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Windows Repair Guide • Windows • Step-by-step Windows help

Repair the Windows Image with DISM

This page gives the common DISM flow in the right order so you can check the Windows image and then repair it when the component store is damaged.

Start here

Start with the fastest command or direct open action

This block comes first on purpose. Copy one command, open PowerShell, Windows Terminal, Run, or Start search, paste the exact text, press Enter, then do the slower click-by-click checks underneath only if you still need them.

Quick image health check
Run this in: Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows Terminal Admin: Yes 
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth

What this command does

Performs a quick corruption check without the deeper full scan.

What to do after running it

Wait for the command to finish completely, then restart or retest the same problem before making more changes.

Full image scan
Run this in: Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows Terminal Admin: Yes 
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth

What this command does

Performs a deeper scan to see whether the Windows component store is damaged.

What to do after running it

Wait for the command to finish completely, then restart or retest the same problem before making more changes.

Repair the image
Run this in: Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows Terminal Admin: Yes 
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

What this command does

Checks Windows component files and repairs the image using Windows servicing sources.

What to do after running it

Wait for the command to finish completely, then restart or retest the same problem before making more changes.

Run SFC after DISM
Run this in: Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows Terminal Admin: Yes 
sfc /scannow

What this command does

Scans protected Windows system files and replaces damaged copies when possible.

What to do after running it

Wait for the command to finish completely, then restart or retest the same problem before making more changes.

Overview

What this guide helps you do

DISM helps repair the Windows image that other tools depend on. When that image is damaged, updates and system repair can keep failing.

  • DISM often comes before SFC in repair workflows.
  • The command can take time and may pause at a percentage for a while.
  • Do not close the terminal early unless the process clearly failed.

When to use this

When to use this guide

Useful after repeated update failures, unexplained Windows corruption, or when SFC reports problems it cannot fully fix.

Before you start

What to review first

Run DISM in an elevated terminal and let it finish. It can appear stuck at certain percentages for a while.

Do this exactly

Open the right Windows area first, then follow the changes one by one

  1. Press Start, type Terminal, right-click Windows Terminal, and choose Run as administrator.
  2. Type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth and press Enter for the fast corruption check. Use ScanHealth next if you want the deeper scan.
  3. Type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth and press Enter if you want Windows to spend longer checking the component store for damage.
  4. Type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press Enter when you are ready to attempt the repair. Let the command finish even if it pauses at a percentage for a while.
  5. When DISM finishes, read the result, then run sfc /scannow from the same elevated terminal if you also want to verify and repair protected system files.

Exact click path

Tell the user exactly what to open and press

Do not change ten things at once. Open the exact Windows page first, make one clear change, then check whether it solved the problem before moving on.

Fast open: Press Start, type Terminal, right-click Windows Terminal, choose Run as administrator, then type the DISM commands from this page in order. Start with CheckHealth or ScanHealth if you want to inspect first, and use RestoreHealth when you are ready to attempt the repair.

Try a faster path

Useful after repeated update failures, unexplained Windows corruption, or when SFC reports problems it cannot fully fix.

Open the Windows section

How to use

Run DISM in an elevated terminal and let it finish. It can appear stuck at certain percentages for a while.

Related pages

Keep going with the next useful page

Use these links when you want the matching script, another Windows help page, or a browser tool for the same job.

Open the tools section Browse all script pages Open the Windows section How to Stop Windows from Tracking Activity How to Disable Telemetry Safely How to Remove Personal Metadata from Files Before Sharing

FAQ

Questions about Repair the Windows Image with DISM

Should I run SFC before DISM?

When the Windows image itself may be damaged, DISM first is often the safer repair order, then SFC after that.

Does DISM need internet access?

Often yes for standard RestoreHealth behavior, unless you provide a local repair source.