Quick guide to fix Inaccessible Boot Device error on Windows

"Inaccessible Boot Device" is a blue screen of death (BSOD) error. This error usually occurs on Windows 10 after users use the Reset This PC feature to restore Windows 10 computer to default settings or to refresh (reinstall) Windows 10 without losing files or after upgrading the system to Windows 10.

If an Inaccessible Boot Device error occurs, you will see the error message on the screen: " Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart. We 're just collecting some error info, and then you can restart. If you like to know more, you can search online later for this error: INACCESSIBLE BOOT DEVICE ". When the error occurs, Windows cannot access the system partition when starting up.

So how to fix the error, please refer to the article below of WebTech360.

"Inaccessible Boot Device" Error and How to Fix It

• Remove recently installed packages
• Remove "Update Pending" packages
• Update driver
• Check for damaged hard drive
• Change SATA Mode to AHCI on BIOS
• Boot in Safe Mode
  • - On Windows 7 and Windows Vista
  • - On Windows 10/8.1/8
• Edit SATA Mode settings on Registry
• Restore your computer to a previous version
• Perform a clean install of Windows

Remove recently installed packages

If you think an update is causing your problem, you will need to go through the recently installed packages and remove them one by one. Hopefully you will eventually remove the correct update that is causing the problem.

Note : The following process will require a restart. Make sure you save all work before continuing.

To get started, open the Settings app and navigate to Update and Security > Recovery > Advanced Startup > Restart Now . After a moment, a blue screen will appear. Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Command Prompt .

Your computer will restart and boot into the Command Prompt application. Once the Command Prompt appears on your screen, follow these instructions:

1. Type dir c: (assuming Windows is installed in drive C ) and press Enter.

2. Run the command:

Dism /Image:c:\ /Get-Packages

3. You will see all the packages installed on your system. Use the date field to determine the most recent date and note its full name.

4. To remove the package, type:

dism.exe /image:c:\ /remove-package /[package name]

Replace [package name] with the name you noted down in the previous step.

5. Restart your computer.

If removing the most recent update doesn't fix the problem and you're still seeing the BSOD error, repeat the above process with the next most recent update.

Remove "Update Pending" packages

Sometimes Windows updates get stuck in a “hanging” state, forever in a pending state and never installed. These pending updates can cause the “Inaccessible Boot Device” error.

To remove them, you'll once again need to open Command Prompt in Advanced Startup Options, by going to Update and Security > Recovery > Advanced Startup > Restart Now > Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Command Prompt .

With the Command Prompt application running, enter the following 3 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 that are tagged “Install Pending”.

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

Finally, move all pending packages to a temporary file. Type dism /image:c:\ /remove-package /packagename:[package name] /scratchdir:c:\temp\packages and press Enter. Replace [package name] with the appropriate package name.

Update driver

If neither of the fixes mentioned in the article solved your problem, there are some other general troubleshooting steps you can try before heading to a PC repair shop.

First, try and update your drivers. Faulty drivers can be the cause of any issues that appear on your system. The problem is more likely to manifest itself if you are using outdated drivers. In the case of Inaccessible Boot Device errors, the most common culprit is the IDE ATA/SATA controller driver.

There are two ways to check for updates. First, you can check the manufacturer's website. Second, open Device Manager , expand the IDE ATA/SATA controller submenu , right-click Standard SATA AHCI Controller and select Update Driver.

Check for damaged hard drive

Corrupted files on your hard drive can be the cause of the error. Luckily, if they are the root of the problem, it's easy to fix.

First, you need to open Command Prompt with admin rights . To do so, press the Windows key , type cmd , right-click the result and select Run as administrator .

In the Command Prompt application , type chkdsk /f /r and press Enter. Wait for the application to process the command you type, then type Y and press Enter. If you can't start Windows, you can also run this command from the Recovery Console by typing chkdsk /r C .

Change SATA Mode to AHCI on BIOS

1. First power on your system and press the key to access BIOS Setup .

Note : The keys commonly used to access BIOS SETUP are DEL, F1 or F2 , depending on the model of computer you are using.

2. Find and change SATA Mode from RAID to AHCI .

3. Save changes and exit BIOS Setup.

4. Restart your Windows computer in normal mode. If Windows still fails to start, apply the following solutions.

Boot in Safe Mode

Solution With this solution first start your computer in Safe Mode, then proceed to Restart.

