my laptop has been stuck on preparing automatic repair for ages, probably months

[sose]

laptop screen is stuck on automatic repair wont let me load laptop at all been like this for ages leep trlling me to use F11 it isnt working or fixing or making changes to my laptop nothings helping

[A_Gayathri]

Hi @sose,

Welcome to The HP Support Community.  

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

I understand your HP Pavilion - 14-ce3501nalaptop is stuck on "Preparing Automatic Repair" for an extended period, it usually indicates a problem with the system files, startup process, or hard drive. 

Here’s what you can try to troubleshoot this issue:

1. Perform a Hard Reboot

• Turn off the laptop completely. 
• Disconnect any external devices (USB drives, printers, etc.).
• Hold the power button for about 15 seconds to drain any residual power.
• Power the laptop back on and see if it can boot past the Automatic Repair screen.

2. Access the Advanced Startup Options

Shut down the laptop, then turn it on and press the F11 key repeatedly (if F11 doesn’t work, try F8 or Esc key).

This should bring up the Advanced Startup Options. From here, try the following:

• Startup Repair: Choose Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Repair. Let Windows attempt to fix startup issues.
• System Restore: If you have restore points, try reverting the system to a previous state by selecting System Restore.
• Command Prompt: Open the Command Prompt and type the following commands one at a time:
  chkdsk /f /r
  sfc /scannow
  These commands will attempt to repair the disk and system files. The scan can take a while, especially if errors are found.

3. Reset Windows (if other steps fail)

• In the Advanced Options menu, go to Troubleshoot > Reset this PC.
• Choose Keep my files if you want to preserve personal files, or Remove everything for a fresh start.

4. Check for Hardware Issues (if possible)

• Access the HP Diagnostics tool by turning on the laptop and pressing Esc repeatedly, then choosing F2 for diagnostics.
• Run a Quick Test on the hard drive and memory. If either component fails, it may need to be replaced.

Refer to this document: HP Pavilion - 14-ce3501na User manual

I hope this helps. 

Take care and have a good day.

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