Inaccessible boot device errors in Windows 10 aren’t hard to solve. We’ve already explained how to fix one of the most common queries: the critical process died to stop code. Now it’s time to look at different issues frequently complained about: how to fix an inaccessible boot drive error.
What exactly causes the issue? How do you know if it’s affecting you? And what can you do to fix it? Keep reading to find out more.
What Is the Inaccessible Boot Device Error?
We all know Windows loves to update itself. Often, it’s exciting—especially when a significant upgrade rolls around. But your excitement can quickly turn to despair.
Picture the scene. You anxiously wait for Windows to reboot after the upgrade, then BAM! You see a “blue screen of death” (BSOD) with the inaccessible boot drive error message, and your computer restarts.
In simple terms, the message means Windows lost its access to the system partition during the start-up process.
Although tens of thousands of users saw the code due to a 2017 update, the boot device error has several possible causes, including BIOS updates and overclocked CPUs. Some users recommend that the problem appears to be more prevalent in computers running an SSD.
Let’s take a look at how you can solve the inaccessible boot device error in Windows 10. Unfortunately, you might need to try several various solutions.
Cases of Inaccessible Boot Device Error in Windows 10
The Inaccessible Boot Device error refers to a BSOD error message that happens when the Windows 10 operating system fails to access the system partition while trying to start up. Windows 10 may not access the system partition due to the following points:
- Corrupted, outdated, or inaccurately configured drivers
- Hardware conflicts resulting from system updates or changes
- A damaged hard disc
- Malware
- Other causes
Besides causing the Inaccessible Boot Device Error, the difficulties highlighted above may result in other system malfunctions, including the MSVCP110.dll missing issue VIDEO_DXGKRNL_FATAL_ERROR, INTERNAL_POWER_ERROR, and much more. It’s necessary to solve the inaccessible boot device issue to prevent the possibility of a more severe system malfunction in the future.
How to Solve Inaccessible Boot Device Issue in Windows 10
There are several resolutions on how to troubleshoot the inaccessible boot device error in Windows 10. However, it’s not required to use all of them. You only require to give a few solutions a try and make do with the one that works for you. With that said, here’s a suggested guide on how to fix the Inaccessible Boot Device Error in Windows 10:
Update your drivers
Drivers are rather vital since they allow Windows 10 to utilize your hardware.
But if your drivers are outdated and thus incompatible with Windows 10, that can perform all sorts of problems, one being the INACCESSIBLE BOOT DEVICE BSOD error.
To fix these types of errors, it’s highly advised that you update your drivers. To do that, visit your hardware manufacturer’s website, locate the latest drivers, and download them.
Some users claim that this error is generated by an IDE ATA/SATA controller driver, and according to them, the BSoD error was fixed after downloading and installing the latest version of this driver.
Run the BSOD Troubleshooter
In case updating your drivers didn’t resolve the difficulty, go on and try Windows 10’s built-in troubleshooting tool.
You can use this tool to deal with all sorts of problems, including the BSOD problems like the INACCESSIBLE BOOT DEVICE error.
Here’s how to run Windows 10’s troubleshooter:
- Open the Settings app and enter the Update & Security section.
- Select Troubleshoot from the menu on the left.
- Choose BSOD from the right pane and hit Run the troubleshooter.
- Follow the directions on the screen to complete the troubleshooter.
Run the SFC scan
Another troubleshooter that could be significant here is the SFC scan. This is a command-line tool that scans your system for possible flaws and fixes them, if possible.
So, it could also fix the INACCESSIBLE BOOT DEVICE error. Here’s how to run the SFC scan in Windows 10 system:
- Right-hit the Start Menu button and open Command Prompt (Admin).
- Enter the following line and press Enter: SFC/scannow
- Please wait until the process is done (it may take a while).
- If the answer is found, it will automatically be applied.
- Now, close the Command Prompt and restart your computer system.
Enter Safe Mode
Safe Mode is designed to start with only necessary drivers and only the most essential software.
Therefore if the INACCESSIBLE BOOT DEVICE error is caused by specific third-party software, you should use Safe Mode without any problems.
To enter Safe Mode, do the following:
- Could you restart your computer while it boots? Do this until you start Automatic Repair?
- Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options >Startup Settings. Click the Restart button.
- When your system restarts, you’ll see a list of options. Hit 5 or F5 to enter Safe Mode with Networking.
Test if your system works correctly in Safe Mode. If there are no problems, you can use Safe Mode to update or uninstall specific drivers or applications that might be causing this error.
Users claim that to fix the INACCESSIBLE BOOT DEVICE error, it’s only necessary that you enter Safe Mode, and the error should be automatically fixed when you restart your PC.
Enable AHCI Mode in BIOS
According to users, you can quickly fix the INACCESSIBLE BOOT DEVICE error only by enabling AHCI mode in BIOS. To do that, you require to do the following:
- While your system boots, keep pressing F2 or Del to enter BIOS.
- Once you enter BIOS, go to the advanced section and change Set AHCI Mode to Enabled.
- Optional: Set the AHCI Mode Control to Auto.
- Save changes and restart your PC.
It’s deserving mentioning that your BIOS might be different, and to see how to enter BIOS and change the AHCI mode, be sure to check your motherboard manual for detailed instructions.
Check for loose cables
Few users reported that loose cables could be the cause of the INACCESSIBLE BOOT DEVICE error.
Therefore you need to power down your PC, unplug it, open your computer case, and check if everything is connected correctly.
It’s worth mentioning that few users conducted to fix this problem by connecting their hard drive to a different port on their motherboard, so be sure to try that.