Repairing-How long should it take, stuck-Guide

If you're seeing a message like "Repairing…" or "Repairing drive (C:)" on your Windows system and it’s been stuck at 80.69% for nearly 48 hours, you’re right to be concerned. While the disk repair process can take time, especially on large drives or systems with serious errors, 48 hours with no progress likely means something isn’t working as it should.

Here’s what may be going on, and what you can do to resolve it.

Why Is It Stuck?

The "Repairing…" process usually refers to Windows CHKDSK (Check Disk) or automatic startup repair trying to fix disk errors. This is triggered when your system detects file system corruption, bad sectors, or improper shutdowns.

When stuck at a specific percentage (like 80.69%), possible causes include:

Bad sectors that are too damaged to recover

Hard drive failure

System file corruption

Stalled repair process due to software conflict or crash

Large volume with extensive errors

It’s rare but not impossible for a disk repair to take many hours. However, 48 hours of being stuck at the same percentage typically means the repair has frozen.

What You Should Do Next

1. Wait a Little Longer (Optional)

If the hard disk is very large (1TB or more) and has major issues, some users have reported repairs taking more than a day. If the drive LED is blinking or making noise, it may still be working. But if it's silent and stuck at the same number for many hours, it’s likely frozen.

2. Force Shutdown and Reboot

Hold the power button for 10 seconds to turn off the system. Wait 30 seconds, then turn it back on. The system may:

Try repairing again

Boot normally

Enter Startup Repair again

Show an error

In many cases, rebooting allows you to bypass the stuck screen and access recovery tools.

3. Use Advanced Recovery Options

If the system still won’t boot:

Boot from a Windows Installation USB/DVD

Select Repair Your Computer

Choose Command Prompt

Run the following command:

This will attempt a fresh scan and repair of bad sectors. It may take time, but it can be more reliable than the automatic repair loop.

4. Back Up Important Data

If you manage to boot or access a recovery environment, prioritize data backup. Use an external drive or cloud service. If not possible, consider removing the drive and connecting it to another computer using a USB-to-SATA adapter.

5. Consider Drive Replacement

If CHKDSK continues to fail, or if the repair process always gets stuck, your hard drive may be failing. In such cases, replace the drive and reinstall Windows. A professional technician can often recover data even from a failing drive if needed.

Final Thoughts

Being stuck at 80.69% for 48 hours means something is wrong. It’s time to intervene with manual steps or consider hardware issues. Back up data if possible and use recovery tools. If you’re unsure, consult a technician before risking further damage.

Let me know your system model or if you need help creating recovery media.