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How to Fix HP Recovery Manager Restoration Incomplete Error on Windows 11: Step-by-Step Guide

If you have encountered the “HP Recovery Manager Restoration Incomplete” error on your Windows 11 computer, you are not alone. This error can interrupt the process of restoring your system to its factory settings, causing frustration and confusion.

Fortunately, fixing this issue is possible through a series of straightforward steps. This guide will walk you through each step carefully, even if you are not very tech-savvy.

Restoring your system is important when facing major issues or when you want to start fresh. Ensuring the recovery process completes successfully can save you from further problems.

Let’s begin by understanding some quick checks you should perform before diving into the troubleshooting steps.

Quick Note: Prerequisites and Initial Checks

  • Check Power Supply: Make sure your laptop or PC is plugged into a power source. Interruptions due to battery failure can cause restoration errors.
  • Verify Disk Space: Recovery requires enough free disk space. Ensure you have sufficient space on your hard drive.
  • Close Background Programs: Other running programs may interfere with the recovery process. Save your work and close all applications.
  • Backup Important Files: Before starting recovery procedures, back up essential data to avoid accidental loss.

Step 1: Restart Your Computer and Try Recovery Again

Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve temporary glitches that cause recovery errors. To do this:

  1. Click the Start menu, then select Power and choose Restart.
  2. Once your computer restarts, try running the HP Recovery Manager again.

This step helps clear any temporary system issues or memory conflicts that might have caused the error.

Step 2: Run HP Recovery Manager as Administrator

HP Recovery Manager may require administrative privileges to work correctly. Running it as an administrator ensures it has the necessary permissions.

  1. Click the Start menu and type HP Recovery Manager in the search bar.
  2. Right-click on the HP Recovery Manager app and select Run as administrator.
  3. Try to start the restoration process again.

Running as administrator can prevent permission-related errors that stop the recovery from completing.

Step 3: Check Your Recovery Media or Partition

The recovery process depends on the recovery partition on your hard drive or external recovery media like a USB drive or DVD. Problems here can cause restoration failures.

  • If you are using recovery media, make sure it is not damaged or corrupted.
  • If using the built-in recovery partition, verify that it is intact:
  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type diskmgmt.msc and press Enter to open Disk Management.
  3. Look for a partition labeled Recovery or similar. It should be healthy and not marked as unallocated.

If the recovery partition is missing or damaged, restoration will fail. In such cases, you may need to create or obtain recovery media from HP.

Step 4: Disable Antivirus and Firewall Temporarily

Sometimes, security software can block recovery processes thinking they are suspicious. Temporarily disabling antivirus and firewall can help:

  1. Open your antivirus program and locate the option to disable it temporarily.
  2. Similarly, open Windows Security by clicking Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Windows Security.
  3. Click Firewall & network protection and turn off the firewall for the current network.
  4. Try running the recovery again.

Remember to enable your antivirus and firewall once the recovery is complete to keep your system protected.

Step 5: Use System File Checker (SFC) to Repair Corrupt Files

Corrupt system files can cause recovery errors. The System File Checker tool scans and repairs these files:

  1. Press Windows + S, type cmd, right-click on Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator.
  2. In the command prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:
sfc /scannow

The scan may take some time. After it finishes, restart your computer and try the recovery again.

Step 6: Use DISM Tool to Fix Windows Image

If SFC didn’t solve the problem, use the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool to repair the Windows image:

  1. Open Command Prompt as administrator (same as in Step 5).
  2. Type the following commands one by one and press Enter after each:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Wait for each command to complete. This process can take several minutes. After completion, restart your PC and attempt recovery again.

Alternative Method: Use Windows 11 Reset Feature

If HP Recovery Manager continues to give errors, you can use the built-in Windows 11 reset feature as an alternative. This option reinstalls Windows and can keep or remove your files.

  1. Click Start > Settings.
  2. Go to System > Recovery.
  3. Under Reset this PC, click Reset PC.
  4. Choose whether to keep your files or remove everything.
  5. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the reset.

This method is useful if the HP Recovery Manager is damaged or unavailable.

FAQs

Why does the HP Recovery Manager restoration fail?

Restoration can fail due to corrupted recovery partitions, insufficient disk space, interrupted power supply, or interference from antivirus software.

Is it safe to disable antivirus during recovery?

Yes, temporarily disabling antivirus is safe as long as you re-enable it immediately after the process to protect your system.

Can I create recovery media if the recovery partition is missing?

Yes, HP provides tools and instructions to create USB recovery media from another working HP computer or by downloading from their website.

Will resetting Windows 11 remove all my data?

You have the option to keep your personal files during the reset, but all installed apps and settings will be removed.

How long does the recovery or reset process take?

Depending on your system and method, it can take from 30 minutes to several hours. Make sure your device is plugged in and not interrupted.

When Nothing Works

If all the above steps fail to resolve the “HP Recovery Manager Restoration Incomplete” error, consider the following:

  • Contact HP Support: Visit the official HP support website for personalized assistance.
  • Use HP Diagnostics Tools: HP provides diagnostic utilities to check hardware health, which may affect recovery.
  • Consult a Professional Technician: Hardware issues like a failing hard drive may require expert repair.
  • Reinstall Windows Manually: As a last resort, you can download the Windows 11 installation media from Microsoft and perform a clean install.

Conclusion

Fixing the “HP Recovery Manager Restoration Incomplete” error on Windows 11 is achievable by following systematic troubleshooting steps. Start with simple actions like restarting and running the program as administrator, check your recovery partition, and repair system files if necessary.

Disabling antivirus temporarily and using alternative reset options offer additional solutions. Always back up your data before attempting recovery to avoid data loss.

By carefully following this guide, you can restore your HP computer successfully and get it running smoothly again.

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