Error code 0xc000000e when booting Windows 11 usually means Windows cannot find the drive or boot information required to start the operating system. During startup, Windows Boot Manager relies on the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) to locate your Windows installation and load the necessary boot files. If the BCD becomes corrupted or misconfigured due to a sudden power interruption, disk errors, or changes to the BIOS/UEFI settings, Windows Boot Manager may be unable to locate the correct Windows installation. As a result, the startup process stops and Windows displays error code 0xc000000e with a message such as “A required device isn’t connected or can’t be accessed.”
This error can also occur after replacing or cloning an SSD or hard drive if the boot configuration isn’t updated or the new drive isn’t configured correctly. In this guide, you’ll learn what causes error code 0xc000000e in Windows 11 and how to repair the boot configuration to get your PC starting normally again.
Why Does Error Code 0xc000000e Happen in Windows 11?
Error code 0xc000000e usually occurs when Windows Boot Manager cannot locate the Windows installation or access the device required to start the operating system. Common causes include:
- Corrupted or misconfigured Boot Configuration Data (BCD): If the BCD becomes damaged or contains incorrect boot information, Windows cannot locate the operating system.
- Loose or faulty SSD/HDD connection: A loose SATA cable, damaged drive, or failing SSD/HDD can prevent Windows from accessing the boot drive.
- Replacing or cloning a storage drive: Migrating Windows to a new SSD or HDD without updating the boot configuration can trigger this error.
- Incorrect BIOS/UEFI settings: Changing the boot order, switching between UEFI and Legacy mode, or disabling the Windows boot drive can prevent Windows from starting.
- Damaged system partition or EFI partition: If the EFI System Partition or other boot-related partitions become corrupted, Windows Boot Manager may fail to locate the required boot files.
- File system corruption or disk errors: Bad sectors or file system corruption on the system drive can prevent Windows from reading the files required during startup.
Before You Begin: Try These Quick Checks
Before performing the advanced troubleshooting steps below, try these quick checks. In many cases, they can resolve error 0xc000000e without making any changes to your Windows installation.
- Disconnect all unnecessary external devices, including USB flash drives, external hard drives, SD cards, and DVDs.
- If you recently installed a new SSD, HDD, or other hardware, make sure it is connected properly.
- Restart your computer and see if Windows boots normally.
- If you’ve recently changed BIOS/UEFI settings, restore them to their default values and try booting again.
If the error persists, continue with the methods below.
Method 1: Verify the Boot Drive and Boot Order in BIOS/UEFI
One of the most common causes of error code 0xc000000e is that Windows cannot detect the drive containing the operating system. This can happen after replacing or cloning an SSD or hard drive, changing BIOS/UEFI settings, or due to a loose drive connection.
To check your boot drive:
- Restart your PC and enter the BIOS/UEFI setup by pressing the appropriate key during startup (such as F2, Delete, Esc, or F10, depending on your PC manufacturer).
- Open the Boot or Storage menu and verify that your Windows SSD or hard drive is detected.
- If Windows Boot Manager is listed, make sure it is set as the first boot option.
- Confirm that the boot mode matches your Windows installation:
- UEFI for most Windows 11 PCs.
- Legacy/CSM only if Windows was originally installed in Legacy BIOS mode.
- Save any changes and restart your computer.
Tip: If your SSD or hard drive does not appear in the BIOS/UEFI, turn off your PC and check the drive’s connection (for desktop PCs). For laptops, the drive may need to be reseated or replaced if it is not detected.
Method 2: Run Windows Startup Repair
If your Windows drive is detected correctly but error code 0xc000000e still appears, try running Windows Startup Repair. This built-in recovery tool scans for common startup problems and automatically repairs missing or damaged boot files, incorrect boot settings, and other issues that may prevent Windows from loading.
To run Startup Repair:
- Boot into Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). If you can’t access WinRE, turn your PC on and force it to shut down when the Windows logo appears. Repeat this process two or three times until Preparing Automatic Repair is displayed.
- Select:Advanced options → Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Repair
- Choose your user account and enter your password if prompted.
- Wait while Windows scans and repairs startup problems.
- Restart your PC and check if Windows boots normally.
If Startup Repair is unable to fix error code 0xc000000e, continue with the next method to repair the Boot Configuration Data (BCD).
Method 3: Rebuild the Boot Configuration Data (BCD)
If Startup Repair doesn’t resolve the problem, the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) may be corrupted or missing. Rebuilding the BCD can restore the boot information that Windows Boot Manager needs to locate and start your Windows installation.
To rebuild the BCD:
- Boot into Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). If WinRE doesn’t open automatically, boot your PC from a Windows 11 installation USB drive and select “Repair your computer.”
- Go to: Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Command Prompt
- Run the following commands one at a time, pressing Enter after each:
bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /scanos
bootrec /rebuildbcd
- If Windows detects an installation, type Y to add it to the boot list.
- Restart your PC and check whether Windows starts normally.
Note: If the bootrec /fixboot command returns “Access is denied”, skip that command and continue with the remaining ones. If the error persists, proceed to the next method to recreate the EFI boot files using the bcdboot command.
