Windows 7 Startup Repair Loop Command Prompt: CHKDSK or Bootrec (2024)

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Windows 7 won’t Boot Normally

“After some recent critical Windows updates were installed on this Windows 7 laptop, the system started going into the Startup Repair loop.The loop continues after each restart and never finds a solution to the problem. is there any feasible way to fix Windows 7 startup repair loop issue? I don’t want to reinstall Windows 7, which is troublesome. "

Startup Repair is one of the recovery toolsto help you fix issue when your operating system won’t boot or you cannot use safe mode. It can scan your computer and fix missing or corrupted system files that cause Windows boot failure to makeyour computer boot normally.

Sometimes you may encounter Windows 7 not booting problems, Windows 7 Startup Repair loop, for example, and this may be caused vby different factors, such asdamaged system partition, corrupted system files, problematic update, viruses, etc.

Disable Startup Repair to Prevent Endless Restart

The first step to preventing the Startup Repair loop and endless restarts is to disable it.

1.Restart your computer and pressF8 repeatedly when you see the Windows log, and release it afteryou see the Advanced boot options window.

2.Choose "Disable automatic restart on system failure" and press "Enter".

How to FixWindows 7 Startup Repair Loop viaCommand Prompt

After disabling Startup Repair in the Advanced boot options, you can continue to fix Windows Startup Repair using Command Prompt CHKDSK or Bootrec.

  • The CHKDSKhelps scan the integrity of the file system errorsor bad sectors andfixit finds.
  • The Bootrec helps to fix master boot records, boot sectors, and rebuild BCD.

You could first try the CHKDSK repair command and then Bootrec. Please follow the steps in each method.

Run CHKDSK inWindows 7 before Boot

1. Start your computer, press and hold F8 until you see theAdvanced boot options window. Select Repair your computerand hit Enter.

2. Here you will see the System Recovery Options window, click “Command Prompt”.

3.In the Command Prompt window, type “chkdsk/f/r” and Pressthe “Enter” key.

Windows 7 Startup Repair Loop Command Prompt: CHKDSK or Bootrec (4)

After the process finishes, you can exit from Command Prompt and check whether you can boot Windows 7 computer normally. If not, you can continue to use Bootrec.

Fix Windows 7 Startup Repair Loop viaBootrec

1. Select Command Prompt again in the Advanced boot options window.

2. In the Command Prompt window, type the following commands and hit "Enter" to repair boot sectors or MBR.

  • bootrec /fixmbr
  • bootrec /fixboot
  • bootrec /scannos
  • bootrec /rebuildbcd

PS: You can click here to learn more about theBootrec commands.

Create a System Image to Prevent Windows 7 not Booting Again

You definitely don't want to see the Windows 7 Startup Repair loop error when your computer behaves abnormally, you just want to make it run as usual. However, sometimes, things may become really troublesome, then you need to fix Windows 7 startup repairloop first.

If you don't want to experience this again, creating a system image with free backup software like AOMEI Backupper Standardwill be a great choice. With it, you can easily restore your computer to an earlier date and let it work properly, even system crash or hard disk corruption.

It allows you to schedule backup system on a regular basis, such as daily, weekly, or monthly.And more precisely, you can set backup date, time, and intervals for your task.
Once you enable a scheduled backup, by default, it will back up only changed files (with Incremental Backup) to greatly savebackup time and disk space.
You can backup system to USB flash drive, external hard drive, network drive, NAS, etc.
Not only Windows 7, it still supports Windows 8, 8.1, 10,11, XP and Vista, both 32 bit and 64 bit.

Free download AOMEI Backupper Standard. Install and run it.

Download Freeware Win 11/10/8.1/8/7/XP

Secure Download

1. In the main interface, click “System Backup” under the “Backup” tab. You are also allowed to backup disk, partition or files if you want.

2. AOMEI Backupper will select system partition and other system-related partitions automatically. Here you just need tochoose the destination path to save your backup. It can be a local path, network or NAS devices, or cloud drive.

3.In the Operation Summary window, set backup settings if necessary and click“Start Backup” to backup your Windows 7 system.

Windows 7 Startup Repair Loop Command Prompt: CHKDSK or Bootrec (8)

Tips:

  • Click “Backup options” to setcompression level, image splitting,backup encryption, etc.
  • Click “Schedule Backup” and select Daily, Weekly, or Monthly, depending on how often you want it to happen. Or you could use Event triggers and USB plug in on the professional version or higher.
  • Click"Backup Scheme" to set backup methods (Full/Incremental/Differential Backup) and cleanup methods(By quantity/By time/By daily/weekly/monthly/By Space).The cleanup methods vary on the selected backup method.

After this operation, you can create a bootable media using AOMEI Backupper, thus you can boot your computer even if it fails to start.It requires you to prepare a USB drive or CD/DVD. If you have neither of them, try Recovery Environment or AOMEI PXE Boot.

Besides, you can alsoclone system or disk for OS migration. It allows you to replace HDD with SSD and directly from it without restoring backup image.

Summary

You can easily fix Windows 7 Startup Repair loop using CHKDSK or Bootrec Command Prompt. This may not be user-friendly to all users, especially novices, if you don't want to encounterthis problem or a similar one, for example, DISM error 87, you can choose to create a system image and save it to a safe place with free backup software like AOMEI Backupper Standard.

You need to schedule backup Windows 7to keep your files always on track. Otherwise, it only includes files current on the system partition. That's to say, you will lose all the changes made after this backup. At the same time, you have to manage backup disk space with options, backup methods, and clean methods to free up more space.

Windows 7 Startup Repair Loop Command Prompt: CHKDSK or Bootrec (2024)

FAQs

How to solve startup repair problem in Windows 7? ›

What to Know
  1. Boot from the Windows 7 DVD. Fill in the Language to install, Time and currency format, and Keyboard or input method. Select Next.
  2. Select Repair your computer. In the screen, choose the Windows 7 installation you want to repair.
  3. Choose Startup Repair. Follow any prompts and accept any suggested changes.
Dec 23, 2022

How do I fix the endless reboot loop in Windows 7? ›

Table of Contents
  1. Method 1. Rollback to the recent Windows 7 update.
  2. Method 2. Disable Automatic Restart.
  3. Method 3. Run chkdsk on the boot volume.
  4. Method 4. Run bootrec to fix damaged or corrupted BCD settings.
  5. Method 5. Perform a System Restore.
  6. Method 6. Rebuild MBR without installation disc.
Sep 27, 2023

How to fix corrupted Windows 7 boot? ›

If some system files are corrupt, causing Windows 7 not to boot, you can use SFC command to repair these system files. Here is the guide: Go to System Recovery Options and choose Command Prompt. Type command “sfc /scannow” and press the Enter.

How to repair Windows 7 startup with command prompt? ›

If you don't have the installation disc
  1. Reboot the computer.
  2. Press F8 as the Windows 7 logo appears.
  3. Select Repair Your Computer. ...
  4. Hit Enter.
  5. Select Command Prompt.
  6. When it opens, type the necessary commands: bootrec /rebuildbcd.
  7. Hit Enter.

How to fix startup repair problem Windows 7 using cmd? ›

Way 1: Windows 7 Startup Repair Command Prompt Chkdsk

In the command prompt window, type chkdsk C: /f /r and press Enter. It will start to scan the integrity of your file system and hard drive and fix the corrupted files. If your Windows 7 boot problem is caused by physical issue, you can try this.

How to fix infinite startup repair loop? ›

How to Fix Windows Startup Repair Infinite Loop
  1. Insert the disc and reboot the system.
  2. Press any key to boot from the DVD.
  3. Choose your keyboard layout.
  4. Click Repair your computer at the Install now screen.
  5. Click Troubleshoot.
  6. Click Advanced options.
  7. Click Startup Settings.
  8. Click Restart...
Jan 11, 2024

How do you fix an endless boot loop? ›

More Detailed Guides to Fix Windows Boot Loop
  1. Method 1: Disable Automatic Restart.
  2. Method 2: Boot in Safe Mode.
  3. Method 3. Check for File System Errors.
  4. Method 4. Update Drivers.
  5. Method 5. Delete the Wrong Registry.
  6. Method 6. Repair Boot Loop via Command Prompt.
  7. Method 7. Fresh Installation of Windows.

How to fix boot loop in cmd? ›

If any problem is detected, Startup Repair will attempt to fix Windows 10 reboot loop. If Startup Repair doesn't fix the issue, you can go to “Command Prompt” under “Advanced options” and run the following command: Type “Bootrec /RebuildBcd” (without quotes) and then press Enter.

What is the command for corrupted Windows 7? ›

Open Command Prompt as an administrator and run the command sfc /scannow. It will attempt to repair corrupted system files. DISM (Deployment Image Service and Management Tool): If the SFC tool doesn't resolve the issue, you can try DISM. Open Command Prompt as an administrator and run the command DISM.

What is the command to fix corrupted Windows? ›

Select Command Prompt from the list. Type sfc /scannow /offbootdir=c:\ /offwindir=c:\windows and press Enter . System file checker utility checks the integrity of Windows system files and repairs them if required. After the process is complete, reboot the computer.

How do I fix my computer startup repair? ›

To do so, go to Windows Search and select Change Advanced Startup Options. Restart the computer and click on Troubleshoot, then select Advanced Options and click on Startup Repair. Follow the prompts and choose an account. The repair process will scan the computer and attempt to fix any startup problems.

What do I do when startup repair couldn t repair my computer? ›

Fixed: Automatic Startup Repair Couldn't Repair Your PC
  1. Restart Your Computer. ...
  2. Boot in Safe Mode. ...
  3. Disable Early Launch Anti-Malware Protection. ...
  4. Disable Automatic Restart After Failure. ...
  5. Use the "fixboot" and "chkdsk" Commands. ...
  6. Run the System File Checker (SFC Scan) ...
  7. Run the DISM Tool. ...
  8. Repair the Boot Configuration Data (BCD)
Apr 25, 2023

Is there a repair tool for Windows 7? ›

If your computer won't start Windows at all, you can access Startup Repair and other tools in the System Recovery Options menu from the Windows 7 installation disc or USB flash drive. These tools can help you get Windows 7 running again.

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