Fixed: SFC scannow - There is a System Repair Pending | 2024?

Updated by

Sherly 

Written by

Cici 

Updated on April 22, 2024

SFC stands for System File Checker, a Microsoft Windows program that detects and repairs corruption in Windows system files. When executing the "sfc/scannow" command on Windows, a message might appear indicating a pending system repair: "There is a system repair pending which requires a reboot to complete." This typically signifies that system-level operations cannot proceed until the queued system repair finishes.

The tools offered will provide comprehensive solutions to fix the "SFC scannow there is a system repair pending" error. Follow this article, and you'll be all set.

There is a system repair pending

Use SFC Alternative to Check and Fix System Files

If your system files become corrupted, you might have come across advice online to use the SFC command in your command prompt. However, what if it doesn't work or displays the error "SFC scannow: There is a system repair pending"? This error message indicates that a previous system repair is still in progress.

However, sometimes this can be resolved with a simple system restart. But if that doesn't work and you're unsure how to proceed, a third-party utility like the tools Partition Master Professional could be your solution. This free tool provides the easiest method to handle system file issues through its "Check file system" feature, even if you have no prior experience with managing system files. Furthermore, it can perform a system file check and repair it with just a few clicks, without the need for any command-line operations.

Just download the tool Partition Master and follow the steps below to resolve system file errors.

Step 1. Right-click the problematic partition.

Step 2. Choose "Tools" > "First Aid".

Step 3. Confirm whether you want to hide the partition or not.

Step 4. In the Check File System window, select the "Try to fix errors if found" option.

Step 5. Click "Start" to begin checking for errors on the selected partition.

Download tools Partition Master and manage your hard drives better.

tools Partition Master is more than just a solution for system file issues. Here are a few examples of what it can do:

Here are the translations of the provided text into English:
• Fix SFC SCANNOW Stuck
• Repair Windows 10 From USB
• Fix raw drive without format
• Convert an MBR disk to GPT
• Permanently erase data from the hard drive

8 Ways to Fix SFC Scannow - There Is A System Repair Pending

It's recommended to use a third-party tool, such as Partition Master, to easily and quickly resolve the "SFC scannow There is a system repair pending" error. However, if you prefer a manual method, you can try these steps one by one.

These languages have been translated into English:
1. Method 1. Restart Your Computer
2. Method 2. Remove the Pending.XML File
3. Method 3. Use DISM Command
4. Method 4. Rebuild MBR
5. Method 5. Update Driver
6. Method 6. Change BIOS Settings
7. Method 7. Remove the Reboot Pending Entry

Follow this article for a step-by-step guide on each method, and don't forget to share it with your friends who might be experiencing the same issue.

Method 1: Restart Your Computer

The simplest solution is to restart your computer. After restarting, attempt to run the SFC command and see if you still encounter the "SFC scannow There is a system repair pending" error.

Method 2: Remove the Pending.XML File

Deleting the pending.xml file might help resolve the issue: "SFC scannow There is a system repair pending." Navigate directly to the "C:\Windows\WinSxS\Pending.xml" location and delete the pending.xml file. (Note: Replace 'C' with the drive where Windows is installed.)

You can also remove the pending.xml file using the command prompt by following these steps:

Step 1. Launch the "Command Prompt."

Step 2. Now type "del c:\windows\winsxs\pending.xml" and press "Enter."

Step 3. Run the "sfc /scannow /offbootdir=c:\ /offwindir=d:\windows" command.

Hopefully, it has resolved the issue. If not, proceed further in the article.

Further Reading: SFC SCANNOW Stuck

Method 3: Use the DISM Command

The DISM command can address a wide range of issues, and thankfully, the "SFC scannow There is a system repair pending" error is one of them. DISM stands for Deployment Image Servicing and Management, and here's how you can utilize this tool in Windows.

Step 1. Open the Command Prompt and type "DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /Restorehealth." Press Enter to run this command.

Step 2. Check if the SFC scan is working now.

Step 3. If not, type the "DISM.exe /image: C:\ /cleanup-image /revertpendingactions" command and press Enter. (Replace C with the drive letter that applies to your system.)

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Step 4. Run your SFC command and check if the error persists.

If you can't boot into Windows, you'll need to open a Command Prompt window from Safe Mode or the Recovery Environment. To access the Command Prompt in the recovery environment, navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.

Method 4: Rebuild MBR

The Master Boot Record (MBR) is a crucial part of the system responsible for booting. If the MBR is faulty or damaged, it can prevent Windows from starting up, leading to the "There is a system repair pending" error when running the SFC scannow command. Resolving this issue ensures that the system is clean, allowing the SFC scan to function effectively and rectify any issues with system files.

