How to Fix an INACCESSIBLE BOOT DEVICE BSOD in Windows 11 or 10: A Step-by-Step Guide – Quick Fix

How to Fix an INACCESSIBLE BOOT DEVICE BSOD in Windows 11 or 10: A Step-by-Step Guide – Quick Fix

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Written By Eric Sandler

The INACCESSIBLE BOOT DEVICE Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) error is a frustrating problem that can prevent your Windows 10 or Windows 11 computer from starting correctly. This error usually appears when Windows can’t access the system partition during boot, often caused by issues with the hard drive, drivers, or corrupted system files. Fortunately, there are several methods to resolve the issue and get your PC back up and running.

Here’s a detailed guide on how to fix the INACCESSIBLE BOOT DEVICE error.

What Causes the INACCESSIBLE BOOT DEVICE Error?

The INACCESSIBLE BOOT DEVICE BSOD can be caused by several factors, including:

  • Corrupted or missing system files.
  • Faulty drivers, especially after a Windows update or driver installation.
  • Issues with boot configuration data (BCD).
  • Problems with the hard drive or SSD, such as disk errors or corruption.
  • Incorrect or missing BIOS settings.

Now, let’s look at different ways to fix the issue.

Method 1: Restart the Computer in Safe Mode

Starting Windows in Safe Mode can help you troubleshoot and resolve the issue by loading only the essential drivers and services.

Step 1: Access the Advanced Startup Options

  1. Turn on your computer. If the BSOD appears again, restart the PC and interrupt the boot process three times in a row (press the power button as soon as the Windows logo appears).

  2. After the third interruption, Windows will enter the Automatic Repair screen.

  3. Select Advanced Options > Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings.

  4. Click Restart, and when the Startup Settings menu appears, press 4 or F4 to start the computer in Safe Mode.

Step 2: Uninstall Recent Updates or Drivers

Once in Safe Mode:

  1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.

  2. Go to Update & Security > View update history > Uninstall updates.

  3. If the issue began after a recent update, try uninstalling it to see if that resolves the problem.

Alternatively, if you installed new hardware drivers, uninstall them:

  1. Open Device Manager by pressing Windows + X and selecting Device Manager.

  2. Find the driver you recently installed, right-click it, and choose Uninstall.

Restart the computer to see if the problem is resolved.

Method 2: Run a Check Disk (CHKDSK) Command

Hard drive corruption or bad sectors can cause the INACCESSIBLE BOOT DEVICE error. Running the CHKDSK command can detect and repair these issues.

Step 1: Boot into Safe Mode (or use Advanced Startup Options)

If you can’t boot into Safe Mode:

  1. Use the Advanced Startup method outlined in Method 1 to access the Command Prompt via Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.

Step 2: Run the CHKDSK Command

  1. In the Command Prompt, type the following command and press Enter:
   chkdsk C: /f /r

Replace C: with the appropriate drive letter if Windows is installed on a different partition.

  1. The system will check the drive for errors and attempt to repair them. This process may take some time, depending on the size and state of the drive.
  2. After the scan, restart your PC and check if the BSOD issue is resolved.

Method 3: Repair Boot Configuration Data (BCD)

Corrupted or missing Boot Configuration Data (BCD) can lead to boot issues. You can rebuild the BCD using the Command Prompt.

Step 1: Access the Command Prompt

  1. Boot into Advanced Startup Options as shown earlier.
  2. Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.

Step 2: Rebuild the BCD

  1. In the Command Prompt, type the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each:
   bootrec /fixmbr
   bootrec /fixboot
   bootrec /scanos
   bootrec /rebuildbcd
  1. After the commands complete, restart your computer to see if the issue is resolved.

Method 4: Update or Reinstall Drivers

Outdated or corrupt drivers, especially disk or storage controller drivers, can cause the INACCESSIBLE BOOT DEVICE error. Updating or reinstalling drivers may fix the issue.

Step 1: Enter Safe Mode

Follow the steps mentioned earlier to boot into Safe Mode.

Step 2: Update Disk or Storage Drivers

  1. Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
  2. Expand the IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers or Storage controllers section.
  3. Right-click on each device and select Update driver.
  4. Choose Search automatically for updated driver software and let Windows search for any updates.

If you cannot find an update, you can also visit your motherboard or computer manufacturer’s website and download the latest drivers manually.

Method 5: Reset BIOS or UEFI Settings

Sometimes, incorrect BIOS or UEFI settings can prevent your computer from accessing the boot device properly. You can reset your BIOS or UEFI to its default settings to resolve this.

Step 1: Access BIOS/UEFI

  1. Restart your computer and press the BIOS/UEFI key (usually Delete, Esc, F2, or F12) to enter the BIOS/UEFI menu.
  2. Once inside the BIOS, look for an option like Load Default Settings or Reset to Default (the wording may vary depending on your motherboard).
  3. After resetting, save the changes and restart your computer.

Method 6: Perform a System Restore

If the INACCESSIBLE BOOT DEVICE error started happening recently, performing a System Restore can revert your system to a previous state where everything was working fine.

Step 1: Access System Restore

  1. Boot into the Advanced Startup Options menu (as described earlier).
  2. Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > System Restore.
  3. Select a restore point from a date before the BSOD issue started, and follow the on-screen instructions to restore your system.

Method 7: Reset Your PC

If all else fails, you can perform a Reset of Windows 10 or 11. This will reinstall Windows, either keeping or deleting your files depending on the option you choose.

Step 1: Access Reset Options

  1. Boot into Advanced Startup Options.
  2. Go to Troubleshoot > Reset this PC.
  3. Choose either Keep my files (which keeps personal files) or Remove everything (a full reset).
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions to reset your computer.

Conclusion

The INACCESSIBLE BOOT DEVICE BSOD can be caused by various issues, but using the methods outlined above, you should be able to resolve it. Start with the easiest solutions like booting into Safe Mode and checking drivers, and gradually move to more complex fixes like repairing the BCD or resetting your PC if necessary. With the right approach, you’ll get your Windows 10 or 11 system back up and running smoothly.

Eric Sandler

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