- On Windows 7 and Windows Vista

1. Turn on your computer, then press the F8 key to open the Advanced Boot Options Menu .

2. Use the down arrow key to select the Safe Mode option and press Enter.

3. Now your Windows computer is in Safe Mode, restart your computer and check if Windows has started.

- On Windows 10/8.1/8

+ Case 1:

If your computer boots normally into Windows or can reach the Login screen

1. Press and hold the Shift key then go to Power => Restart .

2. After your computer starts up, select Troubleshoot => Advanced Options => Startup Settings .

3. Click Restart .

4. After the computer finishes booting, press the F4 key (or the 4 key) to start Windows in Safe Mode .

5. Now your Windows computer is in Safe Mode, restart your computer and check if Windows has started.

+ Case 2:

If Windows fails to start (cannot reach the Login screen):

1. First, you must create a USB installation media drive (according to the Windows version you are using).

Readers can refer to how to create a USB drive containing Windows XP, 7, 8 and 10 installation files here.

2. Boot your computer from the Windows installation media USB drive.

3. On the Language options window , select Next .

4. Select Repair your computer .

5. Next select Troubleshoot => Advanced Options => Command Prompt .

6. Now on the Command Prompt window, enter the command below and press Enter:

bcdedit /set {default} bootmenupolicy legacy

7. Type exit into Command Prompt to close the Command Prompt window and restart your computer.

8. During startup, press the F8 key to access the Advanced Boot Options menu .

9. Use the down arrow key to select the Safe Mode option and press Enter.

10. Now your Windows computer is in Safe Mode, restart your computer and check if Windows has started.

Edit SATA Mode settings on Registry

1. Create a Windows installation media USB drive (according to the version of Windows you are using).

2. Boot your computer from the Windows installation media USB drive.

3. On the Language options window, click Next .

4. Select Repair your computer .

5. Open Command Prompt by following the steps below:

- On Windows 7 or Vista:

1. Click Next on the next window.

2. Select Command Prompt .

- On Windows 10/8.1/8:

Select Troubleshoot => Advanced Options => Command Prompt .

6. On the Command Prompt window, type regedit and press Enter to open Registry Editor.

7. In the Registry Editor window, find the key named HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.

8. From the File Menu , select Load Hive .

9. On the Load Hive window, find and open the system file at the following path:

%System_Drive%\Windows\System32\config

Note : %System_Drive% is the drive where you installed the Windows operating system (such as C;\Windows\System32\config).

10. Enter a new key in the Key Name box and click OK .

11. Next navigate by key (in the left frame):

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ControlSet001\services\msahci

For example: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Repair\ControlSet001\services\msahci

12. Next in the right pane, double-click on the Start value , then enter 0 in the Value Data box.

13. Follow the same steps and set the Start value to 0 for the following 2 keys:

1. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ControlSet001\services\pciide

2. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ControlSet001\services\iaStorV

14. After completing the change, select the new key > in the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE section (assuming HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Repair).

15. From the File Menu , select Upload Hive.

16. Close the Registry Editor window and restart your computer.

Note :

Make sure SATA MODE is set to AHCI on BIOS SETUP.

17. Restart your Windows computer in normal mode.

Restore your computer to a previous version

1. Create a Windows installation media USB drive according to the Windows version you are using.

2. Boot your computer from the Windows installation media USB drive.

3. On the Language options window , click Next.

4. Select Repair your computer .

5. Restore your computer to the previous version:

- On Windows 7 or Windows Vista:

1. Select Next .

2. Select System Restore .

3. Follow the on-screen instructions to restore your computer to the previous version.

- On Windows 10/8.1/8:

1. Select Troubleshoot => Advanced Options => System Restore .

2. Follow the on-screen instructions to restore your computer to the previous version.

Perform a clean install of Windows

The final solution to fix the error is to use the Windows installation media USB drive you created and perform a clean install of Windows.

See more articles below:

• 3 Simple Ways to Reset BIOS Settings

• Here's Why You Should Turn Off or Cover Your Webcam Immediately

• Instructions for setting BIOS and UEFI passwords to protect data on your Windows 10 computer safely

Good luck!