How to repair installation of Windows 11

• To repair the operating system with DISM and SFC, open Command Prompt (admin) and run the “dism /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth” and “SFC /scannow” commands. You can also run the “chkdsk/f c:” command.
• To repair Windows 11 with reinstallation without losing your files, open Settings > System > Recovery, click “Restart now” for the “Fix problems using Windows Update” setting, and click “OK.”

UPDATED 10/28/2025: If the system on Windows 11 shows signs of problems (such as errors or performance, battery, and boot issues), you can repair the installation in at least two ways, including using a quick reinstallation method and through Command Prompt using the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) and System File Checker (SFC) commands.

The reinstallation method doesn’t have a specific name. Instead, Microsoft simply labels it “Fix problems using Windows Update.” This feature allows you to quickly reinstall the operating system using the current version using the Windows Update settings, without needing installation media, to repair components and system files. (The feature is similar to the “Reset this PC” feature to reinstall the operating system while keeping or removing your files.)

On the other hand, the DISM and SFC tools have been available for a long time. The DISM is an advanced tool that administrators use to prepare, modify, and repair the Windows image. However, you can use it with the SFC tool, which scans and replaces corrupted or missing files using the repaired image to fix many setup problems. 

In this guide, I will show you the easiest way to reinstall Windows 11 to resolve errors, improve performance, and fix other issues. (If you’re uncomfortable running commands, use the reinstallation method. This method should preserve your files, settings, and apps.)

• Repair Windows 11 using DISM and SFC
• Repair Windows 11 using Windows Update
• FAQs about fixing a Windows 11 setup

Repair Windows 11 using DISM and SFC

To repair the installation of Windows 11 with the DISM and SFC command tools, follow these steps:

1. Open Start.

2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.

3. Type the following command and press Enter:

   dism /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

   

4. Type the following command to repair the installation and press Enter:

   SFC /scannow

   

5. (Optional) Type the following command and press Enter:

   chkdsk/f c:

   

6. Type “Y” and press Enter to schedule a scan.

7. Restart the computer.

After you complete the steps, the DISM command will repair the files in the system’s local image, and the SFC command will use the local image to repair the Windows 11 setup files. The repair logs will be located in the C:\Windows\Logs\CBS folder inside the “CBS.log.”

The chkdsk command will fix the logical and physical errors on the storage drive that could be the problem. Although the Check Disk command is optional, it’s still recommended.

When using these tools, you should always run the DISM command first, followed by the SFC command, because the first command checks and repairs the local image, and the second scans and repairs the operating system using the files from the local image.

If the problem persists, you can proceed with the reinstallation method. 

Repair Windows 11 using Windows Update

To repair the Windows 11 installation to fix problems, follow these steps:

1. Open Settings.

2. Click on System.

3. Click the Recovery tab.

4. Click the Reinstall now button for the “Fix problems using Windows Update” setting.

   

5. Check the “Automatically restart my PC 15 minutes after installation” option.

   

6. Click the OK button.

Once you complete the steps, the system will download the installation files of the same version of Windows 11 installed on your computer, and it’ll perform a reinstallation to repair components and system files. The processes should preserve your files, apps, and settings.

The reinstallation feature is available starting with version 23H2 and later. If you don’t see it, you’re probably still on version 22H2 or an older release of Windows 11.

FAQs about fixing a Windows 11 setup

Here’s a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) and answers regarding repairing the operating system.

Will DISM and SFC fix all Windows problems?

No. DISM and SFC repair image-level corruption and system files, which fixes many operating system issues. They do not fix hardware faults, driver-caused crashes, or deep registry corruption. If DISM and SFC fail, try the reinstall method or a clean install.

Will the built-in reinstall delete my files?

The “Fix problems using Windows Update” reinstall is designed to keep files, apps, and settings. However, always back up critical data before proceeding in case something goes wrong.

Why does DISM say source repair failed?

That typically means DISM couldn’t download replacement files from Windows Update. Use a matching ISO as the source (with /Source:) or ensure your computer has internet access and Windows Update is working.

What should I do after the reinstallation process fails?

Common fixes include installing pending Windows updates, ensuring enough free disk space, retrying later, or using an ISO in-place upgrade as a fallback.

Does chkdsk need to run before DISM and SFC?

If the symptoms suggest drive corruption (bad sectors, I/O errors, frequent file corruption), run chkdsk /f or chkdsk /f /r first, then re-run DISM and SFC.

What method fixed the problem on your computer? Let me know in the comments.

Update October 28, 2025: This guide has been updated to ensure accuracy and more details.