What to do when Windows displays “INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE” after an update

Did you recently update your PC and now Windows displays "INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE"? After an update, we all expect our computer to improve performance, become more secure, or more stable. So, What can you do when an improvement ends up being a headache? In this article, we'll look at the most common causes of this error, how to diagnose the problem, and what to do to fix it. Let's get started.

What does “INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE” mean?

When Windows displays "INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE," it means the operating system can't access or find the boot disk. In other words: Windows cannot find the hard drive or SSD where the operating system is installed. and this prevents your computer from starting up properly. While this may seem like a serious error at first, in many cases it can be solved without having to format the computer and install windows again.

Windows displays “INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE” after an update: common causes

The "INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE" error is usually related to storage drivers, disk corruption, or changes in hardware configuration. And if the error appeared right after the last update, It may not have been performed correctly or may have a fault. These are other common causes of that particular error:

• Changes in storage controllers (SATA, NVMe, RAID).
• File system or boot record corruption.
• Conflicts with third-party software such as antivirus or optimization or cleaning tools.
• Changes in BIOS/UEFI settings.
• Physical failures of the hard drive or SSD.

Basic solutions to solve the error

If after an update Windows shows “INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE”, there are some initial checks you can do to fix it. try to solve the problem easilyThis is the most recommended before applying any advanced settings:

1. Disconnect external devicesRemove all USB devices such as flash drives, Bluetooth devices, Wi-Fi devices, etc., as well as external hard drives, printers, and SD cards. The reason? Sometimes, Windows attempts to boot from one of these devices incorrectly, so removing them may resolve the error.
2. Restart your computer several timesWindows may recognize the error after several boot attempts and automatically load the recovery environment (WinRE) from which you can troubleshoot the problem. We'll see how to use it later.
3. Start with the last good configuration: Restart your PC. Hold down the F8 key until the Windows logo appears. This will take you to the “Advanced Boot Options.” Use the arrow keys to select “Last Known Good Configuration (Advanced)” and press Enter.
4. Check if you can access WinREIf you see a blue screen with options like "Troubleshoot," you're in the recovery environment. From there, you can try different solutions.

Troubleshoot the error from the recovery environment (WinRE)

If Windows manages to boot after the error, you can access WinRE from Settings. To do this, go to System – Recovery – Advanced startup – Restart now. Now, If Windows definitely does not start or automatically load the recovery environment (WinRE), you can “force” access.

To do this, you can insert a Windows installation media (USB or DVD), boot from it and select “Repair your computer”. Once inside the recovery environment, there are several tools at your disposal to solve the error. These are some of them:

• Startup repair: Go to Troubleshoot – Advanced options – Startup Repair. This way, Windows will attempt to fix any startup errors on your computer.
• Uninstall the latest updateSince Windows displays “INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE” after an update, select Troubleshoot – Advanced options – Uninstall updates. Choose between uninstalling the quality or feature update.
• Restore the systemIf you've created restore points, select Troubleshoot – Advanced options – System Restore. Choose a point before the update, and you're done.

Advanced solutions when Windows displays “INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE” (for experts)

However, if the above options don't work and Windows still shows the “INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE” error then you can apply deeper solutionsBelow, we'll look at some of them. Be sure to follow each solution to the letter; this will prevent your PC from experiencing even worse errors than it had to begin with.

Run CHKDSK

From the command prompt in WinRe you can run a command that will scan for and repair errors on the disk. If the disk is damaged, CHKDSK may flag bad sectors. These are the Steps to run CHKDSK from WinRe:

1. Once inside WinRe, select Solve problems - Advanced - Symbol of the systemA black window will open.
2. There copy the following command: chkdsk C: / f / r and ready.

Rebuild the BCD (Boot Configuration Data)

Another option is to rebuild the BCD (Boot Configuration Data) from the command prompt. This repairs the boot record, which is very useful if the update corrupted it. To run it, copy the following commands:

• bootrec / fixmbr
  bootrec / fixboot
  bootrec / scanos
  bootrec / RebuildBcd

Check SATA settings in BIOS/UEFI

When Windows displays “INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE”, check the SATA configuration can help Windows see the disk correctlyIn that case, you should do the following:

1. Restart your computer and enter the BIOS (press F2, Del or Esc).
2. Look for the SATA configuration option and make sure it is in AHCI mode.
3. If it is in RAID or IDE, change it to AHCI, save and reboot again.

Reinstall Windows

If none of the above solutions work for you, you'll need to reinstall Windows on your computer. But don't worry about your data; you can keep it. Keep in mind that your apps will be deleted, but your documents, photos, and settings will remain. The The steps to reinstall Windows are as follows::

1. Boot from the installation media.
2. Select “Install Now.”
3. Choose the option that keeps your personal files.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen and you're done.

Additional tips to prevent this error in the future

When Windows displays “INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE” after an update, it’s normal to feel insecure and worried. The key is to start with the basics and move on to more technical solutions.And while it's not a completely preventable mistake, you can reduce the risk with the following ideas:

• Create restore points before updating.
• Avoid turning off your computer during an update.
• Keep your drivers up to date.
• Make regular backups to external drives or the cloud.