How To

How to Exit Windows Recovery Mode if You Are Stuck

Stuck on that blue screen and wondering how to get out of this? Don’t worry, I’m here to take you out of this ocean and trust me you are not the only one hanging there. Although this Windows Recovery Mode is developed to help fix serious issues in your windows PC, sometimes it feels like a trap where you can’t see any way to escape and return to your desktop.

So just follow the steps I’m mentioning below to smoothly get out of this blue ocean situation. Whatever your screen says “ Startup Repair”, “Preparing Automatic Repair”, or its just the blue blank recovery screen, we will fix it all. This guide has everything you need to know about Windows Recovery mode exit process and get back to your normally working PC again.

Let me first tell you what Windows Recovery Mode Is and Why Does It Appear?

Well before knowing how to Exit or Fix Windows Recovery Mode, it’s important to know what Windows Recovery mode is, right? So let’s quickly know about it.

Windows Recover Mode is basically a feature that is built-in in your Windows PC (both Windows 10/11). This feature kicks in when the system senses or detects any startup problem, and tries to repair your windows installation automatically or lets you perform these fixes manually.

But sometimes your system gets stuck in Windows Recovery Mode, and doesn’t let you out of its loop of booting into recovery. This issue can be caused by either corrupted system files, any faulty updates, driver issues or any hardware problems.

When can you say you are stuck in Windows Recovery Mode?

You might be stuck if the following things are happening:

Your PC keeps restarting and goes back to the recovery screen.
You see “Automatic Repair couldn’t repair your PC.”
You get stuck on “Preparing Automatic Repair” for a very long time.
The recovery options screen shows but selecting any option loops you back to the same screen.

How to Exit Windows Recovery Mode?

Here are some step-by-step easy and effective solutions that can get you out of this loop:

1. Force Restart Your System

It is the most basic and simple way I know, but sometimes a basic restart can fix temporary problems.
Press and hold the power button until your System shuts down.
Then wait for a while and turn it on again
See if it boots normally.

2. Disable Forced Recovery Boot

It might be possible that your system is set to always boot into Recovery Mode.
So go to “Troubleshoot” from the Recovery menu, then click on ‘Advanced options.

From the Advanced options select “Command Prompt”.

In the command prompt type,

bcdedit /deletevalue {default} recoveryenabled

And press Enter.

Now close the command prompt and restart your system.

3. Check Boot Order in BIOS/UEFI

Windows BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is basically a small program in your computer’s motherboard that runs first when you turn on your computer. It tells your system where to load Windows from after checking if all the hardware is working. And UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) is the same thing as BIOS but just looks more modern and has extra features, this comes in newer PCs. They are basically your PCs control room before Windows starts.

When your BIOS is set to boot from the wrong place like the USB driver or the recovery partition instead of your main Windows drive it keeps loading Recovery Mode.
Restart your PC and while it’s starting press the BIOS key (usually F2, F12, Esc, or Del, it should show on the screen).
In the BIOS, go to the Boot or Boot Order tab.
Now make sure your main Windows drive (one with Windows installed) is set at the Top in the boot device.
Then save changes and exit.

4. Perform Startup Repair

In case system files are damaged, performing Startup Repair might fix them.

In Recovery Mode Click ‘Troubleshoot’, then go to ‘Advanced Options’ and select ‘Startup Repair’.

Enter your account’s password.

And let Windows scan and repair.

5. Use the “Exit and Continue to Windows” Option

If the recovery screen shows options, look for “Exit and continue to Windows 10/11.”

Click on it, and your PC will try to boot normally.
If it doesn’t work the first time, try restarting again.

6. Boot Into Safe Mode

Safe Mode is the one that allows Windows to run with only the essential drivers and services.
This can help you troubleshoot.
So Click on “Troubleshoot” from the “Choose an option” screen.

Now at the recovery screen, click on “Advanced options”

You will see some advanced options here, click on “Startup Settings” to view the “Restart” options.

Choose accordingly, you can press F4 for safe mode, but I would recommend selecting “Enable safe mode with command prompt”.

Wait for it to restart

Once Safe Mode is activated, try restarting your PC normally.

7. Disable Automatic Repair Loop Using Command Prompt

If you’re stuck in an automatic repair loop, then follow this:

Click on “Advanced options” then go to “Troubleshoot” and then “Advanced options” and finally on “Command Prompt.”
Type the command, “bcdedit /set {default} recoveryenabled No”
Then press Enter.
Restart your PC.
This disables automatic recovery and might let you boot normally.

8. Run System File Checker and Disk Check

Sometimes corrupted files cause recovery loops.
Open Command Prompt from the advanced options.
Run these commands one by one:

sfc /scannow
chkdsk /r /f C:
Wait for the processes to finish, then reboot your PC.

9. Turn Off WinRE Temporarily

Turning Off WinRE will force Windows to bypass Recovery Mode.
Troubleshooting > Advanced Options > Command Prompt.
In the Command Prompt type “ reagentc / disable”, and press Enter.

Then Restart your PC , after it successfully boots Re-enable.
Open Command Prompt and type “ reagentc / enable”.

10. Restore Your System to an Earlier Point

If you created system restore points before, this can help undo recent changes.
Select “Advanced options” > “System Restore.”

Choose a restore point and follow the prompts.
After restoration, restart your PC.

11. Reset Your PC (Last Resort)

If nothing else works, you can reset Windows:

Go to “Troubleshoot” > “Reset this PC.”

Choose whether to keep your files or remove everything.

Follow the on-screen instructions.

This will reinstall Windows and hopefully fix the problem, but it may erase apps or settings.

You must be wondering “how to Prevent Getting Stuck in Recovery Mode”?

Well there are a few things that you should always take care of,

Keep your Windows and drivers updated with tools like Advanced Driver Updater.
This is a drivers updater tool that keeps your drivers up-to-date without any hassle.
So how to get your hands on Advanced Drivers Updater.
Download and install Advanced Driver Updater in your system.

Set it up.

Run full Scan of your system, it will detect the outdated drivers.
Update the outdated drivers with just a Click and get your system run smoothly in every task.

So, complete the installation process and go for “Start Scan Now”.

Avoid forced shutdowns during updates.
Regularly back up your system.

Conclusion:

Getting stuck in Windows Recover Mode feels like a trap of the blue ocean and it’s really frustrating but since it’s fixable you don’t need to bother. So start with the simple fixes if they work, well and good and if they don’t, follow the list. Mostly Restart and exit options works but sometimes you need to access the safe mode to correct the recent changes that might have caused this or update your driver to fix it all.

Niranjan Rathore

Niranjan Rathore is a tech content writer who simplifies troubleshooting. She creates clear, practical guides on Windows, software tools, PDF management, and driver updates, helping users fix issues and boost PC performance with ease. Off the clock, she loves exploring new tech and sharing tips that make digital life smoother. Connect with her on LinkedIn for smart, no-fuss tech insights.