How to Fix Windows 11 Startup Issues with Repair Tool

How to Access WinRE (Windows Recovery Environment)

The tool runs from there because it can’t run from inside a Windows that won’t load.

If Windows fails to start two or three times in a row, it usually opens WinRE by itself. If it doesn’t, you can force it. Turn the PC on, and as soon as the Windows logo or spinning dots appear, hold the power button until the PC shuts off. Repeat this once or twice, and the recovery screen should appear on the next boot. Only do this when Windows really won’t start, because cutting power is hard on a working system.

1. Boot to Advanced Startup. Use whichever of these fits your situation:

   • If Windows still loads or you can reach the sign-in screen, hold the Shift key while you click Restart from the power menu.
   • If you can sign in, go to Settings › System › Recovery, then click Restart now next to Advanced startup.
   • If Windows won’t load at all, let the failed boots or the forced shutdowns described above bring up the recovery screen, then choose See advanced repair options if it is offered.

   You should now see a blue screen titled “Choose an option”.
2. On the WinRE window, select Troubleshoot. The next screen offers Reset this PC and Advanced options. Do not pick Reset this PC for this fix, because it reinstalls Windows.

   

3. Click on Advanced options. A screen of recovery tools opens, including Startup Repair, Command Prompt, Uninstall Updates and Startup Settings.

   

4. Select Startup Repair. Windows may ask you to pick an account and enter its password. Use an administrator account. If you normally sign in with a PIN, you may need the account password instead. If your drive is encrypted with BitLocker, you may also be asked for the recovery key. Windows then shows “Diagnosing your PC” and starts scanning. The PC may restart on its own once the repair finishes. Let it run and don’t turn it off, as it can take several minutes.

   

Advanced Troubleshooting via Command Prompt

Windows 11 Startup Repair issues can sometimes be fixed using the Command Prompt when automatic tools fail. You can open the Command Prompt from the Advanced options menu and type specific repair commands to fix damaged boot files and restore your computer’s ability to start normally.

If Startup Repair reports that it couldn't repair your PC, or it loops back to the same screen, this is the next thing to try.

1. Boot to Advanced Startup as described above, then go to Troubleshoot › Advanced options and select Command Prompt.
2. If asked, choose an administrator account and enter its password. A black Command Prompt window opens.
3. Type the following commands, pressing Enter after each. The first, sfc /scannow, checks for corrupted system files. The second, DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth, repairs the Windows image.
4. Wait for each command to finish before you type the next one. Both can sit at a percentage for a long time, which is normal.

If a command says it can't find or access the Windows installation, that is usually the reason.

bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /rebuildbcd
sfc /scannow
chkdsk /r C:

These commands repair the Master Boot Record and scan your drive for errors. Run them in the order shown in the screenshots above. The boot repair puts back the records Windows needs to start, and the drive scan checks the disk for file system damage. A scan of a large or slow drive can take a long time, so let it finish.

When both are done, close the Command Prompt window and choose Continue on the "Choose an option" screen to restart into Windows.

Checking the Repair Log

The Windows 11 Startup Repair log file helps you find out why your computer failed to start when automatic tools do not work. You can open this detailed text file by typing notepad C:\Windows\System32\Logfiles\Srt\SrtTrail.txt in the Command Prompt to see the exact errors that caused the boot failure.

Open the Command Prompt from Troubleshoot › Advanced options first, as in the previous section. Notepad opens in its own window, and you can close it when you're done reading.

notepad C:\Windows\System32\Logfiles\Srt\SrtTrail.txt

This file, located at C:\Windows\System32\Logfiles\Srt\SrtTrail.txt, contains the information you need to understand why your computer would not boot. You can find more information about this process by visiting Startup Repair log file from the boot screen using the Command Prompt.

Scroll to the end of the file and look for a line such as "Root cause found", which often names the failing file or driver. Note that name and search for it. If Notepad says the file can't be found, Startup Repair may not have run yet. In WinRE your Windows drive may also be D: instead of C:, so adjust the path to match.

Summary

• The Startup Repair tool is a built-in feature for Windows 11, so there is nothing to download or install.
• It helps diagnose and fix errors that stop your computer from starting, such as restart loops and boot-time blue screens.
• You can access it through the Advanced Startup (WinRE) menu, using Troubleshoot › Advanced options › Startup Repair
• If the automatic repair fails, you can view the log file at C:\Windows\System32\Logfiles\Srt\SrtTrail.txt for more details, and then try the Command Prompt repairs.

Windows 11 Startup Repair is a built-in tool that helps diagnose and fix errors stopping your computer from starting properly. You can access this feature through the Advanced Startup (WinRE) menu when your PC fails to boot, or check the repair log file for more troubleshooting details.

Work through the fixes in order: Startup Repair first, then the Command Prompt repairs, then the log file to see what is actually failing. If none of that helps and the log points to a failing drive, back up your files and check the hardware before you consider resetting Windows.