10 Ways to Fix the Error Code 0xC000000F on Windows 10 /11

Getting stuck with the Error Code 0xc000000f when you try to start up Windows is a big problem. Because of the mistake, you can’t start your computer and access your files.

If you see the warning “An error occurred while trying to read the boot configuration” with the Error Code 0xc000000f and want to know what went wrong, this article is for you.

Here are all the ways to fix error number 0xc000000f on Windows 10, Windows 8, and Windows 7.

What is Error Code 0xc000000f?

Error Code 0xc000000f is related to the Windows boot manager. When Windows tries to read the boot configuration data, it shows the bootbcd Error 0xc000000f and tells the user to fix their PC using the Windows installation media.

The mistake usually appears on a black or blue screen after loading a new program or driver or updating the Windows operating system.

What Makes Windows Give the 0xc000000f Error?

This problem often happens when something goes wrong with the BCD (Boot Configuration Data). Here are some of the most common causes.

  • Windows Boot area is broken or corrupted
  • Windows Boot volume cannot be read
  • Hard drive crash or corruption
  • Damage to the file system
  • Infection with a virus or malware.

Error Messages Like Windows Error 0xc000000f

  • Your PC or device needs to be fixed. Your PC’s Boot Configuration Data needs to be included or has mistakes. 0xc00000f is the error code.
  • Windows didn’t start up. 0xc00000f.
  • 0xc000000f: There was a problem when the boot data was being read.
  • Windows 7 Boot BCD Error Code 0xc00000f

These are some of the most common error messages that come up with the error number 0xc00000f on different versions of Windows. To fix the Error, try the solutions mentioned below in order.

How to Fix Error 0xc000000f in Windows?

There are many ways to fix Windows boot error 0xc000000f. Try the methods below to get rid of Windows 10 error code 0xc000000f.

Fix 1. Remove the External Device Connected

When you turn on your computer, the System will try to boot from any connected external media before booting from the hard drive. Any problems with the external device could cause the boot process to fail, giving you the Error Code 0xC000000F.

This problem can be fixed by removing external devices from your PC, such as USB drives, memory cards, or external hard drives. These devices can sometimes mess up the boot process and cause the BCD to become damaged or incorrect.

  • Turn off your Windows machine.
  • Unplug it from the power source and look for signs of damage on the power line. If there are any, you should change them before you plug it back in. If it looks in good shape, move on to the next step.
  • One by one, unplug everything plugged in, like speakers, USB devices, webcams, dongles, and other electronic tools.
  • Turn on the thing and see if the problem is still there.

Fix 2. Run bootrec.exe in Windows Repair Mode

Run bootrec.exe in Windows repair mode to fix startup difficulties.

  • Use a bootable DVD/USB to boot your machine.
  • If requested by the System, press any keyboard key.
  • Select language, time, currency, and keyboard and hit Next.
  • Select the OS to repair and click Next.
  • Then, choose Command Prompt under System Recovery Options.
  • Type bootrec.exe and click Enter at a command prompt. This command rebuilds the BCD, normalizing your machine.

Fix 3. Set Boot Partition to Active

It has been seen that if the boot drive is not set to active, Windows won’t start up properly. Follow the steps below to see if the Boot file is active or not:

  • With the help of a DVD that can be used to start up your computer, choose “Repair” from the menu.
  • At the recovery prompt, type “diskpart” and press Enter. Then type “list disk” and press Enter again.

Fix 3. Set Boot Partition to Active

  • This will show a list of all the hard drives connected to the machine.
  • After that, type “detail partition” and look for “Active” in the list.
  • If it says yes, go to the next part. If it says no, type “Active” and press Enter.
  • The message “The partition is now marked as active” will be shown by Windows.
  • Start over and get back into the rescue panel.
  • It is thought that the mistake 0xc000000f has been fixed.

Fix 4. Repair Boot and MBR Sectors

To fix the System’s MBR and boot area, run the following command from the restore console:

Fix 4. Repair Boot and MBR Sectors

  • bootrec /fixmbr
  • bootrec /fixboot

After running the code above, restart the machine and go to the recovery prompt again. Type “bcdboot path to your Windows folder” (for example, “bcdboot c:windows”) to go to your Windows folder. This command will make a new BCD boot store and copy all the boot files needed to start the computer. Last, restart your computer once more and see if the BCD 0xc000000f Error is gone.

Fix 5. Rebuild the BCD Manually

As was said above, the 0xc000000f boot problem is caused by Boot Configuration Data that is broken or missing. So, rebuilding BCD is suggested. Follow the steps below to do this,

  • Insert a Windows installation disc that can be used to start your computer, and use that disc to start up your computer.
  • Choose the language, time, and computer input you want. Then click the button that says “Repair your computer.”
  • Choose the Windows installation drive and click the Next Go with the Command Prompt button. Then run the following command:

bootrec /rebuildbcd

Press Y if the app finds a Windows installation.

