How to fix INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE BSoD error in Windows 11/10

What is INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE error

INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE error is a common Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) encountered in Windows 11 and Windows 10 systems. This error indicates that the operating system has lost access to the system partition during the startup process. As a result, Windows cannot read or load the necessary system files required for booting, leading to a system crash. This issue often arises after significant changes such as a major Windows update, driver installation, or hardware upgrade. It may also occur due to corrupted system files, faulty drivers, or issues with the hard drive’s physical connections. Understanding the root cause is essential, as ignoring this error can lead to repeated boot failures and potential data loss. In the following sections, we will explore the various methods to diagnose and resolve the INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE error to restore your system’s functionality.

How to Fix INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE Error

1. Restart Your Computer

Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve temporary glitches causing the error.

2. Boot into Safe Mode

Booting into Safe Mode allows Windows to start with minimal drivers and services, helping you troubleshoot the issue.

Steps to Boot into Safe Mode:

1. Press and hold the Shift key while clicking on Restart from the Power menu.
2. In the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
3. After restarting, press 4 or F4 to boot into Safe Mode.

3. Update or Reinstall Drivers

Faulty or outdated drivers, especially for storage controllers, can cause this error.

Update Drivers:

1. Boot into Safe Mode.
2. Press Win + X and select Device Manager.
3. Expand IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers and Storage controllers.
4. Right-click on each driver and select Update driver.
5. Choose Search automatically for drivers.

Updating each driver manually is time- and energy-consuming. If you are willing to save it and update drivers faster, we recommend using a special utility called Driver Booster from IObit. It has broad databases of drivers for all of the devices you need to maintain your PC. You can download it using the button below.

Download Driver Booster

4. Check Boot Order in BIOS/UEFI

Incorrect boot sequence can lead to boot device errors.

Adjust Boot Order:

1. Restart your computer and enter BIOS/UEFI settings (usually by pressing F2, F10, or Delete during startup).
2. Navigate to the Boot tab.
3. Ensure your primary hard drive is set as the first boot option.
4. Save changes and exit.

5. Run Check Disk Utility

Disk errors can cause the system to lose access to the boot device.

Run chkdsk:

1. Boot into Advanced Startup Options (as in step 2).
2. Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.
3. In the Command Prompt, type chkdsk c: /f /r and press Enter.
4. Wait for the scan to complete, then restart your computer.

6. Repair Master Boot Record (MBR)

Corrupted MBR can lead to boot issues.

Repair MBR:

1. Access the Command Prompt from Advanced Startup Options.
2. Type the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each:
• bootrec /fixmbr
• bootrec /fixboot
• bootrec /rebuildbcd
3. Restart your computer.

7. Use System Restore

Restore your system to a previous state before the error occurred.

Steps:

1. In Advanced Startup Options, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > System Restore.
2. Choose a restore point and follow the on-screen instructions.

8. Run System File Checker and Deployment Imaging Service and Management Tool

These tools can repair corrupted system files.

Run SFC and DISM:

1. Open the Command Prompt from Advanced Startup Options.
2. Type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
3. After completion, run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth.
4. Restart your computer.

9. Reset BIOS/UEFI Settings to Default

Incorrect BIOS settings can cause boot issues.

Reset BIOS:

1. Enter BIOS/UEFI settings during startup.
2. Find the option to Load Setup Defaults or Reset to Default.
3. Save changes and exit.

10. Perform a Clean Installation of Windows

If all else fails, reinstalling Windows may resolve the issue.

Note: This will erase all data on your system drive. Backup important files if possible.

Steps:

1. Create a Windows installation media using a USB drive.
2. Boot from the installation media.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows.