Startup Repair cannot repair: Fix for Windows Vista, 7

Get the fix for the error Startup repair cannot repair this computer automatically on Windows Vista and Windows 7.

Contents

About “Startup repair cannot repair this computer automatically“

The following information on this error has been compiled by NeoSmart Technologies, based on the information gathered and reported by our global network of engineers, developers, and technicians or partner organizations.

Description and Symptoms

The error messages, alerts, warnings, and symptoms below are tied to this error.

Symptom 1: “Startup repair cannot repair this computer automatically” error screen on startup

This error message appears automatically when the OS loads into Startup Repair automatically.

Clicking on “View problem details” will show more details, but with no solution method suggested. It would display computer specific variables, such as: Problem Event Name, OS Version, Locale ID etc.

Problem Event name : StartupRepairOffline
Problem Signature 01: 6.1.7
Problem Signature 02: 6.1.7
Problem Signature 03: unknown
Problem Signature 04: 212
Problem Signature 05: AutoFailover
Problem Signature 06: 25
Problem Signature 07: CorruptVolume
POS Version: 6.1.7
Locale ID: 10

Your PC would probably show very different variables from the ones above. Problem Event name can be StartupRepairV2 rather than StartupRepairOffline and so on.

Causes of this Error

Cause 1: File system integrity compromised

The hard drive’s file system may become damaged because of disk write errors, power outages or virus attacks. If that’s the case, the operating system cannot load the system files to boot properly or repair and the loading process is halted.

Fixing “Startup repair cannot repair this computer automatically” on Windows

Windows Setup CD/DVD Required!
Some of the solutions below require the use of the Microsoft Windows setup CD or DVD. If your PC did not come with a Windows installation disc or if you no longer have your Windows setup media, you can use Easy Recovery Essentials for Windows instead. EasyRE will automatically find and fix many problems, and can also be used to solve this problem with the directions below.

Fix #1: Use Easy Recovery Essentials

Easy Recovery Essentials is guaranteed to fix the “Startup repair cannot repair this computer automatically” error automatically using its built-in Automated Repair option. EasyRE is currently available for Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, Windows 10, and Windows 11 and can be downloaded and created on any PC.

  1. Download Easy Recovery Essentials. Make sure to note your Windows version (XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10, or Windows 11) before you download EasyRE. This guide can help you identify what version of Windows you have installed.
  2. Burn the image. Follow these instructions on how to burn the bootable ISO image very carefully, as making a bootable CD can be tricky! Alternatively, these instructions explain how to create a bootable EasyRE recovery USB stick/drive.
  3. Boot up your PC from the Easy Recovery Essentials CD or USB you created.
  4. Once EasyRE is running, choose the “Automated Repair” option and click Continue.
    EasyRE Home

    Choose “Automated Repair” in Easy Recovery Essentials

  5. After EasyRE scans your computer’s drives, identify and select the drive letter for your Windows installation from the list, and then click on the Automated Repair button to begin.
    EasyRE displays a list of found Windows operating systems

    Choose the drive associated with the Windows installation you’re trying to repair.

  6. Easy Recovery Essentials will start analyzing the selected drive for problems. EasyRE will test for and attempt to automatically correct errors with the disk, partition, bootsector, filesystem, bootloader, and registry. No intervention is required, as EasyRE’s repair is fully automated:
    EasyRE: Automated Repair

    Easy Recovery Essentials searches for errors and makes corrections to the selected Windows installation.

  7. Once the process is complete, EasyRE will report its findings. Click on the Restart button to reboot your PC and test the changes.
  8. The “Startup repair cannot repair this computer automatically” error should now be fixed as your PC begins to load:EasyRE: Automated Repair

You can download Easy Recovery Essentials from here.

Fix #2: Run chkdsk

Windows Setup CD/DVD Required!
Some of the solutions below require the use of the Microsoft Windows setup CD or DVD. If your PC did not come with a Windows installation disc or if you no longer have your Windows setup media, you can use Easy Recovery Essentials for Windows instead. EasyRE will automatically find and fix many problems, and can also be used to solve this problem with the directions below.

You can run the chkdsk process. Here are the steps:

  1. Insert your Windows CD
  2. Press any key when “Press any key to boot from CD or DVD” message appears
  3. Select Repair your computer after you select the language, time and keyboard method
  4. Select your Windows install drive, which is usually C:\
  5. Click Next
  6. Click on Command Prompt from the System Recovery Options window
  7. When the Command Prompt appears, type the following command: 
    chkdsk C: /f /r

    where C: (without a trailing slash, /) is the letter of your Windows installation drive (usually C:)

  8. Press Enter
chkdsk utility results screen

chkdsk utility results screen

Fix #3: Run the sfc /scannow command

This solution doesn’t need the original Windows install CD. You just need to boot into Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

Another alternative fix is to run the sfc command (System File Checker).

Here are the steps to do that:

  1. Restart your computer
  2. Start pressing F8 repeatedly until the “Startup Options” screen is displayed
  3. Select Safe Mode with Command Prompt
  4. When Command Prompt appears, type the following command: 
    sfc /scannow /offbootdir=d:\ /offwindir=d:\windows
  5. Press Enter
  6. Restart your computer after the process is done
sfc utility results screen

sfc utility results screen

More Information

Linked Entries

Support Links

Applicable Systems

This Windows-related knowledgebase article applies to the following operating systems:

  • Windows Vista (all editions)
  • Windows 7 (all editions)

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