Fix 6. Run the CHKDSK Tool

Several things can cause the hard drive or system section to lose functionality. Use the CHKDSK tool that comes with Windows to fix this problem. This tool will check the disk for mistakes and fix them all.

chkdsk C: /f

  • Use the Windows installation disc to start up your computer.
  • Choose the language, time, and computer input you want. Then click the button that says “Repair your computer.”
  • Now, choose the drive where Windows will be installed (usually C:) and click the Next button.
  • In the System Recovery Options box, click on the Command Prompt link.
  • Type the next sentence and press the Enter key.

Here, you need to change C to the letter of the System drive where Windows is installed. You may see this mistake if your hard disk has problems, like insufficient space on the machine. So, to get rid of BCD 0xc000000f Error in Windows, you need to free up room on your hard drive.

Fix 7. Repair to Repair BOOTMGR

When you get the “Windows failed to start 0xc00000f” problem, the BOOTMGR driver file, which is responsible for starting the operating System, cannot be found or is broken.

By trying to fix any problems with the BOOTMGR file, the Startup Repair tool can help fix this problem. Startup Repair is a tool that comes with Windows that can quickly find and fix problems that stop Windows from starting up correctly.

Follow these steps to use Startup Repair to fix the 0xc00000f problem and fix BOOTMGR:

  • Put in your Windows installation disc or restore drive and restart your computer.
  • Press any key when asked to boot from the installation disc or restore the drive.
  • Choose the language you want to use and click Next.
  • Click the “Repairbutton.
  • Choose Troubleshoot > Advanced choices > Startup Repair.
  • Just do what it says to do to finish the Startup Repair process.

Startup Repair will try to fix any problems with the BOOTMGR file or other problems that stop Windows from starting. If the fix works, your machine should start properly, and the 0xc00000f problem should be gone.

Fix 8. Check your Driver, Data Cable & BIOS

Unplug and replug all the HDD data wires. If the BIOS settings or drivers were changed, you can either go back to the old settings or use the “Restore factory settings” option in the BIOS.

Make sure to write down all the BIOS settings chosen before, in case you need to return. If an error is caused by changing the SATA disk controller’s mode in firmware or BIOS, the problem can be easily fixed by going into BIOS and switching the “mode” setting for the SATA disk controller.

You may need to update your driver. To do so, go to the official Microsoft website or the website of your computer’s maker and look for the latest driver update.

If you had trouble changing the driver, try running Driver Updater. It will quickly update the driver and fix any problems caused by the driver.

Fix 9. Perform System Restore

System Restore takes your computer back to a time when it worked well. This includes the boot setup files. So, if the mistake was caused by a recent change to the system setup, like installing or updating software, System Restore can help fix the problem by removing the changes.

Here’s how to fix the “Windows failed to start 0xc00000f” Error using System Restore:

  • Use a Windows startup or restore disk to start your machine.
  • Choose the language you want to use and click Next.
  • Select Fix your machine.
  • Click Troubleshoot, then click Advanced Options, then click System Restore.
    Choose a restart point from the list and click the Next button.
  • Confirm your restart point and click Finish.
  • Wait for the process of restoring the System to finish.
  • Once restoring is done, turn your computer back on and see if the Error is gone.

Fix 10. Reinstall Windows 10

This mistake can be fixed by reinstalling Windows, which makes new copies of all the system files, even the ones that may have been damaged or lost. This process returns the operating System to how the manufacturer set it up. This can fix many problems, including the 0xc00000f Error.

You can look at our guide, How to Reinstall Windows 10 Without Losing Files? to put Windows 10 back on your computer.

After the installation, you shouldn’t see the Error Code 0xC000000F. But you should know that reinstalling Windows will delete everything on your hard drive, so back up any important files before you do this.

The complete method of installing Windows 10 is available in this article. You can install Windows 10 by reading this article.

FAQs with Error (Code 0xC000000F)

How do I fix error code 0xc000000f?

  1. Check and change the power cord, and take away any extra devices.
  2. Use the Bootrec.exe utility to start up your computer.
  3. To fix BOOTMGR, you can use Startup Repair.
  4. Make the BCD from scratch.
  5. Check your drivers, BIOS, and data connections.

What is error code 0xc000000f for a required device?

Most likely, it’s because BCD is missing, a system file is broken, or a data wire is broken.

What is error code 0xc00000f after Windows Update?

Most of the time, you’ll see the error number 0xc000000f on your Windows machine after it fails to start up.

How do I run startup repair?

  1. Start the computer on the installation disk for the version of Windows that is already loaded.
  2. On the screen that says “Install Windows,” click “Next” and then “Repair your computer.”
  3. On the screen that asks you to choose a choice, click Troubleshoot.
  4. On the screen with the Advanced choices, choose Startup Repair.

Conclusion

A black or blue screen shows up with the Error Code 0xC000000F. With the fixing tips above, you should be able to fix it quickly. Due to this mistake, you may need help getting into your System. In that case, you can use software like Stellar Data Recovery Professional, which is easy to use but has a lot of power, to get the data back. The software can get data back from a Windows machine that won’t start up or has stopped.

If you have any problem or query related to your PC, then you can contact us through comments on our Facebook page and Linkedin. We’re on FacebookTwitter, and Telegram too! If you want to stay connected with us, be sure to follow us. We’d love to stay in touch!

Good Luck _

Updated: 19 February 2024 — 11:54 PM

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