Fortunately, tools like Partition Master have made it incredibly easy to rebuild your system's MBR with its "Rebuild MBR" feature. This can help resolve any issues with the master boot code and provide an all-in-one solution for rebuilding the MBR and creating a WinPE bootable disk, complete with a user-friendly interface for everyone.

So, download Partition Master for free and follow the steps given below:

Step 1. Create a WinPE bootable disk

Translate the following text into English: < li > Launch AOMEI Partition Assistant, and click "Bootable Media" on the toolbar. Select "Create bootable media". < /li > < li > Click "Next" to complete the process. < /li >

Step 2. Boot the Partition Master Bootable USB

Connect the bootable USB or CD/DVD to your PC. Press F2 or Del when you restart the computer to enter the BIOS screen. Set and boot your computer from "Removable Devices" or "CD-ROM Drive". Then, the Partition Master tool will run automatically.

Step 3. Rebuild MBR

Click "Toolkit" and choose "Rebuild MBR".

Rebuild MBR

Select the disk and the type of MBR, and then click "Rebuild".

Then you'll see "MBR has been successfully rebuilt on Disk X".

Read Also:

Method 5: Update Driver

If you encounter the "SFC scannow there is a system repair pending" error in Windows 11/10/8/7 or on a server, followed by Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) errors, it might be due to an outdated driver. Here's how to address this issue: 1. **Update Drivers Manually:** - Press `Windows key + X` and select "Device Manager." - Expand the categories one by one and look for any devices with a yellow exclamation mark, indicating a problem. - Right-click on the problematic device and choose "Update driver." - Select "Search automatically for updated driver software" and let Windows search for the latest driver. - If it finds an update, follow the on-screen instructions to install it. - Repeat this process for any other outdated or problematic devices. 2. **Use Windows Update:** - Press `Windows key + I` to open Settings. - Click on "Update & Security." - On the left panel, choose "Windows Update." - Click "Check for updates" to see if there are any available updates, including driver updates. - Install any available updates and restart your computer if prompted. 3. **Use a Driver Update Tool:** - You can use third-party software like Driver Booster, Snappy Driver Installer, or DriverPack Solution to automatically detect and update outdated drivers. - Download and install the tool of your choice. - Run the tool, and it will scan your system for outdated drivers. - Follow the tool's instructions to update the identified drivers. - Restart your computer after the updates are installed. 4. **System Restore:** - If updating drivers doesn't help, you can try performing a System Restore to a point before the error started occurring. - Press `Windows key + R`, type "rstrui.exe," and hit Enter. - Follow the on-screen instructions to choose a restore point and proceed with the restoration. 5. **Clean Boot:** - A clean boot helps identify if any third-party software is causing the issue. - Press `Windows key + R`, type "msconfig," and hit Enter. - Go to the "Services" tab, check "Hide all Microsoft services," and click "Disable all." - Go to the "Startup" tab, click "Open Task Manager," and disable all startup items. - Restart your computer and check if the error persists. - If the issue is resolved, enable services and startup items one by one to identify the culprit. Remember to create a system restore point before making significant changes, so you can revert if needed. If none of these steps resolve the issue, consider seeking professional assistance or contacting Microsoft Support.

Step 1. Press the Windows + R keys and enter "devmgmt.msc."

Step 2. In Device Manager, expand "Display adapters."

Step 3. Right-click on the listed devices and select "Update driver" to update each driver.

Update Driver

Now that the drivers are updated, run the SFC command again to check if it functions properly.

Method 6. Change BIOS Settings

One potential solution is to change the SATA settings to IDE mode if the Microsoft team updates the hard drive bus management driver classes and you encounter the "SFC scannow - System Repair Pending" message.

Step 1. Restart your computer, and while the OS is initializing, press the BIOS key (F1, F2, Del, ESC, F10, or another key) to access the BIOS settings.

Step 2. In the BIOS, locate the "SATA" option and change it to IDE.

Step 3. Save and exit the BIOS. Now, boot into your computer.

Read Also: Windows Boot Manager Not Showing in BIOS

Method 7. Remove the Reboot Pending Entry Translation: Method 7. Delete the Pending Reboot Entry

Still grappling with the "SFC scannow there is a system repair pending" message?

In most cases, a registry key is responsible for keeping track of which applications are awaiting a restart. If one of these programs is deleted and lost in the queue without a proper uninstallation process, Windows will not verify a pending system repair.

