Inaccessible boot device errors in Windows 10 aren't hard to fix. However, you need to know exactly what you need to do before you can get stuck in and solve any errors you find.
So, what exactly causes a boot device error? How do you know if it's affecting you? And what can you do to fix it? Keep reading to find out more.
(Note: Some of these solutions will only work if you can still get occasional access to your PC without it crashing.)
What Is the Inaccessible Boot Device Error?
We've already explained how to fix one of the most common problems: the "critical process died" stop code. Now it's time to look at another issue frequently complained about: how to fix an inaccessible boot drive error.
We all know Windows loves to update itself. Often, it's exciting—especially when a major upgrade rolls around. But your excitement can quickly turn to despair.
Picture the scene. You eagerly wait for Windows to reboot after the upgrade, then bam! You see a "blue screen of death" (BSOD) with the inaccessible boot drive error message and your computer 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 result of a 2017 update, the boot device error has a number of possible causes, including BIOS updates and overclocked CPUs. Some users suggest that the problem appears to be more prevalent in computers running an SSD.
Let's take a look at how you can fix the inaccessible boot device error in Windows 10. Unfortunately, you might need to try several different solutions.
Remove Recently-Installed Packages
Note: The following process will restart your machine. Make sure you save any 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 will restart and boot into the Command Prompt app. Once the Command Prompt is on your screen, follow these instructions:
Type dir c: (assuming Windows is installed in the C drive) and press Enter.
Run Dism /Image:c:\ /Get-Packages.
You will see all the packages installed on your system. Use the date field to identify the most recent and make a note of its complete name.
To remove the package, type dism.exe /image:c:\ /remove-package /[package name]. Replace [package name] with the name you noted in the previous step.
Reboot your machine.
If removing the most recent update did not fix your issue and you still see BSODs, repeat the above process with the next most recent update.
Remove "Update Pending" Packages
Sometimes, Windows updates get 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 once again need to open Command Prompt in the advanced startup options by going to Update and Security > Recovery > Advanced Startup > Restart Now > Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Command Prompt.
When the Command Prompt app is running, run the following three commands. They will delete the SessionsPending registry key. Press 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 Exclusive
reg unload HKLM\temp
Next, you need to move any pending updates into their own temporary file. Type dism /image:C:\ /get-packages to get a list of updates. Make a note 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 /image:c:\ /remove-package /packagename:[package name] /scratchdir:c:\temp\packages and press Enter. Replace [package name] as appropriate.
Update Your Drivers
If neither of the two fixes we've already discussed manages to solve your problem, there are some other generic troubleshooting steps you can try before heading to your local PC repair shop.
Firstly, try and update your drivers. Faulty drivers can be responsible for any number of ailments on your machine. The problem is more likely to present itself if you are using old drivers. In the case of the inaccessible boot device error, the most common culprit is an IDE ATA/SATA controller driver.
There are two ways to check for updates. Firstly, you could check the manufacturer's website. Secondly, open Device Manager, expand the IDE ATA/SATA controller sub-menu, right-click on Standard SATA AHCI Controller, and select Update Driver.
Enable AHCI Mode in the BIOS
Some users have reported that enabling AHCI mode in your system BIOS instantly solves the inaccessible boot drive error.
The BIOS menu can vary considerably between manufacturers, so there's not a one-size-fits-all way of explaining the process.
However, in general terms, you'll need to enter the BIOS during boot (typically by pressing Escape, Delete, or one of the Function keys), head to the Advanced Options menu, find Set AHCI Mode, and change the value to Enabled.
Check and Have all Corrupted Hard Drive Files
If corrupted files are available on your computer’s hard drive, they are likely to introduce the inaccessible boot device error. Gladly, fixing corrupted files in a hard drive is a straightforward process that is easily understandable.
If you believe that corrupted files are causing this problem, you can fix that by using the Command Prompt. Note that you must be an administrator to perform this task. Press the “Windows” button and key in cmd. When the result has been displayed, right-click on it and select Run as administrator.
Still on the same Command Prompt application, key in chkdsk / f / r and then choose Enter. Give the application a few moments to process your input and display the output. Then, type the letter Y and press the “Enter” button. If Windows is not bootable, you can use the recovery console to run this command by typing chkdsk/r C
0 Comments