How to Fix the Inaccessible Boot Device Error in Windows 10
If you’ve ever tried booting up your computer only to be greeted by the “Inaccessible Boot Device” error, you know how frustrating it can be. This error prevents your computer from booting normally, and unless you know how to fix it, you’ll be stuck staring at a blue screen. In this article, we’ll go over what causes this error and how to fix the Inaccessible Boot Device error in Windows 10.
What Causes the Inaccessible Boot Device Error?
The Inaccessible Boot Device error in Windows 10 is typically caused by a faulty driver or a hardware issue. It can also be the result of Windows update errors, file system corruption, or issues with the system files. Regardless of the cause, the error essentially means that your computer cannot access the system boot device – usually the hard drive. This can occur when Windows cannot find the necessary boot files, when the hard drive is failing, or when there are issues with the hard drive’s connections.
How to Fix the Inaccessible Boot Device Error
1. Check Your Connections
If you recently installed a new hard drive or made changes to your computer’s hardware, there’s a chance that the Inaccessible Boot Device error is caused by a loose or faulty connection. Open up your computer and make sure that everything is properly connected, including the hard drive and any cables or ribbons that connect it to the motherboard.
2. Remove Peripherals
Sometimes, the Inaccessible Boot Device error can be caused by an external device that’s connected to your computer. Disconnect any USB devices or other peripherals and see if the error resolves itself.
3. Use the Automatic Repair Tool
Windows 10 comes with an Automatic Repair tool that can help diagnose and fix issues with your computer. To use this tool, follow these steps:
– Boot your computer from the Windows 10 installation drive or recovery drive
– Select your language preferences and click “Next”
– Click “Repair your computer” > “Troubleshoot” > “Advanced options” > “Startup Repair”
– Follow the on-screen instructions to allow the tool to scan and fix any issues with your computer
4. Run a Disk Check
A disk check can help fix any errors that are present on your hard drive. To run a disk check, follow these steps:
– Press the Windows key + X and select “Command Prompt (Admin)”
– Type “chkdsk C: /f /r” and press enter
– If you receive a message that Chkdsk cannot run because the volume is in use, type “Y” and press “Enter” to schedule a disk check the next time you restart your computer
– Restart your computer to allow Chkdsk to run
5. Use System Restore
If you recently installed new software or made changes to your computer’s settings that triggered the Inaccessible Boot Device error, you can use System Restore to undo these changes. To use System Restore, follow these steps:
– Boot your computer from the Windows 10 installation drive or recovery drive
– Select your language preferences and click “Next”
– Click “Repair your computer” > “Troubleshoot” > “Advanced options” > “System Restore”
– Follow the on-screen instructions to select a restore point and restore your system to a previous state