I did back them up recently but I'd like to not loose them if possible. I'm not worried about anything else. Thanks Carey 

[CareyG]

Also I just tried downloading the Windows 11 again to the USB in case there was an issue with that and it is still not working. I am choosing repair then I get to troubleshoot then in advanced options I have 6 choices I picked startup repair. It says diagnosing then right away goes to startup repair couldn't repair your PC, it also says "Log File:" but nothing is after it. Thanks

. 

[zoey7886]

@CareyG, Thank you for your patience — I know this repair loop must feel like a slow-motion spiral, and you’ve done a stellar job navigating the steps so far.

At this point, since Startup Repair and Feature Update Uninstall didn’t help, and System Restore is asking for an OS selection that never appears — that usually means the recovery environment isn’t detecting your Windows installation correctly.

Here’s what I recommend next — something a bit more hands-on, but worth it:

Try a Repair Install Using the USB (without losing files):

You’ll need to boot into the USB but not click “Repair” this time. Instead:

Plug in the USB and boot your laptop.

Tap Esc repeatedly to open the Startup Menu > press F9 to select Boot Device Options.

Choose the USB drive.

When the blue Windows install screen shows up, click "Next", then “Install now.”

On the next screen, choose “Keep personal files and apps.”

It’s more of a "soft reinstall" — like giving Windows a fresh coat of paint without moving the furniture.

If it doesn’t detect Windows during this step either, your system files might be too damaged. Then, a custom install (which backs up your files in a Windows.old folder) might be the safest path forward.

Hope this helps! 

Take care, and have an amazing day!  

Did we resolve the issue? If yes, Please consider marking this post as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" to give us a helpful vote - your feedback keeps us going!  

Regards, 

[CareyG]

Hi Zoey, you have been super helpful thank you. 

I am able to get to the point of the 'upgrade install windows and keep files, settings and applications.' However when I choose that, the compatability report says, "This upgrade option isn't available if you start your computer using the installation media. Please remove the installation media and restart your computer. After the computer has started normally insert the installation media and run setup.". 

I am not sure what that means once I remove the USB drive I created then when I try F9 the option to boot using a USB drive doesn't exist clearly. 

Does this mean my PC is shot and all files I have on it are gone? I'm wondering now if I need to take it to a computer repair place?