Method 4: Recreate the EFI Boot Files Using BCDBOOT
If rebuilding the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) doesn’t fix error code 0xc000000e, the EFI boot files may be missing or damaged. The bcdboot command recreates the Windows boot files and copies them to the EFI System Partition, allowing Windows Boot Manager to locate your Windows installation again.
To recreate the EFI boot files:
- Boot into Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).
- Go to: Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Command Prompt
- Type the following command and press Enter:
bcdboot C:\Windows
- If Windows is installed on a drive other than C:, replace C: with the correct drive letter.
- After the command completes successfully, restart your PC and check whether Windows starts normally.
If the bcdboot command reports an error or the problem continues, proceed to the next method to check your storage drive for file system errors.
Method 5: Check Your Drive for Errors Using CHKDSK
If your boot drive has file system errors or bad sectors, Windows may be unable to read the files required during startup, resulting in error code 0xc000000e. Running CHKDSK (Check Disk) can detect and repair these problems.
To run CHKDSK:
- Boot into Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).
- Go to: Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Command Prompt
- Type the following command and press Enter:
chkdsk C: /f /r
- Wait for the scan to complete. Depending on the size and condition of your drive, this may take some time.
- Restart your PC and check whether Windows starts normally.
The /f parameter repairs file system errors, while /r locates bad sectors and attempts to recover readable data.
Note: If CHKDSK reports numerous bad sectors or drive errors, your SSD or hard drive may be failing. Back up your important files as soon as possible and consider replacing the drive.
Method 6: Repair Corrupted Windows System Files
If your boot drive is working properly but error code 0xc000000e still appears, corrupted Windows system files may be preventing the operating system from starting. Windows includes built-in tools like System File Checker (SFC) and DISM command to scan for and repair damaged system files.
To repair Windows system files:
- Boot into Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).
- Go to: Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Command Prompt
- Run the following command:
sfc /scannow /offbootdir=C:\ /offwindir=C:\Windows
- Wait for the scan to finish. If corrupted files are found, Windows will attempt to repair them automatically.
- After the scan completes, run the following DISM command:
DISM /Image:C:\ /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Note: If Windows is installed on a drive other than C:, replace C: with the correct drive letter in both commands.
The SFC tool repairs missing or corrupted system files, while DISM repairs the Windows image to help prevent future system file corruption.
Wait for both scans to finish, then restart your PC and check whether Windows starts normally.
Method 7: Perform a System Restore
If error code 0xc000000e started after a recent Windows update, driver installation, or system change, restoring your PC to an earlier restore point may resolve the problem. System Restore reverts Windows system files, drivers, and settings to a previous working state without affecting your personal files.
Note: This method only works if System Restore was enabled before the error occurred.
To perform a System Restore:
- Boot into Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).
- Go to: Troubleshoot → Advanced options → System Restore
- Select your user account and enter your password if prompted.
- Choose a restore point created before the startup error occurred.
- Click Next → Finish and wait for Windows to restore your system.
- Restart your PC and check whether Windows starts normally.
If no restore points are available or the error persists, continue with the final method to reset or reinstall Windows.
Method 8: Reset Windows 11 as a Last Resort
If none of the previous methods resolve error code 0xc000000e, your Windows installation may be too damaged to repair using the built-in recovery tools. In this case, resetting Windows can replace corrupted system files and restore the operating system to a working state.
To reset Windows 11:
- Boot into Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).
- Go to: Troubleshoot → Reset this PC
- Choose one of the following options:
- Keep my files: Reinstalls Windows while preserving your personal files, but removes installed apps and resets system settings.
- Remove everything: Completely erases your files, apps, and settings before reinstalling Windows.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the reset process.
- After the reset finishes, check whether Windows starts normally.
If Reset this PC fails or the 0xc000000e error still appears, the problem may be caused by a failing storage drive or severe disk corruption. In that case, back up your data if possible and perform a clean installation of Windows 11 using a bootable USB drive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. If your SSD or hard drive has bad sectors, file system corruption, or is beginning to fail, Windows may not be able to access the boot files required to start the operating system. Running CHKDSK can help detect disk errors, but if the drive is not detected in the BIOS or repeatedly reports errors, it may need to be replaced.
In most cases, yes. Running Startup Repair, rebuilding the Boot Configuration Data (BCD), recreating the EFI boot files, checking BIOS/UEFI settings, and repairing disk or system file corruption can usually resolve the error without reinstalling Windows.
Both are Windows boot errors related to the Boot Configuration Data (BCD). Error 0xc000000e usually indicates Windows cannot locate the required boot device or operating system, while 0xc000000f typically points to corrupted or inaccessible boot configuration data or boot files.
Yes. Although uncommon, an interrupted or failed Windows update can damage the boot configuration or system files, preventing Windows from starting normally.
Not always. If you can access the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE), most repairs can be performed without installation media. However, if WinRE is unavailable or badly damaged, you’ll need a Windows installation USB to access the recovery tools.
