Inaccessible Boot Device error after Driver update [9 solutions]

The “Inaccessible Boot Device” Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) occurs when the boot loader can’t access a Windows boot device. This error usually occurs during the Windows startup process and prevents the computer from booting properly. So, what exactly causes a boot device error? Corrupted or incompatible storage drivers, problems with the Boot Configuration Data (BCD), or errors on the hard drive or SSD are common reasons behind this. Again, Interruptions during updates, incorrect BIOS settings, or malware infection can also lead to this error. Whatever the reason, let’s take a look at how you can fix the inaccessible boot device error on Windows PC.

Inaccessible boot device Windows 11

This error usually means the Windows boot loader tried to read the boot device and failed. Or we can say boot process can’t find a bootable system where the boot configuration is stored. There are several possible reasons for this error, it may be that the File system initialization could not recognize the data on the boot device, or the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) for the boot device is damaged, corrupt, or invalid.

• Faulty Driver Updates: Incompatible or corrupted driver updates, especially for disk controllers or storage devices.
• Corrupt System Files: Essential files required for booting are missing or damaged.
• Incorrect Boot Configuration: Changes in the bootloader or boot sequence.
• Disk Errors: Bad sectors or file system errors on the primary disk.
• Third-Party Software Conflicts: Some updates or software installations can modify critical system settings.

Disconnect External Devices and restart Windows

If this is the very first time you have experienced this error a simple restart can help. A restart reloads the BIOS/UEFI settings and ensures that the system correctly detects the internal storage drive

Again, External devices like USB drives, external hard drives, or peripherals may interfere with the boot process if the system prioritizes them in the boot order or if they cause conflicts.

• Power off your computer.
• Disconnect all external devices except the keyboard and mouse.
• Restart your PC to check if the issue persists.

Disconnecting external devices eliminates potential conflicts, ensuring the boot process focuses on the internal storage device.

Enable AHCI Mode in BIOS

Just Restart your System and enter the BIOS by pressing F2/del key repeatedly at the startup. F2 is the default for most operating systems, but if it doesn’t work for you then at the POST screen take a closer look to see which key is set to enter BIOS and then reboot again and use the appropriate key to get into BIOS.

• Go to main -> SATA Mode and Here select AHCI Mode instead of IDE from the list.
• Again, Move To the boot Tab and change first boot to HDD.
• Press F10 to save changes on BIOS setup and restart Windows Check Started normally.

Note: If your boot drive is not listed in your BIOS, it may have failed. Try another drive in its place to check the cable/power/connector. If the other drive shows up, it’s probably disk drive failure. If it doesn’t show up, try a different IDE or SATA port, cable and power connector.

Perform startup repair

Access the Windows 11 Advanced Startup Options And click on Startup Repair to check and fix any Missing/corrupt boot configuration settings or Corrupt registry settings causing the issue.

Follow these things, if you can access your PC at least login screen:

• At first, Press and hold Shift from the Keyboard and click on the Restart button.
• Then, Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Repair.

If you can’t access your PC –

• Insert Bootable Windows Media in USB and restart Your PC (If you don’t have one, read how to Create a bootable Media/USB )
• Press any key to access the setup Window.
• Go ahead and choose to Repair your Computer.
• Now, Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup repair

Repair Boot Configuration

The boot configuration may have been altered during the update. Repairing it can resolve the error. Again, access Advanced options, then command prompt and perform the following commands to repair the boot configuration.

bootrec /fixmbr 

bootrec /fixboot

bootrec /rebuildbcd

bootrec /scanos 

These commands repair the bootloader and rebuild the boot configuration data (BCD), allow Windows to locate the system partition.

Boot into Safe mode with networking

Booting into Safe Mode can help bypass driver conflicts and allow you to fix the issue.

• Turn off your PC and then turn it on. When the Windows logo appears, hold the power button to force a shutdown. Repeat this process 3 times to enter the Recovery Environment.
• Go to Advanced Options → Startup Settings → Restart.
• Press F4 to boot into Safe Mode and F5 to enable internet access.

Safe Mode loads Windows with only the essential drivers, bypassing faulty updates.

Run Disk Error Checks

Disk errors can prevent Windows from accessing the boot device. Scanning and repairing them can resolve the issue. Boot into the Recovery Environment and open Command Prompt. Run command chkdsk C: /f /r.

Alternatively:

• When Windows starts in safe mode, open the command prompt as administrator,
• Then type the command chkdsk c: /r /f and hit the enter key.
• Then press Y to confirm to run the disk check on the next restart, close the command prompt, and restart Windows.
• wait until 100% complete the scanning process after that restart Windows, and check the system starts normally.

This command identifies and fixes bad sectors and file system errors on your drive.

Run SFC and DISM command

Also, run the System files checker Utility, which scans and restores if any corrupted, missing system file causing the issue.

• To do this, open the command prompt as administrator,
• Then type sfc /scannow and hit the enter key.
• This will start the scanning process for missing, corrupted system files.
• If any damages or missing system files the SFC utility automatically restores them from a compressed folder located on %WinDir%\System32\dllcache.
• Wait until 100% complete the scanning process, After that restart Windows and check there is no more inaccessible_boot_device blue screen error.

If the system file checker scanning results Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them, that causes you need to run the DISM tool which repairs the system image and allows sfc to do its job.

Uninstall Recent Windows Updates

Sometimes, Windows updates—especially driver-related ones—can cause this issue. Uninstall recent Windows update Reverts updates that might have introduced incompatible drivers or system changes.

• Boot into the Recovery Environment.
• Select Advanced Options → Uninstall Updates.
• Choose to uninstall the latest feature or quality update.

Update your drivers

Some users report, update or reinstall the Standard SATA AHCI Controller and display driver help them fix this inaccessible boot device error on Windows 11.

• Press Windows key + R, type devmgmt.msc and click ok to open the device manager,
• This will display all installed device driver list, and from here you can update or reinstall them.
• Now click to expand on the device that is causing the problem, for example, Standard SATA AHCI Controller,
• To do so, locate and expand IDE ATA/SATA controllers option, right-click on the Standard SATA AHCI Controller and select update driver,
• Click “Search automatically for updated driver software” and follow the on-screen instructions to update the device driver.

In the same way you can update the display driver or other drivers on Windows 11.

Sometimes Reinstall the Device driver and Run the Memory Diagnostic tool to check memory errors Also be a handy solution to deal with different Blue screen errors on Windows 11 computer.

Disable Fast startup

When Windows start into safe mode first open the Control Panel -> Power Options -> Choose what the power buttons do -> Change Settings that are currently unavailable -> and uncheck Turn on Fast Startup to disable the fast Startup options. Which fixes most of Windows 11 Startup problems, include BSOD error, Black screen errors, etc.

Again, sometimes third-party antivirus software in your system could be the reason behind the stop code – Inaccessible Boot Device error. Temporarily disable or uninstall it and check. If not sure update your antivirus software and check if the error has gone or not.