Steps to remove pending restart items:

Step 1. Press the "Windows + R" keys and type "regedit" in the Run dialog box.

Step 2. In the left pane, navigate to "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion."

Remove the "Reboot Pending" Entry

Step 3. Locate the "RebootPending" key below the CurrentVersion key, right-click it, and select "Permissions."

Step 4. Look for your username in the "Group or user names" section of the pop-out window. If you can't find it, click "Add" > "Advanced" > "Find Now". Select your user account and click "OK" twice.

Step 5. Select "username" and click "Full Control" under the "Permissions for User" section.

Step 6. Right-click on the "RebootPending" key and select "Delete." Confirm the changes in the dialog box to apply them.

This method may seem lengthy, but it can be beneficial if other approaches don't work. Repair your system files and kindly share this informative article with others who are facing the same issue.

Conclusion

While this article presents several approaches to fix the "SFC scannow There is a system repair pending" issue, the simplest and most recommended solution is to use the tool Partition Master. This free utility streamlines the process of addressing system file problems and is user-friendly for individuals with minimal or no technical expertise.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About SFC Scannow and "A System Repair Pending" 1. **What is SFC Scannow?** SFC (System File Checker) Scannow is a command-line utility in Windows that allows users to scan and repair corrupted or missing system files. 2. **How do I run SFC Scannow?** To run SFC Scannow, open the Command Prompt as an administrator. Type `sfc /scannow` and press Enter. The tool will then scan your system and fix any issues it finds. 3. **What does "A System Repair Pending" mean?** This message indicates that there's a pending system repair operation in progress or scheduled. It could be related to a Windows Update, a system restore point, or a pending file replacement. 4. **Should I be worried about "A System Repair Pending"?** Not necessarily. It's usually a normal part of Windows' self-repair process. However, if you're experiencing system instability or errors, it might require attention. 5. **Can I still run SFC Scannow with a pending repair?** Yes, but it's recommended to wait until the pending repair is completed or cancelled first, as running SFC during this state might interfere with the process. 6. **How do I cancel a pending system repair?** To cancel a pending repair, restart your computer. If the issue persists, try using the DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) tool to repair the Windows image. 7. **What if SFC Scannow can't fix the issues?** If SFC fails, try running the DISM tool first (`DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth`). If that doesn't help, you may need to perform a clean installation or seek professional assistance. 8. **Is there a way to prevent system file corruption?** Regularly updating Windows, keeping drivers up to date, avoiding abrupt shutdowns, and using reliable antivirus software can help minimize the risk of system file corruption. 9. **How often should I run SFC Scannow?** It's not necessary to run SFC Scannow regularly unless you encounter issues. However, after a suspected malware attack or system instability, it can be a good diagnostic step. 10. **Are there any alternatives to SFC Scannow?** Yes, third-party system repair tools are available, but they're not always as reliable as Microsoft's built-in utilities. Always exercise caution when using external tools.

Still have questions about "SCF Scannow There Is A System Repair Pending"? These FAQs will help you out.

1. How do I perform an SFC scan to fix system files?

To perform an SFC scan, follow these steps: 1. Open the Command Prompt. You can do this by searching for "Command Prompt" in the Windows search bar or by pressing the Windows key + X on your keyboard and selecting "Command Prompt (Admin)" if you want to run it with administrative privileges. 2. Once the Command Prompt window is open, type the following command and press Enter: ``` sfc /scannow ``` 3. The System File Checker will now start scanning your system for any corrupted files. This process may take some time, so please be patient. 4. After the scan is completed, you'll receive one of the following messages: - "Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations." This means that no issues were found, and your system files are intact. - "Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them." In this case, the SFC tool has fixed the corrupted files. - "Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them." If this happens, you might need to use other troubleshooting methods or seek further assistance. 5. Close the Command Prompt and restart your computer for the changes to take effect. Remember, running an SFC scan is just one method to troubleshoot system issues. If you continue experiencing problems, there may be other underlying causes to address.

2. How to fix a pending system repair that requires a reboot to complete?

Restart your computer, and if that doesn't work, remove the pending.xml file by following the steps below:

Step 1. Launch the command prompt and type the following command: "del c:\windows\winsxs\pending.xml."

Step 2. Now run the command “sfc /scannow /offbootdir=c:\ /offwindir=d:\windows” and check.

3. How do I clear a pending system repair?

You can delete the pending system repair by removing the "pending.xml" file in "C:\Windows\WinSxS."