Fix Windows Error Code 0xc0000098: Backup ACPI.sys to Prevent Boot Failure

Error code 0xc0000098 in Windows causes a blue screen error on startup. The ACPI.sys driver is often to blame, especially on unsupported versions of Windows 11 like 23H2 or 22H2 or Windows 10, which will soon stop receiving updates. Even on supported Windows 11 24H2, ACPI.sys file errors can still occur and Microsoft's fix may not arrive in time. To prevent the 0xc0000098 boot error and avoid blue screen crashes, take action now by using the simple backup plan shared here.

Table of Contents

• Why does ACPI.sys cause Windows error code 0xc0000098?
• Validate the integrity of the ACPI.sys system in PowerShell
• Use ACPI.sys Registry Backup to Fix Error Code 0xc0000098
• Other solutions

Why does ACPI.sys cause Windows error code 0xc0000098?

All Windows devices include the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI), an important system driver called ACPI.sys, located at “C:\Windows\System32\Drivers”. A corrupted ACPI.sys file can prevent your computer from booting, as it manages power functions and detects plug and play (PnP) devices.

First of all, this driver is a notable cause of Windows error 0xc0000098, often caused by faulty updates that overwrite or corrupt files. File corruption can also be caused by malware, such as rootkits and fileless Trojan attacks, that target important system files on your computer.

A recent ACPI.sys-0xc0000098 connection issue appeared on May 31, 2025 after Windows 11 23H2 users installed update KB5058405. They were no longer able to boot and received the recovery error screen after booting:

Your PC/Device needs to be repaired. The operating system couldn't be loaded because a required file is missing or contains errors.
File: ACPI.sys
Error code: 0xc0000098

The KB5058405 issue primarily affects virtual machines, but some physical devices are also affected. Microsoft has released a hotfix KB5062170 for Windows 11 22H2 and 23H2 users, but the real issue is the integrity of the ACPI.sys file. It is safer to back up ACPI.sys as shown here.

Warning : The solutions below are just preventative measures. Whatever you do, do not directly interfere with the ACPI.sys file, as this file controls the Windows startup process.

Validate the integrity of the ACPI.sys system in PowerShell

Open a PowerShell window with admin rights . Now enter the following command to get the file hash for ACPI.sys.

Get-FileHash C:\Windows\System32\drivers\ACPI.sys

You will see a 64-character alphanumeric code that you can write down for future reference or export to your email. ACPI.sys system integrity validation is part of system maintenance and servicing, preventing Windows startup issues .

In the future, whenever you notice system slowdowns, crashes, or instability, check if your ACPI.sys file hashes are the same.

Use ACPI.sys Registry Backup to Fix Error Code 0xc0000098

This is a practical solution that will help you regain access to the Windows login screen after encountering the 0xc0000098 error during boot.

First, open the Registry Editor by typing regedit in the search bar or Run command. Navigate to the following path:

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\ACPI

Next, click File -> Export . A .reg file is created, which you can name “ACPI” for quick reference. You can export that file to any safe location like a USB drive or even a cloud storage location. You can also save the backup to a local folder on your PC. I’m saving it to a local folder on my PC called “backup.”

Whenever you encounter the 0xc0000098 error screen during startup, all you have to do is launch the Windows recovery environment. There are many ways to do this, but when staring at a blue screen, the easiest way is to press the power button and immediately press your PC's Windows startup key like F2 , F6 , or Esc , depending on your PC brand.

Here, go to Troubleshoot -> Advanced Options -> Command Prompt . Type regedit and it will open Registry Editor in Windows recovery environment. Click File -> Import to import the correct registry file.

The values ​​of the saved .reg file will be successfully added to the registry key around ACPI.sys. Now all you have to do is reboot your device and the ACPI related settings will be saved in their original format. You can prevent registry errors with these tips.

Other solutions

Keeping secure boot enabled is the best way to ensure that ACPI.sys files are not tampered with. You can enable it in the Windows Security app, from Device Security -> Secure boot , where it will show as On. You can also enable it in UEFI on older Windows 10 devices.

While backing up ACPI.sys is the best way to prevent and resolve future Windows 0xc0000098 errors, there are still many other boot issues that cause blue screens when starting Windows. The most common of these errors are the Ntoskernl.exe error, BAD SYSTEM CONFIG INFO, and CRITICAL PROCESS DIED

Running a DISM/SFC check ensures file integrity in all System32 components, including ACPI.sys.