Inaccessible boot device errors in Windows x aren't hard to fix. All the same, you demand to know exactly what yous need to practice before you can get stuck in and solve any errors you find.

And then, what exactly causes a boot device mistake? How exercise you lot know if information technology'due south affecting you? And what tin can you lot do to fix it? Go along reading to find out more.

(Notation: Some of these solutions will only piece of work if you tin can still get occasional access to your PC without it crashing.)

What Is the Inaccessible Kick Device Mistake?

We've already explained how to gear up one of the most common problems: the "critical procedure died" stop code. Now it'due south fourth dimension to look at another consequence frequently complained about: how to fix an inaccessible kicking drive fault.

We all know Windows loves to update itself. Often, information technology'south exciting—especially when a major upgrade rolls around. But your excitement tin can quickly turn to despair.

Moving-picture show the scene. You eagerly await for Windows to reboot later the upgrade, so bam! You see a "blueish screen of death" (BSOD) with the inaccessible boot drive error message and your figurer restarts.

In simple terms, the message means Windows lost its access to the system partition during the startup process.

Although tens of thousands of users saw the code as a issue of a 2022 update, the boot device mistake has a number of possible causes, including BIOS updates and overclocked CPUs. Some users suggest that the problem appears to exist more than prevalent in computers running an SSD.

Let's have a wait at how you can set the inaccessible kick device mistake in Windows 10. Unfortunately, you might need to try several different solutions.

one. Remove Recently-Installed Packages

windows setting recovery

If you believe an update has caused your problem, you need to work through your recently installed packages and remove them one past 1. Hopefully, you volition somewhen delete the update that'south causing the consequence.

Notation: The post-obit process volition restart your machine. Make certain you save whatsoever work before continuing.

To begin, open the Settings app and navigate to Update and Security > Recovery > Advanced Startup > Restart Now. After a few moments, a blue screen will pop up. Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Command Prompt.

Your computer volition restart and boot into the Command Prompt app. Once the Control Prompt is on your screen, follow these instructions:

  1. Type dir c: (bold Windows is installed in the C bulldoze) and press Enter.
  2. Run Dism /Image:c:\ /Get-Packages.
  3. You will run across all the packages installed on your system. Use the engagement field to identify the nearly contempo and brand a note of its complete name.
  4. To remove the package, blazon dism.exe /image:c:\ /remove-parcel /[package name]. Supplant [package name] with the name yous noted in the previous step.
  5. Reboot your machine.

If removing the most recent update did not fix your effect and you still see BSODs, repeat the higher up process with the next about recent update.

2. Remove "Update Pending" Packages

cmd for inaccessible drive

Sometimes, Windows updates go stuck in a strange limbo, forever pending and never installing. These pending updates can cause an inaccessible boot device error.

To remove them, you'll again need to open Command Prompt in the advanced startup options by going to Update and Security > Recovery > Avant-garde Startup > Restart Now > Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Control Prompt.

When the Command Prompt app is running, run the post-obit 3 commands. They will delete the SessionsPending registry key. Printing Enter after each line:

          reg load HKLM\temp c:\windows
ystem32\config
oftware
reg delete "HKLM\temp\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Component Based Servicing\SessionsPending"/v Sectional
reg unload HKLM\temp

Next, you need to motility whatever pending updates into their own temporary file. Type dism /image:C:\ /get-packages to get a list of updates. Make a annotation of any which has the "Install Pending" tag.

Now you need to create a temporary file. Type MKDIR C:\temp\packages and press Enter.

Lastly, move all the pending packages into the temporary file. Type dism /prototype:c:\ /remove-package /packagename:[parcel name] /scratchdir:c:\temp\packages and press Enter. Supercede [package proper noun] as appropriate.

three. Update Your Drivers

Update Drivers

If neither of the two fixes we've already discussed manages to solve your problem, there are some other generic troubleshooting steps you lot tin try before heading to your local PC repair shop.

Firstly, attempt and update your drivers. Faulty drivers tin can be responsible for any number of ailments on your car. The problem is more than likely to nowadays itself if you are using one-time drivers. In the example of the inaccessible boot device error, the nigh common culprit is an IDE ATA/SATA controller driver.

There are two ways to check for updates. Firstly, you lot could check the manufacturer's website. Secondly, open Device Director, expand the IDE ATA/SATA controller sub-menu, right-click on Standard SATA AHCI Controller, and select Update Driver.

four. Enable AHCI Style in the BIOS

Some users have reported that enabling AHCI way in your organization BIOS instantly solves the inaccessible boot drive mistake.

The BIOS card can vary considerably between manufacturers, so at that place'due south non a i-size-fits-all way of explaining the procedure.

However, in general terms, yous'll need to enter the BIOS during boot (typically by pressing Escape, Delete, or ane of the Function keys), caput to the Avant-garde Options bill of fare, detect Set AHCI Fashion, and change the value to Enabled.

5. Cheque for a Corrupted Hard Drive

Corrupted files on your hard drive might be the crusade of the fault. Thankfully, if they are the root of the issue, it'due south straightforward to gear up.

Firstly, you need to open up Command Prompt as an administrator. To do and then, press the Windows key, type cmd, right-click on the result and choose Run as administrator.

Within the Command Prompt app, blazon chkdsk /f /r and press Enter. Expect for the app to procedure your input, then type Y and press Enter. If you cannot boot Windows, yous can also run this command from the recovery console by entering chkdsk /r C: instead.

Other Troubleshooting Solutions

If y'all all the same have non managed to prepare the inaccessible boot device error, you lot might feel like it'southward time to phone call in a professional.

Nevertheless, depending on your technical capabilities, in that location are a couple more things y'all tin can endeavour:

  • Open up your machine's chassis and cheque for loose cables
  • Physically audit your RAM, motherboard, and hard drive for faults and damage

Lastly, you could try taking the nuclear option and reset Windows 10 back to a clean re-create. If you cull this approach, you will lose all your information, then make sure yous make a backup of your data before starting.

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Nigh The Writer

Dan Cost (1606 Articles Published)

Dan joined MakeUseOf in 2022 and has been Partnerships Director since July 2022. Attain out to him for inquires about sponsored content, chapter agreements, promotions, and any other forms of partnership. You tin can also find him roaming the prove floor at CES in Las Vegas every yr, say hi if you're going. Prior to his writing career, he was a Financial Consultant.

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