Windows 8 is stuck in an automatic repair loop

Congratulations, it is really fantastic to taste your enthousiasm and to see how happy you are that your PC is working again! Considering the previous pages in this thread and similar threads, it seems it cannot be stressed strongly enough that first thing to check is if there are any drives attached in USB.

Considering another remark made on the previous page, I am curious if your USB drive had an extended partition. The presence of a second drive with an extended partition on it is mentioned as reason why W8 sometimes gets confused, resulting in the automatic repair loop and problems with reinstalling, reset etc. Not only if the second drive is an USB drive, but also if there are 2 internal HDD or an SSD and an internal data HDD.

In another (Dutch) thread about the repair loop (forgive me I have no time to link) somebody also mentioned that after an update of W8 (early february) the presence of an USB -drive was no longer a problem for him. He now could keep it attached continuously without any problem, while previously, he had suffered the same repair-loop problems doing so. Anyone has the same experience?

Guys, just wanted to throw in my experience here for someone that it might help, because I fixed the problem. I have been stuck in this horrible loop for hours, searching all of the forums online and reading post after post about people who had to re-install Windows, etc.. So frustrated all night and about to give in to starting over fresh.

Solution: Unplugged a USB drive that was plugged into to my computer. Restarted. Fixed.

Keep in mind that this drive has been in my computer almost continuously since I bought it and no changes were made to the system whatsoever when this problem occurred.

Sometimes, answers can be so close to you, that they are overlooked. Like ripping your entire house apart looking for your car keys when they were in your pocket the entire time. So, if any of you are getting ready to format and start from scratch, just do yourself that favor and disconnect any extra drives that are attached.

(You'd think if Windows 8 diagnostics was so advanced, it might be able to suggest this simple solution to you, but you'd be wrong.)

STOP SENDING PEOPLE THESE, THEY DON'T WORK!!!

Hi Geoffreyvan Gorkum,

Welcome to Windows 8 Community!

 

From your issue description I understand that your computer is in automatic repair state and you are unable to repair it. Please let me know if I have misunderstood the issue. Do not worry; we got some troubleshooting steps in order to resolve the issue.

 

When do you get this automatic repair loop?

 

I would suggest performing the following methods and check if it helps to resolve the issue.

 

Method 1: Restart the computer by force shut down.

Once the computer restarts check if you are getting the same error message. If the error message exists, perform Method 2.

 

Method 2: Perform Startup repair

I would suggest you to perform a startup repair using Windows 8 bootable DVD or USB drive and check if that helps.

a) Insert the installation DVD or USB and boot Windows 8 from it.

b) In the ‘Windows setup’ page select the ‘language to install’, ‘Time and currency format’ and the ‘keyboard or input method’ and click on ‘next’.

c) Click on ‘Repair your computer’ and select ‘Troubleshoot’.

d) Click on ‘Advanced options’ and select ‘Automatic Repair’ and select the operating system.

 

Hope it helps. For any further Windows related assistance, feel free to contact us and we will be happy to help.

Regards!