Students before exams. SMEs before meetings. A laptop stuck on BitLocker or an Automatic Repair loop is stressful—and the worst instinct is to keep rebooting. The sequence below protects your data first, then gets you back to a clean, bootable Windows as quickly as possible.

First: identify the screen (it changes the plan)

BitLocker Recovery (48-digit key)
Windows is encrypted and needs your recovery key. This isn’t proof your disk is dead; it’s a security check after a change (TPM/BIOS/updates).
Automatic Repair / Preparing Automatic Repair (loop)
Windows can’t complete startup—often due to driver faults, file-system errors, or failing storage.
Blue screen with codes (e.g., INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE)
Take a photo. Driver/storage issues are common; repeated new codes often point to unstable disks or RAM.

Rule one: If you hear clicking or see storage health warnings, stop DIY and let us image the drive first.

If it’s BitLocker (do this once, carefully)

On another device, sign into your Microsoft account and open the recovery keys page
→ Microsoft guide: Recovery options in Windows
→ Find keys: Where is my BitLocker recovery key?
For Work/School laptops, your IT team can read the key from Entra ID/AD. Provide the Recovery Key ID shown on the locked screen.
Enter the key once. If it unlocks, back up immediately. Then we’ll help re-seal BitLocker to your TPM and check what triggered the prompt.

Do-nots: Don’t guess multiple times, don’t attempt decryption on a sick disk, and don’t factory-reset over an encrypted drive before backups.

If it’s an Automatic Repair loop (safe triage)

Unplug USB/SD and try one reboot.
Safe Mode path: Interrupt boot 3× to reach Recovery → Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart → press 4.
- In Safe Mode, remove the last driver/app, roll back the last Windows update, and check Device Manager for errors.
SMART check: If you can install a vendor tool, read disk health. Caution/Bad = stop and book imaging.
External screen test: Black screen after the logo can be display/driver—try HDMI/USB-C video to confirm.

If the loop persists, we’ll protect data first, then either repair the boot or proceed to a clean reinstall with your files restored.

What we do (data-first workflow)

Intake & health check: power, SMART/SSD wear, temps, last-boot logs.
Image first if unstable—preserves your files before any repair.
Repair path: driver cleanup, boot repair, or clean reinstall with your data migrated.
Handover: clear report, realistic ETA, and tips to avoid repeat issues.

Start here → Windows reinstall with backup
If files matter most → Data recovery assessment
Need authorisation comfort → Data Recovery Consent & Waiver
Our returns policy → Warranty & returns

Exam week or client deadline? Tell us on intake—we’ll prioritise time-critical jobs where possible and explain the safest fast track.

Common causes (and fixes that actually help)

Symptom	Likely cause	Best next step
BitLocker prompt after BIOS/TPM change	Trust change, secure-boot/firmware updates	Enter key once → back up → re-seal BitLocker
“Preparing Automatic Repair” loop	Corrupted update/driver or disk errors	Safe Mode rollback; image first if SMART warns
INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE	Storage driver/partition issue	Boot repair or clean reinstall from backup
Black screen after logo	GPU/driver/display path	External monitor test; driver clean-up
Every reboot = new BSOD codes	Unstable storage/RAM	Stop DIY; image and diagnose on bench

Keep calm: quick do’s & don’ts

Take a photo of the error screen.
Fetch BitLocker keys on a clean device.
Back up immediately after a successful unlock.
Tell us if you’re a student before exams or an SME pre-meeting.

Don’t

Keep power-cycling or force-shutting repeatedly.
Run CHKDSK/“repairs” on a clicking drive.
Reinstall over encryption before backing up.
Guess BitLocker keys.

Book help in minutes (local to Stellenbosch)

Reinstall Windows with backup → Windows reinstall with backup
Protect files first → Data recovery assessment
Hands-on help now → Remote support session
Paperwork & consent → Data Recovery Consent & Waiver · Warranty & returns

Updated on 2025-09-04.