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Windows inaccessible boot device error is one of the most common Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) errors. The stop code 0x0000007b usually occurs during Windows startup. You can fix the inaccessible boot device error using do-it-yourself methods.
What’s a Boot Device?
A boot device is a storage device from which the Windows operating system can load and run. This can be a hard drive, floppy drive, CD-ROM, or USB flash drive. The boot device must be formatted with a Windows-compatible file system such as NTFS or FAT32.
What is the inaccessible boot device error?
The inaccessible boot device error is a Windows stop code error. It usually occurs when the Windows operating system cannot access the boot partition or device. There can be several reasons for this BSOD error such as malware attacks, corrupt system files, incompatible device drivers, etc.
Main reasons for the Windows inaccessible boot device error
There could be several reasons for the inaccessible boot device error in Windows. Some of the most common reasons are:
Malware attacks. Malicious software or malware can corrupt system files and lead to BSOD errors.
Corrupt system files. System files play an important role in the smooth functioning of Windows. If these files are corrupt, it can cause BSOD errors.
Faulty hard drives. Hard drives can become faulty due to physical wear and tear, or logical errors. This can lead to BSOD errors.
Incompatible device drivers. If you have installed incompatible device drivers, it can cause BSOD errors.
How to fix the Inaccessible Boot Device error?
There are several methods you can use to fix the inaccessible boot device error in Windows.
If the issue prevents you from accessing your computer, you can start it in Safe Mode and then try to fix the issue with one of our solutions below.
To boot Windows in Safe Mode:
- Restart your computer and when it starts showing the Windows logo on the screen, turn it off again. Repeat it three times.
- Your system will reach the Automatic Repair environment. Click on Advanced options.
- Troubleshoot > Startup Settings > Restart
Once the computer restarts, press F4 to enable Safe Mode.
1. Run a virus and malware scan
One of the most common reasons for inaccessible boot device errors is malware attacks. If your system is infected with malware, it can corrupt system files and damage hard drives. This can lead to an inaccessible boot device error. To fix this problem, you need to scan your system for malware using antivirus or anti-malware software and remove all the malicious files.
2. Check your hard drive for bad sectors
You should check your hard drives for bad sectors and errors. To do this, you can use the chkdsk command. This command will scan your hard drive for errors and fix them.
Warning: The CHKDSK command will erase any faulty or corrupted file. Therefore, make sure you have a recent backup of your data to avoid data loss.
On the search box or type cmd in and select Run As Administrator.
On the CHKDSK window type f: /f command and press Enter.
Wait for the scan to end and then restart your computer.
Check if the issue is fixed.
3. Update your device drivers
Another reason for inaccessible boot device errors is incompatible or outdated device drivers. If you have installed any new hardware recently, it’s likely that the device drivers are not compatible with your Windows version. This can also cause the “inaccessible boot device” error. To fix this problem, you need to update your device drivers.
To do so, just go to the hardware manufacturer’s website and download the latest version of your driver’s software and install it.
4. Restore Windows to an earlier point
You can also try to restore to an earlier point to fix the inaccessible boot device issue on your Windows.
To do it, you’ll need to access the System Restore.
Warning: This can lead to data loss. Make a backup before proceeding.
Search for Create A Restore Point on the Windows search menu and click System Restore. Select the restore points, and click Scan for affected programs.
Click on Finish to complete the process.
Once it ends, restart your PC and check if the error is fixed.
5. Run System File Checker (SFC)
Windows has several built-in troubleshooting tools. System File Checker is one of those tools. It checks for system file corruption.
SFC scans all protected system files’ integrity and replaces the corrupted or damaged files with the correct ones.
Find Command Prompt, and run it as an administrator.
Then type SFC/scannow and press Enter.
Wait for the process to end.
Once the process is finished, close the window and restart your computer now.
Check if the inaccessible boot device issue is fixed.
6. Check your computer’s BIOS settings
Changes in the BIOS settings can cause the “inaccessible boot device” error. Revert the changes and restore the BIOS to the last saved configuration to fix the boot problem.
Start your computer and immediately start pressing repeatedly the BIOS setup key. It can be the Del, F2, F8, F10, or ESC key. Check your device’s manual to make sure which one it is.
On the BIOS settings menu, go to the Setup Defaults tab. It can have another name, depending on your device.
Reset to Default
Factory Default
Setup Defaults
Or others similar to those.
As soon as you click on it, it will begin to reset your BIOS immediately.
Save the changes and wait for your computer to automatically reboot. Then check if the inaccessible boot device error is fixed.
7. Perform a clean boot
A clean boot is a process of starting Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. This helps eliminate software conflicts that can cause BSOD errors. To perform a clean boot, you need to follow the steps given below:
Go to the Start menu and type ‘msconfig’ in the search box.
Press Enter and click on the ‘Boot’ tab.
Select ‘Safe Boot’ and click on ‘OK’.
Restart your system.
How to recover data lost due to an inaccessible boot device error in Windows?
If you have lost data due to an inaccessible boot device error, you can use a data recovery tool to recover the lost data. Data recovery tools are designed to scan your hard drive and recover lost or deleted files.
You also can contact a data recovery service. SalvageData is a leading data recovery company that offers data recovery services for all types of media, including Windows computers, hard drives, SSDs, flash drives, and more. SalvageData has a team of certified data recovery experts who can recover your lost data quickly and securely. Contact us 24/7 to ask about data recovery and security questions.
TL; DR: The inaccessible boot device error can occur due to several reasons, such as malware attacks, corrupt system files, faulty hard drives, incompatible device drivers, etc. You can use DIY methods to fix the problem and built-in tools, although these are very risky and can lead to data loss. If you have lost data due to the inaccessible boot device error, you can use a data recovery tool to recover the lost data or contact a data recovery service.
