Stuck in Preparing automatic update loop

[GalPalJane]

I restarted my laptop today and it showed the regular HP starting screen then went black and goes to preparing automatic update screen then goes back. It’s been repeating this process all day. I’ve searched everything I can and no one seems to have the same screen as me? Everyone has a windows starting screen with gives them like options when it opens. I don’t have that. I don’t know how to fix this. I’ve done the hard restart multiple times as instructed and it never works. I’ve done the quick test and everything comes up as passed. I don’t know what to do. Please help.

Heres what my screen looks like.

it’s just been switching between the two.

[IT_WinSec]

Hello @GalPalJane 

Welcome to the HP Support Community.

It is hard to tell why this is happening without details, checks, diagnostics but

• This may be happening due to simple Windows hung, hardware problem (e.g. your HDD or storage) or
  it may be caused by recently applied faulty Windows Update, some other faulty 3rd party update/driver,
  corrupted bootloader / Boot Configuration Data in Windows,
  virus/malware etc....

1. Try hard restart/hard reset.

Press the power on-button on your PC and hold it for about 5-10 seconds until your computer powers off completely.

Remove and unplug any external peripherals and accessories.

Press once the power-on button to turn on the PC and wait if it will start now. Wait...

If it still fails to load properly, go ahead with the next steps

2. Perform some basic hardware checks to rule out a potential hardware problem

Use the F2 options to perform quick/fast checks... Here is more info >> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JXUp43ahHA

If there are no system checks/no quick tests, perform HDD (hard disk drive) and RAM check (memory check).

Let me know the test results. If the tests pass without issues, continue. If not, please, let me know

3. Repeat steps 1-2 above but when HP Startup menu opens, please choose F11 for System Recovery options.

The computer should boot from it's recovery partition to open you various recovery options. Note, that F11 option will only work if the recovery partition is there (not deleted) and intact. From there, you have plenty of options to choose from. Every HP computer comes with recovery partition present to assist in tough moments.

• Please, perform "System Restore" first in an attempt to fix the issue. Please, restore back to previous days (restore point) where the issue was not present. Here is more info:

>> http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03327545#AbT5

>> https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/4588-system-restore-windows-10-a.html

Hope this helps. Let me know how it goes. Provide your feedback/reply.

[GalPalJane]

I’ve tried reset already and it didn’t work. I’ve done options 1 & 2 and neither worked. Although I’ve never done a system restore before? How do I do that? I was looking at it looks like I need access to my like home screen but I can’t even get into my laptop. Also I’ve tried system recovery and it just takes me back to the loop.

[IT_WinSec]

---

@GalPalJane wrote:

I’ve tried reset already and it didn’t work. I’ve done options 1 & 2 and neither worked.

---

Option 2 is the test option - have the tests passed ??

---

@GalPalJane wrote:

system restore before? How do I do that? I was looking at it looks like I need access to my like home screen but I can’t even get into my laptop. Also I’ve tried system recovery and it just takes me back to the loop.

---

Here is how to do it

• Video >> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJmz2xvKYK0

Text Ref. >> https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03327545#AbT5

Option >> Restore your computer when Windows cannot start normally

Did this work for you ?

[GalPalJane]

Yes I passed both test. I did them twice just to make sure and everything was fine.

I tried what the video said and I was just left with this blank screen. Then it took me back to the loop.

[IT_WinSec]

Thank you for your reply.

Apologies for the many questions, I wanted to be sure...

This is 100% confirmation that what you experience is not a hardware problem but a software issue. Windows got corrupted and your PC cannot start, or your PC does not have a working operating system.

F11 fails because the built-in recovery partition is not working/has gone corrupted

• Your only option to resolve this is to perform fresh Windows installation.

- - What is your Windows version - 7 , 8 or 10 ? Let me know to provide you with specific steps.

- - Do you happen to have important files stored on your local drive that you definitely must keep and attempt to restore/extract ?

[GalPalJane]

You’re fine!! Ask as many questions as you’d like I just don’t want to lose everything / buy a new computer. Anyways Windows 10 please.

[GalPalJane]

Sorry I blanked in the last part but no I don’t have any important files but I have photos and videos on there that I’d like to keep. If I can’t then that’s okay.

[IT_WinSec]

You are welcome!

Well, you already lost your Windows but it can be restored relatively easy.

There is no need to purchase a new PC, you just need to reinstall Windows.

• Prepare enough free time. Ensure you are concentrated
• You will need one blank/empty USB pendrive, at least 8 GB in capacity/size
• Check below the PDF file called Clean Windows 10 installation.pdf
• Follow the steps to reinstall Windows

================================================================

** If you want to attempt to keep your files (or extract them) - read this before Windows reinstallation >> https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Boot-and-Lockup/HP-Envy-Not-Booting-Up/m-p/5906031

** Scroll down to below the green section // Linux/Ubuntu section // Here are some instructions with options to access the data stored on the HDD

Hope this helps.